T8
THE BATTALION.
- other scientific and classical studies, and including military
tactics, to teach such branches as are related to agriculture
and the mechanics in order to promote the liberal and practi-
••cal education of the industrial classes in the several profes
sions of life. Texans were then, with courageous, determin
ed, earnest faces, looking to the north and if they saw the
proceedings of congress upon that day this did but attract
their attention, for they were looking for the pomp, prepara
tion and circumstance of war, but it was important legisla
tion, which when the march of armies had ceased and the
march of years went on, was destined to be a monument to
the sagacity of the Vermont senator, its author, and with the
co-operation of the states a means of advancing the public
weal and setting in motion influences that are measured only
by the capacity of our people, and bounded only by the pur-
,ple rim of the future. This act provided that no state in a
■condition of rebellion or insurrection should receive its bene-
'ifits. This was intended to apply to Texas with her sister
■ Southern States. By amendment however in 1866 she was
permitted to accept under this legislation, and in the same
year by act of her legislature formally accepted the donation.
■She thus received a small portion of the Federal Public Do
main acquired by the Mexican war—a conflict in which
Texas soldiery was Fund fighting upon every field. While
the United States paid Mexico for this territory, yet it was by
reason of the acquaintance and association of the United
States with us that she was ever able to make such a trade or
to even acquire it at all.
Under this acceptance Texas received 180,000 acres of
land, at the time having four congressmen, which with two
senators, entitled her to that amount. The land scrip was
sold and the proceed-! invested in interest bearing bonds.
These bonds are known as “Frontier Defense” bonds and bear
7 per cent, interest. A portion of the accumulated interest
accrueing prior to the organization of the college was also
made a portion of the permanent fund. By law the use of
this fund is limited to payment of professors and officers of
the institation. We thus have the origin of the Federal