Organic Law The Plan and Powers of the Provisional Government, a document hastily drawn up by the Consultation. Although the Organic Law set up a provisional government, there was no coherent separation of executive and legislative powers. The powers of the commander-in-chief extended over only the (as yet nonexistent) regular army. Volunteer soldiers already in the field refused to serve under the Organic Law’s provisions. P Padilla, Juan Antonio Padilla joined the Texas Army on October 22, 1835. He later served on the General Council. _Pelicano_ Mexican vessel captured by the Texas navy ship _Liberty_ outside Sisal, Yucatan, on March 3, 1836. Permanent Council The Permanent Council served as the governing body of Texas from October 11, 1835, to early November, when the Consultation achieved a quorum. It was made up of the Committee of Safety of San Felipe and representatives from the other Texas communities. _Pocket_ An American brig bound from New Orleans to Matamoros, the _Pocket_ was captured by the _Invincible_. Taken to Galveston, the ship’s cargo was appropriated by the Texas authorities. A Texas court later condemned the _Pocket_ as a lawful prize on the grounds that it was sailing under false papers and was carrying supplies and messages for Santa Anna. To calm U. S. indignation over the brig’s capture, William Bryan, and Toby and Brothers Company paid $35,000 for the ship and $8,000 in damages. Portilla, Jose Nicolas de la Lieutenant colonel under Urrea, Portilla was put in charge of James W. Fannin and his men after the defeat at Coleto. On March 26, Portilla received orders from Santa Anna to execute all prisoners; he received orders from Urrea to treat the men as prisoners of war and to set them to rebuilding Goliad. Deciding that Santa Anna’s orders took precedence, Portilla, on March 27, took the prisoners out of Goliad in three columns and had them shot. Potter, Robert Potter joined the Nacogdoches volunteers commanded by Thomas J. Rusk. Until November 21, 1835, he worked with Dr. Grant to arm and equip the siege of Bexar. On November 30, he was commissioned in the Texas Navy. Potter represented Nacogdoches in the Convention of 1836, and he was appointed interim secretary of the Navy. Burnet appointed him commander of the port of Galveston on April 20, 1836.