named José Antonio Valdez, a miserable, meagre, squalid looking creature, who is said to be a very immoral character, and yet a man of considerable property.  The other is a young man named Eugenio Hernandez, a lieutenant in the late army of Cos, and on parole.  They were brought under the care of Capt. Wm. G. Cooke, late of Fredericksburg, Va., who now commands the New Orleans Greys, and stands high in the army of Texas.  Poor Cooke was very badly off for a wardrobe, and Waller and myself were happy in supplying him with such of ours as we could spare, which he received with thanks and without any false shame.

Burnley gave me the following memo:

Raymond Musquis,[15]  who lives at Bejar, owns five and one-half leagues on the Labacca, about Demitt's Point, including the town of LaBacca.  Lynn says they may be bought for $10,000.

Lynn owns land -- ten leagues of which A. T. B. offerred $15,000 for.

A. T. B. has bought one and a half leagues from McCoy, who lives ten miles from Gonzales; bargain not finally closed.

Sunday, March 6, 1836

This morning, while at breakfast, a dispatch was received from Travis, dated Alamo, March 3 (which see).  The members of the Convention and the citizens all crowded to the Convention room to hear it read, after which Mr. Potter moved that the Convention organize a provisional government and adjourn and take the field.  An interesting debate arose (for an account of which see my letter to Blackford), but they adjourned with any action, the motion being lost.

A great many persons are starting and preparing to start to the seat of war.  In the afternoon Houston left, accompanied by his staff, Capt. Cooke, Capt. Tarleton, etc.  The town has been all day in a bustle, but is now quiet enough.  Wrote letters to Mrs. Gray, to W. M. B. and to T. G., to go by Burnley, who starts early in the morning.  Grayson goes with him, for the purpose of trying to raise men and money for the aid of the country.

Monday, March 7, 1836

Burnley and Grayson started early.

The Convention proceeded to work on the Constitution.  It is reported in part only.  Mr. Thomas is the chairman, or organ of the committee who reported.  It is awkwardly framed, arrangement and phraseology both bad; general features much like that of United States.  It is too close a copy, for some features of the Constitution of the United States which they are attempting to introduce here are not applicable.

Today the communication of Governor Smith was at length made, not in the