possession of such arms, munitions of war, stores, etc., subject to the order of the convention of the people of the State of Texas, and report their acts and doings in the premises to the committee of public safety."
A commission was issued and delivered to these commissioners with full instructions, both public and private, to regulate their conduct. Both Judge Devine and Senator Maverick were distinguished citizens of San Antonio, and intimately acquainted with General Twiggs. On the same day the committee conferred on Ben McCulloch the rank of colonel, with directions to hold him self in readiness to raise men and munitions of war, when ever called on by the commissioners to San Antonio, and to be governed according to the secret instructions given the commissioners. On February 5th the committee appointed Henry E. McCulloch colonel of cavalry, with instructions and authority to raise and employ a sufficient force and proceed without delay to negotiate with the respective commanders of the various military posts, from Fort Chadbourne, including Camp Colorado, Camp Cooper, and Fort Belknap, to Red river, for the delivery to him as commissioner, in behalf of the State of Texas, of all and every species of property, quartermaster property and stores, commissary property and stores, ordnance and ordnance stores, medical and hospital stores, and further advising him not to use force unless necessary, and to secure the property when received. At the same time the committee appointed Col. John S. Ford military commander, to proceed at once to the Rio Grande for the twofold purpose first, for the use of such means as will secure to the State of Texas all arms and munitions of war, together with all property of every kind now retained by and in the possession of the United States of America at Point Isabel, and at all points along the line of the Rio Grande; and second, to use such means as will protect the Rio Grande frontier. He was instructed to give a receipt for the property if E. B.
