apprehension over the loss of representation to the benefit of the eastern section of the country, but more especially were they concerned with the effects the publication of accurate population statistics might have in causing the Mexicans to make bolder efforts to subjugate the country. Consequently, when the question of taking a census came up for a vote in the House of Representatives on December 7, the motion for engrossment was defeated by a vote of 19-19.[69]  Every member west of the Brazos voted against it. When presented again in the Sixth Congress, the census bill was once more defeated in the House.[70]

Among the several measures enacted during this Congress for frontier protection, the first, approved by Burnet on December 24, provided for the transportation of ammunition to the ranger post at San Antonio and for the "purchase of three Spy Horses" at that place.[71]  At San Antonio, Major Howard commanded three companies of regulars (150), and Colonel Samuel W. Jordan was authorized to raise a battalion of three hundred volunteers to be stationed on the western frontier to watch Arista's movements on the Río Grande and to act only on the defensive.[72]  Jordan raised a company of men and kept them on the frontier for a while in the Victoria area. It has been impossible to determine the number of men raised and the length of their service.[73]  It was said that Jordan was eager "to redress his wrongs and to snatch payment from a people who had rec[eive]d his services and then betrayed and insulted him."[74]  While in the midst of raising