2018 -- H 7924

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LC005166

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

POSTHUMOUSLY RECOGNIZING AND COMMEMORATING RHODE ISLAND BORN

CAPTAIN ALBERT MARTIN FOR HIS HEROIC ACTIONS AT THE BATTLE OF THE

ALAMO

     Introduced By: Representatives Lombardi, Hull, Giarrusso, Abney, and Corvese

     Date Introduced: March 06, 2018

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Captain Albert Martin was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1808, son

of Joseph S. and Abbey N. Martin. In 1835, he followed his father and older brothers and moved

to Gonzales, Texas, where he ran a general store. At this same time, the Texas Revolution was

taking place; and

     WHEREAS, At the start of the Texas Revolution, Captain Martin was one of the "Old

Eighteen" defenders of the Gonzales cannon. Their stirring motto and challenge to the Mexican

military forces was "Come and Take it." Captain Martin was also part of a force that had

surrounded San Antonio De Bexar. By the end of 1835, he was recuperating back in Gonzales,

suffering from a foot injury inflicted by an ax; and

     WHEREAS, In early 1836, the Alamo, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel

William Travis, with a force of approximately 150 soldiers, were surrounded by Mexican General

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna's force of approximately 1,800. Captain Martin was asked by

Lieutenant Colonel Travis to act as an emissary and visit the Mexican forces, but all attempts for

a peaceful resolution were rejected by the Mexican forces. Captain Martin then carried Lieutenant

Colonel Travis's famous letter asking for reinforcements, entitled "To the People of Texas" to the

courier Launcelot Smither for distribution; and

     WHEREAS, Captain Martin returned with a relief force to the Alamo, fully knowing that

the situation within the Alamo was doomed and that they would not survive the forthcoming

attack from General Santa Anna forces. Captain Martin fought bravely at the Alamo and perished

on March 6, 1836; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives hereby recognizes and commemorates

Captain Albert Martin. He is a cherished part of American and Rhode Island history and his

bravery in the cause of liberty should never be forgotten; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to send

duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Historical Society and the Texas State

Historical Association

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LC005166

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