Executive Department
Austin April 27th 1865

My countrymen --

Disaster has
befallen our arms in Virginia.
Our chosen chieftan Robert
E. Lee, victorious on so many
glorious fields is a prisoner
of war and a portion of his
army has surrendered.

These
unforeseen calamities impose
additional responsibilities on the state
of Texas. My object now is
briefly to point you to the
path of duty, to exhort
you by all the considerations which
make life desirable or
existence tolerable to pursue
that path without falter-
ing or flinching.

Your
faith, your honor and
your manhood are pledged
to your brethren east of the
Mississippi. For four
years they have fought your
battles and stood, a wall
of fire, between you and
the invader. Their cause is
your cause. Their fate is
inseparably yours. They look
now with eager eyes and
anxious hearts to the people
and armies of this department
for rescue and deliverance.