Page:The Fall of the Alamo.djvu/22

 So list! Scarce had the mail from Vera Cruz arrived At Fortress Anahuac yestereve When Colonel Bradburn, its commander, sent A squad of soldiers to the town, who seized My brother Patrick Jack and William Travis And Munroe Edwards, took them to the fort, And without hearing, without trial locked Each separately into a prison-cell.

Has Colonel Bradburn a sufficient cause To warrant this unusual proceeding?

His only warrant is that stale excuse Of servile knaves: his duty to obey His master's order, whether right or wrong.

But is it proven he has received such order?

He has, of which this document bears witness. Which he transmitted unto Nacogdoches E'en yestereve through one of his couriers, Though intercepted by our vigilance He and his letter never reached that place. [He hands the letter to Austin.]