OPERATIONS IN TEX., N.MEX., AND ARIZ. [CHAP.XI.

[Inclosures.] EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Austin, Tex., August 31, 1861.

To the People of Texas:

The war in which we are now engaged will in all probability be prolonged for many months to come, and our soldiers exposed to the rigors of a winter's campaign, and it becomes the demand of patriotism and of duty that the people should supply them with those things which are essential to their comfort. This can be effected at but little inconvenience and trifling expense to the people, and it will result in very material aid to the Government. Accordingly I wish to advise the formation in every county of a committee or society, whose duty it shall be to solicit and receive from every family in the county a blanket or comfortable. The articles thus contributed will be of little or no inconvenience to the family contributing, yet, when aggregated together, they will afford an immense supply for our sick and wounded soldiers. The committee or society should box up the contributions it may receive, and have them transported to Houston, Marshall, Sherman, Dallas, Austin, or San Antonio, from which points they can be sent forth wherever they may be needed. It is particularly requested that all supplies of this delay, and from that point they can readily be conveyed to our army in Virginia. In those instances where it is impossible to send contributions to either of the points designated, they should be taken in charge by the local committee, and held subject to the order of the governor of Texas.

In addition to these voluntary contributions for the sick and wounded, our soldiers will require clothing; and I further suggest that all articles of heavy clothing which can be made in the different communities be at once put into shape. This clothing will be paid for in the bonds of the Confederate States, and thus its manufacture may become the means of giving occupation to many persons throughout the State who would otherwise be unemployed. Of course the committee or society should also take the management and control of this business into its hands.

I will presume to offer no further suggestions. It is believed that Southern aid societies will be formed in every community, and they will judge best of the immediate means to be employed in accomplishing the end proposed.

EDWARD CLARK.

ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Austin, Tex., September 4,1861.

To the People of Texas:

The Secretary of War of the Confederate States has requested the State executive to have made up, at an early day, a large quantity of woolen clothing, to supply the wants of the Army, to be charged to the Confederate Government. The medical purveyor has also asked aid from the executive to a plan to procure blankets for the sick and wounded of the Army. He suggests, very wisely, that almost every family, with little or no inconvenience to itself, can contribute a blanket or comfortable to his Department.

Warmly approving these suggestions, the executive issued his address, of the 31st ultimo, inviting the formation in every county in the State of