Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, marks the 169th anniversary of Texas Independence Wednesday by reading the historic letter dispatched from the besieged Alamo by Col. William Barrett Travis.

The tradition of reading the letter on the U.S. Senate floor began with the late Republican Senator John Tower, who represented Texas in the U.S. Senate from 1961-1985.

The reading marks the anniversary of the day in 1836, when the Convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos, declared Texas' independence from the Republic of Mexico.

The original letter was sold at auction for almost $300,000 in December.

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TRAVIS LETTER:

Commandancy of the Alamo------ Bejar Fby. 24th 1836

To the People of Texas & all Americans in the world------ Fellow citizens & compatriots------ I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna ----- I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man ----- The enemy has demanded a Surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken ----- I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the wall ----- I shall never Surrender or retreat

Then, I can on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & every thing dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with an dispatch ----- The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days.

If this can is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country ----- Victory or Death

William Barret Travis Lt. Col. Comdt

P. S. The lord is on our side- When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn--- We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves--- Travis