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> 5
INTRODUCTION.
SCHOOL HISTORY, of necessity, can contain but The scone of
A-
a mere outline of important events. This is espe-
cially true when, as in the case of Texas, it extends
over a period of three centuries, — beginning with the
romantic but meagre chronicle of Spanish and French explora-
tion ; traversing the scattered, confused, and often bewildering
annals of missionary enterprise and frontier adventure ; includ-
ing the exploits of a heroic revolution and an interesting career
of national independence ; and finally issuing in the fast-coming
and thick-crowding events of fifty years of active and marvellous
progress as the largest State in the American Union.
Rightly undei*stood and correctly comprehended, the His-
tory of Texas is unequalled for its variety of incident, its flavor
of adventure, its lessons of endurance, patriotism, and valor, its
heroic achievements in the crisis of battle and its splendid tri-
umphs in the nobler arena of peaceful industry. Considered in
its largest sense, it is a story in three chapters, — a drama in
three acts, the last of which is yet moving before us on the stage
of actual life. The first chapter of its wonderful story is laid in
the age of Chivalry and Romance, and is filled with scenes and
personages the like of which the world will never see again. It
was the age of Spain's greatest power on land and sea. Her
Catholic Majesty sent his cavaliers to explore and subdue the
xiii
Texas history
A drama in
three acts
First Act
XIV
INTRODUCTION.
Spanish
Conquest
Spanish
tyranny
Mexican Inde-
pendence
New World, while her Holy Church sent its priests in the con-
queror's path to heal the wounds and repair the ruin the Con-
quest had wrought. A vast new empire was founded on the
wrecks of Aztec civilization, and a Spanish Viceroy held sway
in the palaces of Montezuma, while Spanish monks said mass in
the temples of Htiitzilopoclitli. In the ever- widening search for
gold and glory, the soldiers of Spain crossed the Great River of
the North and traversed the mountains and prairies of a far-away
province, where peaceful Indians fished and hunted along the
banks of the Pashahono, the Tockanhono, and the Arcokisa.
Side by side with military chieftains came missionary fathers, and
among the wild tribes of this virgin wilderness were erected those
first habitations of the white man in New Spain, — half castle,
half cathedral, — sheltering alike rude soldiers, praying priests,
and credulous red men, — the Catholic Mhswns, whose moulder-
ing and dismantled ruins still keep the memories of those adven-
turous days. New names were given to the old familiar streams,
new laws took the place of savage customs, new masters set
their sway over the plains and valleys of this fertile province,
and, in the names of a hundred saints whose shrines at intervals
dotted its vast, unsettled expanse, Texas was baptized as another
convert to the Spanish Crown. A century rolled away, a hun-
dred years of alternate strife and serenity in this outpost of the
Mexican viceroyalty. With the rapid changes of Old World
politics the glory of Spain had departed, and her once proud
prowess was humbled at the feet of that marvel of modern mys-
teries, the Corsican conqueror of Europe. Drained by foreign
wars and harassed by domestic revolution, her kings and coun-
cils levied intolerable burdens upon her provinces in the New-
World, while her impoverished Church exacted from the wretched
colonists all that the Crown left them in their misery. The op-
pression was past endurance, and the patriot-priest of Dolores
raised the Mexican standard of revolt against Spanish tyranny,
not to be lowered until the flag of independence floated over the
ancient capital of Anahuac, and its message of liberty was wel-
comed on the San Antonio, the Colorado, the Brazos, and the
Trinity. The first chapter had ended, and with it Castile's cav-
aliers faded from the soil of Texas. Alike mailed warrior and
INTRODUCTION. XV
cowled priest were gone, and in their stead came an era of hope
and promise for Repubhcan Mexico.
But with the opening of the second chapter of our history Second Act
there appeared a new and potent element in the developing
drama of Texan life :
" Ha ! the breath of the Celt and the Saxon drifts
Evermore to the West !"
With the growth of the mighty republic of the North and its
acquisition of the wide territory of Louisiana, the stream of
American conquest set towards the new fields beyond the Sabine.
There came into this splendid domain a clear-headed, strong- Angio-
handed, impatient population, whose nervous energy and pell- coUmutT
mell haste had no time for pageants and dreams and the quiet
labors of a leisurely priesthood. Still less would its spirit of
practical freedom and its inherited love of civil and religious
liberty brook the fickle and vicious experiments of Mexican
state-craft. The new-born independence of Mexico fell a speedy
victim to the intrigues and ambitions of rival despots, and was 4
swallowed up in the centralized tyranny of Santa Anna. The
odious forms of foreign oppression were imposed upon the Ameri-
can colonists who had peopled the fertile valleys and conquered
the spreading plains of Texas. Confronted with a savage foe all
around them, harassed by the trials and struggles of pioneer life,
they were further subjected to the unreasonable and burdensome
despotism of Mexican chiefs and the insolent wrongs of a foreign
soldiery. Protests were in vain, appeals to the constitution and Texan Rev-
laws were of no avail, and at last the spirit which had vindicated ° '^*'°" ^"
' 1 Independenct
the freedom of their sires among the hills of New England and
on the plains of Virginia asserted their unconquerable valor and
patriotism at Concepcion, Bexar, and Goliad. A new nation
was christened at San Felipe and started on its career of inde-
pendence at San Jacinto. A decade of privations, reverses, and
the ultimate triumph of wise and prudent counsels established
and maintained the young Republic, and finally its heroic fathers Annexation
yielded its separate sovereignty, and, with emotions of mingled
sorrow and pride, saw the Single Star take its place on the
ample folds of the banner of the Unioi.- "The second act in
XVI INTRODUCTION.
the great drama had ended ; the RepubHc of Texas was no
more. ' '
Third Act Her reception into the great American Confederacy opened
fresh and fruitful fields of prosperity to the new State, and
■rogressof ushcrcd in an era of steady progress and development. For-
ita^cT ^^ ^ tunate in the possession of a landed domain imperial in size and
resources, she was enabled to provide for a magnificent system of
free public education for her children unto all time, and to secure
the building of great railroad lines and other works of internal
improvement. Retaining all that was wise and beneficent in
the institutions of the Spanish law, she combined it with the
approved principles of English and American jurisprudence,
establishing a system of legal rights and remedies distinctively
her own, while she shared the blessings of political freedom
common to the Anglo-American race everywhere. Thus, for
fifteen years, the current of her peaceful and prosperous life ran
smooth and strong, until the great civil and military convulsion
of the War between the States blended her fortunes in field and
Civil War council with those of her sisters in the South. /, In that titanic
conflict her sons were everywhere in the front of the fray, and
the ' ' Stars and Bars' ' floated over no knightlier band than those
who rode down to death from the far-of? plains of Texas, emulat-
ing in this later and mightier struggle the dauntless chivalry and
.^cconstruc- debonair courage of the Alamo and the Coleta. And when it
was all over, they came back to ruined homes and fallow farms
and took up the burden of restoration with desperate but daunt-
less hearts, weary but unfaltering hands. The valor that failed
not on fields of carnage was not subdued by the sterner trials of
a sacrificial peace, and erelong the prostrate State was lifted to
her feet and once more trod the sure paths of peaceful and
ecentpro- progressive industry. For more than twenty years Texan
Statehood, in its restored and rehabilitated splendor, has justified
the prophetic eulogies of its original founders, challenged the
admiring interest of alien and of kindred states, and received
without stint the loyal and loving devotion of its own proud
citizenship. The third act in the drama still moves in majestic
measure across the stage of historical development, and if the
future may be read froi^l'J-he past, some later historian will record
ress
INTRODUCTION.
XVll
" Time's noblest offspring is
I
its completion in yet loftier strain
the last. ' ' \
The arena upon which these fateful and inspiring scenes have The physiog-
been enacted, and on which coming events shall marshal their ^^^ ^°
imposing array, is every way worthy the dignity of the drama
and the heroism of its theme. Stretching through nearly eleven
degrees of latitude and more than thirteen degrees of longitude,
it comprises two hundred and sixty-four thousand two hundred
and eleven (264,211) square miles of as varied, fertile, and
beautiful country as ' ' the sun in his all-seeing circuit' ' looks
down upon. It is nearly twice as large as California, four times
the size of Pennsylvania, and six times as large as New York ;
capable of containing, if as thickly populated as the little State
of New Jersey, more inhabitants than there are now in the entire
Union of States. If it were possible to ascend in a balloon high
enough to take in the complete view of this immense territory,
and human vision was equal to the task, the spectacle presented
would be that of a vast plain over seven hundred miles from east
to west and more than nine hundred miles from north to south,
— its northern and northwestern border elevated a mile above the
sea level, and its surface sloping east, southeast, and south, until ;
it dips beneath the "laughing tides" of the Gulf and fades away
into the brown and cactus-covered regions of Northern Mexico.
Across its otherwise level expanse opens a great Central central Bas:.
Basin formed by the valleys of the Red River, the Brazos, and
the Colorado, and their many tributaries, with wooded slopes
and fertile bottoms expanding into wide-stretching upland
])rairies of rolling verdure, dotted with the ranches, farms, towns,
and cities of a thriving population ; while farther south the
valley of the Nueces and allied streams carves out a similar Nueces vaiiey
depression in the lower part of this great table-land. Interme-
diate between these two principal basins, and following their •
general direction from northwest to southeast, there runs for a j
considerable distance a bold but broken rocky ridge, covered
with groves of live-oaks and cedars, interspersed with luxuriant
valleys, and ending on its southern and southwestern front in
precipitous bluffs, — the Dalcones of the Spaniards, — from whose The Baicones
stony lips there gush out great fountains of purest water, form- I
XVlll
INTRODUCTION.
ing at their very source the splendid streams of Western Texas,
the San Marcos, the Comal, and the San Antonio, whose silvery-
windings lend life and beauty to the picturesque scenery through
which they flow. On the eastern slope of the outspread plain,
dense forests stretch along the coast and reach inland to the
j_ j»^nss.._
Map showing PH^•sloGRAPHv of Texas.
(M. R. and C. M. R. indicate " Mineral Region" and " Central Mineral Retjion.")
edge of the great prairies, furnishing timber for the homes of the
millions who will one day people this fruitful land. Beyond the
Pecos, in the great West, -whose mysterious distances reach
away to the Rio Grande and to the foot of the Staked Plains,
there arise from the outstretched sandy level lofty peaks and
INTRODUCTION.
XIX
Fauna ajid
flora
massy mountains of bare, gray granite, seamed with deep and Western
rugged canyons, solitary, mystic, and melancholy in their iso- """""Y'"^
lated grandeur and gloom,— the connecting sentinels between the \
great Rockies of the north and the Mother Mountains of the south. \
Within the limits of this immense territory are blended the
products of many climes, — ihe /a u?ia ■a.wA flora of varied zones.
In all that vast district lying east of the Pecos and north of the
Colorado, there flourish all the varieties of animal and vegetable
life that belong to any portion of the United States ; while be-
yond those lines to the south and west a sub-tropical climate
produces its distinctive types in field and forest.
And all this splendid panorama of wood and stream and cu
plain and mountain is canopied by skies as fair and soft as ever
stooped above the sunny vales of Tempe and Tarentum. Down
yonder — so near, we almost hear its waves as they break upon
our shores— lies the second Mediterranean, upon whose bosom Second Medi-
there shall yet be borne a commerce as vast and varied as gave *^''''^"^*"
glory to that elder sea ; while around its circumference there
shall cluster cities and a civilization as superior to those of the
classic nations of antiquity as modern institutions of liberty and \
law and social life are preferable |
"To the Glory that was Greece
And the Grandeur tliat was Rome.'
^
Surely, the boys and girls, the men and women, of Texas, importance of
with such a history behind them, such a country around them, '^he subject
and such a destiny before them, should
and often the successive steps and stirring
growth of their great State. They should
know well the lives and deeds of its heroic
foundei-s, the struggles and triumphs of its
sturdy pioneers, the valor and patriotism of
its illustrious defenders, the prudence, sa-
gacity, and courage of its noble jurists and
statesmen. An intelligent knowledge of
what has been so nobly achieved in the past,
and how, is the surest guarantee that it will
not be undone nor dishonored in the future, United states flaq,
XX INTRODUCTION.
QUESTIONS.— Introduction.
Viewing tht; history of Texas as a story or drama, how may it be di-
vided ? What were the surroundings and scene at the commencement
of the First Act in the drama? What European country was at the
height of its power ? What American country did it conquer, and what
form of government was estabHshed over the conquered empire ? What
was Texas originally, and how was it first explored and occupied by the
Spaniards ? What happened to Spain in the course of time ? By whom
was her power finally humbled ? What were the methods and character
of Spain's government of her American colonies? What was the result
in Mexico ? Who was the first leader of the revolution in that country ?
When was independence from Spain finally achieved ? What event closed
the First Act in the drama? What new influence appeared in the begin-
ning of the Second Act ? Whence did it come ? \\1iat happened between
Mexico and Texas ? What did Texas do and become ? What event ended
the Second Act ? What was the condition of Texas at the beginning of
the Third Act in the drama? What wealth, resources, and institutions
did she possess, and how did she employ them ? What great event inter-
rupted the peaceful progress of this act in the drama ? When was it, and
what part did Texas take in it? WHiat were the immediate results to
Texas ? What has been the course of subsequent events to the present
time? What does the completion of the Third Act promise for Texas?
Describe the general outlines and features of the territory of Texas.
What is its general appearance ? How is the surface of the country di-
vided and broken ? How large is it, and what is its present population ?
Name and locate the principal rivers. What is the character of the east-
ern, northern, central, and western parts of the State ? Draw an outline
map of Texas, showing the main features of its physical geography,
streams, mountain ranges, harbors, etc. W^hat varieties of animal and
vegetable life flourish in Texas? What is the character of the climate?
What great body of water lies on the east of the State, and what influence
may be expected to result from it on the future civilization of Texas and
her people, and why ? Why should the youths of Texas study her his-
tory?
Topical Analysis.
The student should study and read parallel histories on the following
subjects, as classified under the Three Acts above suggested :
I. Condition of Europe in 1521 ; Spain's power and position.
First I among the nations.
Act. I 2. The Spanish conquest of Mexico : its extent, character,
and results,
INTRODUCTION.
XXI
First
Act
(Con-
tinued )
Second
Act.
7-
3. The Spanisli colonial system : its general features and
effects.
4. The period of Catholic missions in Spanish America.
5. The rise, progress, and success of the revolution of Mex-
ico from Spain : its causes and results.
6. The spread of Anglo-American colonization in North
America, and its contact and conflict with Spanish
colonies in the southwest.
The American colonization of Texas under Stephen F.
Austin and the other empresarios ; the growth of the
Texan colonists in power and the spirit of freedom.
The Texan Revolution, resulting from the inevitable con-
flict between Anglo-An^erican ideas of liberty and
Mexican despotism, ending in the establishment of
Texan independence.
The Republic of Texas, — its institutions, struggles, suc-
cesses, and final annexation to the United States.
Texas as one of the United States of North America,
under which consider :
(a) First period of Statehood, progress, and prosperity.
{b) Period of the Civil War in the United States, and
the part taken by Texas in that War.
{c) Period of Reconstruction, disorders, and struggles
incident to restoration of the State in the Union.
{d) Second period of Statehood, increasing wealth and
power of the State.
Parallel Readings.
Both teacher and student will find great assistance in the study of
Texas history, and particularly the plan of study contemplated by this
book, by consulting freely and often the following standard historical
works, or as many of them as are accessible. In fact, they ought all to
constitute part of every school library in Texas : Robertson's " History
of the Reign of the Emperor Charles V. ;" Prescott's " History of the
Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella," " Reign of Philip II.," " Conquest of
Mexico," and "Conquest of Peru;" Brantz Mayer's "Mexico: Aztec,
Spanish, and Republican ;" H. H. Bancroft's Works, the volumes on the
History of Mexico, North Mexican States and Texas, and Arizona and
New Mexico; Winsor's "Narrative and Critical History of America,"
various chapters on Spanish Colonies in America, Early Discoveries and
Explorations, Las Casas (the Protector of the Indians), De Soto, and
other notable explorers; Scarft's "Comprehensive History of Texas"
(1897 : a republication of Yoakum's " History of Texas," with much new
matter and completed to date) ; Williams's "Sam Houston and the War
Third
Act.
XXll
INTRODUCTION.
for Texan Independence;" Foote's "Texas and the Texans ;" Ward's
"Mexico;" Kennedy's "Rise, Progress, and Prospects of the Texas
Republic;" General Wilcox's "History of the Mexican War;' Ken-
dall's "Texas Santa F^ Expedition;" General Lew Wallace's "The
Fair God."
Geography.
The great and first object of the teacher should be to fix in the stu-
dent's mind an accurate outline of the geography of Texas, the boundary
on the Sabine and that on the Rio Grande, the principal streams, the
location of all the early towns and missions, the old roads, the several
harbors, and the general features of the topography of the country,
especially near the coast, along the Mexican frontier, and on the Loui-
siana line. The general outlines of Mexican geography should also be
fully and firmly impressed upon the mind of the student, and the location
of the principal points in Northern Mexico should be fixed in advance.
Ruins at Mission San Josii.
A COMPLETE
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
¥¥
Eight Periods
of Texas His-
tory
ANALYSIS OF THE SUBJECT.
THE History of Texas will be best understood by dividing Preliminary
it into Eight Periods, preceded by a Preliminary Pe- ^^""'^
riod devoted to a General View of early Discovery
and Exploration in the Western Hemisphere, so as to
show the relative connection of Texas discoveries and settlement
with those in other parts of the New World.
The Eight Periods of Texas History proper are as follows :
I. The Period of Spanish Discovery and Domination
in Texas, during which Texas was first discovered and finally
adopted as a Spanish province of New Spain or
Mexico. This would extend from 1528 to 1821.
II. The Period of Mexican Rule, during
which Texas was one of the States of the Re-
public of Mexico after the independence of the
latter from Spain. This period covers the years
from 182 1 to 1836.
III. The Period of Revolution from
Mexico, extending from the first discontent and
rebellion of the inhabitants of Texas against Mex-
ican tyranny until the final independence of the
Republic of Texas, — that is, from 1832 to 1836.
IV. The Period of the Republic, during
which Texas was an independent nation, which
was from 1836 to 1846.
V. The First Period of Statehood, after
^ _ . Carved Door at San Jose
Texas was annexed to the United States, until Mission.
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Eight Periods the beginning of the War between the States, -
of Texas His- n r ±. cr
tory 1846 to I 86 I.
-that is, from
VI. The Period of the Civil War, or Confederacy,
during which Texas was one of the Confederate States of
America engaged in war with the United States. This includes
the years from 1861 to 1865.
VII. The Period of Reconstruction, covering the time
during which the State was endeavoring to re-estabhsh her
government and position as one of the United States, after the
fall of the Confederacy. This embraces the years from 1865 to
1874.
VIII. The Second Period of Statehood, from 1874 to
1897, including the events since the State restored her own
government until the present time.
Explanatory As abovc divided, some of these Periods overlap each other
a few years, which is unavoidable from the nature and variety of
the events to be related. Also, under some of these Periods
The World, Fifteenth Century.
will be embraced important sub-di\'isions, amounting in them-
selves almost to independent epochs in our history ; for instance,
the Period of American Colonization, from 1821 to 1830,
ANALYSIS OF THE SUBJECT. ^
here to be discussed under the head of Mexican Rule. And
farther 'back, the Mission Period, which is covered by that of
Spanish Discovery and Domination.
The Tables of Contemporaneous Events attached to the
several chapters should be carefully studied and compared with
the parallel events related in Texas history.
QUESTIONS.
Into how many periods may the history of Texas be divided for
purposes of study? What general period should precede these? For
what purpose? State the several periods, giving the dates and topics of
each.
"Thermopyl/E had her Messenger of Dei-hat, but the
Alamo had none." (Old Alamo Moiiuiueiit.)
IPrelinnnar^ IPe^o^.
Voyages of
Columbus
GENERAL VIEW OF DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION IN
THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE— 1492-1687.
¥¥
A
FTER his discovery of the West India Islands, in
October, 1492, Christopher Coknnbus made three
other voyages to the Western World, — one in 1494,
one in 1498, and one in 1502. On his third voyage
he discovered the continent of South America, at a point near
the mouth of the Orinoco River, thinking then that he had
found the continent of Asia. On his fourth and last voy-
age he touched and explored the eastern coasts of Central
America, hoping to find a strait which would lead him
through to the Eastern Continent.
In 1494, John and Sebastian Cabot (kab'-ot), natives
of Venice living at Bristol, England, sailed under the
British flag, and discovered Cape Breton, off the coast of
Labrador. This was the first authentic discovery of the
continent of North America, and in 1498 the Cabots reached
the main-land. The same year they sailed down the coast
as far as Albemarle Sound, and claimed the adjacent country
in the name of England.
Anicricus Vespucius discovered South America in 1499, the
Pinion, cabrai Y^^^ after Columbus had landed on the same shores. It was to
South America that the name of A^ew World was first gi\'cn.
In 1499, Vicente Yanez I'inzon ( \e-cen'-ta yiin-yaz pen-thon')
4
Amcncus
Vespucius,
THE SPANISH IN AMERICA.
5
1492
TO
1687
discovered Brazil ; and in 1500 Pedro Alvarez de Cabral (padro Preliminary
al-var-az' da ka-briil') sailed along the coast of that country for period
some distance south of the Amazon River.
After these first discoveries, Spain, France, Portugal, Eng-
land, and Holland fitted out many expeditions to the New
World, and began to plant colonies in different parts of the
country. The principal ones of these will be briefly noticed,
leaving, however, the details of Spain's discoveries, as affecting
Texas, to the next Period.
I.— THE SPANISH IN AMERICA.
Spain was the first country to discover the New World, Spanish dis-
and, with the neighboring kingdom of Portugal, it was the explorations
leading power in the early explorations. Her expeditions were
mostly directed /iSSf%^ >'«*''^'"'~x towards the
coasts of Cen- i ^^ ff/^ > ^|^ tral America,
Mexico, the Ip'^^m Ff^fl *^"^^ °^ ^^''"
ico, the West ^^ J^^ W "^'m Indies, and the
eastern shore of >w|^S^^^^' ^ \U"^^^'^ North America
as far north as I'^Vh^P' \%^4^^^ Virginia.
When Lo- ^ lumbus re-
, . , . Ferdinand and Isabella.
turned from his first voyage,
Pope Alexander VI. issued a "bull," or papal decree, dated
May 4, 1493, by which he assumed to grant to Spain all the
countries it might discover west of a certain line drawn around
the earth from pole to pole, running one hundred leagues west
of the Azores or Cape de Verde Islands, and to Portugal
all lands east of that line. This was called ' ' The Line of ^'"^ of De-
Demarcation," and it was changed by the convention of Torde-
sillas (tor-da-sel'-yas), on June 7, 1494, so that it should run
three hundred and seventy leagues west of the Cape de Verde
Islands. As can be seen by a reference to the map, or to a
globe, this order of the Pope gave to Spain all of what are
now the United States, except, perhaps, the eastern portion of
New England, and all of the West Indies, Mexico, Central
America, and South America, 'except Brazil and a small part
of the continent south of that country. Hence it was that all
explorations made by the Spaniards in the New World had
marcation
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Preliminary
Pkriod
1492
TO
1687
Honduras and
Yucatan
Florida
for their object the discovery and settlement of the territory-
included in this extensive gift from the head of the Church of
Rome.
In 1506, Vicente Yanez Pinzon, who had commanded one of
the vessels in the first voyage of Columbus, and Juan Diaz de
Solis (hvvon de'-az da soVles), sailed along the bay of Honduras
and in sight of YucataqA- In i.sio. a Spanish colony was planted
on the Isthmus of Darien ; and in 15 13, Balboa (bal-bo'-aj
crossed that isthmus and discovered the Pacific Ocean, which,
he called the ' ' South Sea.
The first mention of the main-land of North America
near to Cuba occurs in a map made at Lisbon, Portugal,
by one Cantino (can-ten'-6), in 1502. It was then thought
to be an island, and was called by the natives of the Baha-
mas, " Bimini" (be'-me-ne). In 151 1, Panfilo de Narvaez
(pan-fe'-l6 da nar'-va-ath) conquered the island of Cuba.
In 1512, Ponce de Leon (pon'-tha dala'-6n) was granted
permission by the king of Spain ' ' to proceed to discover
and settle the island of Bimini." He sailed from Porto Rico
(p6r'-to re'-c6) in March, 1513, and discovered the east
coast of the peninsula on Easter Sunday, March 27, 1513.
F"rom which fact he called the country " Florida," the Span-
ish name for Easter Sunday being pascii'a florida. From that
time the Spaniards named all the main-land north of Cuba and
east of the Mississippi River, Florida.
Ponce de Leon landed on April 2, 15 13, at a point near the
mouth of the Saint John's River. He then sailed southward
around the point of the peninsula, discovered and named the
islands known as the Martyrs and Dry Torlugas (tor-tb'-gaz),
and finally landed in a bay on the western coast of Florida,
which is called by his name to this day. He afterwards explored
the Gulf coast as far probably as Cedar Keys and Appalachee
Bay, and returned to Porto Rico in September, 15 13, still believ-
ing that the land he had visited was an island, and that he had
not really reached Bimini. In 1521, De Leon made a second
voyage, but it was a failure, and he died without knowing that
he had discovered the main-land. In 15 16, a celebrated pilot,
Diego Miruelo (de-a'-go mer-o-a'-lO), sailed along the western
THE SPANISH IN AMERICA.
1492
TO
I6S7
coast of Florida to a bay which was long called by his name, and Preliminary
which is now known as Pensacola Bay. kriod
In 1517, Francisco Hernandez de Cordova (ar-nan-dath da
c6r'-d6-va) attempted an expedition in the same direction, but
was driven by storms to Yucatan, where he landed at a point
to which he gave its present name of Cape Catoche (ka-t5'-cha).
In 15 18, Juan de Grijalva (hwon da gre-hal'-va) sailed
from Cuba and reached the island of Cozumel (koz-o-mel'),
whence he went to the main-land of Yucatan and explored its
shores. He was told that it was an island, separated from
the continent by a strait, and he called what he supposed to
be the continent. New Spain. He reached and explored the
coasts of Central America and Mexico ; named two rivers, —
one for himself, which is now the Tabasco River, and the
other for his companion, Alvarado. He finally went up the
coast as far as Vera Cruz, at the mouth of which harbor he
named the two islands of San Juan de Ulua (o-lo-a) and
Sacrificios (sac-re-fec'-e-6z).
From thence he sailed still farther north to the mouth of
the Panuco (pan-o'-ko) River, near where the city of Tam-
pico (tam-pe'-ko) now stands. He was the first Spaniard
who landed in Mexico and opened trade with the natives. He
returned to Cuba in 15 19.
The same year Hernando Cortez (ar-nan'-do kor'-tez) sailed Cortez
from Cuba and landed in Mexico. After two years of warfare
and desperate adventures, he conquered the country in 1521,
from which date it remained a Spanish province until 1821.
In 15 19, also, Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda (pe-na'-da) was Pineaa
sent by Francis de Garay (ga-ray'), Spanish governor of Jamaica,
to discover and explore a passage through to the west ; it still
being the idea and desire to find a strait leading to India and
"the land of sweet spices in the far east." Pineda struck the
western coast of Florida near Ponce de Leon Bay, and tried to
sail eastward around Cape Sable. The winds and waves pre-
vented this, and he went northward and westward, exploring
the eastern, northern, and western shores of the Gulf of Mexico,
from Ponce de Leon Bay around to the mouth of the Panuco
River, in Mexico, to which stream he gave its Spanish name.
A Missionary
Priest.
8
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
PRIil.lMINAKV
Pkkiod
1492
Til
I6S7
He landed at various points along the coast during this voyage,
and laid claim formally to the adjoining country in the name of
Spain. His voyage lasted nine months, and when he reached
the Panuco River he was met by the troops of Cortez, who had
in the meanwhile landed in Mexico and was engaged in subduing
and exploring the country. Pineda turned back on his course,
.M^
DiscoveA's the
mouth o\ the
Mi
louth oX th
lississippi
Map of the Gulf of Mexico, 1520.
(From Wiiisor's " Narrative and Critical History of America," by permission of the
publishers, Messrs. Houghton, Mifflin & Co.)
again coasting the Gulf shores. He discovered the mouth of
the Mississippi River, and explored the stream for some distance,
linding Indian villages on its banks. To this mighty stream
Governor Garay gave the name of Rio del Espiritu Santo (re'-o
del es-per-e-tu san-to), by which name it is designated on his
maj) and all the early Spanish maps. He also called the country
whose shores Pineda had traversed, Amichel (ii'-mech-el'), and
it is shown on his map, sent to Europe in 1521, as extending
from the mouth of the Panuco River around the Gulf to Pensa-
cola Bay.
THE SPANISH IN AMERICA.
9
i'reliminary
Period
1492
10
1687
On the Atlan-
tic coast
In 1 52 1, the emperor, Charles V., made a grant of this
country to Garay, and in 1523 he fitted out a considerable
fleet with which he sailed to the coast of Mexico. He reached
the mouth of the Rio de las Palmas (las pal'-mas), a small
stream near the Panuco, now called Rio Santander, on July 25,
1523, but failed to establish his colony at that point. Proceed- Garay's expe
ing southward to the Panuco, he was confronted with the forces
of Cortez, to whom he was obliged to surrender. He died
in Mexico, and with him vanished the so-called province of
Amichcl.
While these events were happening in the south and along
the Mexican Gulf, the Spaniards were not idle on the eastern
coast of the continent. In 1520, Lucas Vasqucz de Ayllon Ayiion
(lo'-kas viis'-kaz da il'-yon) secured permission to explore the
Atlantic shores north of the St. John's River. He continued his
efforts until 1526, examining by his officers and in person most
of the coast as far north as Virginia, landing in South Carolina,
and finally attempting to found a colony at a place which he
called San Miguel de Guandape (san me-gel' da gwan-diip'-a).
This point was at or very near the spot where the English after-
wards located the colony of Jamestown, Ayllon died at this
place on October 18, 1526.
In 1524, Stephen Gomez (go-maz'), a native of Portugal, Gomez
was sent out by the Spanish government to sail to Newfound-
land and Labrador, with orders to examine the coast southward
in search of a strait through to the west. He explored the
whole coast from Cape Race to Florida, whence he proceeded
to Cuba and thence home to Corunna, in Spain. Gomez saw,
described, sketched on maps, and gave names to the most
prominent features of the Atlantic sea-board, among which it is
easy to recognize Massachusetts Ray, Cape Cod, and the Con-
necticut, Delaware, and Hudson Rivers. In spite of this well-
established fact, as late as 1536 Sebastian Cabot said that it was
still doubtful if the land south of Newfoundland was a continuous
continent.
In 1520, Magellan sailed around the southernmost point of Magellan
South America into the Pacific Ocean, to which he gave its
name on account of its freedom from storms. He returned to
lO
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Preliminary
Period
1492
TO
1687
De Narvaez
Pizarro,
Cortez on the
Pacific coast
Spain through that ocean, being the first navigator to sail around
the globe.
In 1527, Panhlo de Narvaez, the same who had conquered
Cuba in 151 1, and whom Cortez had so signally defeated in Mex-
ico in 1520, was commissioned to explore and settle the country
on the Gulf of Mexico from the Cape of Florida to the Rio de
las Palmas in Me.xico. He attempted the task, was shipwrecked
near the mouth of the Mississippi in 1528, and the survivors of
his expedition lived for six years on an island somewhere on the
western shore of the Gulf. Four of them finally reached Mexico
in 1536, having travelled by land across what is now the State
of Texas. From 1527 to 1535, Pizarro (pe-zar'-ro) and his
followers conquered Peru in South America, and in 1547 the
conquest of Chili (che'-le) was completed by Valdivia (val-
dev'-e-a).
In 1539, Ferdinand de Soto made the attempt to conquer the
main-land of North America. His expedition led him through
what are now the States of Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and
Mississippi, and in 1542 he died on the banks of the " Father of
'Waters." His companions endeavored to reach Mexico by land,
and in doing so travelled into Arkansas, the Indian Territory,
and Northern Texas. Finally, in 1543, they returned to the
Mississippi and sailed down the river to its mouth, whence they
proceeded in boats to the mouth of the Panuco River in Mexico,
coasting the shores of Texas in the journey.
After his conquest of Mexico, Cortez gradually explored the
vast empire he had subdued, and extended his discoveries along
the western coast of that country as far north as the Gulf of Cal-
ifornia, which was called the Vermilion Sea, or the Gulf of Cor-
tez. He tried to establish a colony on that coast, at a place
called Topolovampo, which failed. In 1540, the Viceroy of
Mexico sent Coronado (ko-ro-na'-THo) to explore the country
to the northward, in search of a land called " Cibola" (se'-v6-la),
or " Ciguatan" (se-gwa-tan'), where there were said to be Seven
Great Cities and a civilized race of natives. Coronado travelled
north into what are now Arizona and New Mexico, discovering
the villages and dwellings of the Zuni (zbn-ye) and Moqui
(mo'-ke) Indians, the ruins of which are now so interesting. He
The SPANISH IN AMERICA.
I I
crossed the Grand Caiion of the Colorado River, spent the win-
ter near where Albuquerque (al-bu-ker'-ka), New Mexico, now
is, and heard of a distant, but highly civilized, country called
" Ouivira" (ke-ve'-ra). He spent many months trying to find
these fabled regions, going as far north and east as the Platte
Preliminary
Period
1492
TO
I6S7
Pueblo of the Zunis.
and Missouri Rivers, and south into portions of northern and
northwestern Texas. He found no such cities as had been
described, and returned to Mexico in 1542.
In 1542-43, Cabrillo (ka-brel'-yo) exi)lored the Pacific coast Cabriiioand
as far as Oregon. In 1582, Antonio de Espejo (es-pa'-ho) made ^^P^J"
an expedition to New Mexico and spent several years in explor-
ing that region. In 1583, Cristobal Martin (kres'-to-val' mar-
ten') also visited New Mexico.
In 1596, Sebastian Viscaino (ves-ca'-e-no) sailed along the
California coast nearly to Oregon. In 1598, Juan de Onate (on- onate
ya'-ta) made the first permanent settlements in New Mexico,
founding the town of Santa Fe (san-tii fa).
East of the Mississippi River, after Ayllon's attempt to estab-
lish a colony in 1526 and De Soto's expedition in 1541-42, the
Spaniards continued their efforts to get a foothold in that region.
12
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkki.iminarv
Period
1492
TO
1687
These expeditions were usually sent out by the viceroys of Mex-
ico, and were accompanied by Catholic missionaries. In 1561,
one of these expeditions, under Villafane (vel-ya-fan'-ya), took
possession of the country in the name of Spain, at Santa Elena
(a-la'-na), now Port Royal Sound, and sailed around Cape Hat-
teras into Chesapeake Bay. The next
year the French H2iguc7iots planted a
colony at Santa Elena. In 1565, Pedro
de Menendez (man-en'-daz) was made
governor and captain-general of Flor-
ida, with orders from Philip II. of Spain
to settle the country and to destroy
the Protestant colony founded by the
French. The colony at Port Royal
had failed, and the Hiigue^iots had es-
tablished another on the St. John's River, in Florida. Menendez
San Augustine founded the town of San Augustine in September, 1565, it being
the oldest European town in the United States. In the same
Gate, San AuiarsTrNE.
.f TIERA DE AYLLON V/'
■'^> TIERA DEGAKAY ^
■^^.TRAFFALGAR
C.DE S.ROMAN
MARDELSUR
Map by Ribero, 1529. (From Winsor's " America.")
month he captured the French fort on the St. John's and put
its inhabitants to the sword. This was the first battle between
THE FRENCH IN AMERICA. I 3
»
white men within the present Hmits of the United States. Men- Preliminary
endez buih Fort San Mateo (ma-ta'-6) on the ruins of the Pi^''
French settlement. In 1570 and 1572 he tried to plant colo- '492
TO
nies on Chesapeake Bay, and explored the Potomac and Rap- j^g
pahannock Rivers, but his efforts came to nothing. —
The foregoing outline of early Spanish discoveries and settle-
ments sufficiently indicates the general features of their efforts to
occupy the territory which they claimed by right of discovery
and by the grant of Pope Alexander VI.
II.— THE FRENCH IN AMERICA.
The French began their voyages to that portion of North
America along the coasts of Newfoundland in 1503. In 1506,
tliey explored the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and in 1524 Verazzani, Verazzani
an Italian in the service of the French, explored the coast from
Nova Scotia to North Carolina, naming it New France. In
1534, Jaccjues Cartier (kar'-tya) sailed up the St. Lawrence
River and continued his explorations in that region for
several years, founding the city of Quebec in 154]
In 1562, Admiral Coligny (ko-len'-ye) established
French colony, composed of HiLgiienots, in Sout
Carolina, which failed and was removed to the St.
John's River, in Florida, in 1564. It was de-
stroyed by the Spaniard Menendez in 1565. In
1604, Sieur de Monts, a French Huguenot, founded
Acadia, which first extended from Philadelphia to
Cape Breton, but was afterwards confined to New
Brunswick, Cape Breton, and the surrounding islands. ''
In 1608 and 1609, the French explored the Great Lakes,
and established hunting-posts and trappers' lodges all through
the wild country along the St. Lawrence, giving to it the name
of Ca>iada. In 1669 and 1671, Sieur de La Salle (la sal')
explored the Ohio and upper Mississippi Rivers.
About the year 1670, the news derived from the Indians led the
French voyagers in Canada to attempt to explore the Mississipj^i
River and to find its mouth. In 1673, Joliet (zho'-lya) and Mar- Joiiet and
. . / •• 1 / > r 1 1 r 1 A 1 T-> ■ Marquette
quette (mar-ket ) got as far as the mouth of the Arkansas River.
In 1680 La Salle built Fort Creveca-ur (krav'-ker) on the Illinois,
H
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Preliminary
Period
1492
TO
1687
La Salle
His expedition
to the mouth
of the Mis-
sissippi
Loses one
vessel
Is lost in the
Gulf of Mexico
Lands in
Texas, f eb-
ruaiy 18, 1685
A second expedition under La Salle went to a point near the mouth
of the Arkansas, and sailed down the Mississippi to its mouth. Ig-
norant of the fact that Pineda and De Soto's followers had visited
the same spot nearly a century and a half before this, La Salle
claimed all the ^^^^^^ country watered
permanent colony ^^MfmjT jLi :^ ^t the mouth of
the Mississippi. "' This noble
, Thk SiKi k I)k La Sali.k. .
r renchman was a native of Rouen,
in Normandy, and his full name was Robert Cavelier, Sieur de
La Salle, although he is known in history by the latter title, or
simply as La Salle. He was high in the royal favor, and on his
return to France, with the aid and encouragement of Louis XIV. ,
he fitted out a naval expedition of four ships, for the purpose of
proceeding by sea to the mouth of the great river. In the com-
mand of this little fleet he was compelled to share his authority
with one Beaujeu (bo'-zhe), between whom and La Salle there
existed ill feeling from the first. They sailed from Rochelle
(ro-shel') in July, 1684, with three hundred persons on board,
consisting of soldiers, seamen, missionaries, girls, and workmen.
As they approached America, one of the smaller vessels, with
considerable stores on board, was captured by the Spaniards at
sea, and La Salle was detained at Santo Domingo for three
weeks by sickness, besides other delays. In his former visit to
the mouth of the Mississippi, he had made a mistake in calculat-
ing the latitude of the place, and now, after he had entered the
Gulf of Mexico, he was uncertain as to his proper course. He
passed the mouth of the river, but tliinking he was yet east of it,
he continued to coast westwardly, until he reached a point beyond
what is now called Corpus Christi (kris'-te) Bay, on the coast of
Texas, before he discovered his error. He then started back,
and on February 18, 1685, he entered with one of his vessels
THE FRENCH IN AMERICA.
15
into what is now known as Matagorda Bay, where he landed. Pkkliminaky
Pkriod
La Salle's
colony
La Salle still thought he was on or near one of the mouths of
the Mississippi, but he named the bay St. Bernard, or, as the ^^92
TO
Spaniards afterwards called it, San Bernardo. On February 20, jgg_
1685, in trying to get his large ship into the bay, it was run ashore
and sunk, with nearly all the provisions and ammunition of the
expedition, although some of the stores were afterwards recov-
ered. La Salle proceeded to establish camps along the western
shore of the bay, while he sent out exploring parties to find out,
if possible, exactly where he had landed. They found the country
full of all sorts of wild game, and the Indians they met at tirst
seemed friendly; so that the wanderers felt much encouraged in
spite of their mistakes and misfortunes. In a few days one of
La Salle's men was killed by the Indians, as a consecjuence of
his own rash conduct, and on March 12, 1685, Beaujeu sailed
away to France with quite a number of men and all of the can-
non-balls, leaving La Salle with eight useless cannon.
Discontent soon arose among those who were left in this Difficulties of
strange land, and they began to quarrel among themselves and
to rebel against La Salle's authority. He took sixty men and
explored the surrounding country, discovering a river, which he
named Lt's Vd'-chcs (the beeves), from the great number of buf-
faloes he found on its banks. The Spaniards afterwards retained
this name in its Spanish form, La Vaca (va'-ka), which the river
is called to this day.
Some miles up this stream. La Salle found a spot which
seemed suitable for a permanent location for his little colony.
This place was near what is now known as Dimmit's Point, and La
Salle at once removed to it and began to erect houses and to lay
out the lines of a fort. He called the settlement Fort St. Louis, Fort st. Louis
in honor of the king. In July, 1685, sickness broke out among
the colonists, and many of them died. Still, the little band
remained successful to a certain extent. They had brought
chickens, hogs, and cattle from Santo Domingo, and they
planted crops of grain, all of which prospered. In October of
that year, La Salle, with a small party, undertook another expe- Explores the
dition inland, exploring as far east as the Colorado Ri\er, and
satisfying himself finally that he was very far from the Mississip})i.
country
i6
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Preliminary
Period
1492
TO
1687
During his absence, his only remaining vessel, the Belle, disap-
peared, and he returned to find his settlement cut off from all
communication with the world, alone in a savage wilderness, and
two thousand miles from the nearest French post on the Illinois
River. He at once determined to reach that post by land, as he
SiTh' oi' La Salle's 1-\>ki.
La Salle tries
to reach the
Illinois
Returns to
Fort St. Louis
knew that his old friend, De Tonti, was there. He left the
colony at Fort St. Louis in charge of the faithful Joutel (zho'-
tel), who was the historian of the expedition, and in April,
16S6, with twenty men, set out for Fort Crevecoeur, on the Illi-
nois. The party travelled in a northeasterly direction, and, on
the tenth day, reached the Colorado River, having met some
Indians on the way, mounted on horses and wearing boots and
spurs, which showed that they had been trading with the Span-
iards in Mexico and New Mexico. La Salle' s party had much diffi-
culty in crossing the swollen streams which they encountered, two
days being consumed in getting across the Brazos, near where the
town of Columbia now stands. Continuing their journey, they
were kindly treated by the Indians whom they met, one of these
giving La Salle a horse. When they reached the Neches
(na'-chez) River, La Salle was stricken with fever and lay sick
for two months. On his recovery it was discovered that the
ammunition was nearly all gone, and they had to return to the
Lavaca for a fresh supply. Only eight men reached the Fort
in October, 1686, having been absent about six months. La
Salle found the inhabitants of the Fort reduced in numbers, but
still hoi)cful. It had been discovered that the Belle W3,s wrecked
THE FRENCH IN AMERICA.
17
His second
trip
at the lower end of the bay, her crew barely escaping. They preliminary
were all now in the Fort, and the scene was enlivened by a t-Rioo
wedding- between one of the colonists and a French maiden. ^-^92
On January 12, 1687, La Salle started again for the Illinois, jgy-
taking with him twenty men, including his brother, two nephews,
Father Anastase, Joutel, Duhaut (du-ho), De Marne (de marn),
Heins (hinz), Lietot (le-to), Tessier (tes-sya'), Saget (sLig'-a),
and Nika (ne'-ka), an Indian hunter from Canada. About
twenty persons were left at the Fort, under command of Sleur
Barbier (bar'-bya), the recently married man. La Salle car-
ried with him about five thousand dollars in money and six thou-
sand dollars' worth of goods. This second journey was more
prosperous and rapid than the first ; they found plenty of game,
and were well treated by the Indians. Reaching the Neches,
they camped in order to dry some buffalo meat, and La Salle
heard of a Frenchman named Rutel, whom he had lost while on
the Mississippi in 1682, and now sent for him. Rutel had been
living among the Indians for live years, but he gladly joined the
party of his countrymen in the hope of regaining his native land.
La Salle sent some of his men to dig up some beans and corn he
had buried near there on the former trip, and to attend to the Murdered by
drying of the meat. A quarrel arose among them, and at night '^ °w '"e"
Duhaut, Lietot, Heins, Tessier, and De Marne murdered Saget,
Nika, and Moragnet (one of La Salle's nephews). Fearing
punishment for the cowardly deed, they determined to kill La
Salle, and when he came to inquire for them, two or three days
afterwards, Duhaut lay in wait and shot him dead. This was
March 20, 1687, and thus the founder of the first real European
colony in Texas fell, assassinated by his own men, and was
buried in the bosom of the wilderness on the banks of the Neches
River.
La Salle was an able, ambitious, brave, and enterprising man,
but he was proud, haughty, and obstinate, and his memory has
never had the honor his merits and courage deserved. His
murderers soon fell out among themselves, and Duhaut and
Lietot were shot down. Heins assumed La Salle's uniform and
put himself at the head of the Indians, whom he led in warlike
attacks against the neighboring tribes, and doubtless he himself
2
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
I'RELl.MINAKY
I'ERIOD
1492
TO
1687
La Salle not
the discoverer
of Texas
fell in some savage battle. Joutel, Father Anastase, Tessier, De
Marne, Barthelemy, and the brother and nephew of La Salle
pursued their journey towards the Illinois, and at the mouth of
the Arkansas they met a relief party sent out by De Tonti. De
Marne was drowned in Red River, Barthelemy remained on the
Arkansas, and the other five went back to France by way of
Canada. The fate of those who remained at the Fort on the
Lavaca is not certainly known. Some of them were killed by
Indians, some died in camp, and the others were no doubt cap-
tured by the Spaniards or rescued by Spanish missionaries.
From this attempt by La Salle to colonize Texas — which was
the result of a mistake — came the French claim to the country,
and it was also afterwards claimed by France as part of Louisiana.
But, as' will be hereafter more fully shown, as well as from what
has already been said, it is very clear that the French were by
no means the first explorers on the lower Mississippi River, nor
in Texas. A century and a half before La Salle's expedition, the
Spaniards had visited the country, had explored its coast, and
made maps of the Gulf shore and of the principal rivers, reason-
ably accurate, and easily recognizable at this time.
The English
111 America
III.— THE ENGLISH AND DUTCH IN AMERICA.
After the discoveries by the Cabots, in 1494 and 1498, Eng-
land made no further efforts to explore or to colonize in the
New World for many years. In 1579, Sir Francis Drake, a
celebrated English navigator, sailed over the Pacific Ocean,
touched the coasts of California, and anchored for a time
in the bay of Old .San Francisco. He called that country
New Albion. Drake was the second person to sail en-
tirely around the globe, as he returned to England around
the Cape of Good Hope. In 1583, Sir Humphrey
Gilbert, under the sanction of Queen Elizabeth,
made an unsuccessful attempt to plant a,n English
colony in Newfoundland. His half-brother. Sir
Walter Raleigh, ol)tained royal patents to large
(luantities of land in America, and in 1584 he sent
out two vessels, which explored Albemarle and
Pamlico (pam-lG'-ko) Sounds, and named that
THE ENGLISH AND DUTCH IN AMERICA.
19
Prki.iminary
Period
1492
TO
1687
country Virginia. The three following- years (i 584-1 587)
Raleigh fitted out other ships and tried to establish settlements
on Roanoke Island. In 1602, Bartholomew Grisnold sailed from
England to the coast of Massachusetts, discovering and naming
Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Elizabeth Islands.
The London and Plymonth Companies followed this
up for several years, with trading voyages to the coasts
of New England, and they organized movements for
colonizing Virginia. The English king granted the
country along the eastern part of North America,
from North Carolina to Massachusetts, to these
two companies, it being divided into North and
South Virginia. In 1607 the first English colony
was established at Jamestown, Virginia, and in
1620 the Plymouth Colony was founded in Mas-
sachusetts. From these centres of settlement,
colonization spread, and in time developed the
thirteen original English colonies, vOut of which the
United States were formed in 1776.
In 1609, Sir Henry Hudson, an Englishman in the service of Henry Hudson
Holland, explored the eastern coasts of North America, sailed
Y -1 ^x
V^.
^&..o.. ■"•'"'"'0 c . . .
Map showing Routes of Early Navigators.
20 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
into New York bay and up the Hudson River, which was named
for him, and laid claim to the whole country from Delaware to
^"^92 Connecticut, under the name of the Nezv Netherlands. Neither
TO
j5gy the English nor the Dutch ever explored in the region of Texas,
and neither of those countries at any time asserted any claim to
this territory. Even in those portions of North America where
they did make their earliest discoveries, it is seen, from the dates
given, that Spain had preceded both England and Holland in dis-
covery, exploration, and attempted settlement.
QUESTIONS.— Preliminary Period.
How many voyages did Columbus make to the W^estern Hemisphere?
Give the dates of each. What did he discover on his second voyage ?
What on his first? What on his third? What coasts did he touch and
explore on his fourth and last voyage ? What was he searching for ? Who
were the Cabots ? What discoveries did they make, and when ? Who
discovered South America, when, and what name was given to it ? Who
were the first explorers on the coasts of Brazil, and when ? Wliat Euro-
pean countries fitted out expeditions for the exploration and settlement
of the Western Continent ?
What country or countries were the first to discover and explore the
New World? To what parts of the Western Continent were the expedi-
tions mostly directed ? What Pope issued a decree in regard to the owner-
ship of the New World? What was the decree, and what "line" did it
establish ? What was the date of the decree, and when, where, and how
was the " line" changt?d? Explain this papal decree and the effect of it
as to the respective possessions of Spain and Portugal. Draw the " Line
of Demarcation" on a globe or map.
What Spaniards first sailed near Honduras and Yucatan, and when?
When and by whom was the first colony planted on the Isthmus of Da-
rien ? When and by whom was the Pacific Ocean discoxered, and what
was it called ? When was the main-land of North America near Cuba first
mentioned, how, and by whom ? What was it supposed to be, and by
what name was it called ? Who conquered the island of Cuba, and when ?
Describe by whom, under what authority, when, and how Florida was
discovered. How came it to be called " Florida," and to what extent of
country was the name applied ? When and where did Ponce de Leon first
land? Describe his subsecjuent movements, the places he discovered and
named, and where he next landed. How far did he explore before he
returned, and what did he think of the country he had seen? When did
he make his second voyage, and what was the result ? Who discovered
Pensacola Bay, and when ? Describe the expedition of De Cordova and
QUESTIONS. PRELIMINARY PERIOD. 21
Its results. Who discovered the island of Cozumel, and when ? To what Preliminary
was the name of Nezu Spain first given, by whom, and why? How far Hkriod
did Grijalva explore, what rivers and islands did he discover and name, 14^3
and to what point did he finally reach ? Who was the first European to to
land in Mexico? When did Grijalva return to Cuba ? Who conquered 16S7
Mexico, when, and what was its position from then until 1821 ? What was
the object of Pineda's expedition, by whom was it sent, when, and de-
scribe the route he took and the coasts he explored ? What Mexican river
did he name ? When and by whom was the mouth of the Mississippi River
first discovered, and what name was given to the river ? What did Governor
Garay call the country Pineda had explored on this voyage ? What was
the extent of the country? Describe Garay's e.xpedition in 1523, the ex-
tent of it, and the fate of Garay. What efforts did the Spaniards make
to settle on the Atlantic coast of North America ? Give the names of the
persons who made these efforts, the dates of the same, and the locations
of their landings. Describe the expedition of Stephen Gomez in 1524,
the coasts he traversed, the places he saw and described, and his return
to Sjiain.
Who first gave the Pacific Ocean that name, when, and why? .Who
was Panfilo de Narvaez, and what was he commissioned to do in 1527?
What became of him and his expedition? Where did the survivors of De
Narvaez' s expedition land, where did they finally go, and over what re-
gion of country ? When and by whom were Peru and Chili conquered ?
When did De Soto attempt to conquer the main-land of North America ?
Describe the route he took, the fate of his expedition, and what became
of him and his men. What efforts did Cortez make to explore and col-
onize Mexico? Describe the expedition of Coronado in 1540. What
fabled land did he go in search of ? What tribes of Indians did he en-
counter? What portions of the country did he traverse, how far did he
go on his quest for Ottivira, and what was the result of his expedition ?
Give the dates and localities of the several expeditions of Cabrillo, PZs-
pejo, Martin, and Viscaino. Who made the first settlement in New Mex-
ico, when, and where? By whom were these expeditions sent out?
When and where did the expedition of Villafaiie make its explorations ?
Who founded the town of San Augustine in Florida, and when ? What
did he do to the F^rench colony on the St. John's River? What fort was
built on the ruins of the Huguenot settlement? What explorations did
Menendez afterwards make ?
When and where did the French make their first expk)rations in
North America ? To what part of the country was the name of New
France given, when, and by whom ? When and by whom was the St.
Lawrence Ri\er discovered and the city of Quebec founded ? Who estab-
lished a F"rench Huguenot colony in America, when, and where? Where
was Acadia, when and by whom explored and named ? When were the
Great Lakes explored by the French, and what did they call the adjoining
country ? Who first explored the Ohio and upper Mississippi Rivers, and
2 2 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Preliminary in what years ? When and where did Marquette and JoHet make their ex-
pERioD plorations ? Where did La Salle go in 1680, and what Fort did he estab-
1402 ''^h ? To the mouth of what river did he sail, and what did he name the
TO adjacent territory ? Who was La Salle, and from what place did he come ?
1687 What expedition did he fit out in 1684, under the patronage of what king,
■ and where did he sail to ? Describe his voyage, where did he stop for
a while ? What mistake did he make, and to what did it lead ? Where
did he finally land, and on what date? Where did he think he was, and
what name did he give to the bay on which he landed ? What did he find
in the country ? What adventures followed ? Describe his first attempt
to explore the country. What river did he discover and name ? Where
did he locate his Fort, what did he call it ? How did the colony fare for
a time? What did La Salle determine to do, when did he set out on his
journey, and what route did he pursue ? Whom did he meet with, and
where had they been? What rivers did he cross, and how far to the
north did he go on that journey ? When did he return to the Fort, and
what did he find there ? When did he start on his second journey, how
many men and what means did he carry with him ? How far did he
travel, with whom did he meet on the Neches River? Describe the inci-
dents leading to his death. What was the character of La Salle ? What
became of his men ? On what do the French base their claim to prior
discovery and ownership of Texas ? What may be said of the validity
of the claim ?
When did the English make their first discoveries and explorations
in America ? When did Sir Francis Drake make his voyages to the New
World, where did he land, and what course did he take on hfS return to
England? Where did Sir Humphrey Gilbert attempt to found an Eng-
lish colony ? Describe the voyages and adventures of Sir Walter Raleigh
in America, what country did he attempt to settle, and what name did he
give it ? When did those events occur ? When did Bartholomew Gris-
nold sail to America, what places did he discover and name ? What two
English companies made early settlements in North America, and in what
parts of the country respectively did they found their colonies ? When
and where was the first English colony founded ? When and where was
the next one founded ? Into what did these colonies de\'elop in the course
of time?
When and where did the Dutch make their first explorations and settle-
ments in the New World ? What connection did their colonies have with
the region of Texas ?
Topical Analysis.
Study and investigate the following topics :
1. Priority of discovery and exploration among the several European
nations that attempted the settlement of North America.
2. Priority between Spain and France in the region of Texas.
3. Characteristics of the Colonial Systems of the Spaniards, French,
English, and Dutch.
CONTEMPORANEOUS EVENTS. 2^
4. Motives that prompted the several nations named, in their early PRELtMiNAitv
expeditions to America. Period
5. The part that Religion played in the early discovery, exploration, j^qj
and colonization of the New World. to
6. The comparative success of the Spaniards, French, English, and 1687
Dutch as colonizers of a new country, as shown by their operations in
America.
Parallel Readings.
Prescott's "Conquest of Mexico;" H. H. Bancroft's "History of
Mexico," "North Mexican States and Texas," "Arizona and New
Mexico," and "California ;" George Bancroft's " History of the
United States;" Francis Parkman's "Pioneers of France in
the New World," "Jesuits in North America," and "Dis-
covery of the Great West ;" Winsor's " Narrative and Critical
History of America," Vols. I. to IV. ; Irving's "Knicker-
bocker's History of New York."
Spanish SrANOARn.
Geography.
The pupil should be required to locate clearly on the map of North
America the respective localities of the earliest discoveries, explorations,
and settlements by each of the nations mentioned in this period, and
a contrast and comparison of their extent, duration, and subsequent
changes should be instituted. Consider the relative size of the first
Spanish, French, English, and Dutch settlements, their locations, their
alterations liy conquest or purchase since, and their present condition as
to being owned by the same countries that originally founded them.
¥¥
CONTEMPORANEOUS EVENTS.— 1450-1 528.
Preparatory and Parallel to Preliminary Period.
1450-1550. — Transition period from mediaeval to modern history. De-
cline of feudalism. Rise of the great European monarchies. Estab-
lisliment of standing armies. Beginning of wars of conquest and
dynastic succession in Europe. Use of gunpowder in war. Doctrine
of " Balance of Power" adopted. Revival of learning, and the begin-
ning of the Reformation.
1450.— First metal type cast for printing.
1453- — Capture of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks and the fall of
the Byzantine Empire. Cannon first used in war.
1455-1485- — The " Wars of the Roses" in England between the liouses
of Lancaster and York.
1455- — First complete book j^rinted by Gutenberg and Faust, at Mentz,
being the Bible known as the " Mazarin Bible."
TO
1687
24 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS,
PRELIMINARY 1463-1487. — Puituguese navigators explore the coasts of Africa, cross the
i'EUR)D equator and discover the Cape of Good Hope.
1492 1474— First book printed in England by Caxton, being "The Game and
Playe of the Chesse."
1475-1564. — Michael Angelo flourishes in Italy under the patronage of the
Medicis.
1477-1576. — Titian achieves his fame as a painter in Venice, where he
lived and died.
1483-1520. — The period of Raphael's life-work in Italy.
1485. — Battle of Bosworth Field and death of Richard 111.
1491. — Conc]uest of Granada and expulsion of the Moors from Spain.
Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon united under Ferdinand and
Isabella.
1498. — Vasco da Gama sails around Africa to India. Trade opened with
the East Indies, and commerce is transferred to the Atlantic Ocean
from the Mediterranean Sea.
1500. — Charles V. born at Ghent.
1509. — Henry VIII. ascends throne of England.
1511. — Rise of trade in Western Europe, and the foundation of the great
navies of Europe.
1516.— Kingdom of Spain founded under Carlos I., afterwards the
Emperor Charles V.
1517-1521. — Martin Luther denounces the corruptions of the Catholic
clergy and the .sale of indulgences by Pope Leo X. Beginning of the
Rcfoniiatioii in Europe.
1519-1520.— Carlos I. of Spain elected Emperor of Germany as Charles
v., defeating Henry VIII. of England and Francis I. of France.
1521. — Luther excommunicated by the Pope of Rome.
1525-1544-— Four great European wars are waged, participated in by
Henry VIII. of England, Charles V. of Germany, Francis 1. of France,
the Pope of Rome, and Soliman, Sultan of Turkey.
1529. — " Diet of Spires" meets and forbids further religious discussions
and changes, against which Luther and his followers protest, from
which act came the name Protestants.
1530. — Fall of Cardinal Wolsey, Henry VII I. 's minister.
iljiruauiici ([lorli^
IPcrtob II.
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
1 528-182 1.
¥¥
CHAPTER I.
Characteristics of the Spanish Colonial System.
IN order to projjerly understand the events to be related in
this Period, the student should have a clear idea of the
laws, ijovernment, institutions, and social conditions which
existed in the Spanish colonies in the New World in the
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Texas was a part of New
Spain, beino- a province or state of Mexico, under Spanish rule,
until 1 82 1, and the history of both countries is the same until
that date. Hence, before entering- upon the details of Texas
history, the reader should thoroughly understand the form of
government and the state of society which ])revailed in Spanish
America during that time. Such knowledge will explain the
course of events, and throw light upon the entire character and
condition of the institutions and population of New S])ain, and
will also ser\'c as a key to the solution of nearly all the social and
political difficulties with which we shall have to deal in later
times.
At the time of the discovery of the West Indies by Columbus,
25
Importance of
the subject
26
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pf.riod I.
Spanish
Domination
152S
TO
1 82 I
Spanish Seal.
Council of the
Indies
P\T(linan(l and Isabella were king and queen of Spain, and under
their wise and liberal rule that kingdom became the foremost
power in Europe. Isabella died in 1504, and Ferdinand in 15 16.
Their daughter, Joanna, rightfully succeeded to the throne, but
she was incapable of reigning because of mental weakness, and
her son, Charles, became king. He is known in history as
Charles I., of Spain, and Charles V., Emperor of Ger-
many. For several years after he came to the Spanish
throne, his minister. Cardinal Ximenes (he-ma'-naz),
governed affairs in Spain, as Charles was really a for-
eigner and not popular among the Spaniards. The
Emperor resigned in 1556, and was succeeded by his
son, Philip II., the husband of "Bloody" Mary,
queen of England.
Philip was a cruel, narrow-minded bigot and tyrant, in-
\'olved his country in continual wars, and under his manage-
ment Spain's glory and power rapidly declined.
On account of the fact that the first Spanish discoverers
of America believed that they had really found a portion of
India, all the Spanish possessions in the Western Hemisphere
were called by the general name of The Indies, and in 151 1 King
Ferdinand established a board composed of eminent soldiers,
statesmen, lawyers, and churchmen, for the government of all
the Spanish-American colonies. This celebrated body of men
was called the "Council of the Indies." It was composed of a
president, who was supposed to be the king himself, four secre-
taries, and twenty-two councillors. In 1524 the Emperor Charles
reorganized this board and enlarged its powers, until it became
almost al)solute in its authority, even to the exclusion of the king
himself. It appointed all the ofificers in the colonies, made all
the laws and regulations for the government of both the Span-
ish and nati\e j)opulation, and exercised unlimited and arbitrary
I)ower over men and provinces in the Indies. From 15 17 to
1547, the head of this Council, who was called " Patriarch of the
Indies," was Juan Rodriguez de Fonseca (hwon rod-re'-gwaz
da fon-sa'-kii), Bishop of Burgos, commonly referred to as Fon-
seca. ■ This man was supj^osed to be a pious Catholic bishop,
Init his conduct shows him to have been a selfish, malicious, am-
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
27
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
bitious, and cruel tyrant, whose efforts were directed towards. period i.
preventing the discoveries of those times, and he did all he
could to thwart the generous humanity of such noble men as
Las Casas (ka'-sas), " the Universal Protector of the Indians."
The Council of the Indies professed to provide for the humane 1821
treatment and religious training of the Indians, but the regula-
tions which it adopted for the colonies and for the collection
of taxes and money from the natives, rendered it impossible to
protect the people from cruelty, tyranny, and suffering. Its
laws and ordinances were administered in the colonies by courts or
commissions called aiidiencias reales (au-de-en-se'-iis ra-al'-az),
or Royal Audiences, appointed by the Council upon nomination ^^oya'
A !• f • • Audiences
by the kmg. The Audience was both a court of justice and a body
of civil and political authority, and its powers were supreme,
subject only to the home Council. It was composed of a regent
or president, three judges, two attorneys ox fiscales (fes-kiil'-az),
a reporter, and a constable or alguazil (iil-gwa-zel').
At first the Audiences were the direct representatives of the
royal authority, but, on account of their frequent disputes and
disagreements, it was concluded to establish a personal repre- viceroys
sentative of the king as the head of the colonial government,
whose court should in some degree contain all the features of
regal authority and splendor, and take the place of the distant
sovereignty of the Spanish monarch. This person was called
the Viceroy, and he was the head of the Royal Audiences, whose
members thus became his ministers and judges, constituting at
once a viceroyal cabinet and a supreme court for the colonies.
The first viceroy of New Spain was appointed in 1535, and his
government was finally established in 1537. His name was
Antonio de Mendoza, and his residence was in the City of Mexico, viceroy Men-
The name of New Spain had first been given to Yucatan by
Grijalva in 15 18, and it was finally applied to all of the main-
land from the Isthmus of Panama to Vancouver's Island on the Extent of New
Pacific coast, and around the Gulf of Mexico, including Central ^^'"
America, Mexico, Upper and Lower California, Texas, New
Mexico, and even extending to Florida and the Spanish dis-
coveries on the Atlantic coast of North America. Generally
speaking, however, the name New Spain applied more particu-
I52S
l82I
28
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
larly to Mexico and its various states and provinces, from Panama
on the south to Texas on the north, and its rulers were spoken
of as the Viceroys of Mexico. Cortez had been called governor,
captain-general, and chief-justice, but Mendoza was the first
person to receive the title of Viceroy.
Next to the Royal Audiences in authority came the Cabildos
Cabiidos ( kii-x-cl'-dos), or towu couucils, whose members formed the
municipal government of the various cities, towns, and villages.
They were composed of Ri'oidores (ra-zhe-d(5r'-az), or alder-
men, and other persons appointed by the king or the Council
of the Indies, and they in turn elected every year two Alcaldes
(al-kiU'-daz), or magistrates, from among the people. These
Cabildos had no power to make laws, but simply to execute
those municipal and police regulations framed by the higher
authority of the viceroys, the Audiences, and the Council of the
Indies. The Alcaldes were the local judges who administered
Ayuntamiento justicc auioHg the people. The Aynntamicnto (a-yon'-ta-me-
en'-to) was an assembly composed of the magistrates, regidores,
and other ofii|^b of a municipality, generally including those
of more than one town or city. The Cahildo was the term for
the form of local municipal government, while the Ayuntamiento
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
29
was the general council of the municipality. The latter term
occurs frequently in the history of Texas.
As will be seen, all these offices were filled by native Span-
iards, and they were disposed of by open bargain and sale under
the most corrupt and unjust practices.
Besides these principal forms of colonial government, there
was a perfect horde of petty officials, — constables, tax-gatherers,
revenue officers, and agents, — and the whole system was further
complicated by a mixture of military and church government,
with the most arbitrary and unequal privileges to special classes
and particular individuals. The great body of the laws was
contained in Royal Decrees, Ordinances, and Regulations issued
from Spain by the Council of the Indies, which were sometimes
modified by the viceroys and local tribunals. As these laws
appear in print now, they seem to be most exact, liberal, wise,
and wholesome ; but their administration was rendered cruel,
corrupt, and ruinous by the character of the men who executed
them, and by the very necessities of the system they were in-
tended to support.
When the Romans conquered Spain, in the year 206 B.C.,
they established a system in that country under which, for three
centuries or more, the inhabitants were reduced to a condition
of slavery. They were forced to till the fields and work the
mines, to furnish the supplies for Roman armies, and pay the
expenses of Roman extravagance and luxury. The Span-
iards repeated the system in the colonies of the Indies, in
the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Charles V. and
Philip II. and their successors were continually at war with
foreign nations, and often involved in civil commotion,
and these enormous expenses, added to the continual
demands of the Catholic Church for funds to support its
magnificent establishment, required an immense quan-
tity of money which the American colonies were expected
to furnish. The motive and object of the whole colonial
system were the obtaining of gold and silver, and to furnish a
market for Spanish productions. The native population were
treated as so many slaves, to be worked in the mines under-
ground, and in the fields above. Soon after the discovery of
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
152S
TO
IS2I
Character ot
laws
A Roman
parallel
Spanish Belle.
Slavery of th?
Indians
\o
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
IS2I
Spanish I'.eau
Spanish
monopoly
Foreign
tyranny
Gachupins
Privileged
classes
Fueros
Colonial
servitude
the West Indies, the system of rcpartitiiioitos (ra-par'-te-me-en'-
toz) and cnconiiendas (en-ko-me-en'-daz) was adopted, by which
whole districts and villages were granted to certain Spanish
officers and leaders, together with a certain number of Indians,
who were owned with the land. This established the worst
form of human slavery, and its abuses and cruelties render the
history of those times a record of wretchedness and crime.
The mines were worked by natives under Spanish task-
masters, and nothing was allowed to be raised on the soil,
or manufactured by native labor, that could be imported
from Spain. This created an absolute monopoly for Span-
ish productions, and forced the inhabitants to buy all they
consumed and used from the mother country. No other
;,^ nation was allowed to trade with the Indies, and only
certain Spanish ports were permitted to send out car-
goes to America. Exorbitant prices and ruinous duties
were charged for everything that came in, and the pro-
ducts of the mines, besides being taxed, were drained
from the colonies to enrich the nobility, the crown, and
the church of Spain. Her supremacy as a naval power enabled
her to enforce these laws during the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries, and it was not until late in the eighteenth century
that they were somewhat modified.
All the offices in New Spain were filled by Spaniards, and the
natives were simply forced to toil, to obey, and to pay taxes.
The native Spaniards were called GacJmpins (gatsh-u'-pens),
and the prejudice against them runs through all the subsequent
history of Spanish America. Being foreigners and masters, en-
gaged in enriching themselves and gathering money for their
royal master at honie, their rule was corrupt, cruel, and unjust.
There were also certain privileged classes, who were exempted
from the general laws of the country by special charters, called
fueros (fo-a'-roz). To these belonged the clergy, the profes-
sions, corporations, the military, revenue officers, engineers,
marines, and many others, who were subject only to the rules of
their own class.
Thus the whole country was a workhouse for Spain, ruled
by foreign influences, without the right of local self-government.
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
I82I
Excessive
taxes
and denied freedom of opink)n, conduct, or business. Of the
one hundred and seventy viceroys in the New World, all but
four were Spaniards or foreigners ; of six hundred and ten cap-
tains-general and governors, all but fourteen were natives of Old
Spain. This complete subjection to foreign tyranny, added to
the monopoly by Spain of all trade, commerce, and manufac-
tures, rendered the condition of the colonies well-nigh intoler-
able. Every species of expensive and vexatious tax was laid
upon internal as well as external trade. The barest necessaries
of life were taxed out of all reason, and licenses at high rates
were required for pursuing the commonest occupations of life
and business. Only travellers, clergymen, and paupers were ex-
empt. This promoted smuggling, cheating, and perjury among
the people. The king demanded one-fifth of all the gold and
silver produced in the colonies ; he claimed a monopoly in salt,
gimpowder, and tobacco ; and he openly sold both civil and re-
ligious offices. By the decrees of Popes Alexander VI. and
Julius II., the king of Spain was made the head of the Spanish
Catholic Church, and he exercised independent, absolute author-
ity over all church affairs, appointing all church officers, found-
ing cathedrals, monasteries, hospitals, and other charitable and
})ious establishments, for which he demanded ample compensa-
tion. Tithes were collected upon everything, for they enabled
the Church to pay the king for its pri\'ileges and to enrich itself ;
until, when it was finally secularized in Mexico, in 1867, it owned
one-third of the wealth of the entire Republic. Religious indul-
i^ences were freely sold for the privilege of doing certain things,
— some trivial, some serious, — such as eating eggs in Lent, for
a passport through purgatory, and for committing theft or mur-
der. The Holy Inqicisition was imported to the New World, Holy inquis
and exerted its tyranny over the minds of men, so that they
could only read and think what the Church permitted. At the
close of the eighteenth century th<'re were only three printing-
presses in all Spanish America, — one in Mexico, one in Peru,
and one at Cordova ; and they were all under government con-
trol. All books and papers were subjected to the inspection of
the Inquisition, and occasionally a heretic was burned at the
stake. A poll-tax of from four dollars to fifteen dollars was
Church cor-
ruption and
tyranny
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
152S
10
1S21
The system
without
remedy
levied upon every Indian, and, by a ejystem which required him
to buy onlv from certain persons, he was robbed by the author-
ities in everything- he used, ate, and wore.
The justice and benevolence of kings and viceroys could not
reacli nor remedy these minor, but myriad, abuses, and the evils
of the system once set in operation were beyond the control of
the go\-ernment ; for they were concealed by the corruption that
originated and extended them. It was the influence of all these
things that made Spanish America what it was in 1800, and is
!• Mexico.1
Its influence
and results
Its contact
with Ameri-
can system
t\ en yet. Rexolution and anarchy are the necessary results
of injustice, cruelty, monopoly, and slavery continued through
centuries of misgovernment and tyranny.
It was this system, as exhibited in the laws, institutions, and
political temper of the Mexican people, that confronted the col-
onists who came to Texas from the Ihiited States in the early
part of this century. InsjMred with all the sentiments and tra-
ditions of American and P^nglish law and liberty, it could not be
expected that they would submit to the exacti i
It is difficult for one accustomed to the institutions of repub-
lican oovernment to understand the curious mixture of the civil
1528
TO
1821 and military power, with the military in the ascendant, which
prevailed in the Spanish possessions of America ; but it should
alwavs be borne in mind as a constant and controlling factor in
Mixture of
civil and mili
tary authority the lustory of Mcxico, past and present.
QUESTIONS.
Of what country was Texas a part until 1821 ? Under whose rule?
What is important and necessary to understand in connection with Texas
history ? Who were the king and queen of Spain in 1492 ? When did
thc'v die? Who succeeded to the throne of Spain? What titles did he
licar? What famous man was his prime minister? When did Charles V.
resign the throne ? Who succeeded him ? What was the character of his
successor? What did the Spaniards call their discoveries and possessions
in the New World, and why? How were those possessions governed?
When was the "Council of the Indies" established, and by whom? How
and by whom was it afterwards changed ? How was it composed, and
what were its powers and duties ? Who was its chief ofhcer for many
years, and what was he called ? What was his character ? Who was Las
Casas? What were the methods of the governnient by tlie "Council of
the Indies," and what was its character? Describe the various means
enployed by the "Council" for the government of the colonies in the
New Workl. What were the "Royal Audiences," and how composed?
What were their powers at first, and wliat officer afterwards presided
over them ? Who was the first viceroy of New Spain, and where did he
reside? What was included in the term " New Spain" ? What body was
next in authority to the "Audiences" ? How was it composed? What
were its powers and duties? What was an alcalde? What v\'as the
Ayuntamiciito f What was the difference between the Ayuntaniieuto and
the Cabildo ? How were the offices in New Spain held and disposed of ?
Wiiat other officers were tiiere, and wliat was tlie character of tiie colonial
govc-rnment thus administered ? What constituted the Laws of the Indies ?
What difference was there between tlie laws themselves and the manner
in whirli they were administered? Draw a parallel between the manner
in whicli Rome governed Spain after the conquest of that country and
the manner in which Spain governed her colonies in the New World.
What caused tiie oppressions laid upon tiie Spanish colonies in America,
and what were the main motive and object of the whole Spanish colonial
system ? What was the system of rcparlimioilos and oicoinicmtas, and
SPANISH DISCOVErV AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS. ^i
what did it produce ? What system of inonopoHes and taxation did Spain Period I.
practise towards her colonists and the natives of New Spain ? By wliom Spanish
were all offices in New Spain filled, and what were native Spaniards Pqm'natio
called? What ware /lie ros, and what privileged classes did they give 1528
rise to ? What was the result of the Spanish colonial system upon the to
colonies? What proportion of offices were held by native Spaniards 182 1
during the continuance of the system ? Describe some of the excessive
taxes levied upon the inhabitants of the colonies. What relation did the
king of Spain bear to the Spanish Catholic Church, and by whose
authority ? What was the result ? Describe some of the methods of
corruption and tyranny employed by the king and the Church. What
was the effect of the //o/y Inquisition in America ? W^hy did not the king
and viceroys remedy the evils of the colonial government ? What influ-
ence has the S]:>anish colonial system exerted upon the subsequent history
of Spanish America ? What did its influence have to do with the Texas
revolution from Mexico ?
After the conquest of Mexico by Cortez, how was the country at first
divided? What change was afterwards made, and when? What was an
iiitcndancy f In what intendancy was Texas situated? How were the
intendancies divided ? What was the governor of a subdivision, or sitb-
ddcgacion, called ? How was the country further divided into two great
di\'isions ? How were the Internal Provinces divided, and in whicii of
these divisions was Texas located ? How was an intendancy governed ?
How were the several states and provinces governed? What was the
supreme government of the entire system ? In what important particular
did this system of government difTer from the republican institutions of
the United States ?
Topical Analysis.
1. The motives and methods of the Spanish coK^iial system ; its
abuses, corruptions, and tyranny.
2. The relations of the Catholic Church to the Spanish contiuest and
colonization of New Spain.
3. The evils of a government in which the civil, military, and ecclesi-
astical authority are all concentrated in one hand.
4. The disastrous effects of the Spanish colonial system on the subse-
(luent history of Spanish America, as shown in Mexico, Central and South
America, and the West Indies.
5. The geographical division of New Spain into states and provinces.
6. The political divisions into kingdoms, intendancies, internal jirov- *
inces, sulxlelegacions, and the methods of government in each.
Parallel Readings.
Brantz Mayer's " Mexico : Aztec, Spanish, and Republican," Book I.,
Chaps. X., XIII., and XIV., and Book IV., Chap. I. ; H. H. Bancroft's
1528
TO
IS2I
36
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Works, " History of Mexico," Vols. I., II., and III. ; Winsor's " Narrative
and Critical History of America," Vol. I., Chaps. III. and V. ; Prescott's
" Conquest of Mexico."
Geography.
Fix in the mind of the pupil the geographical division of Mexico into
states and provinces as the territory existed at the time of the conquest
and until the beginning of this century. Then the political divisions
should be clearly defined, so as to understand the subsequent use of
the terms inteiidancies, intendants, suhdelc_s;ates, conniiandants, internal
provinces, etc., as they so often recur in the history of Texas during its
connection with Mexico.
Spanish Cannon.
CHAPTER II.
Period 1.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
I82I
Early Spanish Discovery and Exploration in Texas and
Adjacent Territory.
WE have already noted the expeditions of Grijalva, Pi-
neda, and Garay, in 1518, 1519, and 1523 ; and also
the conquest of Mexico by Cortez. When Pineda
returned to Jamaica from his nine months' voyage
around the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, he made a map of his
route and of the coasts he had explored. This was sent by Gov-
ernor Garav to Spain in iS2i, and demonstrates the truth and Grijaiva,
. . Pineda, Gar.^y
accuracy of Pineda's observations, as the outlme of the Gulf
coast and its rivers is substantially the same as on the maps
of the present day.
After Garay' s unfortunate expedition, the Spaniards do
not appear to have made further explorations along the
coast north of the Panuco River for several years ; but
they were engaged in extending their settlements in the
interior of Mexico and along the Pacific coast as far as
Lower California, exploring the interior as far as the
modern State of Sinaloa (sen-a-lo'-a). These expeditions
were undertaken by Cortez, Diego de Guzman (de-a'-go
da goz'-man), Nuiio de Guzman (non'-yo da goz'-man),
and others, and were continued more or less successfully
from 1 52 1 to 1536. During these incursions towards the
north, the Spaniards continually heard of a rich and .
populous country still farther north, which was said to
contain inhabited and walled cities, ci\ilized people, , , „,
' 1 r ' An Indian Warrior
and much wealth in gold, silver, and precious stones.
This far-off country was sometimes called Cibola (se'-vo-lii),
sometimes Oiiivira (ke-ve-ra), sometimes Cigicatan (se-gwa-
tan') ; and always the " Seven Great Cities" were the point of
search,
37
Cibola and
the " Seven
Great Cities"
38
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkrioo I. The Stories of those fabled regions dazzled the imaginations
Spanish ^^^ ^l^^^ adventurcrs with visions of untold wealth and splendor,
Domination ii r i •
— , to be found somewhere in the mystic north. In all of their
TO explorations in the New World, the Spaniards were haunted by
1821 the idea of finding a passage by water through the continent
from east to west, furnishing a short route to India. This delu-
•• Straits of sion appears in all of the narratives of those and even later times,
'^"'^" under the names of "the secret of the Strait," the "Northern
Mystery," and the "Straits of Anian."
Nunode j,^ 1527, Nufio de Guzmau was governor of Panuco, and in
his hunt for riches and slaves he claimed to have crossed the
lower Rio Grande del Norte into what is now Texas. He speaks
of having captured an Indian who belonged to a tribe called
Tcjas (ta-yas), living farther north. Tejas is the Spanish
First mention form of Tcxus, and this is the first mention of the name in
of Texas 1 • ^
history.
In June, 1527, Panfilo de Narvaez set sail from Spain, with
authority from the emperor, Charles V. , to conquer and colonize
the country from the Cape of Florida to the mouth of the Rio
de las Palmas, being the same land that Pineda and Garay had
Expedition of named Amichcl. De Narvaez, it will be remembered, was the
same man who had conquered Cuba in 151 1, and whom Cortez
had defeated, putting out his eye, at Zempoalla, in 1520. He
now styled himself "Governor of Florida, las Palmas, and Espi-
ritu Santo," — the last name being the one by which Pineda and
Garay had designated the Mississippi River. After many delays
and difificulties, he landed at what some historians claim to have
been Tampa Bay, others Appalachee Bay. Leaving his ships to
follow the coast, he started with a large force of men and horses
to explore the interior. He was very far mistaken in his Calcu-
lations as to where he was at the time, thinking that he was near
"il!'''"'"" ^'^^ mouth of the Piuuico and las Palmas Rivers. After many
wicks of suffering and adventure among the swamps and forests
of I'lorida and Southern Alabama, he finally reached a baysome-
whei-c on the northern coast of the Gulf, east of the Mississippi
River. His shii)s were lost, and he constructed five rudely-built
boats, into which he crowded his two hundred and fifty men and
pvu to sea, with no knowledge of his whereabouts and no expe-
Uc Narvaez
lures
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
39
rienced sailor among his crew. This was in September, 1528. Period i.
They encountered stormy weather and suffered greatly from hun- oy^^^Nlr^oN
ger and thirst. After being at sea about thirty days, they passed '
the mouth of a mighty stream, whose current could be felt far t-o
out in the Gulf, and whose waters sweetened the brine of the sea, 1S21
and which, from the description and all the circumstances, was,
no doubt, the Mississippi. After being tossed about for a week
longer, pursuing the same westerly course, the boats became scat-
tered, that in which De Narvaez was commanding was lost, and
the olhers were shipwrecked on an unknown coast, most of the shipwrecked
men dying of hunger or being killed by Indians. Among the sur- ^^^^^
vivors was the celebrated Alvar Nunez, Cabeza de Vaca (al-viir'
7 L^.-.i.j>Mex,co I
'^'•- l,>. Vvv I p \\ ^^
Route of Cabeza de Vaca across Texas (1535-36).
(Dotted lines indicate two possible routes west of the Pecos River.)
non'-az, kii-ba'-tha da vii'-ka), and several companions, who were
stranded on an island which they named Malhado, from the mis-
eries they endured while there. They were held captive by the
Indians for six years, and underwent great cruelty and suffering.
At last, Cabeza, Dorantes, Maldonado, and Estevanico (es-ta'-
viin-e'-ko), the last being a negro slave, escaped in November,
^535- They had previously wandered down the coast south Escapes and
r AT 11 1 11 1 1 • • -It- travelsinland
irom Malhado, and when they set out on their journey mland, it
was from a point near Espiritu Santo Bay, if not actually from
that place, which is at the mouth of the Guadalupe or the San
Antonio River. The exact locality of Malhado Island will never
be certainly known, but there is good reason for supposing it to
Cabeza de
Vaca
40
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
182 I
Traverses
Texas
Reaches
Mexico
De Soto's
claims
De Nizza's
expedition to
Cibola
have been the same as Galveston Island, and it was certainly on
the Texas coast.
Cabeza and his companions travelled westward and north-
ward through Texas, spending eight months with a native tribe,
crossing the Pecos River and western plains to the Rio Grande,
which they struck near Presidio del Norte, or perhaps as high
up as the neighborhood of El Paso. In their travels through
Texas they met many Indian tribes, some of whom dwelt in
houses and used clothing and buffalo robes, and by all of whom
they were treated most kindly. They heard of cities in the far
north, which were no doubt the towns of the pzicblo tribes of
Arizona and New Mexico, but they did not go in that direction,
as has been supposed by some. After crossing the Rio Grande,
they passed through what are now the States of Chihuahua
(che-wiih-wah) and Sonora, reached the Yaqui (ya-ke) River,
and finally found the Spanish settlements on the Rio Petatlan,
now the Rio de Sinaloa, where they arrived in April, 1536,
having been separated from their countrymen for eight years.
The account of this remarkable expedition was at once reported
by Cabeza de Vaca to the Audience and Viceroy in the City of
Mexico, and he also prepared and published a narrative of it in
Spain, in 1537. He himself was afterwards made governor of
the province of La Plata in South America.
The return and account of their wanderings by these men
served to still further excite the curiosity and desire of the Span-
iards to explore and conquer the distant lands to the north and
east, where fabled cities gleamed with unknown wealth and splen-
dor. The interest excited by Cabeza de Vaca's report of his
trip through Texas and Northern Mexico led indirectly to the ex-
pedition of De Soto to Florida, in 1539. With the then false
notions of geographical locations, De Soto actually claimed that
Cib( )la and Ouivira, with their ' ' Seven Cities, ' ' were included in his
grant to conquer and colonize Florida ; but this was too absurd,
and but little attention was paid to his idea that those fabled lo-
calities were part of his rightful dominions as conqueror of Florida.
But on Mr.rch 7, 1539, the Viceroy Mendoza sent a priest
named Marcos de Nizza (mar-kos da nez-zii), with the negro
sla\-e who had returned with Cabeza de Vaca and a laree com-
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
41
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
I82I
pany of Mexicans, to explore the country to the north of Sinaloa.
The fabulous accounts given by Nizza on his return leave us in
doubt as to what to believe about his journey into the unknown
land. Starting from San Miguel they travelled north, keeping
near the coast until they entered what are now probably Ari-
zona and New Mexico, crossed mountains and deserts, found
friendly tribes in rich and populous villages, and heard of the
great country called Cibola in the far north. Nizza says they
actually came in sight of the land and saw its large cities, with
houses three stories high, but that the hostility of the natives
prevented him from entering and possessing the country. He,
however, laid formal claim to it in the name of Spain. It is evi-
dent that, if he really saw what he professed to have discovered,
the district was that of the pueblo (pwa'-blo) tribes in Arizona
and New Mexico, now known as the Zuni (zon'-ye) and Moqui
(mo-ke) Indians. When Nizza returned with his wonderful ac-
count of his expedition, in September, 1539, Viceroy Mendoza
at once ordered Francis Vasquez de Coronado, the then governor Coronado
of New Galicia in Mexico, to set out and explore the country
visited by the monk, while a fleet of ships was sent along the
coast northward under command of Pedro de Alarcon (al-iir'-
kon). Coronado started in February, 1540, and marched as far
as the Little Colorado River, discovering the villages of the
Zuni and Moqui Indians, which turned out to be
Cibola, — at least the Spaniards never found any other
He explored a large part of Arizona and New
Mexico, discovered the Grand Caiion of the
Colorado, and spent the winter at a place /
called Tiguez, which was probably at or near , '
the present site of Albuquerque. Coronado
was greatly disappointed, for the country
was arid and by no means what Nizza
had represented it to be. In April, 1541,
he started from Cicuye (se-co''-ya), now
Old Pecos (pa-kos). New Mexico, to find
a wonderful land called QuivirUy which
was said to be in the east. His expedition travelled east and
northeast, encountering many and vast herds of buffalo with In-
visits Arizona
and New
Mexico
Zuni Spinning.
42
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
PERion 1.
Spanish
Domination
152S
TO
I82I
ZuNi Weaving
Further Span-
ish explora-
tion
Isleta or
Yslcta
dians hunting them. The Indians hved in tents made of skins
and had many dogs. At one time he travelled into the Panhandle
of Texas and traversed portions of northwestern and northern
Texas, where he met Indians who told him of having seen and
heard of Cabeza de Vaca and his companions. He fell in with
a tribe called Tejas (ta-has) or Teyds, who had a village named
Cona (ko-na), and was told that Qnivira lay forty days' march
to the north. Returning, he struck the Pecos River below
Cicuye, and crossed salt marshes and lakes in the land of the
Tejas. These, from the description, may have been the
salt lakes of San Elisario and that region. Coronado
then changed his route, going again east and north,
probably traversing the Indian Territory and Kansas,
and finally reaching a large stream, which was either
the Platte or the Missouri River. Here he found
Qnivira, or a place by that name, which proved to
, be a collection of mud huts thatched with straw, whose
inhabitants were nomadic savages. He returned to
Tiguez in August, 1541. The following autumn and
winter he spent in New Mexico and Arizona, explor-
ing all the pueblos in that region and endeavoring to
pacify and colonize the country. Coronado finally returned to
Mexico in the summer of 1542, a disappointed and discredited
man.
After Coronado' s and Alarcon's expeditions, Cabrillo ex-
plored the Pacific coast as far as Oregon, in 1542-43, and in
1596 Viscaino sailed on the same coast as far as Cape Mendocino.
In 1582, Espejo went to New Mexico and succeeded in estab-
lishing permanent colonies there in 1 599. Onate likewise figured
extensively in the early settlement of New Mexico, founding
Santa Fe in 1598. There were continual expeditions to and
from New Mexico and Arizona in the years following Coronado' s
first visit there, and most of these crossed into Texas at different
times, El Paso- del Norte (nor'-ta) being the usual place for
crossing the Rio Grande. It is a mistake, however, to suppose
that the old town of Isleta or Ysleta (es-la'-ta) in Texas existed or
was visited in the time of Coronado. There was a town by that
name in New Mexico, Isleta del Norte, at a very early date, and
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
4.
is perhaps mentioned in the accounts of Coronado's expedition.
But Isleta in Texas was founded in 1682, by Otermin, as a refuge
for the Tiguez Indians, who were driven out of New Mexico by
the great Indian war prevailing there among the pueblo tribes.
In the meantime, the internal settlement of Mexico pro-
gressed with more or less success. From 1542 to the end of the
century, mines were opened, towns built, convents and missions Progress of
11-11 • • -1 1 IT 1 • 1 1 settlement of
established, and the beginnings of agricultural life laid through- Mexico
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
I82I
Map of the North Mexican States in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth
Centuries.
out the northern States of New Spain. At that time the present
States of Durango, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Sinora, and Coahuila
(ko-a-we'-la) constituted what was called the kingdom of Nueva
Viscaya (nwav-a ves-ky-ii) or New Biscay, and these, together
with the provinces of New Leon, San Luis Potosi (lo-es po-
to-se'), and Tamaulipas (ta-mau-le'-piis) or New Santander, in
Mexico proper, and Texas, New Mexico, and Upper and Lower
California, beyond the Rio Grande del Norte, made up the por-
44
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
1S2I
Catholic
missions
tions of New Spain whose histories are more particularly con-
nected with each other.
The principal feature in the settlement of all this country was
the spread of the Catholic Missions, and the history of the North
Mexican States and Texas during the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries is composed almost exclusively of the annals of the
missions and their accompanying garrisons and villages ; so
that it will be well to understand that great system of religious
work in New Spain. It was a well-organized system for evan-
gelizing the savages and for laying the foundations of coloniza-
tion, and its relics, as seen in the ruins of its ancient temples,
constitute one of the most romantic and interesting features of
Spanish America.
QUESTIONS.
What expeditions on the Gulf coast of Mexico and Texas occurred
in 151S, 1519, and 1523? When was the first map of the Gulf of Mexico
made, and by whom ? How did it compare in accuracy with modern
maps of the same region ? What explorations did the Spaniards conduct
in Mexico from 1521 to 1536? Who were the principal explorers in this
field ? What country did they hear of in the north ? Wliat was the
country called, and what were the current ideas about it? What was
meant by the "secret of the Strait," the "Northern Mystery," and the
"Straits of Anian" ? When and by whom was the first expedition into
Texas said to have been made? What tribe of bidians did he encounter?
What name is derived from those Indians, and when did it first occur in
history ? When and whence did De Narvaez sail, with what authority, and
to conquer what country ? Who was De Narvaez, and what titles did he
assume ? At what point did he first land in America ? Give an account
of his route and adventures on the main-land. Also, give an account of
his last voyage, in attempting to reach the Rio de las Palmas. When,
where, and how did he finally perish ? What became of his men ? Where
was Malhado Island ? Wliat celebrated man was among the survivors of
the Narvaez expedition? Give an account of his adventures on the coast
of Texas. Wlien did he escape to the interior, and who were his com-
panions? From what point on the Gulf coast did they probably start
inland, and through what regions did they subsequently travel ? Describe
what they saw and heard during their travels. Where did they finally
reach the Rio Grande, and what route did they follow from there? When
and where did they finally reach tlie Spaniards in Mexico? When and
by whom was a narrative of this expedition and adventure written and
published? To what did that account lead? Give an account of the
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
45
expedition of Marcos de Nizza. When was it made, through what Period I.
country did he pass, and what did he claim to have seen and heard? Spanish
What region and people did he probably see or hear of ? When was the omination
expedition under Coronado started, and who was to aid him, and how? 1528
How far did he proceed northward, what did he discover, and where did to
he spend the winter? Where did he go in the following spring, and what ^^^^
did he see and hear? What tribe of Indians did he meet? Give the
prolxible route of his march in search of Quivira. What did he find?
i)n his return from Quivira, what did Coronado do ? At what dates and
by whom were subsequent explorations made on. the Pacific coast and in
New Mexico and Arizona ? Did any of these expeditions cross Texas at
any point, and, if so, where and to what extent ? What mistake is often
made concerning the town of Isleta? Who founded Isleta, Texas, when,
and for what purpose ? What was done in Mexico during the last half of
the sixteenth century ? Name the principal divisions, states, and pro-
vinces of New Spain at that time. Which of them are most nearly con-
nected with the history of Texas ? Draw an outline map of Northern
Mexico and Texas, New Mexico, and the Californias, as they were known
at the close of the sixteenth century. What was a prominent and con-
trolling feature in the settlement of New Spain during the sixteenth and
seventeenth centuries ?
Topical Analysis.
1. The exploration of New Spain by Cortez, the Guzmans, Coronado,
Espejo, Cabrillo, and Oiiate during the sixteenth century.
2. The extent to which Mexico was settled, and the states of that
country tiiat were then established by the Spaniards.
3. The early exploration of the Gulf of Mexico, the extent to which
its geography was known at that time, and the first European exploration
in Texas by Cabeza de Vaca and his companions.
4. The origin of the name of Texas, and when it was first used.
5. The civilization of the Pueblo Indians in New Mexico and Arizona,
and its first discovery by the Spaniards.
6. The legendary accounts of Cibola, the ' ' Seven Cities, ' ' and Quivira.
7. The delusion among the early explorers and navigators as to a
passage by water through the American continent to India, as shown
l)y tlie continual search for the "secret of the Strait," the "Northern
Mystery," or the " .Straits of Anian."
Parallel Readings.
Winsor's "Narrative and Critical History," Vol. II., "The Early
Cartography of the Gulf of Mexico and Adjacent Parts," page 217, Chap-
ter VII.. " Early Explorations of New Mexico ;" H. H. Bancroft's Works,
"Arizona and New Mexico," and " North Mexican States and Texas."
46
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
152S
TO
1821
Geography.
Compare the map of Mexico, Texas, and New Mexico in the sixteenth
and seventeenth centuries with that of the present time. Study the extent
to which explorations had been made to the north of the Rio Grande,
and the states and provinces that were then claimed by the Spaniards and
considered to be under the government of the viceroyalty. Fix intelli-
gently in the mind the location and extent of the regions inhabited by
what are called the Pueblo Indians in Arizona and New Mexico. Locate
the region traversed by Coronado, and the points at which the expedi-
tions from Mexico crossed the Rio Grande into Texas at that early date.
I k'' ^ ^
Indian (iiKi.s with Water-Jars.
CHAPTER III.
The Catholic Missions of New Spain.
SPAIN'S conquests in the New World were professedly
made for the extension of the Christian rehgion, and
the Crown itself was considered as exercising its power
for the glory and strength of the Church. So that,
wherever the arms of the Spaniard were carried, they were ac-
companied by the missionaries of the Catholic faitli, and the
occuj^ation of a country was not deemed complete or beneficial
unless it was founded on the prosperity of the priesthood, in
saving souls and civilizing the
habits of the natives. Hence, we
find everywhere the missionaries
and their establishments at first
constituting the pioneers in the
work of colonization. While a
district of country was in process
of being subdued, so as to admit
of the residence and labors of the
priesthood in the conversion of
the natives, it was said to be a
land of war {^tierra de g2ierra),
and the government of such a ter-
ritory was in the hands of the mili-
tary authorities, who directed their
efforts to the protection of the
missionaries and the gradual sub-
jection of the Indians. When
things had progressed to the point
of settling the native population in
villages and converting them to
Christianity, so as to make them smnish missionariks kolnpinc.
47
Period I.
Spakis)!
Domination
1528
TO
I82I
Methods of
Spanish colo-
nization
1528
TO
^g A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
I'KKion I. in some degree a stable and peaceable community, the country
Spanish ^^^,^g ^^^j^ ^^ ^^ ^ ^^^^ ^j ncace (tierra de paz), and the ordinary
forms of colonial government under civil rules were supposed to
take the place of the military government of the earlier times.
1821 This condition of affairs led to several bad results. In the
first place, the gentle rule of religion is not well suited to the
Objections to harsh mcthods of war, and the strange mixture of gospel niercy
th!s^rnish° ^^ ''"'^ ^^^^ crucl couduct of military authority could not fail to
Catholics confuse and disgust the Indians. Then the priests themselves
could not always reconcile their consciences to the necessity of
warfare, which was actually required to keep the natives in sub-
jection. The missionaries were seeking to save souls and to con-
vert the savage to the gospel of peace, while the soldiers were
bent on breaking the spirits of a fierce and warlike people by
force and fear. The two policies were naturally inconsistent,
and the history of those times shows that there was a continual
clash between the religious teachers at the missions and the rude
ofificers of the garrisons as to the proper course to be pursued
in subduing the natives. The Spanish system of evangelization
was the reverse of that of the intelligent mis-
sionaries of the present time. Now, we seek to
educate and civilize the heathen to the point of
being able to understand and accept the truths
of religion ; then, they demanded his religious
conversion first and educated him after-
^js^^'^^ wards. The true character of the system
and its results are shown in the very language
of the times.
The Indians who had been converted and
compelled to stay in villages, or to till the
soil, were called reduced Indians {Indios redn-
^^ ^K^ ^P|=^ «5-), signifying that they were conquered
rather than converted ; while the tribes who
Indios Bravos. maintained their native freedom and refused the
yoke of the Church, were styled brave or wild
Ev.isofmiii- Indians {Indios bravos). Another serious trouble arising from
tary and eccU- ,1 ■ 1 1 r ,.
kiasticai ^"'^ method of setthng and governing the country was the in-
powcr evitable power which the military obtained over the civil and
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
49
political institutions of the land. The army having been edu-
cated to know and exercise its authority in the conquest of the
territory, and having been used to support the Church in its
missionary labors, never surrendered its authority to the civil
government of the colonies. It was this mixture of the military,
ecclesiastical, and civil power, with the balance in favor of the
military, that renders the history of the Spanish possessions in
America so confusing and unsatisfactory, and its dangerous in-
fluence on political and personal liberty has been demonstrated
Pkriod I.
Spanish
Domination
152S
TO
1 82 I
Indiof Keducidos.
throughout all the subsequent experience of New Spain. In
fact, we have here demonstrated, in the rude society of those
early days, the operation of those two forces which are a curse
to the liberties and prosperity of any country when allowed to
dominate its institutions, and which h;\ve been more than all
things else the cause of the political and social misfortunes of
both Old and New Spain, — the Army and the Church.
The monks of the Order of St. Francis, or Franciscans as The work of
they were called, were the first missionaries of New Spain. After ^^^•^^"""'^'scan
' monks
the conquest of Mexico in 1521, until 1590, these holy friars
3
.o
A COMPLKTe: history of TEXAS.
Pkkmod 1.
Sl'ANISH
Domination
1528
TO
I82I
founded the convents and stations which became the centres of
colonization and the sources of civihzation among the natives.
They accompanied every expedition, and amid the cruekies of
savage warfare, their churches and chapels were the only redeem-
ing features in the otherwise wretched picture of Spanish con-
quest and tyranny. Some of them were hard, grasping, and
worldly ambitious, and beneath many a cowl and cassock
breathed a warrior's spirit and a miser's greed. But in the
main they were pious and kindly men, whose earnest desire was
the conversion of the heathen, and whose lonely lives were de-
voted .to healing the wounds inflicted by the Spanish conquerors'
cruelty and injustice.
From 1554 to 1590 the Franciscans labored earnestly in New
Biscay, and extended their establishments through Durango,
Sinaloa, Sonora, Chihuahua, New Leon, Tamaulipas, and Coa-
huila. Their headquarters were at Zacatecas (zac-ii-ta'-kas) and
Durango, and during the period named they established ten
stations east of the Sierra Madre mountains. These were the
beginnings, though not part, of the extensive system of Catholic
missions which afterwards prevailed throughout all the prov-
inces of Northern Mexico and the
Californias.
It was in the year 1590 that
the members of the Society of
Jesus, called Jesuits, first appeared
in the missionary held of Northern
Mexico. They were at first sup-
ported by the patronage and au-
thority of the government, and
with great zeal they began to im-
prove on the humble start which
the Franciscan monks had made
towards Christianizing and civil-
izing the native tribes. It was
under their management that the
viissioii system was first organized
and mainly extended. Their prin-
.\.M.ii-..M ca 1111:1. KAi. 01 zacatkcas. cipal coUegcs and convents were
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
51
at Guadiana (gwa'-de-an-a), and later at Guadalajara (o;vv;i-d;i-
lii-har'-a), Zacatecas, Durango, and San Luis Potosi. From
these centres of missionary life were sent out the men who
dared the perils of an unknown wilderness, and the warfare of
savages excited to "hostility by the ravages and cruelty of the
Spanish soldiers.
The first object of the missionaries was, of course, the con-
version of the Indians to Christianity, and then it was sought to
teach them to dwell in houses and villages and to till the soil.
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
I82I
Ground Plan of an Old Mission. (D stands for door, W for window.)
(Being the actual plan of the Mission San Juan Capristaii, San Antonio, Texas.)
In this work the aid of the soldiery was needed, both for the
subjection of the mission Indians and for protection against
wild tribes. Hence, the mission system was partly religious and
j)atriarchal, and partly military. A mission usually consisted of
a church or chapel for worship, and a collection of cloisters and
cells for the monks, out-buildings for stock and storage, and a
considerable quantity of irrigated land for farms and vineyards.
The buildings were of stone and adobe (ii-dob'-a) or sun-dried
bricks, and the church itself was often of an imposing and beau-
tiful architecture, its statuary and ornamental finishings frequently
Plan and
buildings of an
old mission
C^2 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period I. being the work of Spanish artists brought from beyond the seas.
Domination ^^^ various buildings Were generally arranged around a hollow
; square or quadrangle, facing inward, with the church in one
TO corner or in the centre of one side and facing outward — all en-
1821 closed by a high, massive wall, which enabled the establishment
to resist all ordinary hostile attacks when the inhabitants were
housed and the gates closed. Connected with each mission, or
sometimes within its walls, was a garrison of soldiers (^presidio),
and near by was usually a village or town {villa), composed of
Spanish colonists and such Indians as had consented to adopt a
permanent abode and submit to the regulations of municipal
government. Around such establishments was a more or less
extended tract of mission lands, which were allotted to the In-
dians as they became sufficiently redziced to consent to cultivate
the soil ; and the holy fathers themselves generally had a choice
spot of ground cultivated as garden, orchard, and vineyard.
The mission lands were usually irrigated and often brought to a
high state of cultivation, as the remains of the ancient aaqidas
(a-sa'-que-lis) or ditches and drains attest to this day.
Methods of The methods of missionary work performed by these estab-
lishments consisted in allotting to each a more or less extendetl
district of country, and throughout this the priests founded sta-
tions, where the Indians were collected into native settlements
{pueblos), and visited regularly by their religious teachers.
These visitations made up the labor of the various missions, and
the whole system was governed according to a well-organizetl
plan administered by the ecclesiastical authorities, aided and
Confusion in protected by the military, as has been before explained. It
the names of gi-,Qyi(j be bome in mind that the name of one of these estab-
lishments was sometimes susceptible of several \ariations. The
mission proper was usually designated by some sacred name
or invocation, as some saint or religious hero ; the \illage
{villa) attached to it was often known by another name ; while
the military post {presidio) maintained for the protection of
both mission and village would, perhaps, have still a different
name. This mixture of titles is liable to cause confusion, espe-
cially when taken into consideration with the further fact that a
mission might be founded at one place and be afterwards aban-
missions
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
53
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
doned and removed elsewhere, still retaining the original name
of its sacred invocation.
New Biscay, during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries,
included the several states before named, but it gradually came
to signify more particularly Chihuahua and Durango, with the
city of Durango as its capital. Coahuila, in the seventeenth
century and before, extended from the Bolson de Mapimi (bol'- Coahuiia
son da ma-pe'-me) to the Rio Grande, and late in the eighteenth
1528
TO
I82I
LoKKuxik AND Cloisters of an Old Mission.
century (1785) the districts of Parras ([)ar-ras') and Saltillo Csal-
tel'-yo) were attached to it.
In 1582, the P'ranciscan friars estal)lished a convent at Saltillo
in the present State of Coahuila, padre (pa'-dra) Lorenzo Gavira
(ga-ve'-ni) being at the head of it. In 1586, the village {vi//a)
of Saltillo was founded under a regular municipal government.
Soon afterwards the natives rose in revolt against the missiona-
ries, and in 1592 the latter called on the viceroy for aid. An
expedition under Captain Urdinola, with a large command of
Tlaxcaltecs (the tribe who had so bravely resisted and afterwards
aided Cortez), came to the rescue and founded a town near by.
From these Tlaxcaltecs came many of the leading families of
Coahuila and New Leon.
In 1598, the Jesuits f(-)undL-d a mission at Parras, in what is
now called Coahuila, which prospered for a time, but \\ as almost
broken up by a trouble between the Indians and certain Span-
Missions at
Saltillo and
Parras
54
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pi;riod 1.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
I82I
Troubles in
Durango and
Chihuahua
Jesuit
mi-iions
des'royed
iards who tried to monopolize the land and water in the vicinity.
Nothing of importance occurred at Saltillo or Parras from 1600
to 1640, as the natives were mild and life peaceable there. In
the west, however, there were serious revolts and severe fighting
near Durango. These troubles arose in the mission districts of
the Jesuits, while the Franciscans fared better ; which difference
probably occurred from the fact that the latter depended more
on individual piety and Christian labor, and less on the support
of the military force.
In 1645-46, the missions were taken from the Jesuits by the
bishop and given to the common clergy. This was said to have
been done by the influence of certain wealthy Spaniards, who
hated the Jesuits because the latter had befriended the Indians
against the monopoly of water and other oppressive acts. The
movement resulted in the abandonment of mdiny pueb/os and the
loss of much that had been accomplished.
By the year 1700 the mission Indians had
been dispersed in the Parras district, ex-
cept the Tlaxcaltecs who came in 1592.
On all the old maps of New Spain or
Mexico, there is to be noticed a wide and
indefinite tract of country extending from
below the Rio Grande, north and east, as
far as New Mexico, and including a good
portion of what is now Texas. To this
vague territory was given the title of
Apacheria (a-pach-er-e'-a),— -that is, the
land of the Apaches. That country was
the refuge and hunting-ground of the
various wild tribes of Indians who in-
habited the mountain fastnesses of North-
ern Mexico, New Mexico, and Arizona,
anci whom the Spaniards designated by the general name of
the largest and most warlike band, — the Apaches. Near the
middle of the seventeenth century these Indians began to show
signs of a general and fierce hostility towards the Spanish sol-
diers and settlements. The priests of the missions claimed
that all the trouble arose from the cupidity and cruelty of the
Indian Warrior oi- thh Apacheria.
Beginning of
Ind an wars
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
55
I'eriod 1.
Spanish
DOMINAl ION
1528
TO
IS2I
secular officials and their desire to make slaves of the natives,
which was probably true. At any rate, once aroused, the hos-
tility grew and did not spare the missions in the general war-
fare upon everything Spanish. In 1644, the Tobosos attacked
the missionary establishments in Coahuila, and were driven out
and across the Rio Grande by the troops. Thus began the
Apache wars on the Rio Grande, which have continued for two
centuries and have scarcely yet been entirely subdued. In 1645,
the Conchos (kon'-choz) rebelled in Chihauhua and Durango,
and drove out the missionaries. In fact, the remainder of that
century in Chihuahua was little else but the record of repeated
Indian outbreaks, resulting in the establishment of numerous /'
garrisons on and near the Rio Grande to check the invasions ^'
and revolts. El Paso, on the Rio Grande, was thus founded
in 1663, by Captain Andres Garcia (gar-se'-ii). Two great
uprisings occurred in Durango, in P680 and 1690. In New
Mexico, since the conquest of that country in 1599, the
missions had greatly prospered, and many native piwblos-
were converted. But in 1680, under Governor Otermin,
a great Indian revolt began, nearly all the Spaniards and Fran- Indian revolt
ciscans were murdered and driven south to El Paso. It was at '" ^^
this time that the old Texas town of Isleta was founded. The
reconquest of the country was begun in 1692, by Governor Var-
gas, and completed in 1696, after which New Mexico remained
submissive to Spain.
In the meanwhile, in spite of savage raids and the general
terror of the times, the holy fathers faltered not in their pious
work. In 1660, missionaries established a station at the Junta
de los Rios ( hun'-ta da los re'-6s), or juncticMi of the Conchos
and Rio Grande, which was broken up two years later. In 1683,
when the Spaniards had taken refuge at El Paso from the Indian
rebellion in New Mexico, a native of \.\\q. Jumanas (hu-miin'-iis)
tribe came to El Paso and asked for a friar to convert his jieople.
He told of the province of the Tejas, which he described as a very
fertile and beautiful country. In the same year a mission called
Guadalupe (gwa-da-lo'-pa) was established on the river below
El Paso, but it was broken up by the natives the next year. In Missionary
1684, three Franciscan monks were sent down the river from El to^^in Texas
Missions on
the Rio Grande
56
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
I'KRIOD I.
SrANISH
Domination
1528
TO
I 82 I
Missions in
New Leon and
Coahuila
Paso by Governor Jironza (he-ron'-za), and they re\ived the
mission at the mouth of the Conches. Padre Antonio Acebedo
(a-sfi-ba'-do) remained there to teach, while the other two, —
Nicolas Lopez and Juan de Zavaleta, — with an escort of soldiers,
went east into the plains of Texas and across the Pecos River,
then called the Salado (sa-la'-THo or sa-la'-5), many days'
journey, and, as they claimed, within twenty leagues of the Tejas
I ndians.
In 1697, the mission Nombre de Dios (de'-6s) was founded
about one league from the present city of Chihuahua, at first
called San Felipe de Chihuahua.
Turning now to Coahuila, where the Franciscans mainly
operated, we find that from 1670 to 16"]^ padre Juan Larios and
Map ok Coaiuii.a in i hk Skvkntkknth and Eighteenth Centuries.
other Franciscans founded the mission of San Miguel de Aguayo
(li-gwi'-yo), near Nadadores, and the mission at Nadadores was
founded in 1676. These were continued for several years, and
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
57
in 1687 the viceroy established the villa (vel'-ya) and presidio Period i.
Spanish
Domination
(pra-sed'-e-6) of Santiago de Monclova, often called in those Spanish
days Villa de Coahuila, or simply Coahuila, being the modern
Monclova, — half a league from San Miguel. In 1688, Father to
Manzanet (man'-zan-a) established a mission near Monclova, i'^2i
and Francisco Hidalgo (e-diil'-go), Francisco Estevez, and
Father Escaray joined him. They also founded the Mission Father
Dolores (do-lo'-raz) at Boca de Leones (la-6n'-az), near Lam- '^^"^^"'^^
pazos, in New Leon. Manzanet' s mission was called San Sal-
vador, or Santiago, and it was in the Candela valley. In 1688,
padre Francisco Penasco founded the Mission Nombre de Jesus
(he-siis') Peyotes (pa-yo'-taz), forty or fifty leagues from Mon-
clova, at a point called San Ildefonso, which was broken up and San iidefonso
revived in Texas under the same invocation. Other missions
near there were the San Bernardino, the San Buenaventura
(bwa-na-ven-to'-ra), besides San Miguel and Nadadores, already
mentioned.
In 1691, Manzanet and Hidalgo came to Texas. San Juan Sanjuan
Hautista ( bau-tes'-tii) was founded near the Sabinas (sa-ben'-iis) ^^"^'^'^
in 1699, but was abandoned. In 1700, Hidalgo, with the as-
sistance of Fathers Antonio Olivares (o-le-viir'-az ) and Marcos
Guerena (gwa-ran'-yii), re-established it near the Rio Grande,
and it is usually classed as a Texas mission. Olivares then Father ou-
came on to the Rio Frio (fre'-6), in Texas, where he engaged ^^"^^^
in active work. Bishop Galindo (gii-len'-do) came to cheer
them on, in December, 1700.
This lengthy and somewhat tedious account of the labor. Value of this
names, and locations of the Mexican missions may seem unim-
portant, but it will be found to serve two useful purposes : it
indicates the extent of Spanish exploration at the close of the
seventeenth century ; and it throws valuable and indispensable
light on the operation of the same character of missionary estab-
lishments in Texas, whose annals constitute almost the entire
record of Texas history during the eighteenth century.
missions
58
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period I.
S.-ANISH QUESTIONS.
Domination
— " What was the professed object of Spanish conquest in the New
World ? Who were pioneers in the work of Spanish colonization in Amer-
182 1 ica ? What was the relation betv\een the Army and the Church in the work
— of exploration and settlement? What was meant by a " land of war,"
and by a " land of peace" ? Give the Spanish words for each. Describe
the methods of governing each. What bad results flowed from this
method of colonizing the country? What was the difference between the
methods of colonizing and Christianizing the heathen employed by the
Spanish missionaries, and those used by modern missionaries ? What was
meant by reduced Indians, and by brave Indians ? Give the Spanish words
for each. WHiat other evil results, politically and socially, did this mix-
ture of military and religious power produce ? What two powers or in-
fluences have always predominated in Spanish America, and with what
effect upon the country and people ? Who were the Franciscans ? What
did they do in New Spain ? What were the general character and services
of these missionaries ? When and in what portions of New Spain did they
first labor ? Where were their headquarters, and of what system were they
the forerunners ? Who were the Jesuits ? When did they first appear in
Northern Mexico? What great system did they found and organize?
Where were their principal colleges and convents ? What was the first
object of the missions? What next? What was the character of the
mission system ? Describe the usual location, arrangement, and buildings
of an old Spanish mission. What was the presidio? What was the
villa? What relations did these bear to the mission? What about the
mission lands and their cultivation ? What was an accquia ? Describe
llie usual methods of missionary labor. What were "stations" and
" jMieblos" ? How were the various nu'ssions, presidios and villas, named,
and to what did this often lead? What territory was included in the Mex-
ican kingdom of New Biscay (Nueva \'iscaya) ? What were the limits
of Coahuila in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries? When and by
whom was the first convent established at Saltillo? When was the villa
of .Saltillo founded ? Describe what soon happened, and what celebrated
native tribe sent colonists to Saltillo. When and by whom was the mis-
sion at Parras established? What occurred in that district for the next
forty years ? What troubles arose in Durango, and why ? What was
done with the missions in 1645-46? With what results? What was meant
by the Apachcria, and where was it ? What occurred among the Indians
about the middle of the .seventeenth century, and what cau.sed it? De-
scribe the progress and efTectsof the Indian wars in Northern Mexico dur-
ing the latter half of the seventeenth century. When, by whom, and for
what pnr|)ose was Kl Paso del Norte founded ? What occurred in New
Mexico in 16S0? When and how was Isleta founded? What error is
often made in regard to that \Aaqk. ? W'hen and bv whom u as New Mexico
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
59
reconquered ? What missionary stations were established on the upper Rio
Grande in the seventeenth century? Give the names, dates, and location
of each of these stations and missions. Who were the Jumanas, and what
message did they send to El Paso in 1683? What was then told of the
Tejas Indians and their country ? When and by whom was the first mis-
sionary tour made into Texas, and how far did it go ? Describe the loca-
tions, and give the names and dates of founding of the several missions
in Coahuila in the latter half of the seventeenth century. By whom were
they respecti\ely founded ? What celebrated missionary fathers came to
Texas at the close of the seventeenth century ? What missions did they
establish, when and where?
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
I82I
Topical Analysis.
1. The military and religious elements in the conquest and coloniza-
tion of the New World by the Spaniards.
2. The evils of the blending of military and religious policies in the
government of the country, and its effects then and since upon the coun-
try and people.
3. Disagreements between the priests and soldiers as to the treatment
of the Indians.
4. The Spanish methods of Christianizing and civilizing the natives,
by first compelling them to accept the Christian creed and then teaching
tiiem the arts of civilized life, contrasted with modern methods of mis-
sionary work.
5. Division of the country into land of ivar and land of peace, and
of tile natives into Indios bravos and Indios reducidos ; meaning of the
terms, and the light they throw on the system practised by the Spaniards.
6. The Franciscans and the Jesuits : contrast their character and
methods of labor, and the results upon the Indians ; their respective influ-
ence and fields of usefulness in the Mission Period.
7. The territory covered by the mission system at the close of the
seventeenth century ; States of Northern Mexico embraced in its field of
labor.
8. The names, locations, and dates of founding of the first mi.ssions
on the Rio Grande and in Texas.
9. Names and character of the early missionary fathers in Mexico and
Texas.
Geography.
Trace on the map of Mexico the limits of Spanish occupation and
settlement in New Spain in the seventeenth century ; outline the kingdom
of New Biscay and the provinces lying north of it ; locate the various
early missions in Chihuahua, Coahuila, Texas, and New Mexico, and
trace the routes and stations of the first missionary labor along the Rio
Grande and into Texas.
6o
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkriod I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
I82I
Parallel Readings.
Brantz Mayer's "Mexico: Aztec, Spanish, and Republican;" Win-
sor's "Narrative and Critical History of America," Vol. II., Chap. V.,
" Las Casas and the Relations of the Spaniards to the Indians," Vol.
Vlll., Chap. IV., "Spanish North America;" H. H. Bancroft's Works,
\'ol. X\'., " North Mexican States and Texas."
A Mexican Fakmhk.
R
CHAPTER IV.
The Spanish Occupation of Texas.
EVIEWING the prominent events of early Spanish period i.
Spanish
Domination
exploration, it is seen that, at the date of La Salle's Spanish
tra^j^ic death on the Neches, in 1687, the facts reijard-
. . . 152S
ing the preceding history of Texas were briefly the -j^,,
following : Pineda, Cabeza de Vaca, and perhaps Nuiio de Guz- 182 1
man, were the first Europeans to visit Texas, — the first coasting
and mapping its shores in 15 18, the second traversing its terri- Review of tha
tory from the Gulf to the Rio Grande in 1535. Coronado and P""'='Pf' "f-
J u^u dents oi early
the followers of De Soto had entered its boundaries, one from Spanish ex-
the west and the others from the east, in iS40 to iS42. At that p"*"^*'""'"
' •->' ^'^ Texas
time the country had no fixed name, -ascertained boundaries, or
practical interest for the Spaniards, nor did it acquire such until
about the close of the seventeenth century. From 1581 to 159S
the Spaniards frequently crossed Texas soil on their trii)s to and
from New Mexico, while Espejo, Sosa, and Humana ( o-man'-ya)
travelled east and northeast to the buffalo plains and along the
Pecos River. Onate, in his search for Quivira, entered the
territory, and from that time until 1654 many expeditions of
priests and ofificers were made from New Mexico into portions
of Texas, some of which met, traded, and fought with native
tribes and entered the land of the Tejas Indians. The country
had given no indications of mineral wealth, and that alone was
sufficient to render its immediate or permanent occupation a
matter of indifference to the gold-hunting Spaniards. But
Spanish missionaries had founded stations and preached Chris-
tianity as far as the Pecos and beyond, while Spanish troopers
had hunted along its streams and chased the buffalo on its
prairies long before 1685. In that very year, Penalosa ( pan'-yii-
lo'-sii), the late governor of New Mexico, was in London and
Paris, trying to organize an expedition to explore and conquer
6i
62
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkriod I.
Spanmsh
Domination
1528
TO
1821
Father Pare-
des's account
of Texas, 1686
A Mkxican Cart.
Origin of the
name "Texas"
New
l^hilippincs
tlie wonderful country he claimed to have discovered, and which
included the fertile domain of the Tejas Indians.
In 1686, Viceroy Laguna called upon Father Alonzo Paredes
(par-a'-daz), for many years a missionary in New Mexico, for a
report as to the region where Texas lies. Paredes' s report is
the first and most authentic account of the notions which then
prexailcd in regard to this country. He denounced as false and
delusi\'e the ideas about the wealth, magnificence, and civiliza-
tion of the regions to the east and northeast. His idea was that
there were Indian tribes, engaged in agriculture,
living in a strip fifty leagues wide along the Gulf,
with the wild Apaches farther west and reaching
to New Mexico ; that between the two, from the
Rio Grande or the Colorado northward,
there were superior tribes, including
the Tejas. His descriptions are so
confused as to distances and the names
and locations of streams, that but little
can be made of them ; but he locates the Tejas (the same as, or
a kindred tribe to, the Cenis or Asi?iais) between the Brazos
or Coloratlo and the Trinity Rivers, the Jiima7ias, Apaches, and
other tribes, west and northwest, and Quivira immediately north
of these, perhaps in the region of the present Indian Territory.
There have been many fanciful and fictitious accounts of the
origin of the name Texas. It is plainly derived from the Tejas
(ta-has, ta-yas, or tex-as) Indians, that being the name applied
by the Spaniards to w^hat appeared to be the most influential and
ci\ilized tribe dwelling within the limits of this province. They
lived in the east, between the Trinity and Sabine Rivers ; but
they were the first with whom the Spaniards had peaceable deal-
ings, and gradually their name was given to the entire pro\ince.
Whether Tejas was the name by which those Indians called
themselves, or was given them for some incident or trait con-
nected with the tribe, is not known ; but the deri\ation of the
wortl cannot remain in doubt when the facts are considered.
On the old maps of the Mexican States, the region known as
the ])rovince of Texas appears to be a part of what was des-
ignated as Nueva Felipinas (nwa'-va fa-lip-en'-iis), or Nezv
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS. 6;^
Philippines^ just as Coahuila was called Nciv Estreniadura, and period i.
Taniaulipas was laid down as Ne7v Santandcr ; but these were - punish
I UOMINATION
Spanish fancies borrowed from their European home, and soon i
gave way to the local names of the several native provinces. to
The next hundred years of the history of this territory is 1821
little more than an account of the missionary labors of Spanish
priests, and the efforts of the military garrisons to protect them
in the work of converting the native tribes. It is usually called '^^^ Mission
. . . , , Period
the " Mission Period," and is of great romantic interest, although
its practical results are not great.
In 1684, it will be remembered that the Spaniards captured
one of La Salle's vessels as he was on his way to plant a colony
at the mouth of the Mississippi. When he started on his first
journey from Fort St. Louis to find the Illinois, in 1686, he met
with Indians on the Colorado, whose accoutrements indicated
clearly their communication with the Spanish occupants of
Mexico. Then, a short time after the founding of his fort on
the Lavaca, one of his men, afterwards known as Juan Enrique
(en-re'-qua), deserted and escaped to Mexico, where he told the
tale of the French expedition. From these several sources the Spaniards
Spaniards became acquainted with the threatened occupancy of L^^g°5, ,
Texas by another power. The country had not before seemed expedition
especially desirable ; but when it appeared that a foreign invasion
of the territory was on foot, the viceroy of New Spain considered
it time to assert his ownership in the soil.
He ordered Governor Alonzo de Leon, of Coahuila, to march De Leon's first
to Espiritu Santo Bay; and on March 23, 1689, De Leon set xexls'*'°" ^°
out from Mexico, with the Frenchman Enrique and one hundred
men, accompanied by Father Manzanet and other friars. He
crossed the Rio Grande above the mouth of the Salado, traversed
and gave names to the Nueces (nij-a'-saz), Hondo, Medina, and
Guadalupe Rivers, and arrived at Fort St. Louis on April 22,
1689. He was told that four of the survivors had gone north to
the land of the Tejas Indians, and he found the Fort in ruins,
with the dead bodies of some of its inmates. He proceeded
farther north to the Colorado and explored it to near its mouth.
Word was sent for the absent Frenchmen, and L'Archeveque
and GroUet, of La Salle's men, appeared, were seized and sent
64
A COMPLETE HISTORY OE TEXAS.
Pkriop 1.
Spanish
Domination
152S
TO
1821
De Leon's sec-
ond expedition
Mission San
(Fornierly S:
Thefirst Texas
mission, San
Francisco de
los Tejas
Domingo
Teran, first
governor of
Texas
Missions in
East Texas
unfortunate
and aban-
doned
as prisoners to Spain. De Leon returned to Coahuila by the
same route he had come, reaching there in May, 1689. On the
day before he left for his return, the chief of the Tejas Indians
visited the camp and acted in a friendly manner. When the
viceroy received a report of this journey, he ordered another to
be made at once, for the purpose of a regular missionary occu-
pation of the country in the usual way. De Leon set out on this
second tri}) from Moncloya, in March, 1690, accompanied again
by Father Manzanet and three friars from Queretaro (ka-ra'-
tiir-o), and they travelled by the same route as before, reaching
Espiritu Santo Bay safely. In May the Tejas chief came again
and persuaded De Leon to go with him
to the land of the tribe on the Trinity
River, which the Spaniards accordingly
did, leaving a camp on the Guadalupe
at the Bay. The visit was most kindly
received by the Tejas, and they seemed
anxious for missionaries. Thereupon
De Leon and Father Manzanet founded
among them the first Spanish mission
in the interior of Texas, calling it Saji
Francisco de los Tejas. This was June i,
1690, and the conversion of the province was thereafter by royal
decree committed to the Franciscans. De Leon left Father
F"oncuberta in charge of the newly-founded mission, with priests
to aid him and a small garrison to protect them, and some horses
and cattle for the support of the establishment. While there he
captured five Frenchmen and one woman, and heard of others
among the Indians. He then returned to Mexico and gave a
most favorable report of the fertility and beauty of the country
and its desirability as a missionary field. On January i, 1691,
Don Domingo Teran de los Rios was appointed governor of
Coahuila and Texas, with instructions to explore and conquer
the country and to found eight missions.
Teran set out May 16, with Manzanet and nine Franciscan
friars, and marched to the Colorado River. An expedition was
also sent by sea to meet him at Espiritu Santo Bay. Teran
went lirst to the mission San Francisco de los Tejas, where he
Francisco de la Espada
III Eraiicisco de los Tejas.)
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS. 6S
found matters not in a very flourishing condition. There had pkriod i.
Spanish
Domination
been sickness, and the inmates had suffered from " freshets and
snow-storms. ' ' He and the priests founded a new mission near ^
there, called Jesus Maria y Jose, or usually simply Santa Maria. to
In September he met the sea expedition at Espiritu Santo, iSsr
where it had been waiting since July, whence he sailed for
Vera Cruz. He left behind a force of soldiers and fifteen mis-
sionaries to sustain the missions in Eastern
Texas, but matters went wrong there for sev-
eral years. The crops failed, sickness pre-
vailed, the Indians were superstitious and
claimed that the baptismal water made them
die, and the missionaries became greatly dis-
couraged. Finally, in October, 1693, being
refused proper aid from home and losing heart . b,,^^^^^^. ^^ espada
in this wilderness of savages, the friars buried
their mission-bells, and other property not transportable, and
turned their faces towards Coahuila. For the next twenty-two interval of in-
years nothing was done in Texas, except that the older missions ^'^ '^' ^
on the Rio Grande were still maintained. Both Spain and
France seem to have suspended any efforts to claim and colonize
the country, but the French in Louisiana did prosecute some
trade with the Indians in this province. Spain had acquired a
foothold in Florida, at Pensacola, and France had settled Loui- French in
siana and founded New Orleans under D' Iberville, and trading
parties from the French posts along the western boundary of
Louisiana began to make expeditions into Texas. It was said
that one such party travelled across the country to the Rio
Grande in 1705.
In 17 13, Governor Cadillac, of Louisiana, ordered Louis st. Denis
St. Denis (da-ne) to organize an expedition to the old Span-
ish missions in Texas, for the purpose of buying horses and
cattle, but this was a mere pretext for exploring the territory
and establishing trade with the natives. St. Denis, leaving
Mobile with a force of Canadians in the following year, entered
the country of the Tejas, where he found great numbers of
cattle ; and the natives, learning that he was going beyond
to the Rio Grande, asked him to tell the priest Hidalgo and
5
66
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period 1.
Spanish
Domination
152S
TO
1821
Colonel l^rantia to come back again, as the Indians wanted the
missions restored.
St. Denis reached the Presidio del Rio Grande, where was
the mission San Juan Bautista, in 17 15, being accompanied by a
comjxmy of Tejas Indians. On the way they fought a bloody
battle with Lipan Apaches, on the San Marcos River. Captain
U "^■■-^A«:-,^*^%,^Xv
Country Stork on thr Rio Grande.
Fourth expe-
dition to Texas
Six missions
on the Neches
and Sabine
Diego Ramon (ni-nion'), in command at the presidio on the
Rio Grande, received St. Denis kindly, and in a short time the
latter went on to the City of Mexico to report his purposes to the
viceroy. He had stayed long enough, however, at the Spanish
fort to fall in love with Ramon's daughter, and for a while at
least he became a very good Spaniard. Upon St. Denis's repre-
sentations, the authorities determined upon another expedition
to occupy Texas, and it set out from Saltillo in February, 17 16,
with Domingo Ramon in command and St. Denis as his assist-
ant. On their arrival at San Juan Bautista, St. Denis was
married to the commandant's daughter, and on April 24, 17 16,
the expedition marched from the Rio Grande to the interior.
There were with them a number of Franciscans, including the
celebrated padres Felix Espinosa and Antonio Margil'.
Reaching the land of the Tejas in July, they established four
missions and a presidio on or near the Sabine and Neches
Ri\-ers, and two others the next year. These were : a revi\al
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
^1
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
I82I
Fickleness of
Texas tribee
of the old foundation of San Francisco de los Tejas, near the
same spot ; La Purissima Concepcion, among the Asinais
Indians ; the mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe, near Nacog-
doches ; San Jose Mission ; the mission Dolores, among the
Aes ; and the mission San Miguel Cuellar de los Adaes ; —
around which we are told there were congregated more than
five thousand people "speaking the same idiom."
These establishments all began prosperously, the Indians
were friendly and seemed disposed to yield to teaching. But
from the first the tribes in Texas did not submit successfully
to the system of dwelling in pueblos or
villages. They were nomadic and tickle
in their habits, fond of the chase and
the horseback raid over the plains, and
the orderly and permanent life of a set-
tled habitation did not suit them. To
curb this roving disposition and properly
reduce the Indians of Texas, the mis-
sionaries were constantly demanding in-
creased military support, and in turn the
excesses and cruelties of the class of sol-
diers who came provoked the unmanage-
able temper of the natives ; so that the
old priests were in trouble on all sides.
St. Denis had been reared in contact
with the Indians, was of an amiable disposition towards them,
and understood their peculiar habits, so that he was of great
assistance in enabling the Spaniards to gain a peaceable start
among the tribes along the Sabine and adjacent rivers. In a St. Denis ban
short time, however, he was suspected of treachery and accused
of smuggling, and was arrested and carried to Mexico for trial,
which resulted in his banishment to Guatemala. He escaped
from there, returned to Louisiana, and was placed in command
of the French fort at Natchitoches.
Martin de Alarcon, governor of Coahuila, was made gov-
ernor of Texas also, and he entered the province early in 17 18.
His instructions contemplated that he should introduce a good
class of colonists, and should bring with him mechanics and
A Mexican Horsk Tkadkr.
Governor
Alarcon
68
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
I'KRIOI) I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
182 I
Cathkijral de San Fernando (Bexar).
French attack
and drive the
Spaniards
from the east
Marquis de
Ajjuayo in
Texas
others capable of instructing and improving the Indians. He
estabHshed the presidio of San Antonio de Bejar (ba'-har), on
the San Antonio River, being the first settlement at the location
of the modern city of San Antonio. The missionaries claimed
that Alarcon did not fulfil his instructions, but that he had
brought a worthless and turbulent class of settlers with him,
and had done more harm than
good. At this time, also, the
mission of San Antonio de Va-
lero was established near the
presidio of Bejar, under the
ministration of Father Olivares,
who brought some of his con-
verts from the mission of San
Francisco Solano on the Rio
Grande.
During Alarcon' s governor-
ship Bejar was recognized as
the capital, and it practically remained so ever afterwards,
although nominally for a time the capital was located at the
presidio on the eastern limits of the province, known as Pilar
de los Adaes.
In 1719, the Frenchman La Harpe founded a small settle-
ment among the Nassonite Indians, in what is now Red River
County. In that year, war having broken out in Europe be-
tween France and Spain, the French in Louisiana assumed a
hostile attitude towards both Florida and Texas. In June, a
force of French and Indians, under St. Denis, seized the mission
of San Miguel Cuellar de los Adaes, and the priests and soldiers
retired to Bejar, where for the next two years the Spaniards held
their only station in Texas. In 17 19, La Harpe made a feeble
attempt to land a French colony at Galveston or Espiritu Santo
Bay, but was driven of? by the natives.
In 1720, the Marquis San Miguel de Aguayo was appointed
governor of Coahuila and Texas, and he was a man of wisdom,
skill, and firmness. In 1721, he marched from the Rio Grande
to the vicinity of the abandoned missions on the Neches and
Sabine, where he re-established five of them, and founded the
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS
69
presidio of Tcjas among the Asinais, near the mission Concep-
cion. He rebuilt los Adaes and estabhshed the mission of Our
Lady of Pilar de los Adaes
in the same neighborhood.
Aguayo returned to Bejar
in January, 1722, and very
much strengthened that
post.
In April, he founded a
I)residio on the site of La
.Salle's old Fort St. Louis,
calling it Santa Maria de
Loreto de la Bahia del
Espiritu Santo, or simply
La Bahia, as it was generally known ; and, also, a mission near
by known as Espiritu Santo de Zuniga, or simply Espiritu Santo.
Aguayo went back to Coahuila in May, 1722, leaving General
Almazan' in command in Te.xas as lieutenant-governor. Aguayo
had greatly improved things in the province. He revived the
mission work everywhere, started the cultivation of the soil by
Mission La Bahia del Espiritu Santo.
(Present site.)
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
lu
1 82 1
La Bahia and
Espiritu Santo
Mission San Jose dk .\giiavo.
irrigation around the missions at Bejar, and left the garrisons
and missions much fortified and encouraged. In 1720, there
had been established at Bejar, or near by in the valley, a new
mission, called San Jose de Aguayo, in honor of the Marquis. Sanjosd
JO
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
1 .82 I
Removals of
La Bahia and
Espiritu Santo
Villa of San
Fernando es-
tablished
Reduction of
forts.
Almazan' was governor from 1722 to 1726, but the country
did not continue to prosper. The Indian wars began to harass
the settlers and to make missionary hfe dangerous and uncertain.
The estabhshments on Espiritu Santo Bay were abandoned and
removed to the interior in 1725, the presidio of La Bahia and
the mission of Espiritu Santo being then located in the valley of
the Guadalupe above Victoria, where their ruins may yet be
seen. Again, in 1749, these two noted establishments were
transferred to the San Antonio River,
near the present town of Goliad,
where the old church of the fort is
still used for worship, and the mis-
sion is occupied as a tenant house
on a farm.
Melchor de Mediavilla succeeded
Almazan', from 1727 to 1730. In
Aguayo's time he had recommended
that two hundred families of Tlaxcal-
tecs and four hundred families from
the Canary Islands should be brought
to Bejar, and his suggestion was ap-
pro\'ed as to the immigrants from
the Canaries, but great delays had
occurred in the matter. Finally, in
1730, the villa or town of San Fer-
nando, being part of the subsequent
city of San Antonio, was founded, fifteen families from the
Canaries were imported, and a regular settlement began at
that point. In 1727-28, General Rivera visited and inspected
the missions and garrisons of the province. He found things
in a reasonably prosperous condition, but recommended a re-
duction of the military posts and the abandonment of some
stations. This met with violent protests from the priests, and it
was the beginning of a long and bitter contest between the mis-
sionaries and the military, which produced no end of trouble,
and greatly crippled the labors of the priests among the Indians.
The presidio of Tejas was abandoned in 1727, and all the
others were reduced. Thus deprived of adequate protection,
I OF San Jose Mission.
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
71
the friars in Eastern Texas transferred three of their missions —
San Francisco de los Tejas, La Purissima Concepcion, and San
Jose de los Nazonis — to Bejar, where the hist named became San
Juan Capristano, to distinguish it from San Jose de Aguayo. while
San Francisco de los Tejas became San Francisco de 1' Espada.
The priests of the other missions in the east still maintained for
a while a precarious existence along the Trinity, Neches, and
Sabine, under the protection of the small garrison at Pilar.
Pkriod 1.
Spanish
domina'i ion
I52S
TO
I82I
The Apaches were very fierce and warlike in those years, and Apache wars
under the governorship of Sandoval, in 1734, there was continual
war with the bands of that tribe. In 1735, the French removed
their fort of Natchitoches from its former location to the west
bank of the Red River, which pro\oked loud protests from the
Spaniards, who claimed that river as the boundary.
From 1736 to 1760 there was a succession of governors, —
Frantjuiz', Orobio, Wintuis'sen, Boneo, Larios, Espriella, Bar-
rios, — all of whom had trouble with the missionaries, owing to
the insolence of the soldiers, the reduction of militar\' protection,
and the generalh^ worthless character of the men who were sent
to govern the country.
72
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
ro
1 82 1
Mission San
Saba
San Javier
missions
In 1740, the Marquis de Altamira (al-ta-me'-ra) was sent to
visit and inspect the condition of affairs in Texas, which he did,
giving a very satisfactory history of all the events that had oc-
curred to that date. In the mean time the Apaches, who were
the hereditary foes of the Comanches (k5-man'-chaz), being
threatened with destruction by the latter, proposed peace and
missionary residence as a protection. After much discussion as
to the location of the proposed Apache mission, it was finally
established on the San Saba River, and called the mission San
Saba, in 1756. In 1744, a mission called San Ildefonso was
founded on the San Javier (hii'-ve-ar or ziiv'-i-er) River, the ex-
act location of which is not known, but believed to have been
some one of the upper tributa-
ries of the Nueces or the Colo-
rado. Near it were also estab-
lished Candelaria and San
Ja\'ier. These were unfortunate
and involved in disaster from
the first, until, becoming very
feeble, they were removed to
the San Marcos River, in 1753,
and in 1756 they failed alto-
gether.
Contraband trade was car-
ried on extensively between Texas and Mexico and Louisiana,
and frequent disputes arose as to the boundary. In 1755, a
mission called Arco.quisac (ar-ko-ke'-sac), with the accompany-
ing presidio of San Augustin de Ahumada, was established on
the Trinity River, southwest of Nacogdoches. In 1763, the
Sevoi }'i'ars' War in Europe was concluded, one of the results
being that France ceded to Spain the city of New Orleans, on
the cast side of the Mississippi River, and all of the territory of
Louisiana lying west of that stream, which extended indefinitely
to the north and west. This ended the boundary dispute for
nearly twenty years.
In 1758, the Comanches attacked the mission San Saba and
destroyed it, murdering most of the inmates. To punish this
outrage. Colonel Diego Ortiz Parilla (par-el'-ya), in 1759, at the
Mission San Juan Capristano.
Arcoquisac
and San Au-
gustin de Ahu
mada
Louisiana
Mission San
Saba de-
stroyed
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
head of five hundred men and a large force of Apache alhes, period i. .
undertook a campaiq-n against the Indians. He came upon the oo^^nIt"on
U/?
^(^Jc,v
'^''.,/
1
/-.
v5
r^
(
'1
s \ ,
1755.
(Befoie French and
Indian War.)
1528
TO
1821
>
[.'■""^k..
V V N 1-- !)
"^ \^.'^' 1: 1; V. \\ I r o 1: ^
1763.
,N
:V
After cUiso of ^
iicli ami Indian fes
V
C VLF OF Mr.XlCO
^
^M-^
\i-i
W.ir.)
4 \\
.Maps showing Changes in Territory Owned by Different European Nations
DURING Eighteenth Century.
hostile camp in the San Teodoro region on the upper Red
River, where the Indians were gathered to the number of
six thousand, armed with guns, lances, and sabres, and
floating the French flag. They at once sallied out to
meet Parilla's army, and the Spaniards fled in a panic,
leaving their artillery behind them, and completely terror-
ized by the Indians. This success made the wild tribes
bolder than ever, and for several years they raided the
whole country. Parilla's expedition had cost sixty thou-
74
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
'..S2I
Marquis de
Rubi
Governor
O'Conor
sand dollars. Governor Martos came in 1760, and Felipe de
Ravago succeeded Parilla in the military command. After re-
peated disasters and growing discontent, all the missions in
the west were abandoned a few years later. In 1765, Hugo
O'Conor became governor, and
in 1767 the Marquis de Rubi (ro-
be) visited all the northern prov-
inces of Mexico on a tour of in-
spection, reaching Texas in August
of that year. His report was ex-
haustive and intelligent, and his
recommendations were bold and
reasonable. He advocated unre-
lenting war upon the wild Indians,
the abandonment of Arcoqui'sac,
los Adaes, and the missions among
the Aes and at Nacogdoches, and
the establishment of a line of forts,
with La Bahia and Bejar as the base
of operations. Governor O'Conor
adopted as far as possible these
ideas, fortifying Bejar and pacify-
ing the Indians by fear, they calling him the "Red Captain."
He travelled extensively over the pro\'ince and was very popu-
lar, showing the good sense, tact, and ready courage of his
Celtic origin. He retired from office in 1770, being succeeded
by the Baron de Ripperda', who also recommended vigorous
measures and a warlike policy. But the home government did
not respond to these suggestions, and, on account of the con-
tinued Indian wars and the general insecurity of affairs, there
was a strong disposition at this lime among the colonists to
abandon the province alto-
gether. As it was, the gov-
ernment seems to ha\'e de-
cided to practically abandon
its establishments in East-
ern Texas and confine its
aid to La IJahia and Bejar.
Window of Mission San Josii.
FAC-SlMll.li Ol- Kll'l-KKUA'S SlONATURIi
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
75
In 1770, De Mezieres, the Spanish commander in Louisiana,
made an effort to reduce the Indians aloni);^ the Sabine and Red
Rivers, and visited Texas to confer with the authorities here on
the subject. He reported the number, names, and characteris-
tics of the various tribes with whom he had come in contact in
that region, but the names and localities are so confused and
vague as to be almost unintelligible.
Between 1772 and 1778, all the missions and presidios in
the east, except at Nacogdoches, were practically suspended
and their inhabitants removed to Bejar and La Bahia. In 1778,
General Croix, the commander of the
Internal Provinces of Northern Mexico,
came to Texas and made a thorough
inspection of affairs here, and Father
Lopez, the president of the Texas mis-
sions, in 1783, prepared a report of
their condition at that date. In 1772,
Don Antonio Bonilla (bo-ner-ya). an
officer in the Spanish army of Mexico,
wrote a brief summary or coynpend of
the events in Texas from 1689 to 1772,
compiled from official sources. In the hurrying events of those
times. Father Juan Augustin Morfi kept historical memoirs of
the progress of affairs in Texas, to the date of his death in 1783.
From these sources, together with the Marquis de Altamira's
report of Texas history during the years preceding 1740, the
facts related in this chapter have been mainly collected.
According to all the authorities, there were in Texas, at the
close of the century, the following Spanish settlements, being
composed of the missions and presidios and attached villages :
The presidio of San Antonio de Bejar, with the neighboring villa
of San Fernando, and, near by, the missions of San Antonio de
Valero, San Jose de Aguayo, La Purissima Concepcion de Acuna,
San Juan Capristano, and San Francisco de 1' Espada, the three
last named having been originally founded in Eastern Texas and
removed to Bejar, the mission Espada being the old mission of
San Francisco de los Tejas. In addition to the Bejar establish-
ments, were these : Presidio of La Bahia, originally founded at
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
I82I
Removal of
eastern mis-
sions and pre-
sidios
Old Stone Fori ai Naci
(Built in 177S.)
GDOCHKS.
Sources of in-
formation on
those days
State of Span-
ish occupation
of Texas at the
end of century
76
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
I82I
old Fort St. Louis and removed twice, the last time to the San
Antonio near Goliad ; and attached to it, the mission of Espiritu
Santo, also removed h'om its original location on the bay of that
name ; the mission Rosario, near to La Bahia ; the mission Re-
fugio, the last of the Texas missions, established in 1791 ; the
mission at Nacogdoches, being the original mission of Our Lady
Map of Texas in Ek;ii i i;i:n i h Ckntl'rv. (Showing
location of Spanisli missions and presidios.)
Failure of the
missions
of Guadalupe, founded in 17 16, and combined with that of Bu-
careli. All the others had been suppressed or abandoned, and
the century's labor in the missionary field seemed to have been a
mournful failure. The number of natives converted since 1690 was
ten thousand, and at no one time had there been o\'er two thou-
sand reduced Indians. In 1783, there were about four hundred
and sixty mission Indians in the several establishments named.
SRANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
11
while the total number of S{)anish soldiers and settlers in the
province was about two thousantl six hundred. The missions
were all secularized — that is, deprived of government aid and
protection — in 1794, by Pedro de Nava, and the country passed
entirely into the hands of the civil and military rulers of Mexico.
The Mission Period had ended, and little remained to attest the
long years of suffering and sacrifice, save the noble lives of many
of the priests, and the stately and enduring temples they erected
in this far-off wilderness, whose melancholy but imposing ruins
still preserve their memories.
It will be observed that in the foregoing account and list of
the early missions, no notice is made of the historic Alamo
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
182I
ral'-a-mo), so dear and sacred to Texans. The origin and
mutations of that establishment are involved in some confusion
and doubt. The Alamo was originally not properly speaking a The origin of
mission, but was rather a chapel or parish church attached to the ch^urch™
missionary foundation of some larger establishment. It appears
to have had at one time some connection with the mission San
Antonio de Valero, and was probably built by Father Olivares
to accommodate the converts he brought from San Francisco
Solano. It also appears to have had some attachment with San
Jose de Aguayo, and the solution of the matter would seem to
be that this church was a sort of independent or overHow chapel
yg A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period 1. for the missions near Bejar, being used in connection with any
Spanish ^^^ ,^jj ^^j ^.j^^^^^ jj^ j,^I^q^ outside the missions themselves, and
Domination t i- i i i
— ^, perhaps as an auxiUary to the latter. It did not always stand
TO where its interesting ruins are now ; it was at one time located
1821 near San Pedro Springs, then removed to the military plaza of
the \'illa de San Fernando, and finally to its present place on the
Alamo plaza, outside the limits of the village. A tablet in the
front wall of the chapel as it now stands bears the date 1754,
but the removal occurred in 1744. The word Alamo means
in Spanish, poplar, and hence the name of the establishment
in English would be the Poplar Church. It ceased to be used
as a parish church in 1793, and the outer walls, stockade, and
other buildings were destroyed after or during the siege in 1836.
the chapel proper being all that is left.
The last years of the eighteenth century were barren of
important events in Texas. The culmination of momentous
policies and transactions in Europe was hastening a crisis for
Spain, that was destined ere long to leave her helpless at home
Coming events and shorn of all her possessions abroad. The formation of an
independent and powerful confederacy of free states in the
regions north of Texas, animated by tlie hereditary traditions
and principles of English liberty and law, reinforced by a new
doctrine of popular sovereignty, soon set in operation a train of
influences that were to exert a controlling weight in the future
development of this thinly settled, outlying pro\'ince of Mexico,
and eventually to enroll it among the co-equal States of the
great Union of the North.
The Gkanarv ap Mission San Jos6.
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS. 79
QUESTIONS.
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
At the time of La Salle's death, by whom and to what extent had the ^^2^
Spaniards explored the rej^ion of Texas ? Give the names of tlie to
explorers, and the dates of the various explorations that had been made 1S21
in that region, prior to 1685. What name, if any, was then given to
Texas, and what was known of the country? Why was it not perma-
nently occupied by the Spaniards at an earlier date ? Who made a report
in regard to Texas in 1686, and by what authority? What was the sub-
stance of his report? What Indian tribes did he locate, and where?
What is the true origin of the name Texas? Where did the Tejas Indians
live ? What was the region of Texas called on the old maps of Mexiccj
or New Spain? In what did the history of the country consist iox the
next hundred years after La Salle's death? What is that period usually
called? How did the Spaniards learn of La Salle's visit to Texas?
What did the viceroy of New Spain then do ? When did the first Spanish
expedition for the occupation of Texas set out, from what place, under
whose command, and who accompanied the expedition? Where did De
Leon cr(«s the Rio Grande, and what Texas rivers did he cross and
name? When did he reach the location of La Salle's fort on Lavaca or
Espiritu Santo Bay ? Whither did he go from there ? Whom did he send
for, and what did he do with them ? Who visited De Leon before his
return to Mexico? When did De Leon make his second expedition to
Texas, for what purpose, and with what companions ? Where did he first
go on that expedition ? Who came to see him there, and what did he do
in consequence? When, where, and by whom was the first Spanish
mission in the interior of Texas founded, and what was it called? De-
scribe what was done in regard to that mission. Whom did De Leon
capture while among the Tejas Indians ? What did lie report on his return
to Mexico ? Who was the first Spanish governor of Coahuila and Texas ?
When was he appointed, and with what instructions ? Describe his coming
to Texas. What did he find at the Tejas mission ? What new mission did
he found near there, and what did Teran then do ? What became of these
missions on the Trinity? What occurred during the next twenty-two
years ? What jjortions of the country were then claimed by the Spanish
and French ? To what extent did the French explore Texas ? By whose
authority, when, and under whose command was a French expedition fitted
out to Texas ? Describe the route and adventures of St. Denis. What
point did he finally reach, and what occurred there ? Where did he go from
tiiere ? With what results ? Describe the Spanish expedition to Texas
under St. Denis and Ramon. When did it enter Texas, and who accom-
panied it? How many missions did they establish? Give the names,
locations, and dates of the founding of each. What were the character
and habits of the Indians of Texas, and what was the consequence?
What can you say of St. Denis's influence among the Indians? What
go A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
happened to him ? Who was the next Spanish governor of Texas, and
when did he come? What were his instructions? What noted presidio
did he estabhsh, and when? What did the priests say about this
'528 governor? What mission was at this time estabHshed at Bejar, and by
'° whom? What places were the first capitals of Texas? Who was La
1821 Hari)e, and when and where did he first attempt a settlement in Texas?
What occurred in 1719 between France and Spain, and what happened in
Texas as the result ? When and where did La Harpe attempt another
settlement? Who was the next governor of Coahuila and Texas, when
was he appointed, and what was his character? Describe his administra-
tion and labors in Texas. Wliat important garrisons and missions did he
establish and restore? What presidio and mission did he establish at
and near the location of old Fort St. Louis ? What noted mission was
founded and named for him, when, and where was it located ? When did
Aguayo return to Coahuila, and in what condition did he leave Texas ?
Who succeeded him, and for how long? What was the condition of
Texas during that time? Describe the changes that occurred in the
locations of the presidio and mission on Espiritu Santo Bay, with dates of
changes. Who succeeded Almazan, and how long was he governor?
What had Aguayo recommended in regard to colonists ? What town or
villa was founded in 1730, and who were its first inhabitants? Who
visited the missions in 1727-28, what did he find and recommend, and
what ensued? What occurred in 1727? W1iat missions were transferred
from Eastern Texas in that year, to what place, and what were their new
names after the transfer? What troubles with Indians occurred during
those years? What did the French do in 1735? What governors ruled
in Texas from 1736 to 1760, and what was the condition of things among
the missionaries? Who visited Texas in 1740, and what did he do?
When, where, and for what purpose was the San Saba Mission established ?
When and where was the San Ildefonso Mission founded, and what other
missions were located near it ? What were the history and fate of those
missions? What sort of trade was carried on between Texas and
Louisiana, and what dispute then arose ? When and where was the mis-
sion of Arcoquisac founded? What presidio was established near to it?
What occurred in Europe in 1763, and with what results in America?
Wlit^n and how was the San Saba Mission destroyed ? \\' hat expedition
was undertaken to punish the Indians, with what experience and results?
Describe what occurred in Texas in 1760 and the few following years.
Who became governor in 1765? What celebrated man visited Texas in
1767, and what did he do and recommend to the government of New
Spain ? Describe the character and administration of Governor O'Conor.
Who succeeded him, and when? What was the conduct of the home
government, and its effects in Texas? Who was De MezitJr^s, and what
did he do ? What occurred to the missions in Eastern Texas between
1772 and 1778? Who visited Texas in 1778 and 1783? What did they
do ? Who was Bonilla, and when and what did he write ? Who
Spanish
Domination
TO
1821
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS. 8 [
else wrote an account of those times in Texas ? At the close of the Period I.
eighteenth century, what Spanish settlements were there at and near
Bejar ? Give the names and locations of the other missions and presidios
in Texas at that time. When and where was the last mission founded in 1528
Texas ? How many Indians were converted since the first mission was
founded in 1690? How many reduced Indians were there in and around
the missions at any one date during that period? In 1783, how many
mission Indians were there in Texas, and how many Spaniards ? When
and how did the Mission Period end ? What was meant by secularizi7ig
the missions? What can j-ou say of the general results of the Mission
Period? What mission is peculiarly dear to Texans? What was the
Alamo originally, properly speaking? How, when, and by whom was it
probably built? In connection with what missions was it at first used,
and how? Describe its location at different times. When was it
removed to its present location ? What, if anything, is there to indicate
when the present chapel was built ? What does the word " Alamo" mean
in English ? When did the Alamo cease to be used as a church ? When
and how were the original mission buildings destroyed, and what is the
building that still stands? What occurred in Texas during the last years
of the eighteenth century ? What were the condition and prospects of
Spain at that time ? What important events had occurred in other por-
tions of North America, and what influence did they have on the future
destiny of Texas ?
Topical Analysis.
1. Extent of knowledge of Texas at the beginning of Spanish occu-
pation in 1690 ; why it had not been more thoroughly explored and occu-
pied ; causes of the effort by the Spaniards to occupy it in 1690.
2. The Mission Period, how inaugurated ; date and location of the
first Te.vas mission ; subsequent missions and their difficulties ; early
missions first established in Eastern Texas among the Tejas and allied
tribes.
3. Beginning of Indian wars, troubles between priests and soldiers as
to management of Indians.
4. Founding of the presidio and town of Bejar, and the subsequent
establishment of the capital of Texas there ; removal of missions from
Eastern Texas to that point.
5. Contraband trade with French in Louisiana and expedition of St.
Denis to Texas ; beginning of the dispute between Spain and France as
to the eastern boundary of Texas.
6. Territorial changes in North America caused by European and
Indian wars ; Louisiana acquired by Spain in 1763, and gradual growth of
trade across Texas to Mexico from New Orleans and Mobile.
7. Feeble and unsuccessful attempts to colonize and civilize Texas
during eighteenth century ; gradual reduction of garrisons and concentra-
tion of missions around Bejar and in Western Texas.
6
82 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkriod I. 8. The practical failure of the Mission Period as a means of convert-
Spanish jpg ti,g natives, or of setUing the country ; contrast the results of the
oMi NATION 5pjjj-,j>^|i methods of colonization with those of the English, in North
1528 America.
"•"^ 9. Influence of the American Revolution upon the future destiny of
ib2i Mexico and Texas, beginning to show itself at the end of the eighteenth
century.
Geography.
The map of Texas during the eighteenth century should be tlioroughly
studied, and all missions, presidios, and towns founded during that period
should be located on that map and compared with the map of Texas at the
present time. The student should be required to make an outline map of
the province of Texas, and to locate thereon every Spanish settlement
and missionary station mentioned in this chapter, showing its relative
position in connection with the modern geography of the State.
Parallel Readings.
H. H. Bancroft's "North Mexican States and Texas;" Winsor's
" Narrative and Critical History," Vol. VIII., Chap. IV., "Spanish North
America;" ScarfT's "Comprehensive History of Texas" (1897) ; Park-
man's "Jesuits in America."
Aqukduci at Mission San J;:an.
CHAPTER V.
The Indian Tribes of Spanish Texas.
CERTAIN errors that have obtained in regard to the
American Indians should be corrected. It has been
customary to write and think of them as nomadic, —
without fixed homes and wandering at will over the
face of the country. This is a mistake. There may have been
a timevvhen such a condition existed as to the whole Indian race
in North America ; but it was before the white man discovered
this continent. There have been times in the history of single
tribes, and of groups of tribes, when such a condition existed,
since the Ej^u'opeans came ; but it was always temporary and un-
usual, — produced by tribal wars and revolutions, or by the con-
tact and conquest of the white man. The Indians, as a rule, had
fixed homes and a permanent territory within which each tribe,
family of tribes, or portions of a tribal family customarily dwelt.
This district was often extensive and indefinite in its boundaries,
and within its limits the natives were accustomed to wander
widely and frequently. Sometimes it was necessary to change the
residence of the tribe at different seasons of the year in order to
find water and game, and for other necessary reasons ; and there
was an annual or semi-annual migration for that purpose. With
the introduction of horses by the Europeans, the means and the
inducements for travelling great distances were multiplied, and
the tribal movements became correspondingly more frequent and
extensive. The knowledge and use of fire-arms, likewise, ren-
dered the Indians more restless and movable, by offering temp-
tations to war and the chase. These two influences — the horse
and the gun — were very powerful among the tribes of the west
and southwest, w^here contact with the Spaniards brought them
into use among the Indians very soon after the conquest of
Mexico. But these facts were exceptional. The Indian tribes
a3
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
IS2I
Popular errors
about Indians
Sedentary, not
nomadic
g^ A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period I. were generally sedentary, and not nomadic ; or, rather, most
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
of them were migrato?y, that is, nomadic within certain cus-
tomary limits.
Another error is, that the Indians were very numerous. In
1 82 1 proportion to the territory occupied, this was not true. Their
permanent homes, were usually in desirable spots, along the
Not numerous streams, in fertile valleys, where fishing and hunting were good,
and when all were gathered there in their villages, the numbers
seemed large. The white settlers generally sought the same
localities for the same reasons, and, seeing many Indians there,
they assumed that the whole country was populated to the
same extent. Again, the colonists would frequently meet mem-
bers of the same tribe in different parts of the country at different
times, and, not distinguishing them, the same Indians were counted
two or three times.
Other traits Other important facts to be observed are, that the several
American tribes, instead of speaking kindred dialects of one
common language, really spoke entirely distinct tongues,
which are evidences of their distinct family origin ; that among
all these tribes, property, including land, was owned and
held in common for the whole tribe, and not in severalty
among the individuals composing it ; and that, when first
discovered by the white men, none of the tribes had pro-
gressed far enough in agriculture to have abandoned the hunter
state.
These general observations apply to the Indians of Texas,
as well as to all others found on this continent.
Classification Rcccnt rcscarch into the history and traits of the American
Indians has led to many modifications in their naming and
classification. Language has come to be recognized as the
only sure basis for a correct scientific test of race kinship, and
upon real identities of speech the arrangement into tribes, groups,
and families is founded. Tried by this standard, the present
state of knowledge divides the tribes of North America, north
Linguistic of Mexico, '\Vl\.o fifty -cig Jit distinct lingnistic families. Of these,
American ^^^ following/^?/r/r I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
I82I
Karankawan
family
Karanka%vas
KidWA ("mil
Muskhogcan
family
Alibamus and
Cushattas
— perhaps the most interesting- and civilized, as it has been
the most important single tribe, in American history. When,
in consequence of treaties and cessions between the United
States and the Cherokee Nation, the latter was largely removed
west of the Mississippi River, from 1818 to 1833, bands of
Cherokees came into Texas, and the relations of the Republic
and State of Texas with them constitute an important chapter in
our sulwequent history.
8. The Karankawan Family. — This family was composed of
the single tribe of the Karan'kawas in Texas, who dwelt on San
Bernard or Matagorda Bay and the adjacent coast. They were
a ferocious, brutal, and degraded tribe, said to be cannibals,
and it was with them La Salle first came in contact when he
landed at the mouth of the Guadalupe River. They were
physically very large, armed with long bows, and hideously dec-
orated with painting and tattooing. There were but a few hun-
dred of them, but they were a terror to the early settlers, and
committed many murders among the colonists. By reason of
their ferocity and isolated position on the coast, they remained
in existence until 1847, when the remnant of the tribe crossed
the Rio Grande and disappeared into Mexico. The
missions of Espiritu Santo, Refugio, and Rosario
labored in vain to convert the Karan'kawas, but
they remained to the end savages and brutes.
g. TJw /\i'o7('a7i Faini/y. — The Kiowas (ki-5-
was') really had no fixed abode in Texas, their home
being on the Platte and Arkansas Rivers. They
were the common allies of the Comanches, and were
always found associated with the latter in Texas and
elsewhere ; so that the history of the one tribe is
practically the history of the other.
10. The Mnskhoi^can Family, which takes its
name from its principal tribe, the Muskhogee or
Creek, was represented in Texas by the Alibii'mu and
the Cushiit'ta or Koasati tribes, with perhaps a few Seminoles.
The Alibii'mu were in Eastern Texas, on the Neches and extend-
ing to the Trinity, and but litde is known of them in history, as
they bore no conspicuous part. There is a remnant of the tribe
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
91
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
I82I
living^ in Polk County. The Cushiit'tas lived on the lower Trinity,
and the mission and presidio of Arcoqui'sac were built among
them. They laid out the old " Cushat' ta Trace," or road, from
East Texas to La Bahia, which was a great highway for trade
between Louisiana and Mexico in the earlier years of this cen-
tury and the close of the last. The Cushiit'tas were brave allies
of the Americans and Mexicans in the revolutionary expedi-
tions which occurred in Texas from 18 11 to 1820, and they were
always a friendly race. A remnant of them still survives in San
[acinto County.
1 1 . The Shoshon' ean Family. — To this linguistic group belong shoshonean
the Bannocks, L^tes, and Shoshon'ees proper, from New Mexico *^^™''>'
to Oregon, and in Texas they were represented by that most
warlike and indomitable of all our Lidian foes, — the Comanches.
The Comanches extended from the head waters of the Arkansas Comanches
and Red Rivers east and south into Texas.
The tribe was a confederacy of hostile bands,
ha\ing separate chiefs and called by differ-
ent names. They had no general name for
the whole tribe, but preferred to be called
Naiini — "live people," — and their depre-
dations for a hundred years certainly entitle
them to that description. The Comanches
had lived in the location where they were
first discovered for many years, perhaps
centuries. When they became possessed
of horses and fire-arms, their roving and v.
warlike disposition made them dangerous
to the whole frontier, and, perhaps, for
rapid marauding, skilful manoeuvring on
the plains, and expert horseback fighting,
tliey have had no equals in the annals of sa\age warfare. We
shall meet with them often in the subsequent history of Texas.
12. The Siou' an Faiiii/v, which includes the Sioux (so) siouan family
proper, Dakotahs, Winnebagoes, Osages, and other great tribes
of the east and north, had in Texas a small representative in the
Biloxis, who were located on the Louisiana line, reaching over Biioxis
into Eastern Texas. They were unimportant, their influence
A Co.MANCHE Indian.
92
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
182 1
Tanoan family
Teguas
Tonkawan
family
ri.ACIIX), CllIKK Ol'
TONKAWAS.
Fate of Texas
Indians
being blended with that of th(i other small tribes in that locality.
Their powerful kindred, the Osages, in the north towards Mis-
souri, had considerable influence on the conduct and disposition
of the Indians in Louisiana ^nd Texas.
13. The Tanoan Family were what are known as pueblo
Indians, — that is, they dwelt in permanent villages {pueblos)
built of stone and adobe, and pursued agriculture and other
peaceful occupations. These tribes were originally located in
New Mexico and Arizona, but in the great Indian revolt of 1680
-82 some of them were driven south into Texas and remained
here. Among these were the Teguas (ta'-waz) or Tiguex (te'-
gwaz), who founded the old village of Isleta, near El Paso, and
the Carizos (ka-re'-soz) or Keri'sas, who located on the lower
Rio Grande in what are now Zapata and adjoining counties.
These tribes were peaceable and industrious, and a few of them
are still left along the Rio Grande, retaining the traits of their
Zufii and Moqui brethren in the north.
14. The Ton' kazvaji' Family. — This family in Texas was con-
spicuous in the single interesting tribe of the Ton'kawas', a name
signifying, in the Caddo language, "they all stay together."
They are first mentioned in 17 19, as roaming over
Western and Southern Texas, and the white people
found them camped on the old road from Bejar to
Nacogdoches. There were about five hundred of
them, and they were always friendly and serviceable
to the white settlers, although they would steal
horses and commit small offences. Their great
chief, Placido (pla-se'-do) was a noble specimen of
Indian manhood, — brave, wise, and faithful, — and
liis many services and heroic death deserve to be
remembered by all Texans, as a redeeming figure
in the long and bloody array of Indian celebrities of
our early history.
The foregoing outline sufficiently exhibits the
names, localities, and traits of the principal Indian
tribes whose history is blended with the settlement and devel-
opment of Texas. Most of them passed away with the advent
of the American colonists, and their "short and simple annals"
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS. g^
faded into the momentous chronicle of the white man's conquest Period i.
and supremacy over the land of their fathers. Those who re-
mained to contest the victory and harass the victors, will further
appear in the history of the frontier struggles and Indian hos-
tilities of later Texas. 182 1
QUESTIONS.
What error generally prevails as to the American Indians being noma-
dic in their habits ? What were the real facts in this regard ? What is the
distinction between nomadic, migratory, and sedentary ? Under which
head did the Indians come, and explain why? How did the use of horses
and fire-arms affect the habits of the Indians in this respect? What, if
any, difference was there between the Indians of the west and southwest
and those of the eastern part of the continent in this regard? What error
has existed, and how did it arise, as to the numbers of the original In-
dians of the country ? What were the true facts ? What important facts
are to be noted in regard to all the Indians in the matters of language,
rights of property, and pursuits of the various tribes ? What is the true
test of kinship among the Indian tribes ? Tried by this test, how many
groups or families of American Indians north of Mexico have been classi-
fied? Give their names. How many of these are represented in the
history of Texas, and which were they ? How many tribes does it take
to constitute a linguistic family ? What can you say of certain early tribes
in Texas that did not belong to any of the families named ? Who were
the Cenis or Asinais, where did they live, and what was their character?
By what early explorers and at what dates were they met with ? What
became of them ? Name the other independent tribes of Texas, where
did they live, and what became of them ? By what tribe was the Adaizan
family of Indian tribes represented in Texas? What did the name signify,
and where did they live, and what became of them ? At what early date
and by what explorer were they seen, and what did he call them ? What
mission was founded among this tribe, and when ? What can you say of
the Algonquian family? What tribes of that family once lived in Texas,
and when did they come here ? Where did they originally settle in Texas,
and what were their habits ? What relations did the Kickapoos bear to
the white men in the subsequent history of the tribe ? Where did the
Delawares live, and what were their character and relations to the white
men ? What can you say of the Athapascan family and its separation ?
What principal tribe of this family roamed in Texas ? How were the
Apaches divided? Where did the Lipans and Apaches originally live in
Texas? What two noted Lipan chiefs figured in Texas history? What
event made the Lipans hostile to whites in Texas? Where was the real
94
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period I. home of the Apaches, and what has been their character since known to
Spanish the white race ? With what tribe were they always at war ? What tragic
to.M^TioN ^^^^^ resulted from this ? What has been the record of the Apaches in
1528 Texas history ? What is the origin of the name of the Attakapan family ?
'^° Where did the principal tribes of this group live ? What powerful tribes
^_^ are embraced in the Caddoan family of Indians? What does the word
"Caddo" mean? What tribes of that linguistic group lived in Texas?
What localities still preserve the names of tribes of the Caddoans in
Texas? In what parts of the State did these tribes live? With what
other tribes were they always closely associated ? What caused them to
become enemies of the white men ? What is the origin of the name of
the Coahuiltecan family ? Where did they live and what tribes did they
include ? Of what linguistic family were the Cherokees the only repre-
sentative in Texas? When and under what circumstances did they first
come to Texas? What importance have they had in our history? Who
composed the Karankawan family and where did they live? What were
their habits and character ? What relations existed between them and
the whites, and when did they begin ? What became of the Karankawas?
To what family did the Kiowas belong? What can you say of them?
What tribe gives its name to the Muskhogean family of tribes ? What
two tribes of that family lived in Texas, and in what part of the State ?
W^hat mission and presidio were built among the Cushattas by the Span-
iards ? What famous road did they lay out ? What valuable aid did they
render theTexans? What has become of them and the Alibamus? What
famous tribe represented the Shoshonean family in Texas ? Where did
they live? What can you say of their character and history? What tribes
are included in the Siouan family or group ? Hou- were they represented
in Texas ? Who constituted the Taiioan family, and to what class of In-
dians do they belong ? Where did they live and what was their character ?
What historic town did they found ? Who were the Tonkawas ? What
does the name mean ? What were their relations to the whites in Texas ?
What noted chief belonged to this tribe, and what can you say of him?
Wiiat has become of most of the Indians of Texas ?
Topical Analysis.
1. The general character, habits, and mode of living of the North
American Indians ; effect produced upon them by the advent of the white
man, as mixlifying their pursuits and traits of character.
2. Language as the basis for classifying them into families or groups
of kindred tribes, although often widely .separated ; the error of supposing
that tribes speaking different dialects and living widely apart belong to
different nations or races of Indians.
3. The Indians of the plains as horsemen and warriors, and their great
dissimilarity to the tribes of the Atlantic coast ; the western Indian was
and is very unlike his brethren of the east. Causes of this.
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
95
4. The original independent tribes of Texas, now extinct, but vvlio
constituted the first inhabitants of the country ; their peaceful and hos-
pitable disposition, and comparative advancement in settled life.
5. The various tribes and bands of Indians who once roamed over
Texas, their wars and gradual extinction. Consider their relations to
their kindred tribes in other parts of the continent, and discuss the causes
of the extinction of the American Indian, even under favorable surround-
ings.
Geography,
Study closely the Indian map of Texas, and compare it with the mod-
ern maps of the State, so as to locate the original homes of the Indians.
An interesting study can be made of the various rivers, creeks, moun-
tains, lakes, cities, and towns in Texas whose names preserve the mem-
ories of the early Indian inhabitants. Also, study on the map of North
America the distribution of the several linguistic families or groups of
tribes, so as to observe their wide separation in many cases.
Parallel Readings.
Annual Report of Bureau of Ethnology, 1885-6, Paper by Director
of the Bureau on "Indian Linguistic Families of America north of Mex-
ico;" ScarfT's "Comprehensive History of Texas" (1897), Vol. 1., Chap.
X\'I1I., " Indian Tribes of Texas," by M. M. Kenney.
F^ERIOD I.
Spanish
Domination
152S
TO
I82I
Indian Wkapons.
CHAPTER VI.
Pkriod I.
Spanish
Domination
152S
TO
1821
Napoleonic
wars
France
regains
Louisiana
United States
buys the terri-
tory
Texas in-
cluded
Events in Texas and Mexico resulting in the
Revolution of 1821.
THE opening of the new century witnessed rapid and
radical changes in the map of Europe, extending in
their results to the possessions of the European powers
in the New World. Napoleon was in the first stage
of his magnificent career. During the year 1800, the lightning-
like successes of the French armies, signalized by the crossing
of the Alps, the recovery of Italy, the victory of Marengo, and
the final triumph of Hohenlinden, humbled the Bourbons at the
feet of the First Consul. In 1763 the weak and wretched Louis
XV. had surrendered to Spain the last foot of French territory
in North America. On October i, 1800, by the treaty of San
Ildefonso, the prowess of Napoleon regained from Charles IV. the
splendid domain of Louisiana, " with the same limits it originally
had in the hands of France or might have acquired in the hands
of Spain." But it was not for long that this extensive territory
was to be owned by the ambitious Corsican. Pressed by the
combined powers of Europe, and plunged into deadly conflict
with Great Britain, he must have money, and on April 30, 1803,
he sold it to the United States for fifteen millions of dollars. It
was a bold and patriotic act of Mr. Jefferson to acquire this
valuable property for the then young and struggling republic,
for it gave to the United States the control of the Mississippi
River, and by subsequent construction it included the vast extent
f)f country lying to the north and northwest, now forming ten
States in the Union. In fact, it was considered bv Mr. Jefferson
and many eminent statesmen that the Louisiana purchase included
Texas, by virtue of France's original claim resulting from the
discovery of La Salle and the explorations of La Harpe and St.
Denis. The boundaries of the territory had not been defined,
96
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
97
and ihcir uncertainty has returned to plague succeeding govern-
ments, even to very recent times.
The acquisition of Louisiana brought the government and
people of the United States face to face with the Spaniards in
that district and on the border of Texas. Having owned the
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
I82I
-J?
2' -J^ I
Map showing Changes in Territory of North America caused by Treaty of
San Ii.defonso and Purchase of Louisiana.
country for nearly forty years, and not having been entirely Boundary
dispossessed during the three years France had regained it, the
Spanish officials were reluctant to surrender their power east of
the Sabine. Some trouble arose, requiring United States troops
to be posted along the Texas boundary, under the command
of Generals Wilkinson and Gaines. As always happens where
7
og A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
pkriou I. new territory is added and forbidden regions are opened up,
SPAxNISH
Domination
1528
TO
there was a great movement of all sorts of desperate, ambitious,
and often lawless characters from every part of the United States
to the Sabine frontier. The presence of this element, confronted
1^21 as it was by the haughty and domineering spirit of the Span-
ish soldiery across the line, rendered the Texas border a very
troublesome locality to both countries for several years.
Early expedi- Jn t^e meanwhile some adventurous Americans crossed into
tions to Texas . . . , ^ 11111
Texas on various expeditions, and a few no doubt settled at the
Philip Nolan tradiiig-posts and among the Indians. In 1797, Philip Nolan,
an intelligent and daring pioneer from the United States, came
to the country in search of cavalry horses ; and he made a
second trip in 1800, exploring much of Eastern and Central
Texas, ostensibly on the same errand, but really, it was said, at
the instigation of Mr. Jefferson, who was anxious to ascertain
the character and resources of the country. " Nolan's Expedi-
tion" was terminated by his treacherous murder by the Spaniards,
at a point near Tehuacana Hills in what is now Limestone
Ellis p. Bean Couiity. The Celebrated Ellis P. Bean, whose romantic adven-
tures and varied history read like the tale of Monte Crista, was
one of Nolan's men, and was captured and carried to Mexico,
whence, after many years, he returned to the United States.
'^^"*''^' During the years 1804 and 1805, negotiations were conducted
between the United States and Spain, looking to the establish-
ment of a neutral ground, until such time as the definite
boundary could be decided, but nothing satisfactory was accom-
plished. While Louisiana had belonged to France, certain
settlements had ]:)een made by the French in Texas, — along lied
River in the county of that name, and at other points west of
the Sabine. When the United States acquired the territory, it
was desired that those settlements should not l)e disturbed by
the Spaniards until the question of boundary was determined ;
but Spain persisted in disregarding all rights but her own west
Spain's of the Sabine River. Troops were sent forward from San
attitude A • 1 »» •
Antonio and Mexico to support the Spanish claim, and it was
even threatened to cross the Sabine and invade the territory of
the United States. The old road from San Antonio was put in
order, the various jjosts were fortified, renewed effort at the
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
99
settlement of Texas was made, and Spain clearly evinced her Period I.
purpose to hold the province as her own. These preparations domination
were conducted by Antonio Cordero, the new governor of Texas, '
and General Simon D. Herrera was in command of the military. to
Corresponding- preparations to repel hostilities and to maintain 1821
Map showing the " Neutral Ground" as agreed upon in 1806.
the boundary at the Sabine were made by the United States
authorities. Finally, Generals Wilkinson and Herrera, repre-
senting their respective governments, agreed that, until the real
boundary was fixed, the strip of territory between the Sabine
and the Arroyo Hondo should be neutral ground, not to be
LofC.
lOO
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period 1.
Spanish
IJOMINA rioN
1528
TO
I82I
American Pioneer Type.
occupied by either party. Tliis was in August, 1806. In the
fall of the same year, the mad plan of Aaron Burr for the in-
vasion of Texas and other Spanish provinces of Mexico was
exposed, and produced great excitement throughout the West,
drawing fresh attention to the Louisiana frontier, and bringing
thither new recruits of adventurous and enterprising men.
All these things had combined to produce a feel-
ing of hostility between Spain and the United States,
which was not lessened by the depredations com-
mitted upon American commerce by Spanish ships.
The Spanish government was practically ruled by
Manuel Godoy, the "prince of peace," as he was
called, and he, in turn, was controlled by Napoleon,
who encouraged Spain's unfriendly attitude towards
the United States in the hope of eventually securing
all the Spanish possessions in America for France.
Of course, whatever of irritation and hostility existed
was greater along the Texas border, and the swarm
of adventurers, filibusters, and determined pioneers
who were gathering along the neutral ground, only wanted an
opportunity to pour into Texas. The opportunity was offered
by the progress of events in Mexico, hastened by influences
from Europe and America. At the close of 1806, Texas was in
a fairly prosperous condition, brought about by the activity of
the times ; but the seeds of approaching revolution had been
planted in Mexico.
Since 1535, when the first viceroy of Mexico, Antonio de
Mendoza, assumed control of that country, until 1808, fifty-
seven viceroys ruled over its government. The land had
prospered and developed to some extent, but the curse of
the Spanish colonial system, rendered ever heavier by the
declining fortunes and accumulating distresses of the mother
country, had rested ujK)n and blighted its happiness, its lil)-
erties, and its progress. When Spain was involved in the
Napoleonic wars, the burdens of taxation w^ere laid wilh in-
creasing severity upon her possessions in the New World,
Mi-xicAN PioNi;iK- '''"^' ^^'^ tyranny of the viceroyalty was redoubled to sustain
Tvi-K. the failing strength of the royalty beyond the Adantic.
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS. IQI
Charles IV., his corrupt queen, and more corrupt minister,
Godoy, laid the foundations of Mexican independence by their
excesses, cruelties, exactions, and petty despotism.
Yet for a long time the distant colonists were loyal and
patriotic, and plundered themselves to protect and uphokl their
unfortunate sovereigns. Even when Charles abdicated in 1808
in favor of his son, Ferdinand VII., who, in turn,
was deposed by Napoleon in favor of his brother,
Joseph Bonaparte, the loyalists of Mexico were firm
in their allegiance to their fallen monarch and re-
fused to recognize the French usurper. But the
revolutionary spirit had reached the great body of
the natives. The example of the North American
colonies in asserting their liberties and forming a
great and free republic, the downfall of European
tlynasties and systems of kingly tyranny, and the
hnal spirit of revolt against the oppression of more
than two centuries of misrule and suffering, all con-
tributed to arouse the inhabitants of Mexico to the
\'indication of their rights and freedom.
Like the great Reformation in Europe in the sixteenth cen-
tury, this movement began with an humble priest. In the little
Indian village of Dolores, in the State of Guanajuato, there
dwelt a country curate named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (me-gel'
e-dal'-go e kos-til'-yii), whose heart was quickened by the suf-
fering and slavery of his people. On September 16, 1810, he
proclaimed a revolt against Spanish tyranny.
Rapidly the natives gathered to his stand-
ard, and his army marched on the capital,
under a banner whose motto was ' ' Death
to the Gachupins. " The sword and the
cross were once more united, and the rebel
priest swept all before him. Capturing
Guanajuato, he defeated the viceroy's army
at Las Cruces, and advanced to within fifteen
miles of the City of Mexico. Here he was seized with a panic,
retreated, was followed by the regular troops under Calleja
(kal-a'-yii), lost all he had gained, and was fmally defeated in
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
i o
J 82 1
Frknch Pioneer Type.
Miguel
Hidalgo
Miguel Hidalgo.
102
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkriod I.
Spanish
Domination
152S
TO
1 82 I
JosK Maria Moriilos.
Xavier Mina
Agustin de
Iturbidc
a pitched battle at the Bridge of Calderon', January 11, 181 r.
Hidalgo resigned and fled, but was captured and shot at Chi-
huahua in July, and a war of extermination was waged against
the rebellious natives. But once begun, the revolutionary move-
ment could nt)t be subdued. Another patriotic priest in the
person of Jose Maria Morelos took up the cause
of liberty, and the contest was renewed with
varying success for the next two years. During
this struggle, the distinguished leaders Bravo,
Teran', Matamoros, Guerrero (gwa-ra'-ro), and
Guadalupe Victoria first came to the front in the
army of the patriots. On November 13, 1813,
the Co7igress of Chilpanzingo declared the ab-
solute independence of Mexico from Spain.
Morelos fought against fearful odds, and steadily
lost ground ; was finally captured and shot in
the City of Mexico, December 22, 18 15.
For a time the revolution was stayed, but the republican
feeling was still alive. Suddenly appeared Xavier Mina ( me-nii),
an exile from Old Spain, who landed at Soto la Marina with a
force of North Americans and began war against the govern-
ment, in April, 1817. He advanced to the interior and prose-
cuted a vigorous and daring warfare, but was defeated on all
sides, and finally captured and shot in November, 181 7. The
revoluti(jnary chiefs were scattered through-
out the country, and the cause seemed hope-
less ; but it was mainly for want of a com-
petent leader to organize the insurrection.
This leader appeared in the person of
Agustin de Iturbide (e'-tbr-be'-da), a native
Mexican and a former royalist, who rebelled
against the viceroy Apodaca's attempt to
restore the arbitrary authority of the king in
Mexico, which had been limited by the Span-
ish constitution of 181 2. Iturbide seems to
have realized the deep-seated love of liberty
and independence which had taken hold of his countrymen, and
to have responded for a time t() the feeling himself.
Xavikr Mina.
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
103
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
IS2I
Methods of
Mexican revo-
lution
It should be explained that among the Spanish and Mexican
republicans, when a movement towards insurrection or revolution
was undertaken, it usually began with some great popular outcry
or motto of rebellion, which was called the grito (gre-to), or
clamor. When the leaders of the movement decided to raise
the standard of open revolt, they issued ^ prominciamien' to, or
proclamation of grievances and demand for redress ; and this
was followed by an outline of the measures and laws by which it
was proposed to reform abuses and reorganize the government,
which was called the Plan, and usually took its name from the
place from which it was issued. These were familiar terms in
the histo'ry of Mexico for the next fifty years.
On P'ebruary 14, 1821, Iturbide, being in com-
mand of a considerable force at a little town called
Iguala (e-gwii'-la), on the road to Acapulco, issued
his proclamation of rebellion and the celebrated Plan
of Iguala, under which he proposed to establish Mexi-
can liberty. This plan contained the three general
principles of "Independence, the maintenance of Ro-
man Catholicity, and Union," whence it was called the
|)lan of the ' ' Three Guaranties. ' ' Among other things,
it provided for the independence of Mexico from Spain
and every other nation ; the maintenance of the Catho-
lic religion ; no distinction between Americans and Europeans ;
a government by a constitutional monarchy; o. Junta (hun-tli), Plan of iguaia
or assembly of leading men of all parties, which should call a
congress to frame a constitution that should be the supreme
law, and the emperor must swear to obey it ; the throne should
be offered to Ferdinand VII., and, in case of his refusal, to his
brothers in succession, and if they all refused, the nation might
invite any prince of the reigning houses of Europe ; abolition
of all castes and absolute equality before the law ; an army to
enforce the "Three Guaranties ;" all ofificials loyal to the Plan
to remain in ofhce ; and death by military trial or order of com-
mandants was prohibited.
The proclamation of the Pla)i of li^uala revived the revolu-
tionary spirit everywhere, and the old chiefs, who had been in
hiding, rallied to the new leader. The viceroy Apodaca \\ub
Agustin UK Iturbide.
Last viceroy
of Mexico
I04
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
I82I
Political par-
ties
Iturbide made
emperor
deposed by his own followers because of his weakness, and was
succeeded by Don Juan O'Donoju (don'-6-hu), the last of the
Mexican viceroys. Iturbide met O'Donoju at the coast, and by
\h& treaty of Cordova, on September 27, 1821, the latter, in the
name of Spain, recognized the independence of Mexico ; a
regency, of which Iturbide was president, was formed, and the
first Mexican Congress met on February 24, 1822. At once
three parties were discovered in that body : the Boitrboiiists, who
demanded the empire for Ferdinand or some European prince ;
the Republicans, who favored a pure republic, without an em-
peror ; and the friends of Iturbide, who desired to place him on
the new throne. Spain refused to ratify the viceroy's recog-
nition of Mexican independence, which destroyed the hopes of
the Bourbonists and left the contest between the Republicans
and Iturbidists. The latter prevailed, and on May 18, 1822,
Iturbide was proclaimed emperor of Mexico, as Agustin I. But
his reign was short and disastrous. He overrode all restraints,
demanded arbitrary power, and violated every promise of his
famous Plan. The Republicans rose in arms throughout the
empire, the old leaders were furious at the failure of the fruits
of independence, and a new leader suddenly assumed the cham-
pionship of the popular cause, destined
himself erelong to repeat the weak-
ness and perfidy of Iturbide. General
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna put
himself at the head of the republican
armies, and, supported by Guerrero,
Bravo, and Negrete (na-gra'-ta), he
entered the capital in triumph. On
March 8, 1823, Iturbide abdicated the
throne, and the era of federal repub-
lican government was inaugurated in
Mexico.
While these exciting events were occurring beyond the Rio
firandc, Texas was not quiet. In 181 1, Colonel Bernardo
Gutierrez, who was one of Hidalgo's followers, escaped from the
slaughter of the patriots in Mexico and arrived at Natchitoches
on the Louisiana frontier. Here he formed an intimacy with
Ml-;xh,an Tk'adkk.
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
105
Augustus W. Mag-ee, a lieutenant in the United States army, Period i.
who was already considering plans for the invasion of Texas, dom^nat'ion
The two men organized what was called the " Republican Army ~
of the North, ' ' composed of freebooters from the neutral ground, to
allies from among the Cushatta and other Indian tribes, some 1821
native Mexicans, and a number of volunteers from the United
States. This mixed and desperate force, numbering about one Magee's" Re-
hundred and sixty white men, set out from the Sabine under of the^North^-'
Gutierrez, in June, 181 2, and marched into Texas. They drove invades Texas
the Spaniards from their outposts, captured Nacogdoches, and
finally occupied Spanish Bluff on the Trinity. Magee had re-
mained behind to forward supplies and recruits, but, having
resigned his position in the army, he joined the expedition at
Spanish Bluff during the summer. The Spaniards, meanwhile,
under the command of Manuel de Salcedo (sal-sa'-tho), governor
of Texas, and Generals Herrera and Arredondo, collected troops
from Mexico and fortified La Bahia and Bejar, or San Antonio
as the latter place was now beginning to be known.
The ' ' Republican Army of the North' ' was organized by
electing Magee colonel and real commander-in-chief, although
Gutierrez, with the title of general, still nominally held command ;
Kemper was made major, and other officers were chosen. Cap-
tain James Gaines came on with reinforcements, and the force
was increased to between four and five hundred men, exclusive
of Indians. In October they left Spanish Bluff, travelling the Captures La
road to La Bahia, which they reached on November 14, and
captured the fort, the garrison under Salcedo having gone out
to meet the Americans by another route. Salcedo returned with
his force, fourteen hundred strong, and laid siege to the fort.
During a two weeks' siege the Spaniards were reinforced, and
finally they made a desperate assault, but were driven off. I)ur- Magee's death
ing this time Magee died under peculiar and mysterious circum-
stances. After another prolonged delay, in March, 18 13, the
Spanish troops abandoned the siege and retreated to San
Antonio. At Magee's death, Kemper succeeded to the com-
mand, Ross was made major, and the expedition was increased
by Mexican volunteers, and Lipan, Tawakana, and Cushatta
allies, besides some additional Americans. The whole force
io6
A (OMPLETF. HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period 1.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
I82I
Army enters
San Antonio
Murder of
Spanish
officers
Elisondo
comes to dis-
lodge them
Battle of the
Alazan
General
Toledo
moved on San Antonio, and reached the Salado River the latter
part of March. Here they were met by a large body of Spanish
troops, and a desperate battle ensued, in which nearly a thousand
of the Spaniards were killed and wounded, and the invading
army was victorious. This was known as the battle of Rosillo
(ro-sel'-yo). They marched next day to San Antonio, which
place was surrendered to them by Governor Salcedo, with all its
stores, troops, and military funds.
After the capture of San Antonio, Governor Salcedo, General
Herrera, Ex-Governor Cordero. and their staffs were paroled ;
but Gutierrez, under pretence of sending them out of the
country, put them in charge of one Captain Delgado, whose
father (a follower of Hidalgo) had been executed at San Antonio
by Salcedo and his head exhibited on a pole. Delgado took the
fourteen prisoners out of town and cut their throats. This brutal
and cowardly murder so disgusted the Americans that Colonel
Kcmi:)er, Major Ross, and others resigned and left the army.
The success of the expedition, however, rallied new recruits, and
the American force was gradually increased.
An army from Mexico, under command of General Elison'do,
about three thousand strong, arrived near San Antonio about
June I, 18 1 3, for the purpose of driving out the invaders.
Captain Perry had succeeded to the command of the Republican
army, and he was assisted by Gutierrez and Manchaca, a very
capable and patriotic Mexican. Elisondo camped with his force
at the A'lazan', a small ditch or creek emptying into the San
Pedro, about half a mile from town. At daybreak, June 5, the
Americans attacked the Spaniards, and, after several hours of
bloody and determined fighting, Elisondo was routed, losing
nearly a thpusand men in dead, wounded, and captured, and
with the remihant of his army he fled to the Rio Grande. After
this Bernard 1 Gutierrez was deposetl and dismissed from the
American rjmmand. General Toledo, a distinguished Spanish
republic;ui, came on from Louisiana in July, 1813, and took
charge ,)f the army at San Antonio. He endeavored to restore
order and to re-establish civil government in that place, and was
for a f;vv days successful. But another army from Mexico,
under ' icneral Arredondo, consisting of four thousand well-
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
107
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
I82I
ordered troops, arrived at the Medina (ma-de'-na) River, where
they threw up breastworks and laid plans for a battle. General
Toledo marched out his smaller force, the Americans under
command of Captains Perry and Taylor, and the Mexicans under
Manchaca. The battle of the Medina was fought on August 18,
1813, and the "Republican Army of the North" was almost
destroyed. Elisondo, in memory of his former defeat, pursued Battle of the
the fugitives to the Sabine, shooting all captives without mercy, ^ '"*
and only ninety-three of them lived to reach Natchitoches, among
whom were Captains Perry, Taylor, and Bullard. This ended
the republican campaign of 18 12-13 in Texas. All republicans
and foreigners, as far as the vigilance and vengeance of the
Spanish could discover them, were killed or driven out of the
country, and the neutral ground became once more the lurking-
place for desperadoes, smugglers, and expectant revolutionists.
Plans for a second invasion of Texas, however, were still Coionei Perry
entertained by adventurous spirits in the United States. Chief
among these was Colonel Henry Perry, who had escaped the Galveston
battle of the Medina. His efforts were instrumental in the first '^'^"'^
permanent occupation of Galveston Island. Since
that island was, perhaps, first occupied by Cabeza de
Vaca and his shipwrecked companions, under the
name of Malhado, in 1528, and afterwards noted by
the followers of De Soto in their voyage to Panuco,
under the name of San Luis, in 1543, it had not been
visited except by Karan'kawa Indians and occasional
piratical crews, by whom it was called Is' la de Cald-
bras, or the island of snakes. It was named Galves-
ton Island for Jose de Galvez, the Spanish governor
of Louisiana in 1777. During the progress of the
Mexican revolution, in 18 16, the island seemed a
favorable point for the republicans to rally and conduct outside
operations. So Herrera and Don Luis Aury, known as Commo-
dore Aury, occupied it in September of that year. A civil
government was organized, Aury assumed the title of ' ' Gov-
ernor of Galveston and Texas," and privateering expeditions
were sent out against Sp;.'iish xessels. Xavier Mina, in his
revolutionary attacks upon i.^exico, also made Galveston one
Don Jose Galvez.
Commodore
Aury
I08 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
PERion I. of his points of supply. The privateers of Aury captured some
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
Spanish slave-ships, and thus a secret slave-trade was conducted
between the island and Louisiana. Colonel Perry joined these
republicans at Galveston, and took part in Mina's expedition
1821 to Soto la Marina'; but, becoming dissatisfied, he left the com-
mand with fifty men and marched towards Texas. Reaching
Perry La Bahia, he was surrounded by the pursuing Spaniards and
others from the fort, and, when all his men were killed, he blew
out his brains with his own hand.
Lafitte Jean Lafitte (lii-fet'), a French adventurer and pirate, after
operating in the West Indies and on the Louisiana coast
for several years, finally made Galveston
Island his headquarters, in April, 18 17,
after Aury had left. Lafitte established a
sort of primitive government and code of
laws suited to his piratical band, and he
l)rofessed fidelity to the republican cause
in Mexico, by whose authority he claimed
^'"*"^^' ^SJ^SuKf t^^ he a privateer. He called his colony
exploits . . ^H^HBIgr^. ^
Campcachy. and by the close of the year
18 17 the island had become the resort and
i.AFiTTE asylum of nearly a thousand desperate
characters of every grade and nationality,
and their dei)rcdations on Spanish commerce were extensive
and ruinous.
Champs de It was about this time that Generals Lallemand and Rigaud,
exiled officers of the fallen Napoleon, came to Texas with a
number of French, and endeavored to found a colony at a point
on the Trinity River not far from Galveston Bay, called Champs
d' A'sile (a-sel'). They were not satisfied and returned to
Galveston, where they were guests of Lafitte until the leaders
left the country. Lafitte had some trouble with the Karan'kawa
Indians, ending in a battle on the island, in which the latter were
badly whipped.
ty of 1819, In 1 8 19, the long troublesome question of boundary was
Spanish ' *" setded by the treaty of February 22, between Spain and the
boundary United Statcs, by the terms of whic h the boundary between the
two countries was fixed as follow^ : Beginning at the mouth of
Asile
Tr
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS. lOQ
the Sabine, continuing- along its western bank to the thirty- period i.
second degree of north latitude, thence by a line due north to dom^nat"on
Red River, thence up the Red River to the one-hundredth nieri- ^
. . 1528
dian west from Greenwich, or thirty-second west from Wash- ,0
ington, thence due north to the Arkansas, thence following the 1821
Arkansas to its source in latitude forty-two deg;rees, and thence
by that parallel to the Pacific Ocean ; should the Arkansas fall
short of the forty-second degree, a due north line was to be
taken to that parallel. Thus the United States renounced all
claim to Texas, in order to settle the grave troubles growing out
of the Florida question and other boundary disputes.
During the years since 1813, the interior of Texas had re-
mained quiet and the province made no advance. But in spite
of the treaty of 18 19, there were still ideas of invasion among
many Americans in the West. These took shape at Natchez on
the Mississippi, in a public meeting where was organized the
expedition of Dr. James Long, which set out from that place in
the spring of 18 19, with a force of seventy-five men. They Expedition of
reached Nacogdoches, where they were joined by many Texan Texas
refugees, including Bernardo Gutierrez and Samuel Davenport.
A council was formed, a pro\'isional government organized, and
Texas was declared to be a free and independent state, on June
23, 1819.
Horatio Bigelow, one of the councilmen, at this time estab- First Texas
lished a printing-office and newspaper of which he was editor, — newspaper
the first in Texas. Trading-posts were established on the
Trinity and the Brazos, and a fort was built near old Washington
on the Brazos. Long then sought the aid of Lafitte, and for
that purpose visited Galveston. He met with no success there,
and, returning, found his newly established posts threatened by
a royalist force from Mexico, under Colonel Perez. The trading-
post and fort on the Brazos were captured, and the Spaniards
advanced to the Trinity, where they drove out the settlers. A
l)attle occurred near the Cushatta village, in which the republi-
cans were defeated, and they fled to Bolivar Point, where they Boiivar Poim
were joined by General Long, and a fort was built, aided by
Colonel Trespalacios, a Spanish patriot.
In the meanwhile, Lafitte had been appointed republican
t 10
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period 1.
Spanish
Domination
I52cS
TO
I 82 I
Mks. Jank Long
governor of Galveston by tliat party in Mexico, but his pirat-
ical depredations continuing, the United States compelled him
to break up his establishment at Galveston and leave the Texas
coast, which he did early in 1821. Cxcneral Long went to Gal-
veston a few days before Lafitte left, whence, in a short time, he
marchetl on La Bahia and captured it, but he and his men were
taken prisoners and sent to Mexico, where he was
assassinated in 1822, while on parole in the capital.
His heroic wife waited his return at Bolivar Point,
enduring the lonely grief and despair, often threat-
ened by the fierce and brutal Karan'kawas, and
subjected to every privation and exposure. After
many months the news of her husband's death
came, and she returned to her friends in the United
States, not, however, to abandon the attempt to
discover and punish his murderers, which she prose-
cuted for many years.
The second hostile attempt to settle Texas by
Americans had failed as signally as the first, and we
shall next have to consider the successful results of
peaceful and orderly colonization, conducted with
prudence, wisdom, and patriotic zeal.
QUESTIONS.
What occurred in Europe in the openin.2^ of the nineteenth century?
Who was then in tlie first stage of his brilliant career? What successes
marked this peri(xl of his campaigns? When did France lose all hef
American possessions, and to whom? When, by what treaty, and by
whose efforts did she regain a part of them ? What part of them did she
regain, and with what limits of territory? On what account, when, and
to whom did she sell this newly regained territory? How much was the
price paid ? What can you say of this purchase by the American govern-
ment, what advantages did it bring with it, and what extent of country
did it involve? What President made the purchase? What was thought
to l)e included in the Louisiana purchase, by eminent statesmen of the
United States, and why? What resulted from the acquisition of Louisiana
by tlie United .States, as affecting the Texas l)()rder? What did the
United States do in regard to troops tiiere, and under whose command
Spanish
Domination
TO
1821
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS. 1 I I
were the troops placed ? What class of men soon collected along the Pkriod I
border between Texas and Louisiana, and with what results ? Had any
Americans previously come to Texas, and if so what became of them ?
Who was Philip Nolan, how many trips did he make to Texas, when, for '52^
what purpose, and what became of him and his last expedition? What
celebrated person was with him in the last expedition, and what can you
say of him ? What was the twufral ground, when was it first sought to
he established, and for what purpose ? What settlements had been made
in Texas under French rule, and what was desired by the United States
in regard to them? What was Spain's conduct in the matter? What
efforts did Spain make towards occupying and holding Texas and disput-
ing the boundary-line with the United States? Who conducted these
movements on the part of Spain ? What did the United States do ? What
agreement was finally made, and by whom ? When did that occur, and
what event occurred in the fall of the same year, and with what result ?
What state of feeling grew up between Spain and the United States on
account of these things ? Who was then in control of the Spanish govern-
ment, and under whose influence was he? Wliat was the condition of
affairs along the neutral ground at that time ? What was the condition
of Texas in 1806? What was approaching in Mexico, and from what
causes ? W^hen was the first viceroy of Mexico appointed, and who was
he? How many viceroys were there between that date and 1808? What
had been the condition and progress of the country during that period,
and explain the causes that produced this condition of affairs in New
Spain ? In spite of these things, what was the feeling of the colonists in
New Spain towards the mother country ? What revolution occurred in
Spain in 1808, and what did the Mexicans do under the circumstances?
What spirit had nevertheless gained power among the mass of the natives,
and what had caused it ? Wlio was the leader of the first effort for Mexi-
can freedom and independence, where did he live, what was his calling,
and when did he proclaim the revolution? What occurred as the result
of this proclamation, and under what banner did the army of Hidalgo
march ? What was meant by the Gachupins ? Describe the career of
Hidalgo, his successes, capture, and fate. Who succeeded him in the
leadership of the revolution, and what were his career and fate ? When,
by what body, and where was the first declaration of Mexican indepen-
dence made public ? What occurred for a while in regard to the revolu-
tion ? Who was Xavier Mina, when and where did he invade Mexico,
and what became of his expedition? What did the revolutionists need?
Who was Agustin Iturbide, what did he do, and why ? By what feelings
was he for a time influenced ? What is meant by the grifo ? What is
meant by ^ pronunciauiiento? What by a Plan? Explain the use of
these terms in the history of Mexican revolutions.
When and by whom was the Plan of Igiiala proclaimed ? W'hat
three general principles did it contain, and what was it called in conse-
quence of this? Explain the leading features of the Plati of Igitala as
112 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period I. affecting the new government which Iturbide proposed to establish. As
Spanish g^^j^ .^^ jj^jg p/^^,^ ^^..j^ proposed, what occurred among the revolutionists?
).>M^TioN y^T^^ ^^.,jg ^j^^ |.^gj. viceroy of Mexico, whom did he succeed, and how long
1528 did he rule? What important treaty did he make with Iturbide ? When
'"' did this occur? What kind of government was then established, and
'^' vvho was at the head of it ? When did the first Mexican Congress meet ?
What three parties appeared in it? What did Spain do with reference to
the independence of Mexico, and what was the result? Wlien did Itur-
bide become emperor of Mexico, and with what title? What was his
conduct, and what ensued ? What new leader then arose, and who aided
him ? What became of the emperor, and what kind of government was
then instituted? When did this occur? While these things were happen-
ing in Mexico, what happened in Texas ? Who was Bernardo Gutierrez,
and who was Augustus W. Magee ? What did these two men do, and
when? When did the " Republican Army of the North" invade Texas?
Describe the movements of the army in its first organization. What did
tlu' Spaniards do to meet this expedition ? Who were the officers of the
"Republican Army of the North"? When did it march from Spanish
Bluff to La Bahia? What occurred at the latter place? What became of
Magee ? Who was the Spanish commander at this time in resisting the
army of Gutierrez and Magee? When did the Spaniards abandon the
siege of La Bahia, and what follow^ed ? Who then commanded the army
of invasion? What desperate battle was fought between the invading
army and the Spaniards, and with what results ? When was this ? What
terrible butchery occurred after the capture of San Antonio by the army
of Guti^-rrez ? What did the American ofificers do in consequence of this ?
What Spanish army marched to Texas from Mexico to drive out the
invaders ? When was this, and describe the movements of the two sides
until the armies met? Where did the battle occur, and when, and with
what results ? What general assumed command of the Republican army
after this, and what became of Gutierrez? Describe the second effort
made from Mexico to drive out the Republican army. What bloody
battle ensued, when, and with what results? Describe the conduct of
the Spanish-Mexican army after their victritain at the
height of her colonial power,
1765- — Passage of the Stamp Act, whicli produced the first trouble with
American colonies. Letters of Junius (1767-1772),
122 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
1776-1783.— War u itli American colonies, resulting in the independence
of the latter. Ended in 1783 by treaty of Paris.
1780. — War with France, Spain, and Holland.
*^^ 1788.— Trial of Warren Hastings. Final establishment of English power
jg2i in India. Age of Pitt, Fox, Sheridan, and Burke.
1793. — War with France, growing out of the French Revolution. At this
time the younger Pitt was at the head of affairs.
i7g8._The Battle of the Nile won by Lord Nelson, August i. England
entered into a European coalition against France, which was continued
at intervals until the final overthrow of Napoleon in 1815.
1800. — The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland formed, to take
effect January i, 1801.
1805. — Battle of Trafalgar, October 21, where Nelson defeated the
French fleet.
\Zv\-\^2o.— Regency under the Prince of Wales, George III. being men-
tally unfit to reign.
1812-1814. — Wellington's victories in the Peninsular War, in Portugal
and Spain. War with the United States, ended by Peace of Ghent.
1815. — Battle of Waterloo, won by English, Prussians, and other allies,
June 18.
1820. — Death of George III., and his son, the Prince Regent, ascends
the throne as George IV.
FRANCE.
1547-1574- — Reigns of Henry II., Francis II., and Charles IX. The Age
of Catherine de M^dicis and the Guises. French Protestants were
followers of Calvin rather than Luther, and called Huguenots. Per-
secuted by the Catholics. Mary, Queen of Scots, was the wife of
F"rancis II.
1562-1570. — Religious wars between Protestants and Catholics.
1572. — Ma.ssacre of St. Bartholomew's day, August 24, in which sixty
thousand Huguenots were slaughtered. It was ordered by Charles
IX. at the instigation of Catherine de Medicis.
1574-1589- — Henry III. on the throne. Continued religious wars.
1590. — Henry Bourbon, of Navarre, comes to the throne as Henry IV.
{Henri Quatre), after winning the battle of Ivry. He was the first
of the Bourl)ons.
1598. — Edict of A'antes, proclaiming toleration and protection of Protes-
tants. Sully is Prime Minister, and France prosperous.
1610. — Henry IV. assassinated. Marie de Medicis appointed regent, her
son, Louis XIII., being under age.
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS. I 2 T,
1614. — Louis XIII. assumes the throne, banishes his mother, and is Period I.
involved in civil war with her. At this time Richelieu appears on the Spanish
Domination
scene. —
1624. — Cardinal Richelieu in power, and building up the power of France. ^^^
The Huguenots resist his power and 'establish their capital at La o
Rochelle. Civil war ensues.
16^6. — Richelieu captures La Rochelle, crushes the Huguenots, and ends
the civil war. He then aids Gustavus Adolphus in the Thirty Years'
War against Austria.
1642. — Death of Richelieu. He had founded the French Academy, and
greatly glorified France. Louis XIII. died a few months later.
1643-1715.— Reign of Louis XIV., known as The Age of Louis XIV.
During his minority, until 1652, his mother, Anne of Austria, was
regent. Cardinal Mazarin was his great minister, and his reign is the
most illustrious in French history.
1648. — Treaty of Westphalia, closing the Thirty Years' War.
1685. — Revocation of the Edict of Nantes.
1698. — French colonization in Louisiana.
1715-1774.— Reign of Louis XV.
1769. — Birth of Napoleon Bonaparte, Atigust 15.
1774-1793. — Reign of Louis XVI.
1780. — France aids the American Revolution, and becomes involved in
war with p]ngland.
1789 —Meeting of States-General and National Assembly. Beginning of
French Revolution. Age of Mirabeau, Robespierre, Danton, and
Marat.
179 2- 1 794. — The Reign of Terror.
1794. — Napoleon's first campaign in Italy.
1796. — Marriage of Napoleon and Josephine.
1798. — Napoleon in Egypt.
1 799- — Napoleon First Consul.
1801. — Peace of Luneville, February 9.
1802. — Peace of Amiens, March 27.
1803.— Napoleon sells Louisiana to the United States, April 30.
1804— Napoleon crowned Emperor, May 18.
1805. — Battle of Austerlitz, December 2.
1806. — Battles of Jena and Friedland.
1807. — Talleyrand turns against Napoleon.
18 10.— Marriage of Napoleon and Maria Louisa,
1812. — Retreat from Moscow,
124
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period I. 1814. — The Allies invade France. Abdication of Napoleon, his banish-
Spanish j^-,^,^^ jq gH^jj jj„(j Louis XVIII. placed on the throne.
Domination , tt , , t^
1815.— Napoleon returns from Elba, and, after the Hundred Days, is
'528 defeated at Waterloo, June 18, and finally banished to St. Helena.
TO
j82i 1821.— Death of Napoleon, at St. Helena, May 5.
GERMANY AND THE NETHERLANDS.
1534.— Luther publishes his translation of the Bible.
1546.— Death of Martin Luther.
1556.— Charles V. abdicates as Emperor of Germany. Succeeded by
Philip II. in Spain, and Ferdinand in Germany.
1556-1566. — Growth of the Nether/atids. Become great navigators and
manufacturers. Protestants in religion.
1566.— Philip II., of Spain, attempts to subject the Netherlands to the
Inquisition, and they rebel.
1567-1574.— The Dutch, under William of Orange, called William the
Silent, defend themselves against the Spanish under tlie Duke of
Alva.
1579. — The Dutch Republic formed by the union of seven of the Nether-
land provinces, with William of Orange as president. War with
Spain until 1609.
1586. — Oueen Elizabeth aids the Dutch. Battle of Zutphen, in which Sir
Philip .Sidney is killed.
1618. — P)eginning of the Thirty Years' War.
1620.— Battle of Prague, in which the Protestants were defeated and
driven out of Bohemia and Southern Germany by the Spaniards and
Austrians.
1625. — Wallenstt'in creates an army.
1632. — Gustavus Adolphus killed at the battle of Liitzen.
1643. - Conde at the battle of Rocroi.
1648. — Treaty of Westphalia ends the Thirty Years' War.
1654.— Abdication of Queen Christina, of Sweden.
1686. — League of Augsburg again.st Louis XIV.
1702. — War of the Spanish Succession begins.
1704.— Battle of Blenheim, August 13.
1713-— Peace of Utrecht concluded.
1718.— Death of Charles XII. of Sweden.
1740.— Frederick the Great ascends tiie throne of Germany. Maria
Theresa becomes Queen of Hungary.
1756. — 'The Seven Years' War begins.
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
125
1763. — Peace of Hubertsberg, February 15, ends the war. Period I.
1765-— Joseph II. becomes Emperor of Germany. DoMmlxmN
1792. — War with revolutionary France. ~~q
1794. — Kosciusko and the fall of Poland. French victories on the Rhine. to
Napoleon in Italy. 1821
1800. — French victories at Marengo and Hohenlinden.
1805. — Battle of Austerlitz. Peace of Pressburg.
1806. — " Confederation of the Rhine," formed by Napoleon. End of the
" Holy Roman Empire." Napoleon invades Prussia.
1807. — Napoleon invades Russia, victorious at Friedland, and dictates
the treaty of Tilsit.
1808.— Rapid decline of Prussia.
1809-1810. — Napoleon's campaign against Austria, ending in victory of
Wagram. Hanse towns attached to France.
1 81 2. — Teutonic Union against Napoleon.
18 13. — Prussia joins Russia in the war to liberate Europe from Napoleon.
1814. — The Allies in Paris. Congress of Vienna. Napoleon banished to
Elba. Germanic Confederation formed.
1815. — Bliicher at the battle of Waterloo. Hofy Allimice formed.
1819. — The Zollverein formed.
SPAIN AND PORTUGAL.
1556. — Carlos I. (Charles v.. Emperor of Germany) resigns the throne
of Spain. Succeeded by Philip II., who married Oueen Mary of
England.
1566. — Philip II. attempts to subdue the Netherlands, which began a
series of wars that lasted until 1648.
1580.— Philip II. of Spain becomes King of Portugal, as Philip I. of that
kingdom.
1588.— Destruction of the Spanish Armada by the English.
1598. — Philip III. ascends the throne of Spain, being Philip II. of Por-
tugal.
1605. — Cervantes publishes Don Quixote.
1 610. — E.xpulsion of the Moors from Spain.
1621-1665. — Reign of Philip IV. of Spain, Philip III. of Portugal. This
reign was the most disastrous in the annals of Spain.
1640. — Portugal is separated from Spain, and comes under the rule of the
house of Braganza, Joam IV. being the first king of this line.
1648. — Spain recognizes independence of the Netherlands by the treaty
of Westphalia.
DOMINAIION
1528
TO
126 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS,
Period I. 1665-1700.— Reign of Carlos II. The Spanish monarchy rapidly declines.
Spanish j^g ^^,^g ^j^g l^g^ ]^i,^g j^f the house of Austria.
1 700-1746. — Reign of Philip V. of the House of Bourbon.
1701. — The "War of the Spanish Succession" begins, being an attempt
jg2j of European nations to place the Archduke Charles of Austria on the
Spanish throne. In the war, Marlborough made his great name as a
general.
1704. — Gibraltar captured by England, from which time it has been an
English fortress.
17 1 2. — The Salic latv introduced in Spain.
17 14. — End of the " War of Succession." The Allies recognize Philip as
king.
1746-1759. — Reign of Ferdinand VI. in Spain.
1755. — Great earthquake at Lisbon, Portugal.
1759-1788. — Reign of Carlos III. Spain's prosperity and power revived.
1760-1763. — War with England, which resulted in the cession of Florida
to England.
1788-1808. — Reign of Carlos IV. War with England and France.
1807. — Napoleon expels the house of Braganza from Portugal, and they
go to Brazil.
1808. — Ferdinand VII. succeeds to the Spanish throne. Napoleon forces
him to abdicate, and Joseph Bonaparte is made King of Spain. A
revolution broke out, and the " Peninsular War" ensued.
1809. — Wellington victorious in Portugal and Spain.
1814. — French expelled from Spain, and Ferdinand VII. restored to the
throne, which he occupied until 1833.
1820-1823. — Revolution in Spain, finally suppressed with tlie aid of
England.
OTHER COUNTRIES.
I533-— Galileo before the Inquisition.
1545- — Council of Trent.
^547- — Title of Orar first used by Ivan the Terrible, under whom Russia
threw off the Tartar yoke and began to take her place among the
nations.
I575-— Tasso imprisoned.
1600.— East India Company formed, and begins operations in India.
1672.— Mahratta rule in India.
1689.— Peter the Great ascends the throne of Russia.
1709.— Charles XII. defeated at Pultowa.
SPANISH DISCOVERY AND DOMINATION IN TEXAS.
127
1725. — Catherine I. ascends the throne of Russia.
1741. — War of the Austrian Succession.
1756. — Clive victorious over the French in India. Black Hole of Calcutta.
1761. — Accession of Peter III. of Russia.
1763. — Peter III. deposed and killed by his wife, who succeeded him as
Catherine II. of Russia.
1793- — The partition of Poland.
1796. — Death of Catherine II. of Russia, succeeded by Emperor Paul.
1799- — Expulsion of the French from Italy. French conquest of Egypt
by Bonaparte.
1800. — Russian alliance with Napoleon. Papacy re-established by
Napoleon.
1801, — Assassination of Paul and accession of Alexander I. in Russia.
1802. — French expelled from Egypt by the English. lionaparte president
of the Italian republic.
1803. — Victory of Assaye in India, by Sir Arthur Wellesley, afterwards
Duke of Wellington.
1808.— Murat made King of Naples.
1809. — Napoleon imprisons the Pope of Rome, Papal States attached to
France.
1812. — Napoleon invades Russia.
1813. — Spanish Cortes abolishes the Inquisition. Papal Concordat with
Napoleon.
1814. — Pope Pius VII. returns to Rome.
1819.— Overthrow of the Mahrattas in India.
Period I.
Spanish
Domination
1528
TO
I82I
lPc^o^ 1I1I,
MEXICAN RULE.— 1821-1836.
¥¥
CHAPTER VII.
Colonization Enterprises of Moses and Stephen F.
Austin.
T
'HE year 1821 marks a new and critical era in the history
of Texas. Two hundred and ninety years had elapsed
since the survivors of the Narvaez expedition landed
on her shores and traversed her territory. One hun-
dred and thirty years had passed away since the first mission-bell
tolled its invitation to the Tejas Indians on the Trinity. Monks
had come and gone, and their labors and sacrifices appeared to
have left no trace in the wilderness. Spanish troopers, French
traders, and American filibusters had marched and fought and
died on her soil, yet, from the Rio Grande to the Sabine, the
country was practically a trackless and unsettled waste. The
entire population, exclusive of the wild Indian tribes, did not
reach ten thousand souls. There was no trade, in the proper
sense of the word. Agriculture was unknown, except in small
irrigated areas near the old missions and presidios. Some flocks
and herds there were in certain localities, but they roamed at
will and grew without man's aid or attention. The principal
128
MEXICAN RULE.
129
1821
TO
colonies
towns were Nacogdoches, La Bahia, San Antonio, and El Paso, Period ii.
where a few Spanish famihes maintained some degree of social exican v\.b.
state, surrounded by a filthy and degraded community of worth-
less soldiers, idle Indians, and half-caste Creoles. It was at this
juncture that the touch of Anglo-American industry and enter- —
prise awoke the dormant possibilities of this virgin province,
and nursed them into the potent progress of a free and fruitful
commonwealth.
Even under the Spanish system, grants to persons desiring Spanish
to settle colonies were permitted by special concession and under
strict conditions. But immigration from the
United States was at no time favored, and was
positively prohibited in 1819. Edmund Keene,
the English statesman, attempted to secure a
colony in Texas, but was deterred by the re-
strictions imposed by the viceroys, especially in
the matter of requiring his colonists to be
Roman Catholics ; and the socialist, Robert
Dale Owen, also abandoned a similar scheme
for the same reasons.
In 1820, Moses Austin conceived the idea
of settling an American colony in Texas.
Austin was born in Connecticut, at Durham, in
1767. He married in Philadelphia, was a
merchant at Richmond, Virginia, then engaged
in lead-mining in the same State, in Wythe
County, where his son Stephen F. Austin was
born, November 3, 1793. In 1799, the elder
Austin became a Spanish subject by removal to
Missouri, which, as part of Louisiana, then belonged to Spain. Moses Austin
He there opened lead mines at what is now Potosi, and pros-
pered for many years, until changed conditions led him to look
for a new home in the southwest. Preparatory to this, he sent Hisprepara-
his son Stephen to Long Prairie, in Hempstead County, Arkan- -^^^^^
sas, on Red River, to establish a farm for the purpose of fur-
nishing supplies and as a stopping-place on the way to Texas.
The information gained by the son convinced him that the pref-
erable route was by way of New Orleans or Natchitoches, and
Court and Staik\va\ iH' a
Mexican House.
tion to visit
I ^o
A COMPLETE HlSTORV OF TEXAS.
Period II.
Mexican Rule
1821
TO
1836
Visits San An-
tonio de Bexar
he abandoned the farm project to meet his father at Little Rock,
where it was agreed that the latter should go on to Texas, while
Stephen proceeded to New Orleans to make preparations for
the intended colony.
Moses Austin reached San Antonio de Bexar in December,
1820. Antonio Martinez was thengovernor of Texas, and upon
Austin's presenting himself and his errand, he ordered the
Mexican Jacal or Hut.
Baron de Bas-
trop aids him
'Oy^^'V**
American in no very courteous terms to leave the town and the
province at once. Austin prepared to obey, but accidentally
met the Baron de Bastrop, an influential citizen, with whom he
had some previous acquaintance in the United States, and to
whom he explained the situation ; and also mentioned the fact
of his passport and citizenship in Missouri in Spanish times.
Bastrop at once visited the governor with this information ; a
second interview with Martinez was granted, the cabildo was
consulted, the usual Spanish formality and delay ensued, and
finally Mr. Austin was notified to present his application in due
form. He did so, requesting permission
to settle three hundred families in Texas ;
his memorial was forwarded to Monterey,
to General Arredondo, the commandant
and superior political chief of the eastern
£^^
|{AsrK()i-'s Si(;na nui-:
MEXICAN RULE.
T^.T
Period II.
Mexican Rule
1821
TO
1836
Moses Austin'
Internal provinces, and he himself set out for his home in Mis-
souri, in January, 1821. The exposure of his long journey
through the wilderness seriously affected his health, and he died
in Missouri very soon after his return from Texas ; not, how-
ever, before he received the news that his request to the Spanish
government had been granted on January 17, 1821. His last His death
desire was that his son should carry
out the enterprise, and Stephen F.
Austin, then twenty-seven years old,
immediately entered upon the work.
The grant of permission by the
Spanish government to Moses Austin
authorized him to introduce three hun-
dred families into Texas, and appointed
Don Erasmo Seguin to convey the in-
telligence to Mr. Austin and to con-
duct the colonists into the country.
This was what was called an emprcsario
grant. Emprtsa in Spanish means an enterprise, undertaking,
or contract, and an emprcsario was a contractor for lands to be
settled by colonists introduced according to the terms of the
contract with the government. Strictly speaking, the Austins Empresarios
were the only empresarios, their first colony being introduced
under an express contract, while all subsequent ones were gov-
erned by the colonization laws, which contained the provisions
applicable to all colonial grants. However, all heads of colo-
nies founded from 1823 to 1835 are generally spoken of as
empresarios.
Stephen F. Austin was in New Orleans when notified that Stephen f
Seguin was at Natchitoches waiting to execute the commission
of the government. He at once went thither, and there first
learned of his father's death and dying request to him. He
accompanied the commissioner to Bexar, leaving Natchitoches,
July 5, 1 82 1, with seventeen companions, and reached the
Texas capital on August 10, having travelled what was called
the Upper San Antonio Road. Governor Martinez received him
kindly, and authorized him to explore the Colorado valley,
sound the river and its harbor, and select such location for the
Stephen F.
Austin suc-
ceeds him
Austin in
Texas
Authority
given him
I Xl
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period II.
Mexican Rule
182 1
TO
1836
colony as he should choose. He also requested Austin to
furnish a plan for the distribution of the lands, and directed him
to take charge of the local government of the colony until other-
wise organized. Austin's plan for giving lands to the colonists,
which was approved by the governor, was to give six hundred
and forty acres to each head of a family and single man over
age ; three hundred and twenty acres additional for the wife ;
one hundred and sixty acres for each child ; and eighty acres
for each slave. He at once explored the Guadalupe, Lavaca,
Colorado, and Brazos Rivers, and was satisfied that their fertile
Mexican Women of the Lower Class.
valleys — especially of the two last named — would furnish pros-
perous homes for his three hundred families. He then returned
to Louisiana and circulated throughout the Mississippi Valley
printed statements of his colonial enterprise and a description
of Texas and its advantages. In these circulars he distinctly
stated the terms of acquiring lands in his colony. Each settler
was required to pay twelve and a half cents per acre for his por-
tion of land, and Austin was to defray all expenses of surveying,
fees for titles, and charges of every kind. It was considered
that the price charged for the land would furnish a fund for
conducting the local government of the colony, defence against
Indians, aid to poor immigrants, and to reimburse the outlays
MEXICAN RULE.
^33
Period II.
Mexican Rule
1821
TO
1836
Empresario's
compensation
and losses he and his father had sustained in founding the enter-
prise, to say nothing of reward for their labor. The price was
payable in produce of the country in easy instalments, and no
part of it was due until the title to the land was received by the
settler. It will be seen that there was a very small, if any,
margin for speculation to the cmpresario, in this fund. He was
to receive under his contract a certain quantity of land, amount-
ing to three haciendas and two I'dbors' (sixty-six thousand seven
hundred and eighty acres) for each two hundred families actually
introduced ; but his contract did not require him to perform all
the labors of securing titles, surveying the lands, paying the
fees and acting as the governor, judge, and military chief of
the colony, all of which Austin did, as we shall see, for many
years, and without salary or pay of any kind.
In November, 1821, Austin left New Orleans with his
first colonists, and arrived on the Brazos at the La Bahia
Crossing in December ; he crossed to the west side and,
on January i, 1822, camped on a creek in what is now
Washington County, which he named New Year's Creek,
the name it still bears. He had previously shipped some
supplies by the steamer Lively from New Orleans, which
were landed at the mouth of the Brazos and buried to await
the coming of the colony ; and in November the Lively
started with a second cargo of pro\'isions, seed corn, and
other necessary articles, but was lost in the Gulf. As soon
as Austin had conducted the families to the Brazos, he went to
meet the Lively and secure the concealed supplies, but the one
never came and the other had been discovered by the Karan-
kawa Indians. Additions to-the colony f-ftntinued to arri\'e, some
coming across the Gulf to G alveston a nd Velasco, and others by
way of Nacogdoches an d the land route. The first settlements First settle-
were on th e^ Brazos , and others proce eded to the Colora do. It "*^"*^
was the beginning of Anglo-American ci\ ilization in Texas, and,
in spite of hardships and privations, the little colony was hopeful
and helpful from the start.
Before leaving Texas in the prexious August, Austin had Revolution in
heard f)f the revolution of February 24, 1821, in Mexico, the
Plan of Iguala, and the successful establishment of Mexican
A Greaser, or Lower
Type of Mexican.
First colonists
introduced
First troubles
134
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period II.
Mk.xican Rule
1821
TO
1836
Austin com-
pelled to visit
Mexico
Austin's ef-
forts to secure
his contract
Imperial colo-
nization law
Another revo-
lution
independence by Iturbide ; but it does not seem to have occurred
to him or to Governor Martinez that those transactions affected
the colonial enterprise in Texas.
When in March, 1822, he went to San Antonio to report to
the governor the progress of his colony, he learned with surprise
and dismay that the changes wrought by the revolution would
require him to go to the City of Mexico, in order to secure a
confirmation of his rights and authority as a colonial contractor.
It was twelve hundred miles in a strange land, but he left his
colonists in charge of Josiah H. Bell and at once set out for the
capital, tra\'elling in disguise as a poor man to avoid robbery.
He reached the city on April 29, 1822, and found the political
condition most critical and disturbed. Congress had been in
session since February, endeavoring to establish the government
on the Plan of Iguala. On May 18, after Austin's arrival, Itur-
bide was proclaimed emperor, and affairs were in such confusion
that it was a long time before anything definite was accomplished
by the visit. Other Americans were in the capital on the same
errand, and intrigue was rife on all sides. But Austin was inde-
fatigable, intelligent, and prudent, and success was attained.
He found that Governor Martinez had no authority to agree to
the quantity of land the colonists should receive, and that a
colonization law would have to be passed, regulating that and
other questions. Mainly by Austin's labor and patience, a
general colonization law was framed and in the act of being
adopted, when the emperor, in October, 1822, violently dispersed
the congress and established a Junta, or royal council, to act as a
legislature. The work had to be all done oxer again, but on
January 4, 1823, a general law, known as the Imperial Coloniza-
tion Law, was adopted by the Junta and approved by the
emperor. At last, by the aid of Herrera and Ouintana, the
ministers of Iturbide, he procured all necessary papers under the
new law, and was ready to return to Texas, when another seri-
ous delay arose. The republicans of Mexico, under the leader-
ship of Santa Anna, rebelled against the emperor's despotic acts
and a fresh revolution broke out, and this of course threatened
the validity of all legislation under the imperial government.
Austin must wait the result.
MEXICAN lU'I.E.
135
In March, 1823, Iturbide was deposed, the congress reas- Period 11.
sembled, and the government was placed in the hands of an '-'"5;^
executive power composed of Bravo, Victoria, and Negrete. All
acts done under the empire were declared void, so that Austin ^3,5
had to apply to the new government for a renewal of his contract.
This was granted on April 11, 1823, and by the same act of Mexican
congress the Imperial Colonization L^w of January 4 was sl)s- "^^^^
pended, so that there was no colonization law in force in Mexico Austin's suc-
until the National Colonization Law of August 18, 1824, and
the state colonization law of Coahuila and Texas, of March 25,
1825, were adopted. During the intervening period Austin was
and could be the only cinprcsario in Texas.
The success and influence of Stephen F. Austin during his His talents
year's stay in the Mexican capital were astonishing. It was then .^^ Mexico
that he first exhibited those qualities of diplomacy, statesman-
ship, and practical wisdom which so eminently fitted him to
become, as he was recognized and declared to be by (ieneral
Houston, "The Father^ of Texas." A stranger among a
people who instinctively distrusted and secretly despised him, lie
conciliated their favor, disarmed their prejudices, and actually
enlisted their interest and assistance. Ignorant of the language
and laws of the empire, he acquired the one and shaped the
f)ther to serve the great objects of his undertaking. In the
midst of revolutionary tumult, where defeated royalists, disap-
pointed republicans, and scheming imperialists were struggling
for supremacy, he moulded the policy and actually inspired the
legislation that laid the foundations of the future greatness of his
adopted state. He even materially shaped the institutions of
the new republic of Mexico. To his friend Ramos Arispe, who His plan for
was chairman of the committee on constitution in the Constitu- ^'^^ Mexican
Constitution
ent Congress of 1823-24, he furnished a draft for a constitution
for the federal republic, which draft was the basis for the Consti-
tution of 1824, to which Austin, as a loyal patriot in his adopted
country, was faithful and true until its provisions were disregarded
and its authority was defied by military usurpation.
While in the capital, Austin met General James Wilkinson, other Ameri-
Hayden Edwards, Robert Leftwich, Green Dewitt, and other *^^"^'"
Americans, who were there seeking colonial grants, but none of
136
A CH>MPLKTK HISTORY OF TKXAS.
r.-KioP 11. whom succeeded at that time. There were also there the
mkxk_vn Ki'-K (;i^^.,.^-,kee chiefs. Bowles, Fieltls, and Nicollet, who were seeking
1S21 permission to locate bands of their tribe in Texas, having been
js'L driven from their extensive possessions east of the MississipjM.
-— Iturbide gave them a qualified consent to setde in Texas.
Austin's re- Austiu left Mcxico for his return on April 28, 1823, clothed
turn to Texas ^^ .^j^ ^-^^^ powcr ovcr his coloiiv— legislative, executive, judicial,
and militarv — until it should be otherwise ordered. By the terms
of his modified contract under the Imperial Colonization Law,
his colonists were to receive a greater quantity of land than
under the first grant to Moses Austin and the distribution agreed
Mexican land upou by Govcmor Martiucz. The land measurements were as
fcillows :
measurements
1 viird = 3 geometrical feet ^33"^ inches.
I /iihoi^ = i.ooo.ixK) square viinis = 177's acres.
I lineal league ^= 5000 viinis = 4629 yards, i foot, lo^ inclics — 2
miles, 201 rods, 12 feet, 4-{ inches.
1 square league, called a silio (se-zheo), = 25,ooo,ocx) sciuare zuinis
= 442STV(nj acres.
I hii'cien'da =■- 5 sifios, or 5 square leagues.
Method of dis- Land, for purjioscs of distrilnitiim, was dixided into pasture
tributing land . , , , , . , , • • j j .,,1 «.
to colonists **•■ grazing lands and farming lands ; it was pro\ided that no
colonist pursuing farming should receive less than a /a/K~r' of
land, and those pursuing stock-raising should recei\e not less
than one .y/V/^ ; and those quantities could be increased to suit
the circumstances of the colonists. Large tracts of land in llie
hands of individuals or corporations were prohibited, ami the
same could be taken awav by the government upon paying the
Rules and owucr i\ fair price. Provisions were made for the organization
"7*,°. *f* "f towns and cities and the government thereof, and one princi-
contract 01 & i
colonization pal towu was required to be established in the colony. The
enipresario was to receive three hiichndiis and two labors' for
each two hundred families introduced, but in no case to exceed
three times that quantity, and he was required to settle and
cultivate his lands within twelve vears, and to sell two-thirds of
them after twenty years. Each colonist was required to occujn-
and cultivate his land within two years, or forfeit his right to it ;
all tiMs titlus, and duties of any description were abolished for
MEXICAN RULE.
^11
182 1
TO
1836
six years, and [ox the next six years the colonists were to pay Pek;odii
only one-half the rej,^ular taxes and duties. The sale and pur- ^^»''^":^*<'''-h
chase of slaves were forbidden, and the children of slaves born in
the empire were free. All the colonists were required to be
Roman Catholics and to come from Louisiana, by which was
meant the extensive territory ff^rmerly known by that name.
These last two provisions were never rigidly enforced. The
foregoing regulations were substantially the same that were con-
tained in all the subsequent colonization laws of Mexico, under
which Texas was settled.
Austin reached Texas in the early summer, and in July, 1823, Baron de Bas-
the new Mexican governor, Luciano Garcia fcrar-se'-ii ), an- *''°P' ^^''^^y''
° ^ ^ y> 1 ofAustin's
pointed Baron de Bastrop as the commissioner to survey and colony
distribute the lands to the colonists. Owing to delays no titles
were issued that year, but in 1824 two hundred and forty-seven
grants were perfected.
During his long absence, Austin's colony had become much Destitution
disheartened, and suffered great privation. Thev were almost ^"'^ suffering
. 01 J of the first col-
destitute of provisions and clothing, seed for planting was hard onists
to get and expensive, the men and women wore buckskin gar-
ments and lived in the rudest simplicity. Prowling Indians
committed frequent murders,
and life in the wilderness was r - ^ - . -' fi- ^ n
Vjurdened with cares and suf-
ferings sometimes almost un-
endurable. Game was almost
the only source of meat-supply,
and the scarcity of that forced
the colonists to live on the fat
miistajigs or wild horses that
roamed the prairie valleys of the
rado and the Brazos. " Store- clothes"
were unknown, and a travelling peddler
was welcomed as a vision of light and
beauty by the tired, anxious, and poorly clad women of the
log-cabin homes of those pioneer days. But through it all there Their heroic
was a gleam of that heroic patience and fortitude that have ho'"fu^ine
made the Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-American race the dominant
A Colo.nist's Cabin.
1^8 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period II. and permanent factor in peopling and subduing the Webtern
H.XICAN uLi. ^.Qj-jj_ There was even a spirit of good cheer, hospitaHty,
^^-^ homely pride, and individual freedom, that made those early
jji 5 times sweeter and better than any that have followed the arti-
— ficial luxuries and refinements of later years.
Settlements in The uncertainty attending Austin's colony during his long
delay in Mexico had caused many families to stop in Eastern
Texas, near Nacogdoches and along the lower Trinity, and thus
began the American settlement of that region. The exact limits
of Austin's first colony were not defined, but as finally developed
it covered the district between the Lavaca and San Jacinto Riv-
ers, extending from the Gulf to the interior as far as what is now
Burleson County, including the best portions of the Colorado and
Brazos valleys.
San Felipe de On July 26, 1823, the town of San Felipe de Austin was
established by order of the governor, named for the patron saint
of the governor, and the American empresario. It was laid off
at a beautiful spot on the Brazos River in what is now Austin
County, and was the capital and political centre of the American
colonies until 1836. New additions to the colony were constantly
arriving, and they were of the better class, — honest, thrifty,
Government of Strong, and determined to succeed. Austin organized his gov-
e CO ony eminent, appointed alcaldes, published a code of civil and crim-
inal laws for his colony, provided for a military force to repel
Indians, and all the while was laborious in surveying lands,
issuing titles, and exercising the responsible duties of his posi-
tion as the practical dictator of the new settlements. Samuel
M. Williams was appointed secretary of the local government in
1824, and Horatio Chriesman was the surveyor ; a land oiBce
was opened, and the colony was rapidly filled up to the requisite
"The Original numlxT of families. The members of this first colony are known
as " the Original Three Hundred," and they and their descend-
ants have always felt a certain degree of superiority to the " new-
comers" who followed in after years. If there be any ground
for distinctions among those whose labor and sacrifice founded
Texas civilization, the old "Three Hundred" are certainly
entitled to the first rank.
Austin's colonists hatl sonu- bloody experiences with Indians,
Three Hun-
dred"
MEXICAN RULE.
139
especially the Karan'kavvas, but by dint of courage, vigilance, and pkriod ii.
skill they gradually drove off the savages and established a rea- ^^^'-J^ uLh
sonable security for their settlements. ^^^^
TO
On November 6, 1824, Austin forwarded a petition to Mex- jg^g
ico, asking for permission to introduce two or three hundred
additional families, and that Galveston be made a port of entry.
On February 4, 1825, he sent substantially the same application
to the governor of the state ; and, hearing nothing from these
petitions, he sent a third to the governor, asking permission to
colonize five hundred families. The second petition was granted Austin's sec-
by the authorities before the last one was received, but when the °" *^° °"^
request to introduce five hundred families came it was also
granted, to include the three hundred already granted ; which
made Austin's second colony five hu ndred fam ilies, and the date
of the contract June 4, 1825. The new
colonists were to be settled on the vacant
lands in the old colony, not within the
ten leagues reserved along the coast ; and
the exact limits were afterwards defined
as lying between the San Jacinto River
and the old San Antonio Road, to the Signature of Caspar Flores.
south of that road. Caspar Flores was
appointed the Mexican commissioner to distribute lands to the
second colony. This contract was to be completed in six years.
On November 20, 1827, Austin secured another contract to Third colony
locate one hundred families on the east side of the Colorado
Ri\er, above the San Antonio road ; also to expire in six years.
On July 29, 1828, he made a fourth contract, for six years, to Fourth colony
locate three hundred families in the ten leagues coast reserve,
between the Lavaca and the San Jacinto Rivers. This made a
total of twelv e hundred families c ontracted for by Stephen F.
Austin. His last three contracts were made under the general
colonization laws of Mexico and of Coahuila and Texas. He
was appointed commissioner to issue the titles in the last colony.
The American colonists in the district selected by Austin Prosperity of
were now firmly established, and their vigo.' rapidly de\'eloped * ^ '^° °"'^^
the country. New families came every week, and among them
many men afterwards distinguished in Texas. In 1826—27
140
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period II.
Mexican Rule
1821
TO
1836
Change in
Austin's
among the immigrants were William H. Wharton, Robert M.
Williamson, Francis W. Johnson, David G. Burnet, John H.
Moore, Jesse Grimes, William I. Russell, and Henry Smith.
In 1828, the State of Coahuila and Texas had adopted a con-
stitution and organized its government over the territory including
the American colonies in Texas ; so that on February i of that
year Austin's powers and duties as legislator, judge, and execu-
Austin's Map of Texas.
End of
empresario
system
tive in his colonies ceased, and he became like any other em-
presario.
After the adoption of the national and state colonization laws,
and the successful establishment of Austin's and other colonies,
immigrants began to come to Texas on their own account ; the
empresario system ceased, and, although many other colonial
contracts were entered into until 1833, few of them were carried
out, and some of them did the country more harm than good.
MEXICAN RULE.
141
182 1
TO
To gain a complete view of the colonial period, however, it is period ii.
proper that the other colonial enterprises should be noticed, and ^"^^^^^ ^^^
their part in the general settlement of Mexican Texas be cor-
rectly estimated. 1836
QUESTIONS.
What year marked a new era in the history of Texas? How long
had it been since the first Europeans landed in Texas ? How long since
the first mission was founded in Texas ? By whom had the country been
visited during all these years, and for what purpose? What were the
condition, population, and pursuits of the province of Texas in 1821 ?
What were the principal towns, and by whom inhabited ? What new
influence appeared at this time? What had been the attitude of the
Spanish government towards foreign immigration, and wliat was it in
1819? What foreigners had previously attempted to plant colonies in
Texas ? When did Moses Austin conceive the idea of founding an Ameri-
can colony in Texas ? Who was Moses Austin, and give a short sketch
of his life previous to that time ? What preparations did he make for
coming to Texas ? Who assisted him in these preparations ? When did
Moses Austin reach San Antonio de Bexar? Describe what happened to
him there. Who assisted him in dealing with the Spanish authorities,
and with what result? What did Austin then do, and what became of
him ? When was permission to found the colony granted by the Spanish
government ? Who succeeded Moses Austin in his colonial enterprise ?
By the terms of the permission granted to Austin, how many families
were allowed to be introduced, and who was appointed to notify him and
to conduct the colonists to Texas ? Explain the Spanish name for this
kind of a contract to found a colony. Who were the only real empresa-
rios, and explain why? Where was Stephen F. Austin when he was
notified of the colonial permit, and describe his subsequent movements ?
When did he reach Bexar ? How was he received by the Spanish gov-
ernor, and what authority and instructions were given him ? What plan
did Austin form for giving lands to his colonists ? What regions did he
explore and select for his colony ? What did he then do ? Explain the
terms of his proposition to the colonists in regard to acquiring lands.
What compensation was he to receive, and what were his duties as the
head of the colony ? From what place and on what date did Austin set
out with his first colonists ? When did he reach and cross the Brazos
River? When and where did he camp, and what stream did he name in
honor of that event ? What provisions had he made for supplies for his
colony, and what happened to them ? What additions were made to his
colony, how did they come, and where were the early settlements made ?
When did Austin first hear of the Mexican Revolution of 182 1 ? When
142
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period II. did he first learn of the fact that this revolution required a change in his
Me.xicanRule pjjj„s> What did it become necessary for him to do, and why? What
1S21 did he do? Who was left in charge of his colony? When did he reach
TO the City of Mexico ? Describe the condition of Me.xican affairs at the time
1836 he reached there, and for some time afterwards. What was Austin's
conduct, and what difficulties d^id he meet with ? What law had to be
passed in order to permit his colony to proceed, and describe the various
delays that occurred before the law was finally passed ? What was the
first general colonization law called ? By whom and when was it adopted
and approved? What did Austin do under that law, and what event
suddenly occurred to again delay him ? What was the result of the sec-
ond Mexican revolution, and how did it affect Austin ? When did he
finally secure a renewal of his contract by the new government? Explain
the exact condition of the colonization laws of Mexico during 1823, 1824,
and 1825. What can you say of Austin's conduct and influence in Mexico
at this time ? What qualities of tnind and character did he display ?
What important laws did he secure ? What connection did he have with
the formation of the Mexican Constitution of 1824? What persons from
the United States were in the City of Mexico while Austin was there, for
what purpose, and with what success ? When did Austin leave the capital
on his return to Texas, and with what authority ? Under his new contract,
what changes were made in the distribution of lands? Give the table of
Spanish measurements for land rendered into English measures. How
was the land divided for purposes of distribution ? How much land
-could a farmer receive ? How much could a stock-raiser receive ? What
provisions were made in regard to large tracts of land in the hands of
individuals or corporations ? What, in regard to towns and cities ? What
quantity of land was the einprcsario to receive, and upon what condi-
tions ? Wliat were the rules as to colonists occupying their land ? What
about taxes, tithes, and duties ? What was the law as to slaves ? What,
as to religion ? When did Austin reach Texas on his return ? Who was
appointed land commissioner for Austin's colony, and when ? Who was
then governor of Texas ? How many land titles were issued in 1823 ?
How many in 1824 ? Describe the condition of the colonists at this time,
— their mode of dress, living, food, privations, and dangers, and how
they bore it all. How came Eastern Texas to be first settled by Ameri-
cans? What were the territorial limits of Austin's first colony? When,
by whom, where, and with what name was the first town laid oft" in
Austin's colony? What was the character of the new settlers who con-
stantly carne in ? Describe Austin's duties and labors in the government
of his colonists. Who was the secretary of the local government, and
when was he appointed ? Who was the colony surveyor ? What were
the members of this first colony called, and what may be said of them ?
What experiences had the colonists with the Indians ? Describe the
manner in which Austin obtained permission to introduce his second col-
ony, giving the dates, number of families, and the location of the colony.
MEXICAN RULE. I 43
What period was allowed for introducing this a^lony, and who was the Pkriod II.
land commissioner ? When and for what number of families was Austin's ' '^•'^"^
third colony granted ? Where was it located, and how many years were 1S21
allowed for fulfilling the contract? W^hen was his fourth colony con- 'o
tracted for, for what number of families, and where was it located ? How ^_3o
many families in all did Austin contract to introduce ? Under what law
were his last three contracts made ? Describe the growth and prosperity
of his colonies. What distinguished men came in the years 1826 and
1827 ? When did the State of Coahuila and Texas adopt a constitution
and establish government over Texas? What effect did this ha\e on
Austin's powers and duties ? When and how did the cinpresario system
of colonization cease, and what system succeeded it ?
Topical Analysis.
1. The condition of Texas in 1821 ; its slow and feeble growth during
the preceding two hundred years, so that it was still practically an unset-
tled wilderness. Consider the reasons for this.
2. The appearance of a new influence, in the shape of immigration
from the United States, Ijringing the more vigorous, liberal, and pro-
gressive spirit of English and American civilization.
3. The colonial enterprises of Moses Austin and Stephen F. Austin,
begun by the former in 1820, and carried out by the latter in 1821-1823.
4. Revolutionary movements in Mexico in 182 1 and 1823, as affecting
the American colonization of Texas. Stephen F. Austin's influence in
Mexico in securing laws favorable to colonization, and in framing a re-
publican government for Mexico. His great abilities as a statesman,
diplomat, and man of afl'airs, as shown at that time.
5. The location, extent, and character of Austin's several colonies,
his management and authority as the head of the colonial system. The
methods of distributing lands, and the habits, struggles, and dangers of
the early settlers.
6. The success of these first attempts at American settlement of
Texas, and the causes of the prosperity and jieaceful progress of Austin's
colonies, as influenced by the character of the colonists and by the pecu-
liar qualities of the euipresario Austin.
7. The early colonization laws of Mexico and of Coahuila and Texas.
Point out their special features, provisions, and distinguish between the
einpresario system and that which afterwards prevailed.
Geography.
I. Study the map of the North American continent in the year 1800,
so as to be able to point out the territory claimed by the several European
nations before the treaty of San Ildefonso ; then trace and iM)int out the
changes made by that treaty.
144
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
I'KRioi) II. 2. Trace on the map the changes made by the purchase of Louisiana
Mkxk^Kui.e |_jy ^j^g United States in 1803, especially as affecting the boundary of
1821 Texas and Louisiana along the Sabine and Red Rivers.
TO 3. Study the location of the neutral ground between the Sabine and
'^36 Red Rivers, and trace the boundary of Spanish territory as laid down in
the treaty between Spain and the United States in 1819.
4. Locate and trace the limits of Austin's first, second, third, and
fourth colonies, and point out the places where the first settlements were
made by American colonists. Locate San Felipe de Austin.
Note the fact that about this time the Spanish form of spelling Bejar
began to be changed to the English form, Bexar, but the pronunciation,
Bd-hdr or Ba-ydr, was retained. Gradually, too, the place began to be
called simply San Antonio, instead of the full name, San Antonio de
Be.xar.
Parallel Readings.
Scarff's "Comprehensive History of Texas" (1897), especially Paris
L and II., Yoakum's original text, and chapters on the Colonial Enter-
prises of the Austins, and on the Texas Land System ; Brown's " History
of Texas ;" Gayarre's " History of Louisiana," " Louisiana as a Frencli
Province," and " Louisiana under Spanish Domination."
A I'KKIL ()!• THK PLAINS.
CHAPTER VIII.
Other Colonies in Texas.
IT has been mentioned that while Austin was in the City of
Mexico, in 1822-23, he met other Americans who were
seeking permission to estabHsh colonies in Texas. Some
of these afterwards succeeded in securing the necessary
contracts.
But Martin de Leon, a native of Tamaulipas, in 1823, pro-
cured the informal consent of the commander of the eastern in-
ternal provinces to found a colony on the Gaudalupe River, and
in 1824 he actually brought some families to that locality. After
the adoption of the national and state colonization laws, on Oc-
tober 6, 1825, the grant was confirmed for forty-one families ;
and in 1829 he secured an additional grant for one hundred and
fifty families, whom he introduced. His colony was
on the lower Guadalupe, and its capital he named
Guadalupe Victoria, being the modern town of Vic-
toria.
On April 15, 1825, Green Dewitt, of Missouri,
secured a contract to locate four hundred families
in the district bounded on the east by the Lavaca
River and Austin's colony, on the north by the old
San Antonio Road, on the south by De Leon's
colony, and on the west by a line between the San
Antonio and Guadalupe Rivers. He was assisted
by James Kerr, and the settlement was begun by establishing
the town of Gonzales in August, 1825. Lands were surveyed
for the colonists as rapidly as possible, but no families came in
1825. It was the only American settlement west of the Colorado
at that time, and suffered greatlv from Indian massacres in its
early history, so that it was moved to the Lavaca River for
several years, at a point called " Old Station."
10 145
Period II.
Mexican Rulk
1S21
TO
1836
Martin de
Leon
James Kerr.
146
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period II.
Mk.xican Rulk
1 82 1
TO
1836
Hayden Ed-
wards
" Heroes of
the neutral
ground"
Beginning of
the troubles
On April 18, 1S25, permission was granted Hayden Edwards
to settle eight hundred families in Eastern Texas, embracing in
his grant the town of Nacogdoches. This was a peculiarly un-
fortunate location, for several reasons. It was a district early
occupied by the Spaniards, and many old Spanish land titles
existed there, — some real and some forged, — and this rendered
its settlement by new colonists rather dangerous. Then, many
Americans had come into Texas in the past three
years, some of them with no definite purpose in
y\ew, but most of them intending to go to Austin's
colony on the Brazos, which they did not do owing
to his absence in Mexico and the uncertainty about
his contract. These people had stopped near
Nacogdoches and were occupying lands to which
they had no titles, and they themselves really had
no legal right to be in Texas at all. In addition
to these facts, that section lying on the Louisiana
' border and adjoining the neutral 'grozmd had been
for years the resort of the most desperate charac-
ters in the West. Filibusters, fugitives from justice, adven-
turers, Indian traders, globe-trotters, and every kind and grade
of desperadoes and outlaws had congregated in that region.
Some of them were men of experience, talents, and courage, but
the best of tljem were reckless and contemptuous of all restraint,
especially from Spanish or Mexican authority. The Indians
were near by, and among them were many white leaders and
half-breeds whose influence was not salutary upon the savage
tribes. Among the most prominent and respectable of this class
were Martin Parmer, John Dunn Hunter, Fields, James Gaines,
and the noted Ellis P. Bean. It was in such a locality and with
such a population to begin with, that Edwards sought to estab-
lish his colony.
The first trouble arose with the holders or forgers of Spanish
land titles, and then Edwards attempted to exercise unwarranted
authority in the selection of alcaldes in the municipality. He
was (luick-tempered, and did not understand, or despised, the
methods of Mexican government, and became inxolved in a bit-
ter controversy with the political chief, Saucedo. Edwards was
MEXICAN RULE.
147
called away to the United States and left his brother, B. W. Period ii.
Edwards, in charge. The latter consulted with Stephen F. Aus- Mex,c_an rule
tin and Baron de Bastrop, and upon their advice wrote to Gov- ^^^^
TO
ernor Victor Blanco, explaining the troubles and the cause of jg^^
them. Blanco took offence at the letter, and was no doubt preju- —
diced by false information. He declared Edwards's contract
void and commanded his expulsion from Texas ; neither of which
he had any authority to do. Hayden Edwards returned at this
time, and the excitement assumed dangerous proportions. In
this moment of rage and resentment, Edwards conceived the
idea of organizing an open rebellion against Mexico. He made He starts re-
an alliance with the Cherokees through John D. Hunter and ^^"'°"
Fields, two of their chiefs ; visited and aroused the Americans
on both sides of the Louisiana border ; and finally declared for
a new republic to be called ' ' Fredonia. ' ' The basis and pur- Fredonia
pose of this revolution were declared to be to divide Texas be-
tween the Americans and the Indians, and to wage war against
Mexico until independence was gained. Whatever injustice had
been done to Edwards, this movement was absolutely foolhardy
and without the hope of support from the peaceful and conserva-
tive Americans in the other colonies. Austin at once denounced
it, and called out the militia of his colony to aid the Mexican
government in suppressing it. After some violence and a few
lives lost, the insurrection was quelled. Hunter and
Fields were both killed by the Indians, for insisting upon y,,^f
the treaty to help Edwards. This occurred in 1826-27,
and was known as the ' ' Fredonian War. ' '
It greatly injured the peaceable settlement of Texas,
and served to hasten the hostility between Mexico and
her American colonists.
From 1825 to 1832, eighteen different emprcsario
grants were made by the government of Coahuila and
Texas for colonies in Texas, but of that number the fol-
lowing were the only ones in which any success was
attained in complying with the contracts. Robert Left- ^'^'^tlTcz^v',
wich, of Nashville, Tennessee, on April 15, 1825, secured
a contract for eight hundred families, which was afterwards car-
ried out l)y Sterling C. Robertson and Alexander Thom{)son.
148
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period II.
Mexican Rile
1821
TO
IS36
Power and
Hewitson
McMuUen and
McGloin
Austin and
Williams
Joseph Vehlein
David G.
Burnet
Galveston Bay
and Texas
Land Com-
pany
Increase in
population
and prosperity
It was known as the Nashville colony, or Robertson's Colony,
and was situated on the Navasota River between the San An-
tonio road and the Brazos and Colorado Rivers. James Power
and James Hewitson, two Irishmen, by contract of June 11,
1828, had permission to settle tw^o hundred families on Aransas
Bay, in what is now Refugio County. This grant embraced the
ten shore lcao;i(cs. They secured a second contract in 1830, for
settling families in the territory between the Nueces and Guada-
lupe Rivers. John McMuUen and Patrick McGloin, also Irish-
men, had a contract dated August 17, 1828, for two hundred
families on the Nueces, and their patriotism and piety are pre-
served in the name of San Patricio County.
In 1 83 1, Stephen F. Austin and Samuel M. Williams ob-
tained a concession to settle eight hundred families in the terri-
tory east and north of Austin's former colonies. There was
great confusion about the boundaries of this colony, creating
trouble as late as 1853. Lorenzo de Zavala, on March 12, 1829,
was granted a contract to colonize five hundred families near
Nacogdoches and along the Sabine westwardly to the Gulf, thence
on the Gulf coast for twenty leagues, and back to Nacogdoches.
Joseph Vehlein contracted for three hundred families, on Decem-
ber 22, 1826, and for one hundred families on November 17,
1828, to be located in Eastern Texas adjoining Zavala's colony,
and both his and Zavala's contracts covered a part of Hayden
Edwards's old grant. David G. Burnet procured a colonial
contract on December 26, 1826, to settle three hundred families
on a tract of territory lying beside Vehlein' s colony, along the
Navasota and Trinity Rivers and the old San Antonio Road. In
1830, Zavala, Vehlein, and Burnet assigned their contracts to a
company in New York, called the Galveston Bay and Texas Lantl
Comj)any, which issued a great deal of worthless land scrip,
damaging Texas and scandalizing the original emprcsarios. Be-
sides the above-mentioned colonies, partial settlements were also
made, between 1825 and 1835, under the colonial contracts of
Cameron, Beale, Grant and Beale, Padillo and Chambers, Thorn,
Wavel, Woodbury, and Wilson.
The activity of the colonial period rapidly increased the
population and developed the resources of Texas, and but for
MEXICAN RULE.
149
the j)olilical troubles brought on by Mexican tyranny and revo- Period 11,
, . , . r '1 1 • 1 1 • ' f Mexican Rule
lution, the prosperity of the colonies would in a very tew years —
have converted the entire province into a peaceable, wealthy, ^ ^^
1836
and prog;ressi\e community. As it was, there intervened nearly
a decade of civil commotion, revolutionary excitement, and
finally bloodshed, before the Americans could follow their ap-
pointed destiny.
QUESTIONS.
Who was Martin de Leon ? When and how did he secure his con-
tracts to colonize in Texas? How many families did he introduce, where
was his colony located, and what town was its capital? When was Green
Dewitt's colonial contract ,u:ranted? Where was his colony located, and
when and how was it be.s^un ? Who assisted him in planting the colony ?
Describe its early troubles and situation, and What occurred in conse-
quence. Wlien was permission to found a colony granted to Hayden
Edwards, how many families did it include, and where was it to be estab-
lished? Describe its location and surroundings, and what difficulties did
it encounter in consecjuence of these things ? What was the character of
150
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period II. the people living there and in the country near there ? Give the names
L.X1CAN uLb. ^^ ^Y^^ more prominent men who were connected with the early settlement
1S21 and diiihculties of that colony. How did the first trouble arise in Edwards's
TO colony? What mistakes did Edwards make in his dealings with the IMe.x-
1830 ican authorities? Who acted for him while he was absent, and what hap-
pened while he was gone? W'hat did Governor Blanco do? What did
Hayden Edwards do on his return, and what resulted from his conduct ?
What sort of revolution and agreement did Edwards and the Indians or-
ganize, and what cUd they propose to dp ? What can you say of this move-
ment ? What course did Austin and the other American colonies in Texas
pursue towards this war? W^hat was the revolution called, and what be-
came of it and its principal leaders ? What effect did this trouble have on
the settlement of Texas ? How many colonial contracts were made be-
tween the years 1826 and 1832? By what government were they made?
Were they all successful ? Give an account of the colonial enterprise of
Robert Leftwich, — when granted, how known, by whom carried out, and
where located. Who were James Power and James Hewitson ? Give an
account of their colony, with date of founding, location, etc. Describe
McMullen and McGloin's colonial contract and settlement. What county
was named by them, and why was it so named? When was Austin and
Williams's colony founded, where was it located, and what occurred in
reference to it? When did Lorenzo de Zavala secure a colonial grant, for
how many families, and where was it located ? When, where, and for
how many families did Joseph Vehlein have a colony grant ? When was
David G. Burnet's colony contracted for? Where was it located, and how
many families did it include? What became of Zavala's, Vehlein's, and
Burnet's colonial grants, and what evil resulted therefrom ? When and
by whom were other partial settlements in Texas made ? What effect did
these various colonial enterprises have on Texas ? What prevented the
rapid progress and prosperity of the country ? What occurred before
American colonization finally succeeded in Texas ?
Topical Analysis.
1. The founding of colonies in Western and Southern Texas, by De
Leon, Dewitt, Leftwich, Sterling C. Robertson, Power and Hewitson, and
McMullen and McGloin, from 1825 to 1830.
2. Colonization in Eastern Texas, under Hayden Edwards, Zavala,
Vehlein, and Burnet, during the same period.
3. Contrast the success of the western and the eastern colonies. In
the main the former were prosperous and peaceful, except for outside
troubles, such as Indian raids ; while the latter were involved in difficul-
ties with the Mexican authorities, domestic quarrels, and bad management
of various kinds. Incjuire the causes of this difference. Was it due to
the location of the colonies, or to the character of their founders, or to
the disposition of the colonists thcni.selves?
MEXICAN RULE.
151
4. Irregular and partial culonizatiun by various other contractors.
These were mostly prompted by desire for speculations in lands, rather
than by the purpose to permanently and peacefully occupy and improve
the country. Hence they were generally failures.
5. The gradual approach of a conflict between American and INIexican
ideas of life, liberty, and law, brought about by the rapid introduction of
colonists from the United States.
Period II.
Mexican Rule
1821
TO
1836
Geography.
Locate on the map the various colonies and colonial grants mentioned
in the chapter. The student should be required to trace on a modern
county map of the State of Texas the exact location and boundaries of the
several colonies above described.
Parallel Readings.
Scarff's "Comprehensive History of Texas" (1897), especially Parts
1. and II., being the original text of Yoakum's " History," and chapters
on the Colonial Period, Fredonian War, and the Texas Land System ;
Brown's " History of Texas."
Seal on an Old Mexican Land Grant.
CHAPTER IX.
Political Affairs in Mexico, Coahuila, and Texas.
Period II. "W" ■ ^E have seen that the Emperor Iturbide was deposed
'"'''— ^^ \/\m ^y ^ revolution led by Santa Anna, Guerrero, Bravo,
'' ^' JI. JL Negrete, Guadalupe Victoria, and other republican
18^6 chiefs. This occurred in March, 1823, under a plan
of reformation in the government known as the ' ' Act of Casa
Progress of Matli. ' ' \' ictoria. Bravo, and Negrete were constituted a trium-
Mexico virate, or supreme executive power, and the congress which had
been dispersed by Iturbide was reassembled. A new congress
was called, which met in August, 1823, and was known as the
Constituent Constituent Congress, being the body by which the Federal Con-
Concfrcss
stitution of 1824 was afterwards formed. All its acts of a gen-
eral nature, and which pertained to the form of government pre-
ceding the adoption of the constitution itself, were called consti-
tutive acts ; and the same terms were applied in describing the
acts of the congress or legislature of Coahuila and Texas, after-
wards held in that state.
Federal repub- Qn January 31, 1824, the Mexican Congress adopted a con-
lic created . . i' 1 • i 1 •
stitutive act, by which a republican government, federative in
form and very similar to that of the United States, was oudined.
By this act the provinces of Coahuila, Texas, and New Leon
were united as one federal state in the Mexican Union, with its
Coahuila and capital at Lcoua Vicario or Saltillo. It was declared that as
soon as any one of the provinces thus consolidated should be
capable of forming a separate state, and should notify the gen-
eral government of that fact, it should have the right to be
organized as a free and independent federal state in the Mex-
ican federation. Accordingly, in May, 1824, New Leon was
separated and admitted into the Union as an independent state ;
while in August of that year, the legislature of Coahuila and
Texas organized a provisional government for those two prov-
152
MEXICAN RULE.
153
inces, as one federal state, and declared it to be an integral period ii.
part of the confederacy as such. The legislature at the same »^^'^;^
time declared that the state so formed was free, independent,
TO
and sovereign in whatever related exclusively to its internal ^^,5
administration and government, agreeable to the constitutive
. "^ Provisions as
act of the Mexican Congress of January 31, 1824, and to the to the rights of
constitution which should be finally adopted by the United Coahuiiaand
r- f n T • Texas
States of Mexico.
The Federal Constitution was finally adopted on October 4, Sovereign
1824, and it contained the same provisions as to the rights and ^^^.^° ^"^^
'' 1 &> underMexican
sovereignty of Coahuila and Texas as had been declared in the Constitution
previous acts. Oir March 11, 1827, the State of Coahuila and
Texas adopted a state constitution, which also contained the
same provisions. As has been before noted, on January 4, 1823,
the imperial go\'ernment had adopted a general cokviization lazv,
which was declared void by the succeeding republican govern-
ment, and was also suspended by the Act of Congress of April
II, 1823, which confirmed to Stephen F. Austin his first colo-
nial contract. On August 18, 1824, the Mexican Congress
passed a national colonization law, and on March 24, 1825, National coio-
the legislature of Coahuila and Texas passed a state coloniza- "'^^*'°" ^^^
lion law. Under these two acts all the colonies, except Austin's
first contract, were settled in Texas prior to 1836. The provi-
sions of those laws are in the main the same, and they were
very just, liberal, and wise.
Antonio Martinez was the last governor of Texas under Spanish and
Spanish rule. When the revolution came. Colonel Trespaliicios ernors^of^°^"
was governor for a time, and under Iturbide's brief reign Texas Texas
was attached to the captaincy-general of the eastern internal
provinces, with headquarters at Chihuahua. Luciano Garcia
and Rafael Gonzales were the acting republican governors dur-
ing 1823 and 1824, until Coahuila and Texas were united ;
after which there was one governor of the whole state, residing Mexican gov-
at the capital, which was usually at Saltillo, or Leona Vicario Texas
as it was then called. From 1824 to 1835, the successive gc5v-
ernors were Victor Blanco, Jose Maria Yiesca, Jose Maria
Letona, Francisco Vidauri y Villaseiior, Jose Maria Goribar
and Juan Jose Elguezabal' (contesting with each other), Au-
'54
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
F'ERIOI) II.
MiixicAN Rule
182 1
TO
1 8 -.6
gustin Viesca, and then came the revolutionary councils and pro-
visional orovernment of Texas while engaged in the struggle
for inde})entlence. After the union of Coahuila and Texas as
one state, on F'ehruary i, 1825, Texas was made a political
department with a local officer, who was called the ' ' Political
POIJTICAL DePARTMF.NTS OF TliXAS.
Chief of the Department of Texas," and was appointed by the
governor. He was required to reside at Bexar, and had gen-
eral political, judicial, and military supervision over the coun-
try, subject to the governor of the state. Jose Antonio
Saucedo was the first political chief in Texas, and he was a
malignant Mexican whose rule was very distasteful to the
American colonists.
MEXICAN RULE.
•55
Period II.
MEXICAN RULK
In 1832, Texas was separated into two political departments
or districts, with the dividing ridge • between the Trinity and the
Brazos and San Jacinto Rivers as the line. The eastern district
was called that of Nacogdoches, with its capital at that town, while
the western was that of Bexar ; and each had a political chief.
In 1833, a third district was created, known as the political Political de
department of the Brazos. Besides these larger political divi- P^'^^'^ents
1821
TO
1836
OkI(;INAI, MUNK'IPALITIKS OF TEXAS.
sions, the inhabitants were divided into iminicipalities for local Municipaifties
purposes. These were governed by alcaldes, or municipal mag-
istrates, and by common councils in each municipality, called
ayiintamientos. In the beginning of Austin's colonies he had
control of the formation of the municipalilies in his territory,
and was the general head of the entire system. The j)rincipal
municipalities in Texas, prior to the revolution of 1835, ^^'^'rc
156
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
1 82 I
TO
1836
Judicial dis
tncts
Period II. tliose of Bcxar or San Antonio, Goliad, Nacogdoches, San Fe-
mexicanRule jjp^ ^^ Austin, Brazoria, Mina or Bastrop, Liberty, Matagorda,
Gonzales, San Augustine, San Patricio, Victoria, Columbia, and
Jonesborough. The names and limits of these municipal organ-
izations varied at times, but they constituted the basis of the
local self-government of the country. Under a law of the legis-
lature of Coahuila and Texas, passed in 1833, Texas was divided
into three judicial districts, corresponding to the three political
departments, with a judge in each and a supreme judge for the
whole territory. Thomas J. Chambers was appointed the su-
preme judge, and David G Burnet was the district
judge of the department of Brazos, but the system
was never put in operation. In the state congress or
legislature at Saltillo, Texas at first had two represent-
atives and Coahuila ten, which was afterwards changed
to Texas three and Coahuila nine representatives.
In 1834, Colonel Juan N. Almonte, an intelligent
Mexican offtcer, the natural son of the patriot priest
Morelos, was sent to Texas to examine and report
upon the condition and resources of the country. He
reported a total population of twenty-one thousand
three hundred ( 21,300) whites and negroes, and fifteen
Population of tliousaud three hundred (15,300) Indians. The population,
excluding Indians, was distributed as follows : In the district of
the Brazos there were eight thousand inhabitants, including one
thousand negroes, divided among the municipalities as follows :
San Felipe de Austin, twenty-five hundred ; Columbia, twenty-
one hundred ; Matagorda, fourteen hundred ; Mina, eleven hun-
dred. In the Nacogdoches dej)artment there were nine thousand
nine hundred persons, of whom Nacogdoches had thirty-five
hundred ; San Augustine, twenty-five hundred ; Liberty, one
thousand ; Jonesborough, two thousand ; Anahuac, fifty ; Bevil,
one hundred and forty ; Teneha, one hundred ; and some at
smaller settlements. In the Bexar district there was a population
of three thousand four hundred, which was exclusively Mexican
except in San Patricio. This was a falling oft", since 1806, of
three thousand. These inhabitants were distrilnited as follows :
At San Antonio, twenty-four hundred ; at San F'atricio, six hun-
Tho.mas J. Chambers.
Texas in 1834
Mexican Rule
1821
TO
MEXICAN RULE. I 57
died ; at Victoria, three hundred ; at GoHad, seven hundred. Period ii
The resources and commerce showed the following results :
Brazos district exported, during the year 1834, five thousand
bales of cotton, worth at New Orleans two hundred and twenty- jg^g
five thousand ($225,000) dollars ; fifty thousand skins worth
fifty thousand ($50,000) dollars ; large herds of beeves and Resources and
live stock to Natchitoches, whose value was not estimated ; and ^°'^'"^'''^^
good crops of the cereals w(ire raised and consumed at home.
In the Nacogdoches district the annual exports were four hun-
dred and seventy thousand ($470,000) dollars, including two
thousand bales of cotton, forty thousand skins, and fifty thousand
head of cattle ; while the imports were two hundred and sixty-
five thousand ($265,000) dollars. The Bexar district had little
or no trade, there being annually from eight thousand to ten
thousand skins exported, and some supplies imported from
New Orleans in exchange. These figures strikingly exhibit the
difference between the section colonized by the Americans and
the region inhabited by the Mexicans and Spaniards. The
total exports and imports of Texas for 1834 amounted to one
million four hundred thousand ($1,400,000) dollars, and there
was a contraband trade of two hundred and seventy thou-
sand ($270,000) dollars additional. Almonte reported one
school of forty pupils at Brazoria, a small parochial school at
San Antonio, and one or two schools at Nacogdoches and San
Augustine. The colonists who were able sent their children to
the United States to be educated. On the whole, affairs were Hostility of
progressing in Texas peaceably enough, until the government
and officials of Mexico began a policy of unfriendly legislation,
military interference, and general hostility towards the American
colonists ; ultimately denying them their constitutional rights,
and threatening them with the most odious and intolerable
tyranny.
The course of events in Mexico was one of constant and
increasing turbulence. Revolution followed revolution, and Revolutions in
political factions vied with each other in their disregard of the
republican constitution of 1824. After the establishment of a
republic under that instrument, Guadalupe Victoria was elected
the first president, and assumed office April 15, 1825. From
Mexico
15'^
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
and Federal-
ists
pkriod II. the first there were two poHtical parties : the Centralists, in favor
MiixicANRii-E ^j ,^ centralized despotism or a monarchy ; and the Federalists
'^21 or Republicans, in favor of the constitution of 1824 and its
y°5 republican principles. There were several attempts at revolution
— under Victoria's administration, but they were subdued. Gomez
Centralists Pedra'zii, a Centralist, succeeded Victoria in the presidency,
defeating Guerrero, one of the strongest Republicans in Mexico.
Guerrero, aided by Lorenzo de Zaval'a and Santa Anna, resisted
Pedra'zii' s election as fraudulent and illegal, a rex'olution l)roke
out, and congress reversed its decision and declared Guerrero
the constitutional president, with Bustamente as vice-president.
This was on January i, 1829. Guerrero assumed the authority
of a dictator, as he claimed in order to crush the power of the
Centralists ; but his tyrannical conduct produced another revolu-
tion led by Bustamente (bos-ta-men'-ta"), which resulted in the
latter assuming power in the capital, while Guerrero fled to
Valladolid and was finally captured and shot. In this struggle
Santa Anna betrayed Guerrero and supported Bustamente.
Spanish inva- In 1 829, cucouragcd by the unsettled condition of Mexico,
exico j^p.^j,^ made a last attempt to reconquer the country. A Spanish
army of four thousand men, under General Barradas', was landed
at Tampico. Santa Anna met him with a resist-
^^^^ ing force by land and sea, and, after a brilliant
■_JB campaign, surrounded and captured the whole in-
- ^ \ading army. They were permitted to embark
.w;^"'*"' for Spain upon promise that all further claims to
sl:-^:**}^' Mexico were abandoned forever. This success
made Santa Anna the hero of Mexico, and his
popularity became greater than that of any man in
.^r the republic.
""■'^gjlp^ Bustamente came into power about the first of
..i=.M..KAi anionio LoHhz thc ycar 1830, and on April 6, i8-;o, he evidenced
UI-: Sa.nia Anna. ,.,.,. ^ > o '
his hostility to Texas and to American colonists by
Laws against the famous Decree of that date. In that act it was provided
American .1 r • i i i
colonists 1'^="- "<> foreigner should enter any Mexican territory "by the
frontier of the north," — which clearly meant colonists from the
United .States, — unless he could exhibit " a pdssport signed by an
agent of Mexico in the country from which the individual may
MEXICAN RULE.
159
1S21
TO
18.^,6
come." As the Mexican republic had no such agents in the period 11.
United States, the decree amounted to a positive prohibition to
any American to enter Texas, regardless of all colonial contracts,
financial investments, or principles of international justice and
friendship. To make the matter plainer, the decree declared
that no colonist from ' ' any country adjacent to Mexican terri-
tory" shall be permitted to enter the adjoining Mexican states
and provinces ; and "all contracts of colonization, the terms of
which are opposed to this decree, are consequently suspended."
Another article of the decree provided for shipping Mexican increasing
convicts to the colonies, which was intended to convert Texas ^^^^^^ op-
pression
into a penal settlement for the criminal classes of Mexico. There
had been, for the last two or three years, signs of growing hos-
tility of the Mexican government towards Texas ; but this decree
of Bustamente's rendered it impossible that the American
colonists should remain quiet any longer in the face of the plain
purpose to degrade and ruin them. The decree of April 6,
1830, was to the Texas Revolution what the Stamp Act was to
the American Revolution of 1776, and it was a far greater provo-
cation than the British tax law. The secret of this extreme
measure was perhaps to be found in the fact that, in 1827 and
again in 1829, the government of the United States had offered United states
to buy Texas from Mexico ; and to the further fact that the
inherited freedom and republican spirit of the American colonists
along the Trinity, Brazos, and Colorado were a perpetual menace
to the corrupt and tyrannical government of the Mexican Repub-
lic, falsely so named.
Bustamente followed up his decree by establishing garrisons
in Texas, closing all the ports but Anahuac, and by other acts
of petty annoyance and substantial injury to the Texans, all of
which led to the first conflicts and hastened the final outbreak
between Texas and Mexico. His tyranny was not confined to
the American colonists, however, and gradually the whole nation
grew rebellious at his conduct. Santa Anna's hour had come,
and he proclaimed a revolt against Bustamente, on January 2,
1832. The latter at first repulsed the forces of the hero of Tam-
pico, and Santa Anna changed his plans, bv announcing in favor
of the e.xiled president Pedraza, whom he himself had helped
Jealousy of
Mexico to-
. wards the
Santa Anna
leads a revo-
lution
l6o A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkriodii. to depose in favor of Guerrero, three years before. Bustamente
mkxicanRii.k j.^,,^|j^j,(-[ j-j^j^j- i^i^ power had failed, and he agreed to the recall
1S21 y{ Pedraza, who r(?turncd and served out the remaining three
TC
,g months of his administration. Pedraza, it will be remembered,
— was a Centralist, and Santa Anna, himself a professed Republi-
is elected call, had thus won favor with his pohtical foes. The result of his
president . .^ , , . 1 • 1
treachery, deceit, and skilful planning was his elevation to the
presidency. May i6, 1833, Gomez Farias, who was a sincere
rei)ublican, being elected vice-president.
No sooner was Santa Anna firmly seated in the executive
chair than he threw of? the mask of republicanism, united with
the centralists and church party, deposed Farias from the vice-
presidency, dissoh'ed congress by force, disarmed the militia,
consolidated and strengthened the army as his sole and willing
instrument of power, declared himself military dictator, and in
the beginning of the year 1836 he abolished the constitution of
His despotic 1824, substituting therefor the Plan of Toluca, by which a con-
1.0 ,duct fti 1 11-11-n*' T-«
solidated central government was established in Mexico. But
1836 was a fateful year for Santa Anna. Against his increasing
despotism, Puebla, Jalisco, Oajaca, and Zacatecas had risen in
arms, and had been successively crushed by his brutal soldiery.
At last he came to subdue the revolted colonists of Texas, — men
whose ancestors had braxed royal tyranny and humbled royal
pride since the days of Runnymede. At San Jacinto he paid
the penalty of his perfidy to the republicans of Mexico, while he
but partially expiated the cruel butcheries of Goliad and Bexar.
The story of the rise, progress, and success of that memorable
struggle will conclude the history of Texas as a part of the
Mexican federation.
QUESTIONS.
After the Emperor Iturbide was deposed in Mexico, what kind of
government was established ? What body was assembled to make laws,
and when did it meet? E.xplain the use of the words constituent :^x\A con-
stitutive as applied to this body and its acts. When did the Mexican Con-
gress adopt a republican form of government, and what was it like? What
was done in regard ti) the provinces of Coahuila, Texas, and New Leon?
What provision was made as to their future government ? When did New
MEXICAN RULE. l6l
Leon become a separate state, and what was then done in regard toCoa- Period ii.
huila and Texas? What declaration was made in regard to the indepen- Mexican Rule
dence of the State of Coahuiki and Texas? When was the Federal Con- 1821
stitution of Mexico finally adopted, and what provisions did it contain as to
to Coahuila and Texas ? When did Coahuila and Texas adopt a state ^^3^
constitution, and what provisions did it contain on the same subject?
WHien was the general colonization law of the imperial government of
Mexico adopted, and when and how was it suspended ? When did the
Mexican Congress adopt the national colonization law ? On what date was
the state colonization law of Coahuila and Texas adopted ? What Texas
colonies were settled under these last two laws ? What can you say of
the provisions of those laws ? Who was the last Spanish governor of
Texas ? Who succeeded him during the Mexican revolution ? How was
Texas governed during Iturbide's reign? Who were the republican gov-
ernors of Texas, and in what years did they govern ? When did Coahuila
and Texas begin to have one governor for the whole state ? Where was
the state capital ? Give the names of the governors of Coahuila and
Texas from 1824 to 1835. When was Texas made a political department,
and what was the head of the department called ? What were his powers
and duties ? Who was the first political chief of Texas, and what was his
character ? When was Texas divided into two political districts or de-
partments, and where was the dividing line ? What were the two districts
called? When was a third district or department created, and what was
it called ? What other political divisions of the country and government
were there ? How were they governed ? Who was originally at the head
of the municipal government of the colonies in Texas ? Give the names
and location of the several municipalities of Texas prior to 1835. When
was Texas divided into judicial districts, and into how many districts ?
Who were the first judges under that system, and how did it operate?
What was the representation of Texas in the state congress or legislature,
as compared with Coahuila? When and by whom was Texas visited for
the purpose of reporting on its condition and resources? What did he
report the population of Texas to be in 1834 ? How was this population
distributed among the several municrj^alities ? What was the condition
of the Bexar district as compared with its population in 1806? What were
the commerce and resources of Texas by districts ? What were the total
exports and imports of Texas for the year 1834 ? What was the condition
of the schools ? What can you say of the general condition of the coun-
try at that time ? What was the course of events in Mexico at this period ?
Who was the first president of the Mexican Republic, and when did he
take his seat? What political parties existed in Mexico at this time, and
what did they each favor ? Who succeeded President X'ictoria, and whom
did he defeat? What followed this election? When was this? What did
Ciuerr^ro do, and what occurred in consequence? What part did Santa
Anna play in these revolutions ? What did Spain do in 1829, and what
was the result ? Who became famous in consequence of this affair ? When
II
]62 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Prkiod II. did Hustaniente come into power, and wliat did he do in regard to the
Mk.xkjan Klli-; (-^i^jiiigj-s in Texas and Mexico? Give the terms of the Decree of April
1 82 1 6, 1830. Against whom in particular was this law directed ? What unjust
T'> provision did the law contain as to colonial contracts ? What provision
'^^36 did it contain about Mexican convicts ? What can you say of the Decree
of April 6, 1830, in its influence and effects upon the American colonies
in Texas ? What was the real secret of the hostility of the Mexican gov-
ernment towards the Texan colonists ? What further tyrannical acts did
Bustamente commit towards Texas and the country at large ? What fol-
lowed these oppressions, and who took part in the movement ? When
was this? What came of this revolution in Mexico, and how did Santa
Anna act ? W^hat did Bustamente do, and who succeeded him ? When
was Santa Anna elected president of Mexico, and who was elected vice-
president at the same time ? As soon as he got in office, what did Santa
Anna do? When and by what celebrated P/an did he abolish the con-
stitution of 1824? What did he substitute for it? What Mexican states
rose in rebellion against Santa Anna's tyranny? What success did they
meet with, and what state alone held out again.st him? What can you say
of the result to Santa Anna, and the causes of his final failure to subdue
the Texans ?
Topical Analysis.
1. The formation of a republican government in Mexico modelled
after that of the United States. Consider the reasons why it did not suc-
ceed, and why revolutions ensued among the people, as brought about
by the fact that the Mexican people and their leaders were not educated
to the support of free republican government. Contrast the history of the
Mexican Republic with that of the American Republic during the early
years of bt)th.
2. Study the provisions in the various constitutional acts of Mexico
and of the State of Coahuila and Texas, as to the right of Texas to be
formed into a separate, independent state when her population and posi-
tion should justify it. This was the constitutional right upon which Texas
based her subsequent demand to be allowed to establish her own local
self-government.
3. The growing hostility of the Mexican authorities towards Ameri-
cans, and especially towards the colonists in Texas, as shown by the laws
and decrees of iUistamcnte. This was due to the jealousy of the Mexi-
cans towards the United States, whom they suspected of wanting to take
Texas from Mexico ; and also to the necessary conflict between American
ideas of liberty and republican institutions and those of the Mexican
people and politicians.
4. The first direct attacks upon the rights and liberties of the Tex-
ans in the Decree of April 6, 1830, the law making Texas a penal col-
ony, establishment of garrisons in Texas, and tlie blockading of Texas
ports.
MEXICAN RULE. I 63
5. The revolution in Mexico led by Santa Anna, his temporary defeat, Period II.
his final election to the presidency, his overthrow of the Federal Consti- Mexi can Rule
lution of 1824, and the establishment of a consolidated despotic govern- 1821
ment. This rendered it certain that no relief would be granted the Tex- to
ans against Mexican tyranny. 1836
6. The peaceful and progressive growth of Texas in population,
trade, resources, and foreign commerce. The methods of government
in early Texas by political chiefs, municipalities, etc. The country was
rapidly developing into a strong and prosperous community, but the mis-
taken and oppressive conduct of Mexico towards it checked its growth
and brought on a revolution.
Geography.
Trace the boundaries and location of the political departments and
municipalities of Texas as they existed from 1825 to 1835. Compare
those early divisions with the geography of modern Texas.
Parallel Readings.
ScarfT's " Comprehensive History of Texas," Vol. I. ; Brown's " His-
tory of Texas," Vol. I. ; Brantz Mayer's "Mexico: Aztec, Spanish, and
Republican;" H. H. Bancroft's "North Mexican States and Texas;"
Winsor's "Narrative and Critical History of America."
CONTEMPORANEOUS EVENTS.— 1821-1832.
Parallel to Period II.
AMERICA.
1821. — President Monroe inaugurated (second term), March 4.
1822. — Dom Pedro declared perpetual protector of Brazil, and later em-
peror. United States boundary with Canada established. Iturbide
declared emperor of Mexico.
1823. — Iturbide abdicates as emperor. Mexican National Assembly es-
tablishes Junta, and Guadalupe Victoria elected President. Joseph
Smith originates IMoniwnisni. The " Monroe doctrine" proclaimed
by President Monroe.
1824. — Lafayette visits United States. United .States and Great Britain
discuss 4:he slave trade.
I 64 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period II. 1825. — John Quincy Adams ( National Republican) inaugurated President,
Mkxican Rule March 4. Aationa/ Republican and Democratic Republican parties
1 82 1 formed in United States. These were afterwards known respectively
TO as the Whig and Democratic parties.
1^30 1826. — Dom Pedro, of Brazil, becomes King of Portugal. John Adams
and Thomas JefTerson die same day, July 4. The Panama Conference.
Georgia expels the Cherokees.
1827. — Mexico declines to sell Texas to the United States. Oregon boun-
dary discussed with Great Britain.
1828. — High protective tarif? law passed by Congress. Southern States
protest, and South Carolina legislature adopts Mr. Calhoun's State
sovereignty views, known as the NuIIijication doctrine. Boundary
between Spain and United States confirmed.
1829. — Spain sends fleet against Mexico. Andrew Jackson (Democrat)
inaugurated President, March 4. Henry Clay becomes the leader
of his party. William Lloyd Garrison founds Abolition party in
United States. Jackson sends in his message against United States
Bank.
1830. — Great debate between Webster and Hayne in United States Sen-
ate. Doctrine of "nullification" proclaimed by Hayne. The idea
that "to the victor belong the spoils" first announced in American
politics. Fifth census shows population of 12,866,020. Death of
Simon Bolivar, the Liberator of South America.
1831. — Dom Pedro IL ascends throne of Brazil. Disruption of President
Jackson's Cabinet. First national nominating political convention
held in United States. Treaty between United States and Mexico.
1832. — President Jackson vetoes recharter of United States Bank. New
tarif? bill. South Carolina passes the Njillification ordinance. United
States possesses Oregon by settlement. New England Anti-Slavery
.Society formed. Anti-Mason Society in New York and Pennsylvania.
Salt Lake Basin explored by Bonneville. Black Hawk War.
GREAT BRITAIN.
1821. — Death of Queen Caroline, wife of George IV.
1822. — Peel, Canning, and Brougham become prominent as statesmen.
Parliamentary Reform and Catholic Emancipation leading issues in
English politics. Great emigration to Canada and Australia.
J823. — British Anti-Slavery Society formed.
1824 — Death of Lord Byron. Westminster Review *i.'^\.^b\v^\\(tA. Daniel
O'Connell organizes the "Catholic Association."
J825. — Commercial panic in England. Continued agitation of the reform
measures and Catholic Emancipation.
MEXICAN RULE. I 65
1827. — Frederick, Duke of York, died January 5. George Canning's Period ll.
I • • . .• Mexican Rule
administration.
1828. — Ministry of the Duke of Wellington. New Corn Law. ^^^i
1829. — Act passed by Parliament removing disabilities of Roman Catho- g^
lies and Protestant Dissenters. This act, however, excluded Jews —
from office.
1830. — Death of George IV. and accession of William IV. to the throne,
June 26.
1 83 1. — Reform Bill, introduced by Lord John Russell, produces great
agitation. Asiatic cholera breaks out in England.
1832. — Reform Bill passed by Parliament, intended to abolish "rotten
boroughs" and extend right of voting to the middle and laboring
classes.
OTHER COUNTRIES.
1822. — Congress of Verona, held to determine what Europe should do
with the troubles in Spain, and to promote the Holy Alliance. Greece
declares her independence.
1823. — French invade Spain. Leo XI 1., Pope of Rome.
1824. — Charles X. succeeds Louis XVII I. as King of P" ranee. He attempts
to re establish despotic government.
1825. — Nicholas I., Emperor of Russia. First voyage by steam from Eng-
land to India.
1826. — Ottoman Empire at war with Russia.
1827. — Charles X. begins to render the government of France an absolute
despotism. Battle of Navarino, in which England, France, and
Russia defeated the Turkish-Egyptian fleet, and secured the indepen-
dence of Greece.
1828. — Leo XII. dies, and Pius VIII. succeeds as Pope.
1839. — Peace or Treaty of Adrianople, between Russia and Turkey, by
which mutual rights and relations of the two countries were estab-
lished, and independence of Greece was recognized.
1830. — Revolution in France. Charles X. attempts to destroy liberty of
the press and abolish the chamber of deputies. The people rebel,
Charles is forced to resign, and Louis Philippe, the "Citizen King,"
is chosen his successor. Pope Pius VIII. dies.
1 831. — Gregory XVI. becomes Pope. Mazzini begins his attempt to or-
ganize " Young Italy."
1832. — Uprising of "Young Italy" under leadership of Mazzini, but it
fails. Death of Goethe and Sir Walter Scott.
Causes of the
Texas revolu-
tion
Character of
American col-
onists
lPc^o^ imii.
THE REVOLUTION.— 1832-1836.
CHAPTER X.
Events leading to the Texas Revolution.
THE causes which produced the revolution of Texas from
Mexico were many and fundamental. Outside the
district of Bexar, the inhabitants of this province were
mainly from the United States of America, who had
inherited the traditions, temper, and political principles of a
people naturally tenacious of their own laws and institutions, and
educated by centuries of experience to the highest standards of
personal freedom and civil liberty. They were engaged in the
peaceful pursuits of agriculture, stock-raising, and general
industry, .animated by the orderly instincts of their race, and
thort)ughly loyal to the great doctrine of local self-government.
Above all things, they had the Anglo-American hatred of a
government in which the civil was subordinated to the military
power, or in which religious faith was permitted to influence
political administration. In all these respects the Texans were
radically different from the mixed i)oi)ulation beyond the Rio
Grande, to whom they were made subject by the unequal alliance
166
THE REVOLUTION. I 67
with Coahuila. It must also be confessed that among the col- pkriod hi.
onists there were some lawless and desperate characters, who revolution
were ready to embrace every opportunity, however slight, for ~
hostility against the Spanish-Mexican authorities. And there to
were others — good and patriotic men — who were impatient of 1836
the connection with Mexico, who heartily despised the Mexican
system of government, and who, in their zeal for the indepen-
dence of Texas, were unmindful of the real duties and obligations
of the colonists to the constitution under which they had assumed
citizenship in the new republic.
The constitution of 1824 itself, although modelled after that The constitu-
of the United States, was far from realizing the well-recognized its defects^
safeguards of justice and equality to which Anglo-Americans are
devoted. It entirely omitted those two most sacred institutions
of Anglican law and liberty, — trial by jury and the writ of habeas
corpus. It provided for the perpetual union of church and state,
by requiring every loyal citizen to be a Roman Catholic in reli-
gion. It contained provisions for the organization and use of
the army, which rendered the military power the leading and
supreme department of the government. And it preserved and
.perpetuated the most odious feature of the Spanish colonial
system, — \}[iQ fueros, or special charters, by which the military,
ecclesiastical, and other classes of citizens were exempted from
the operation of the general laws, and were permitted to have
their rights determined by special laws of their own making, in
tribunals selected from their own members. Even had Texas
been granted her rights under that constitution, it is impossible
that her citizens could long have submitted to its provisions in
matters like those above mentioned.
At first, however, the colonists did not feel these evils. They Colonists at
f 1 ^ 1 i_ 1 J • .lI • • first contented
were too far away and too much absorbed m their own mime- ^^^ peaceful
diate affairs. They had new fortunes to build in the wilderness ;
fields to clear and cultivate ; Indian foes to fight ; families to
bring out from the States and to settle and support in the log-
cabin homes along the Trinity, Brazos, Colorado, and Gaudalupe.
Then, too, for several years they practically had their own
government. Under the extensive and liberal terms of his first
contract, Austin organized and controlled all the details of his
i832
TO
1 53 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkriod hi. colonial administration, appointing officers, framing laws, and
'^"'^ disnensino iustice among his people ; and the other empresarios
had somewhat smiilar authority in their territory. 1 he Mexican
government had all it could do to manage its own affairs, amid
1836 the contending factions of revolutionary politics, and for a time
the Texans were left to themselves.
Injustice to The first example of Mexican injustice was exhibited in the
Hayden arbitrary acts of Saucedo and Victor Blanco towards Hayden
Edwards's ■' . r^. .
colony Edwards, which led to the Frcdonian liar, in 1827. 1 he col-
onists did not forget this, but Edwards's own conduct was so rash
and ill-advised that the lesson of danger was not fully realized.
As the colonists grew in numbers and strength, their essential
antagonism to the principles and practices of Mexican politics
attracted the attention of the central government, and provoked
the hostility of the military and political chiefs who were direct-
The state ing its affairs. When, in 1827, the state constitution of Coahuila
constitution of ^^^^^ Jq^^ls was adopted, and the state laws took the place of the
Coanuila and '^ ' '■
Texas fomicr local self-government of the Texan colonists, which was
early in the year 1828, the occasions for conflicts arose and
multii:)lied.
Bustamente's It was Bustamentc's tyrannical Decree of April 6, 1830,
Apri^e 1830^^* 'before noted, that rapidly brought on open rupture with the
Mexican authorities. To enforce the prohibition against Amer-
icans, contained in that law, he sent troops to Texas and opened
custom-houses at Bexar, Nacogdoches, Anahuac, Copano, and
the mouth of the Brazos, where duties were collected to support
the army of occupation, and other levies were made u[X)n the
Jealousy of colonists for the same purpose. This movement on the part of
Mexico to- ^r • 1 1-1 r 1 1
wards the Mexico was duc uot Only to jealousy of the growing power and
United States; freedom of the Texan colonists, but to a real fear that the prov-
ince would be absorbed or seized by the United States. The
expeditions of Magee and Long were not forgotten, and, even
since the boundary had been settled by the treaty of 18 iq, efforts
had been made by the United States to extend their limits farther
west and south. In 1825 the American minister was instructed
to offer a new boundary. In 1827 he was authorized to offer
$1,000,000 for the territory to the Rio Grande, or half that
sum to the Colorado. In 1829 the United States again offered
THE REVOLUTION.
169
,000,000 for the country bounded by a line midway between period hi.
The
Revolution
the Nueces and Rio Grande, or a proportional sum for the La- ""^
vaca, the Colorado, or the Brazos as a boundary. These prop- "t~
ositions naturally excited the fears of the Mexican government, ro
especially when coupled with the fact that leading statesmen in 1836
the United States had always contended that Texas properly
belonged to the Union as a part of Louisiana.
As steps towards the military occupation of Texas, in 1831 Military occu-
troops were placed at San Antonio and Goliad (La Bahia) ; jg*j^°"°
Colonel Piedras was stationed at Nacogdoches with three hun-
dred and fifty men ; Colonel John D. Bradburn at Anahuac with
one hundred and fifty ; and Colonel Domingo Ugartachea estab-
lished the fort of Velasco at the mouth of the Brazos, with one
hundred and thirty men. Ellis P. Bean, with a small force,
occupied Fort Teran on the Neches. General Mier y Teran, a
most arbitrary tyrant, was in command of the whole department,
with headquarters at Monclova. Of these, Bradburn, a traitorous Bradburn's
American, was the most troublesome. He began by declaring *''^e^'^'=*^
martial law, violating the persons and property of citizens, and
finally he closed all the Texas ports except Anahuac. This
would ruin Austin's, Dewitt's, and Robertson's colonies, as it
left them without the means of exporting or im-
porting anything in their territory. During the
previous year, in order to settle the land titles
of colonists who had continued to come to East
Texas in spite of Bustamente's decree, the gov-
ernment of Coahuila and Texas had sent its offi-
cials, Madero and Carbajal (kar-va-haF), to sur-
\'ey and allot the lands ; and Madero established
the municipality of Liberty, with its proper civil
government. Bradburn dissolved that munici-
pality by military order, instigated, no doubt, by
the same influences that controlled Saucedo and „ .,, ,„.^„„
Branch 1. Archer.
Blanco against Hayden Edwards in 1827.
On December 16, 1831, a meeting of the colonists was held
at Brazoria, and Branch T. Archer and George B. McKinstry
were sent to Anahuac to induce Bradburn to reopen the ports.
They convinced him of their determination to have the desired
I/O
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
I'liRIOn 111.
Thk
Revolution
1832
10
1836
Imprisons
distinguished
Texans
Uprising of
the people
Battle and
capture of Ve-
lasco, June 26,
1832
Texans loyal
to Constitu-
tion of 1824
relief, and he finally acceded. But in the spring of 1832, on
account of their resistance to his arbitrary acts, he arrested and
imprisoned at Anahuac, William B. Travas, Patrick C. Jack,
Sam T. Allen, Monroe Edwards, and other citizens, and
threatened to send them to Mexico for military trial. William
H. Jack sought the release of his brother and companions, was
refused, and at once raised a force to rescue the prisoners,
h'rancis W. Johnson commanded this relief party, aided by
Warren D. C. Hall and Thomas H. Bradley. They were soon
joined by another force under Captains John Austin, H. S.
Brown, George B. McKinstry, and William I. Russell. March-
ing to Anahuac, they demanded the release of the captive citi-
zens ; Bradburn promised to comply, violated his agreement,
and a violent conflict ensued. While this was in progress,
Piedras came from Nacogdoches to aid Bradburn, but, on arriv-
ing at Anahuac and learning the facts, he released the prisoners
and sent Bradburn to Mexico under arrest.
In the meanwhile the news spread, and Brown, McKinstry,
John Austin, Charles B. Stewart, and others went to Brazoria,
where they raised volunteers to go to Anahuac and deliver the
men from custody. This force prepared to sail from Velasco,
when they were forbidden to do so by Ugartachea, who was in
command there. They determined to capture the Mexican fort
at that point, and on June 26, 1832, the first preliminary batUe
of the Revolution was fought at Velasco. It resulted in a \'ictory
for the colonists, there being a loss on their side of se\'en killed
and twenty-seven wounded, while the Mexicans lost fifty-two
dead and seventy wounded. Ugartachea and his men were per-
mitted to return to Mexico.
And yet these were not the acts of revolutionists. The news
of Santa Anna's revolt against the tyranny of Bustamente, and
his defence of the Constitution of 1824, had reached Texas, and
during the trouble at Anahuac, on June 13, 1832, the assembled
force of Texans held a meeting and adopted resolutions drawn
by Robert M. Williamson, in which they declared their devotion
to the Federal Constitution of 1824, their opposition to Busta-
mente' s despotic violation of its provisions, and their allegiance
to .Santa Anna as its defender and cliampion, which he then
THE REVOLUTION.
171
Period III.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
claimed to be. In July, 1832, General Mexia (ma-he'-a) visited
Velasco, bringing with him Stephen F. Austin,- who was return-
ing from the legislature at Saltillo. Mexia was the trusted lieu-
tenant of Santa Anna, and the cause of the recent events was
explained to him. At the same time the citizens and aywita-
7nientos of Brazoria and San Felipe de Austin adopted resolutions
expressive of their loyalty to the constitutional gov-
ernment of Mexico, and Mexia returned apparently
well satisfied with the Texans.
The last of July, 1832, a meeting was held at
Nacogdoches for the purpose of compelling Colonel
Piedras to declare in favor of Santa Anna and the
constitution. Among those who took part in the
movement were Phil. A. Sublett, Isaac W. Burton,
Henry W. Augustin, John W. Bullock, Asa M.
Edwards, Hayden H. Edwards, Almazon Huston,
Alexander Horton, Asa Jarman, Isaac D. Thomas,
William Y. Lacy, Thomas S. McFarland, and James
Bowie. Piedras refused their demands, and on August i, with
three hundred men, they attacked his garrison in Nacogdoches
and drove him out. He retreated towards San Antonio, was
intercepted by Bowie and forced to surrender, when he and
three hundred prisoners were sent out of
the country. Thus it seemed the Tex-
ans were victorious e\erywhere. But the
course of events was not encouraging.
Since the establishment of the State of The state
Coahuila and Texas, the Mexican part '^g'^'^*"^^
of the state, by its majority in the legis-
lature, had controlled all legislation, and
the policy adopted was not friendly to
the American colonies in Texas. In
1830, Letona was elected governor of
the state, while Juan Martin Veramendi
was made vice-governor. The latter was
a Texan, being a citizen of San Antonio, and the father-in-law
of James Bowie. This seemed favorable to Texas. Then, Aus-
tin's influence in the legislature was most prudent and concilia-
RoBERT M. Williamson.
(" Three-legged Willie.")
Piedras driven
out
James Bowik.
172
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period 111.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
IS36
Texas seeks
separation
First popular
convention,
October 1, 1832
Memorial to
Mexican
government
tory. But on April 28, 1832, the legislature at Saltillo repealed
the state colonization law of 1825, and enacted one that con-
tained Bustamente' s Decree of 1830, limiting all colonial con-
tracts to Mexicans. It, however, contained a few liberal pro-
visions as to existing contracts, secured by Austin's influence.
It was evident to all observing men, from the recent troubles
in Texas, that a separation must be had from the Mexican gov-
ernment beyond the Rio Grande, and if the Constitution of
1824 was adhered to, this could be easily and peaceably effected.
Bv Austin's influence in 1823, it will be remembered that a
proviso had been inserted in the constitutive act of January 4,
1824, passed by the Mexican
Congress, by which Texas
might establish a separate
state government when her
citizens saw fit to do so, and
should notify Congress of that
fact. This provision was re-
peated in the Constitution of
1824, in the constitutive act of
the state legislature of Coa-
huila and Texas, of August,
1824, and in the state constitution of 1827. To this, then, the
colonists turned for relief from the difficulties that threatened
them.
On September 14, 1832, the alcaldes of the municipality of
Austin issued a call for the election of delegates by all the people
of Texas, to meet at San Felipe de Austin on October i, 1832.
This, the first popular convention held in Texas, met and elected
Stephen F. Austin president over William H. Wharton. There
were fifty-six delegates, rej)resenting sixteen districts and cov-
ering the then inhabited portion of the province, except San
Antonio. Committees were appointed to prepare memorials to
the national and state governments on the following subjects : to
secure repeal of tlie Decree of April 6, 1830, prohibiting colonists
from the United States, and expressing loyalty to the constitu-
tion ; to secure reduction of customs duties on necessary articles
of merchandise ; to secure a proper settlement of land titles in
Signature of Juan Martin Veramendi.
THE REVOLUTION.
^7:^
Period III.
The
Rkvolution
1832
TO
IS36
Eastern Texas ; to provide for the protection of the frontier
against Indians ; to secure a donation of land for estabhshing
and supporting primary pubHc schools ; to secure the use of the
English language except in offtcial communications to the Mex-
ican government ; to provide for the granting of lands to Indians
from the United States ; for the organization of the militia ; and
to petition for a separate state government for Texas. On the
last-named proposition the vote stood thirty-six yeas, twelve
nays. William H. Wharton and Don Rafael Manchola were
appointed delegates to convey the several important memorials
to Saltillo, but were unable to go in person.
The effects of this meeting were not favorable on the Mexican Provokes the
authorities. They were not accustomed to such proceedings, Mex^can^"
and to their minds such a popular demonstration was treasonable authorities
and seditious. The political chief of Bexar resented it, and the
home government of Mexico regarded it as another evidence of
the rebellious character of the Texans, so little did it understand
the true principles of republican institutions. Santa Anna him-
self, to whom the Texans had rallied so loyally, viewed matters
differently at that time, and recommended moderation and jus-
tice to the colonists. In a letter written by Stephen F. Austin
to Ramon Musquiz, political chief of Bexar, on November 15,
1832, the former very plainly rebukes this display of hostility on
the part of the Mexican authorities, and he tells Musquiz signifi-
cantly : "I give it as my deliberate judgment that Texas is lost
if she takes no measure of her own for her own welfare." The
spirit of antagonism with which their action was viewed in
Mexico, however, was not known to the colonists at large, and
they for a time dwelt in peace and hope.
The memorials of the first convention were unheeded by the second con-
state and central governments but another convention was called ^^"*'°"' ■^p"'
. ' I. 1833
to meet at San Felipe de Austin on April i, 1833, to frame a
state constitution. It met, and
William H. Wharton was elected
president, there being the same
number of delegates and very
much the same delegates, among
whom were many of the men signature ok Sam Houston.
174
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
i'kkiou iii.
Thk
Rkvoi.ution
1832
TO
1836
Memorial
and commis-
sioners sent to
Mexico
Stephen F.
Austin alone
goes
Is arrested
and im-
prisoned
Santa Anna
refuses the
memorial
Unconstitu-
tional and cor-
rupt acts of the
state legisla-
ture
who figured prominently in the subsequent history of the revolu-
tion. A new and notable character in the assembly was Sam
Houston, a delegate from Nacogdoches, who was made chairman
of the committee to frame a state constitution, while David G.
Burnet was at the head of the committee to frame a memorial to
the Mexican government. The convention was in session two
weeks, adopted a constitution for the proposed state of Texas, a
memorial setting forth their motives and purposes, and appomted
Stephen F. Austin, Dr. James B. Miller, and Don Erasmo
Seguin commissioners to lay both instruments before the Mex-
ican government at the capital.
Of the commissioners appointed, Austin alone went to the
City of Mexico, leaving Texas soon after the convention. In
the capital he found matters in almost as much confusion as on
his former visit. Santa Anna had been elected president, and
was planning for the overthrow of the constitution ; revolution
was rife, cholera was raging in the city, and he was confronted
on all sides with danger and delay. He finally, on November
25, 1833, secured the repeal of the odious portion of the col-
onization decree of 1830 ; but, despairing of success in securing
further concessions, he started home and wrote a letter to the
municipality of Bexar, recommending that the Texans form a
separate state government in anticipation of the refusal of their
memorial by the central authorities. This letter was forwarded
to the capital, and, being considered treasonable, Austin was
arrested at Saltillo and carried back to Mexico as a prisoner.
He was imprisoned on February 13, 1834, ^^^ kept in close
confinement for three months. He was released from strict con-
finement in May, but kept a prisoner until October, when Santa
Anna heard his memorials from Texas and refused them all,
except the repeal of the colonization decree of Bustamente. He
was detained at the capital, however, and Santa Anna deceived
him with a pretence of finally agreeing to the separation of Texas
from Coahuila.
1 he legislature of Coahuila and Texas which met in January,
1833, declared its allegiance to the federal constitution, but its
acts were themselves violative of all principles of free government.
Among other things a \v\v was passed denying the right of peti-
THI': REVOLUTION.
175
Period III.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
tion to citizens. In March, 1833, the legislature changed the
capital from Saltillo to Monclova, which provoked a revolution
in Coahuila. During the same session the most reckless and
corrupt laws were passed, disposing of the public lands, — eleven
hundred leagues being granted to one person and four hundred
leagues to another. These lands were all in Texas, and it
seemed to be the purpose to plunder the Texans
before they succeeded in separating themselves
from Coahuila. When the next legislature met
in January, 1S34, at Monclova, the people of Sal-
tillo had revolted against the change of capital,
and organized another legislature at that point,
appointing Jose Maria Goribar' governor of the
state. The Monclova party appointed as their
governor Juan Jos^ Elguezabal', and civil war was
threatened between the two factions. The matter
was finally referred to Santa Anna, who decided
in favor of Monclova as the capital and that a
new election must be held, which resulted in the
election of Augustin Viesca, the last governor of
the state. But these disputes had practically destroyed the con-
stitution and government of the state,
and the Texans considered themselves
released from the union with Coahuila
by the revolutionary conduct of the
latter.
During the year 1834, by the Pla)i
of Cuernavaca, Santa Anna established
his despotic power ; several of the states
revolted against him, and he subdued
them by force, Zacatecas being the last
to surrender. General Martin Perfecto
de Cos was placed in command of the
eastern internal provinces, revolution
again broke out in Coahuila, the army
was marched thither, the legislature was End of the
dispersed by troops, and Governor Viesca fled to Texas. On g°^"""^^"' °''
' ■' ^ ' Coahuila and
April 21, 1835, the government of Coahuila and Texas ceased Texas
Gail Borden.
Jdun p. Kdrden.
t832
TO
I 76 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkriod III, forever. Coahuila was conquered by Santa Anna and Cos, and
^"''' there remained in all Mexico no territory free from the tyranny
of the sword except Texas, to whose subjugation the attention
of the government was now to be directed.
1836 During the exciting and rapid developments of the past three
years, many able and remarkable men had appeared upon the
Able men arena of public action in Texas. Perhaps in no country and at
among early ^^^^ ^j^^^^ ^^.^^ there cvcr displayed such a collection of talented,
Texan patriots '^ ■' '
versatile, and vigorous characters as figured in the rise and
progress of the Texas Revolution. All of those who took part
in the stirring transactions of the times were notable men, but
Branch T. somc of them should be especially mentioned. Branch T.
Archer should probably receive the name of the " Father of the
Revolution," as to his efforts, more than to any one man, was
due the first impulse that awakened the colonists to the danger
of their situation and the necessity for their firm and united
action. He was a native of Virginia, quick, fiery, determined,
and brave, and his tireless zeal inspired the co-operation of all
Other dis- \vho fell within its influence. Then there were the Whartons,
I'aderl William H. and John A., both men of commanding abilities,
ready resources, and large ambitions ; the Jacks, Patrick C. and
William H. ; the Bordens, Gail, Gail, Jr., Thomas H., P. P.,
and John P. ; David G. Burnet, Thomas J. Chambers, S.
Rhoades Fisher, Robert M. Williamson, Adolphus Sterne,
Henry Smith, Sterling C. Robertson, Jesse W^hite, James B.
Miller, Robert R. Peebles, Thomas and William Menefee, Clai-
borne West, W. D. C. Hall, Abner Kuykendall, Samuel High-
smith, Oliver Jones, Bartlett Sims, Francis W. Johnson, Henry
S. Brown, George B. McKinstry, James B. Patrick, Collin
McKinney, Rezin P. Bowie, John Caldwell, and an innumerable
Travis, Bowie, array of their patriotic followers. There was that triumvirate of
heroes — William B. Travis, Ben R. Milam, and James Bowie —
whose matchless courage has made old Bexar immortal. Others
there were whose services became conspicuous as the drama
developed ; and there was one, but lately come, whose name is
Sam Houston identified with all that followed. Sam Houston was a native of
Virginia, born in 1793, — the same year with Stephen F. Austin,
— reared in Alabama and Tennessee, spending part of his boy-
THE REVOLUTION.
177
hood among the Cherokee Indians ; he was afterwards distin-
guished as a brave soldier under General Jackson. He became
successively adjutant-general, congressman, and governor of
Tennessee, retired to voluntary exile among the Cherokees at
Fort Gibson, in 1829, where he
lived and loved an Indian wife,
until he came to Texas in Decem-
ber, 1832, settling first at Nacog-
doches, where he at once became
a leader by the commanding quali-
ties of his natural ability and the
valuable attainments of his varied
experience.
On August 31, 1835, after two
years and a half of captivity in
Mexico, Stephen F. Austin re-
turned to Texas. During his ab-
sence many and important events
had transpired, new and ambitious
men had come to the front, and
some there were who were not
always mindful of his sufferings, sacrifices, and labors for Texas.
He returned to find the Revolution rapidly approaching matu-
rity, and to realize that the state he had founded by wisdom
and courage was soon to take her place among the independent
nations of the earth, although many who now so valiantly es-
poused her cause were strangers to her birth in the wilderness.
Sam Houston (aged lliirty-five).
In Indian costume, witli sword
of San Jacinto.
Pkkiod III.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
Austin's re-
turn to Texas
QUESTIONS.
What can you say of the causes that produced the Texas Revolu-
tion? What was the general character of the population of Texas in
1832? What of their political and social habits and traditions? How
about tlie population of Mexico in these respects ? Describe the several
classes of people in Texas who.se inclinations were in the direction of
revolution from Mexico. W'hat fundamental defects existed in the Mex-
ican Constitution of 1824, as compared with that of the United States?
Why did not the Texans become sooner dissatisfied with Mexican rule?
10
178 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period III. What were the powers and duties of Austin and the early enipresatHos f
' """^ What was the first example of Mexican injustice towards the Texas col-
'"'^ '.i_ " onists, and what did it produce ? What followed upon the growth and
'^^32 strength of the American colonists in Texas? When and how did the
Mexican system of laws and institutions first begin to bear upon the
Texans? What brought on the open rupture with the Mexican author-
ities ? What steps did Bustamente adopt to enforce his decree ? What
motive besides hostility to Texans prompted Mexico's tyrannical con-
duct? Describe how this was brought about. Give an account of the
acts of the United States in reference to Texas. What steps were taken
by Mexico towards the military occupation of Texas? What persons
figured most prominently in these movements? Describe the acts of
Bradburn, and their effect on the colonies. What occurred in Eastern
Texas at this tirne, in the municipality of Liberty f When and where did
the colonists hold their first meeting to protest against Bradburn' s con-
duct? What did it do, and with what result? Wliat occurred in the
spring of 1832? Describe what was done by the colonists to relieve the
prisoners. What followed at Anahuac ? Describe what movement this
affair caused among the other colonists, giving the names of the persons
concerned. When and where was the first conflict of the Texas Revolu-
tion had, and with what result ? Explain exactly the feelings and attitude
of the Texans at this time towards the Mexican government. WHien and
where was a meeting held by the colonists to declare their position, what
resolutions were adopted, and who drew them up ? W^hat distinguished
Mexican officer visited Texas at this time, and who came with him?
What action was taken by the Texans while he was in Texas? Describe
what occurred at Nacogdoches in July, 1832. Who took part in this
moveiuent? What followed? What had been the policy and conduct of
the state legislature of Coahuila and Texas towards the colonists in
Texas since the establishment of the state government ? What occurred
in 1830 that seemed favorable to Texas? What influence did Austin
exert in the legislature ? Describe the important acts of the legislature in
1832. What became evident to all thinking men at this time? What
provisions existed for accomplishing this peaceably ? W'hen, where, and
how was the first poputar coiivcntio7i of the Texas colonists called to
meet, and for what purpose ? Describe this convention, who presided
over it, how many delegates were present, and what did they do? Give
the substance of the Memorial to the Mexican government adopted at
this meeting. W^ho were appointed to carry the Memorial to Mexico,
and with what result? What effect did this meeting have on the Mexican
authorities, and why? What was Santa Anna's advice at this time?
What were Austin's views on the subject, and when and how did he
express them ? How was this first Memorial treated by the government ?
When and where was the second convention of colonists called to meet,
and for what purpose ? Who was elected president of it, and how was it
comjKJsed? What new and notable man ajipeared in this convention.
THE REVOLUTION. Ijg
and from what municipality did he come ? At the head of what commit- Period ill.
tee was he placed ? What man, afterwards distins^uished, was chairman „ ""^
1 " ,• 1 1 • Revolution
of the committee to frame a Mcmonal f How long did the convention
sit, and what did it do? Who were appointed commissioners to Mexico? ^^32
Of these, which one actually went to Mexico? Describe the condition ^°
of affairs in the Mexican capital when he arrived there. What did he _A
succeed in securing, and what did he then do? What letter did he write,
what became of it, and what happened in consequence ? Describe Aus-
tin's imprisonment in Mexico. What did Santa Anna do with the Texas
Memorials ? What course did he pursue towards Austin ? What did the
legislature of Coahuila and Texas do in 1833? What can you say of its
acts ? What occurred in reference to the state capital ? What character
of legislation was passed in regard to the public lands, and for what pur-
pose ? When did the next legislature meet ? Describe what occurred as
the result of the dispute between Saltillo and Monclova. What became
of this controversy? Who was the last governor of Coahuila and Texas?
What was the result of the disputes that had arisen in regard to the
capital, and liow did the Texans feel in reference to the state government?
When and how did Santa Anna establish his despotic power? What
occurred among the Mexican states ? What occurred in Coahuila? Who
was placed in command of the eastern internal provinces ? When and
how did the government of Coahuila and Texas come to an end ? What
became of Governor Viesca ? What was the situation then in Mexico,
and what position did Texas occtipy ? What can you say of the early
public men of Texas who came to the front during these events ? Who
was the "Father of the Revolution"? What can you tell about him?
Name some of the other distinguished and influential men of those days.
W'ho was Sam Houston? When did he come to Texas? Give a sketch
of his life prior to this. When did Stephen F. Austin return from his
captivity in Mexico ? What had occurred in his absence ? What condi-
tion of affairs did he find in Te.xas on his return ?
Topical Analysis.
I. Consider the necessary and fundamental causes of the Texas
Revolution, as follows :
(a) The essential difTerence between the American colonists in Texas
and the Mexican population beyond the Rio Grande, as found in their
respective social and political instincts, traditions, and institutions. The
former were the product of Anglo-American civilization as worked out
through centuries of liberty regulated by law ; the latter was the result of
the Spanish colonial system, with its tyrannical and arbitrary decrees, its
mixture of church, state, and army, and its violent disposition to resort to
lawless revolutions for remedies against e.xisting evils.
[b) The radical defects of the Mexican Constitution of 1824, which,
though republican in form and name, was without the customary safe-
I So A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period III. cryards of political and personal liberty as known to the English and
^"•^ American constitutions. The Constitution of 1824 was framed by the
— central government, and the several states of the Mexican federation
'^32 derived their existence and powers from the federal authority ; while
'^'^ that of the United States was framed by the States or the people, and the
^^•^ federal government derives all its powers from the States, or from the
body of the people composing them in severalty.
(c) The rapid growth and strength of the American colonies in Texas,
with their fundamental hostility to the Mexican system, excited the fear
and jealousy of Mexico, and provoked the government to acts of tyranny
which the colonists could not endure.
(d) The several invasions from the United States, beginning with
Magee's expedition ; the fact that the Texas colonies were composed of
former citizens of the American Union ; and the repeated attempts of the
United States to buy all or a part of Texas, — all created a violent jealousy
on the part of Mexico, and a real fear that Texas would be seized by the
United States. This led to unfriendly acts towards the colonists.
2. The open and actual causes of the Revolution, as shown :
{a) By the Decree of April 6, 1830, prohibiting further immigration
from the United States, and practically violating and annulling all the
colonial contracts in Texas.
((5) By making Texas a penal colony for Mexican convicts, requiring
the colonists to be disarmed, closing the ports on the Gulf, so as to
destroy the trade of the colonies, quartering troops in Texas and levying
taxes on the people to support them, and arbitrarily arresting citizens of
Texas for protesting against these wrongs.
(c) By discriminating against Texas in not allowing her proper repre-
sentation in the state legislature of Coahuila and Texas, so that her
people were placed at the mercy of the Mexicans beyond the Rio Grande.
{d) By the acts of the state legislature in denying the right of petition,
in squandering the public lands, and in requiring all persons charged with
offences to be carried to Mexico for trial.
(e) By refusing Texas her constitutional right to have a separate
government, which was guaranteed to her by repeated provisions of the
federal and state constitutions, and which right had been freely given to
New Leon at an early date.
(/) By imprisoning for three years the commissioner from Texas,
who went to Mexico to present her Memorial and request for constitu-
tional rights.
3. As long as the empr-esario system existed, under which the col-
onists enjoyed local self-government, these influences tending to a rupture
with the government were not felt. But when the state government was
established, in 182S, matters rapidly approached a crisis.
4. The first meetings and declarations of the colonies were strictly in
favor of tlie Constitution of 1824, and they simply demanded their rights
under that instrument. It was only when that Constitution was violated
THE REVOLUTION.
l8l
and overthrown, that they assumed tlie attitude of revokition and
resistance.
5. The first revolutionary meetings in Texas, — their members, pro-
ceedings, and character.
6. The public leaders of the Texas Revolution, — their ability, firm-
ness, and courageous devotion to freedom.
7. Stephen F. Austin's relations to the events of those times. He
was a sincere patriot and lover of liberty, but his long and intimate inter-
course with Mexican affairs led him to seek a peaceable rather than a
revolutionary solution of the difficulty, until he was convinced that
revolution was inevitable.
Period III.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
Parallel Readings.
Scarff's "Comprehensive History of Texas" (1897), Vol. I. ; Brown's
" History of Te.xas," Vol. 1. ; Williams's " .Sam Houston and the War for
Texas Independence."
Cc-^-t^
SiGNATIIRE OK BHN R. MiLAM.
CHAPTER XI.
The Outbreak of the Revolution ; Consultation called ;
The Campaign of 1835.
ri'Kioi) 111.
Rkvolution
IS32
vo
1836
s
t
'\
ANTA ANNA'S detention of Austin in Mexico for so
long had two motives. It deprived the colonists of
his patriotic aid and counsel in their difificulties ; and it
operated to hold the great empresario as a hostage for
the good behavior of the Texans. Austin in his absence had
been elected to the legislature, in 1834, with Oliver Jones and
Vasquez as his colleagues, and no doubt his presence during the
troubles in Coahuila would have been valuable.
But his captivity was a far greater incumbrance to
the struggling patriots, by reason of the fact that
fear for his safety prevented them from taking any
decisive step towards declaring their hbcrties or
securing their independence. In all the halting
counsels and timid temper displayed during the
trying events of 1834 and until the summer of
1835, ^^'^ \^^■^^y read the anxiety of the colonists for
their imprisoned chief.
During the discussions and plans that preceded
actual revolution, there were two parties in Texas,
known as the war party and the peace party. The
oijM.K jcNi-.s. former was led by such men as the Whartons,
Henry Smith, Branch T. Archer, William B.
Travis, Bowie, WiUiamson, Edward Burleson, J. B. Patrick,
Asa Hoxey, and Alexander Horton. They were in favor of
active and aggressive measures, looking to separation and inde-
pendence from Mexico. The conservative or peace party was
in favor of delil)c'ration, caution, and constitutional remedies for
existing evils, at least until relief failed to be thus attained, and
the colonies were in a position to act justly on the defensive.
182
THE REVOLUTION. I 8
All thinking men had come to the conclusion that war was in- Period in.
Thk
Revolution
evitable, and it was simply a question of how best to proceed,
in order to be prepared for it when it came, and having due "
regard always for the safety of Colonel Austin in Mexico. There to
was a very small faction in favor of absolute submission to Me.xi- 1836
can tyranny.
The plans of Santa Anna towards- Texas were by this time Santa Anna's
matured and pretty well understood. He had created a cen- gu^e'rVexaT
tralized despotism beyond the Rio Grande, and it was his pur-
pose to invade Texas, disarm her citizens, establish an army of
occupation, expel all Americans, annul all colonial contracts, and
reduce the country to a military dependency of Mexico. To
accomplish these ends General Cos was placed in command at
Matamoros, as military and civil governor of Coahuila and Texas,
and a large force was prepared to march into Texas.
To resist the threatened invasion and secure their freedom, Texans organ-
, T. 1 • . ^ ize to resist
the lexans, early m 1835, began to organize Coiiumttces of t;-.e invasion
Safety in the several municipalities. This movement
was started in Mina (Bastrop), imitated by Gonzales
and Robertson's colony, and during the summer it
spread to all the other municipalities. On June 22,
a meeting was held at San Felipe, and Captain W.
B. Travis with a small force was sent to drive the
Mexicans under Tenorio out of Anahuac, where ex-
cessive duties were being collected to support the
army of invasion. The expedition was successful,
and Tenorio and his men were sent out of the coun-
try with their arms and effects. Public meetings
were held everywhere to discuss the situation and to
prepare for defence. Even in Bexar, such men as , . ,
1^ ^ ' JOSE Antonio Navarro.
Navarro, Cassiano, Seguin, Zambrano, and other
patriotic Mexicans, joined in the general movement to uphold Texas Mexi-
the rights and liberties of Texas. In all such assemblies the '^^"^■'°'"
o revolution
uniform expression was that all the Texans askeci was their
rights under the Constitution of 1824, to which every munici-
pality declared its allegiance.
At San Felipe, on July 14, 1835, the political chief of caiisforagen-
Brazos, J. B. Miller, held a joint meeting of the delegates from "f" '°"'''''*"
1 84
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkkiod hi.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
The peace con-
ference
Order for the
arrest of lead-
ins Texans
the jurisdictions of Austin and Columbia, at which resolutions
were passed in favor of calling a general consultation of delegates
from all Texas, to consider the state and necessities of the coun-
try, and a committee was appointed to arrange for such a con-
vention. In the same month a similar meeting, with the same
action, was held on the Lavaca and Navidad. During the first
half of 1835, the colonists suffered much from Indian hostilities,
and the anxiety and loss from this source added to their distress
and deepened the general gloom.
On July 17, three days after the meeting which had declared
for a general consultation, another conference was held at San
Felipe, in which only eleven men took part. It was intended to
be conciliatory, and appointed D. C. Barrett and Edward
Gritton as messengers of peace to Colonel Ugartachea
at San Antonio ; but nothing came of the mission.
The meeting was self-constituted, and represented
nobody but the individuals composing it.
At this time there came to Texas a noble exile
from Mexico, whose subsequent services identified
liim with the cause of independence. Lorenzo de
Za\ala, who had been the friend of Santa Anna and
governor of the State of Mexico, had become dis-
satisfied with the course of events under his former
companion in arms, was appointed Minister to France,
and instead sought refuge in Texas, where he had
lands on the San Jacinto River. Being specially desirous of
capturing Zavala, Santa Anna, in July, sent Tenorio to Texas
to seize and bring him to Mexico, including in the order of
arrest Travis, Johnson, Williamson, Mosely Baker, Carbajal,
and Zanibrano, all of whom had been conspicuous in the recent
mox'ements among the colonists. It was this order and the
attempt to execute it that aroused the Texans to their real
danger. In July, also, Ugartachea occupied San Antonio with
five hundred troops, and the Mexican vessel El Correo attacked
Anahuac, was captured by the Texas schooner San Felipe, and
the crew sent to New Orleans as pirates. In August a large
meeting was held at Columbia, which reiterated the call for a
general consultation, and Zavala issued a spirited address to the
THE REVOLUTION.
185
Period III.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
Militia
organized
same effect. From these various efforts it was decided to hold
an election on October 5, for delegates to attend a General Con-
sultation of Texas, to be assembled at San Felipe on October 16.
In the meanwhile, James B. Miller and Henry Rueg, the political
chiefs of Brazos and Nacogdoches, began to organize the militia
in their departments, and men's minds hardened into the con-
viction that a desperate struggle was approaching. Sam Hous-
ton was elected commander of the troops at Nacogdoches, com-
panies originally organized and experienced in Indian warfare
were recruited for more regular service, and both Mexico and
Texas were gathering strength for the coming shock.
The I St of September, Austin returned from his enforced Austin takes
exile, was enthusiastically and affectionately received, ioined in ^^^ '°, ^
' J J 1 i general move-
the appeal for a consultation, was elected chairman of the com- ment
mittee of safety at San Felipe, and entered into the great enter-
prise of defending with warlike valor what he had established by
peaceful toil.
Renewed demands were made by the Mexicans for the de-
livery of the leaders of what they termed treasonable rebellion,
and such delivery was made the condition of
peace and security to the colonists. Of course,
peace at such a price was indignantly rejected.
In September, Ugartachea sent a force
under Castinado to Gonzales, to take by force
a cannon belonging to the citizens. News of
the threatened seizure was sent to the nearest
neighbors, while Captains Albert Martin and
George W. Cottle organized and led the citi-
zens of Gonzales to the ciefence of their prop-
erty. Castinado arrived on September 28, and
camped near town. Very soon Edward Burle-
son from Bastrop, Robert M. Coleman and
John H. Moore from the Colorado and La-
vaca, Ben Fort Smith from Columbia, Allen,
Goheen, Williamson, and John J. Linn, were
marching from different points with men to aid Gonzales in her
resistance. On October 2, 1835, the Texans attacked Casti-
nado in his camp, defeated him and drove his command towards
John J. Linn.
1^5 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
pkriod 111. San Antonio. In this action Colonel John H. Moore com-
''"^ manded the Texans, with T. W. E. Wallace as lieutenant-
— colonel. This was the first battle of the actual revolution, and
1832 , ,
TO war was at last upon the country.
1.S36 Six hundred additional Mexican troops were marched into
San Antonio in October, to reinforce the garrison there. Goliad
Mexicans IkuI already been occupied by the Mexicans, and early in Octo-
fortify San An- |^^j Georoe M. CoUiuosworth organized a company on the lower
tonio de Bexar ' ° ° "^ _ _ ^ -^
Colorado and moved on that historic fort to dislodge the enemy.
Ben Milam When rteariug the place, they met Ben Milam, who had escaped
from Saltillo after the dissolution of the government there, and
Capture of La was endeavoring to reach his friends in Texas. He at once
Bahia.october j,,;,^^.^} tj^^^jj- ranks. Captains Smith and Allen ioined the com-
9, 1835 J ' -'
mand, coining from Gonzales, and on the night of October 9
they seized the old fort of La Bahia which con-
trolled the town of Goliad, capturing the small
garrison in charge, with a large quantity of military
stores, arms, and some artillery. The capture of
La Bahia broke the communication between Bexar
and the Gulf, which the Mexicans were never able
afterwards to restore, and the attempt to do so lost
Santa Anna the battle of San Jacinto. Up to this
time it had been the policy of the leaders, under
Austin's advice, to act on the defensive. Inde-
pendence, although in every man's mind, was not
GuoRGK M. Collingsworth. y^^ definitely proposed. But to make a proper
defence of Texas it was necessary to control the
principal points of military value. It was therefore considered
of first importance to occupy San Antonio, and capture or expel
the strong garrison stationed there. Heretofore the various
municipalities had been acting in their local capacities, without
any central authority to direct general oj)erations. San Felipe
was regarded as the capital, and Stephen F. Austin was looked
General coun- to as the practical head of all movements. But now, at his sug-
cil formed ,. , .... . , , ^ .
gcstion, each municipality appointed one member from its conv
mittee of safety, to form a general council for the control of affairs,
and R. R. Roy.il was elected president of this new body, which
left Austin more at libertv to act with the forces in the field.
THE REVOLUTION. 187
Cos was now in command at San Antonio, with about twelve Period hi.
The
Revolution
hundred men, and Ugartachea was despatched to the Rio Grande
for reinforcements. ~r~
1832
The Texan forces at Gonzales were organized into a small
TO
army, and on October 11, 1835, Austin was elected to the chief 1836
command, with the title of General. His staff were W. D. C.
Hall, adjutant ; David B. Macomb, assistant adjutant ; Peter Austin elected
W. Grayson and William T. Austin (no relative of the General), ^°'"'"^" ^'" °
aides ; William H. Wharton, judge-advocate. A regiment of
three hundred men was formed, with John H. Moore, colonel ;
Ed\yard Burleson, lieutenant-colonel ; and Alexander Som-
ervell, major. Milam was placed in command of the
scouts. This little band marched towards San An-
tonio, and on October 20 camped on the Salado,
fourteen miles east from the town and fort. Here
it remained for a week, and was visited by Hous-
ton, Rusk, John A, Wharton, Branch T. Archer, , _^- «v
and other delegates of the Consultation, who came ^'^^^'^s^^X.
on from San Felipe ; the meeting of the Consulta- ^. nl i ^^^^
tion having been postponed until November, owing I J/A '\ '^
to the absence of so many delegates in the army. By liyj "^ y'
request of the soldiers, all delegates were urged to 5|^ , /
leave the army and attend to their duties in the Con- eq^v^kd Burlfson
sultation, and they all set out for San Felipe as soon
as the force removed from the Salado to the mission L' Espada,
nine miles below San Antonio, on the river.
Austin now had between six and seven hundred men, and
had been waiting further additions ; but he determined to move
nearer to Bexar. On October 27, he sent Bowie and Fannin
with ninety men to reconnoitre. They selected the mission Con-
cepcion, about one and a half miles from town, and disposed
their men in a strong position on the river, with the stream and
timber as a protection. At sunrise, on the 2Sth, the enemy's Battle of con-
cavalry rode onto the Texan pickets under Henry Karnes, and btr'28°"i'8 '^^°
drove them in. It was very foggy, and when the troops were
finally able to see the position of the enemy, it was discovered
that the Mexicans had practically surrounded them. Fannin
and Bowie at once rallied and arranged their men so as to co-
1 88 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period III. operate effectively. The Mexican infantry came up in force
'""^ in front, and the cavalry invested the Texan flanks. At eight
REVOLUTIUN ' ■' • 1 r 1 T-
— o'clock the batde opened from the side of the lexans, and was
TO soon general and fierce along the whole line. The enemy began
1836 firing grape and canister from a six-pounder about eighty yards
from the Texan right flank. It was silenced by the Texan rifles
Texan victory jn a fcw miuutes, and by a brilliant movement was captured and
turned on the Mexicans. The engagement lasted thirty minutes,
and the Mexicans lost about sixty killed, many of them officers,
and as many wounded, while the Texan loss was one man killed.
The Mexican force engaged was about four hundred, and the
Texans were ninety in number. This is known as the battle of
Concepcion, and it had ended before Austin with the main body
of the army arrived from L' Espada.
Texan army After the victory of Concepcion, Austin moved his army,
A^uonfo ^" ^^^^^ nearly a thousand strong, to the head of the San Anto-
nio River, east of the town, and, after various demonstrations
intended to secure a surrender of the place, the Texans took
their j)osition on the west bank of the river, at the " Old Mill,"
about half a mile north of the main plaza in San Antonio. The
town, or rather combination of town, fort, and mission, was
situated on the San Antonio River and San Pedro Creek, which
were about six hundred and fifty yards apart. The town lay
between the two streams, — the San Pedro on the west and the
San Antonio on the east, — -with a remarkably deep bend outward
of the latter, into which the town extended ; and just across the
Description of rivcr, cast, was the Alamo Mission and Fort. The main part of
,8^" " °"'°'" the city was built around the t^o plazas, — the main and military
squares, — which were divided by the church of San Fernando,
priests' houses, and a small row of buildings. One main street
ran along the north side of these squares, extending through the
town and east of the ri\'er to the Garita, or lookout and powder
house, a mile or more from the plazas, and the only bridge
across the river was at the crossing of this street. The surround-
ing country is mostly level, with eminences on the west at the
Alazan and on the north at the old mill. The houses were all
built of stone ^x\(\.- adobe, with thick walls, flat, parapeted roofs,
fronting directly on the street, and admirable for defence. There
THE REVOLUTION.
189
Period HI.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
was a system of irrigation ditclies, or acequias, all through the
town and country between the San Antonio and San Pedro.
Cos had strongly fortified the place, had excellent artillery,
and was well equipped for resisting a siege ; while the Texans
had only a few very inferior cannon. The days passed away,
and nothing was done beyond an occasional skirmish, and one
spirited engagement on November
28, led by Colonel Bowie, known
as the "Grass Fight," in which
the Mexicans lost about fifty killed
and wounded, and seventy head of
horses were captured. The delay
caused many of the volunteers to
leave the army, and the siege
seemed likely to fail. On Novem-
ber 21, General Austin issued an
order to prepare for the storming
of Bexar, but certain influences
among the men caused them to
oppose the movement, and he coun-
termanded the order the next day.
It is significant that Milam, Bowie,
and Travis were absent from the
army at that time, engaged in
scouting towards the Rio Grande.
But some valuable acquisitions were
being made to the Texan forces,
and the call for volunteers was being
responded to, not only in Texas, but
in the United States, where men and
su|)plies were raised to aid the struggle against Mexico. Gen-
eral Rusk was now with the army, and " Deaf" Smith was be-
ginning his valuable service as a scout. General Houston was General Hou-
at San Felipe, and he was accused of writing letters to officers
at Bexar, calculated to produce dissatisfaction and dissension
among the gallant men who were gathered there, and who con-
stituted the only army Texas had. General Houston did not
believe that San Antonio could be taken without cannon, and he
Map of San Antonio de Bexar and its Envi-
rons, ETC.
ston's views
of the siege of
Bexar
190
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period III.
Thi-
Revolution
1S32
TO
1836
Austin resigns
the command
Succeeded by
Edward Bur-
leson
The New Or-
leans Grays
Adoi.piil's Stkrnk
Ben Milam
leads the
storming of
Bexar, Decem-
ber 5, 183s
was opposed to the policy of making a stand so far from the
supporting line of the American settlements. In the latter
opinion he was probably correct ; but that he was wrong in the
first, Milam and Johnson demonstrated within a few days.
On November 24, Austin and Wharton were notified that the
Consultation had elected them, with Branch T. Archer, commis-
sioners to the United States to solicit aid for the struggling col-
onists. They resigned at once from their positions in the army,
and Colonel Edward Burleson was elected to the chief com-
mand in place of General Austin ; Francis W. Johnson was
made adjutant, but General Burleson retained the same aides
his predecessor had.
On November 21, the first volunteers from the United States
joined the Texan army at San Antonio. These were the two
companies of the Grays, from New Orleans, commanded by
Captains Robert C. Morris and Breese. These troops
were raised by the efforts of Adolphus Sterne, aided
by the generous support of William Christy and other
citizens of New Orleans. They brought many army
supplies with them, and their coming greatly en-
couraged the people and soldiers of Texas.
After Austin's departure from the army, the
plan which he had proposed of storming the town
grew in favor. The Texan force had decreased in
numbers by inaction, but those left were determined
and brave. Milam had returned, and. on December 4
he resolved to end the matter by an appeal to the men.
Drawing a line, he took his place on one side of it, ex-
claiming, "Who will follow old Ben Milam?" Three hundred
soldiers responded. The storming party was divided into two
divisions, one commanded by Milam, aided by Captain Morris,
and the other by Francis W. Johnson, aided by Colonels Austin,
Grant, and Brister. Just before daylight, on December 5, they
entered the suburbs, and moving rapidly, one command along
Acequia Street and the other along Soledad Street, they ap-
l)roachcd the viajji plaza ; the first division occupied the house
of Im (larza, while the second seized the W-ramcndi house.
These two buildings were a block from the main plaza and near
THE REVOLUTtON.
191
Period III.
The
Revolution
' 1832
TO
1836
.1- OR I'l.AN SHOWING OPERATIONS AND LOCALITIES OF TeXANS IN THE STORMING
OK Bexar. (Both ancient and modern buildings and streets are shown, and the
doited lines indicate route of Texaiis in the siege.)
192
A COMPLETE HISTORY OE TEXAS.
I'KRion 111.
The
Rkvoi.ution
TO
1836
the fight
the pn'es/s' /loi/sc which faced ihat />/asa on the north side. The
Zambrano Row and Navarro s house were farther around to the
west and south, near the military plaza, which was defended by
a redoubt a block west of those buildings. Barricades and forti-
fications protected all the streets near the plazas, and most of the
houses were garrisoned by Mexican soldiers. A battery at the
Description of Alamo could shcU the town, and the enemy's artillery was every-
the locality ^here well disposed. The first day's fight was slow but desper-
ate, — the Texans using their rifles, while the Mexicans kept up
Progress of a deadly fire from their cannon and breastworks. During the
night of the 5th both sides were busy strengthening their posi-
tions, the Mexicans firing all night, and on the 6th the Texans
were able to use their small cannon to better effect, while
they extended their line and fortified themselves in
trenches. The Mexicans occupied the tops of the
houses near the plazas, and from the parapet walls
directed a terrible volley at Milam's men, while a
continual cannonade was kept up from the Alamo
and the batteries at the entrances to the main
and military squares. Great danger was experi-
enced in passing from house to house, and the
storming force was not able to keep up com-
munications as well as they wished, but towards
evening they advanced from the Garza house to a
building near the main plaza. On the 7th the con-
flict continued much the same, the Texans steadily
gaining ground. But at three o'clock that afternoon.
Colonel Milam, in passing to Johnson's position in
the Veramendi house, was instantly killed by a shot in the head.
Francis W. Johnson succeeded to the command, with Robert C.
Morris next in authority. At ten o'clock that night the Navarro
house was taken, being a material advance towards the plaza.
On the morning of the 8th Zambrano Roiv was seized by the
Texans, after a desperate resistance by the enemy, the storming
party forcing their way by tunneling through the thick stone
walls and fighting from room to room. This was accomplished
by the companies of Llewellyn, English, Crane, and Landrum,
and a detachment of the New Orleans Grays, those troops being
i^ ■>
Bkn R. Milam.
Death of Ben
Milam
THE REVOLUTION.
19:
Period III.
The
Rkvolution
1^32
TO
1836
now commanded by William G. Cooke. At ten o'clock on the
night of the 8th the priests house was stormed and captured.
The enemy had been strengthened that day by Ugartachea with
a large force, and that night they kept up a furious firing against
every point of the Texan position. But at nine o' clock on the
morning of the 9th, General Cos sent a flag of truce to Colonel
Johnson, and surrendered San Antonio to the Texans, agreeing
to leave Texas with his officers at once, and never again
to take up arms against the Constitution of 1824. All -f.?"''''"
his men were to be permitted to go or stay as they
pleased, but the battalion of convict soldiers was
required to be taken back to Mexico by General
Cos. All stores, arms, and military property
were delivered to General Burleson for the Texan
army, and all prisoners on both sides were re-
leased. Thus, on December 9, 1835, Bexar had
fallen, and the Mexican invaders were driven from
Texas soil. The loss on the Texan side in the
storming of Bexar was very trifling. Colonel Milam
being the only one killed outright, while about thirty
were wounded. The Mexicans were said to have had
about one hundred and fifty killed and wounded. It
is a remarkable fact that this desperate undertaking was accom- Losses in the
plished by a volunteer force of three hundred men under a sub- ^'°'''"^"e
ordinate officer, while the commanding general and main body
of the army remained in camp.
About the time the siege of Bexar began, a small conflict Lipantitian
occurred at Lipantitian, near San Patricio, on the Nueces. This
was on November 4, Captain Westover commanding the Texans.
The Mexicans were defeated and retired from the country.
The campaign of 1835 had ended, and the results were of Results of the
incalculable value to Texas. Had the capture of Bexar been ^^"^p^'S" °'^
postponed, as General Houston advised in November, until the
following March, the Mexicans would have overrun the whole
country west of the Brazos before money, arms, or troops could
have been collected ; before a government could be put in oper-
ation ; before a single volunteer could come from the United
States ; before the colonists could have organized any but the
13
William C. Cooke.
November 4,
1835
194
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
18^12
I'liRioD HI. most disordei'lv and feeble resistance. As it was, not a Mexican
„ ^"^ soldier was in Texas at the close of December; Bexar, Goliad,
Revolution _ ' '
and Gonzales were held by Texan troops ; the provisional gov-
ernment had been organized, and its agents were in the United
• '■^o^ States enlisting substantial aid and generous sympathy every-
where ; \'olunteers were coming from all the colonies and from
the patriotic towns and cities of distant States, while practical
steps were being taken to equip an army and navy capable of
coping with the Mexican invasion, which it was certain would
soon attempt the subjugation of Texas. None of these things
could have been accomplished but for the patriots of Goliad
and Gonzales, and the heroes of Lipantitlan and Bexar, in the
campaign of 1835.
QUESTIONS.
What were Santa Anna's motives for detaining Austin as a prisoner
in Mexico? To what position was Austin elected during his absence, and
who else was elected with him ? How did his captivity aflfect the col-
onists ? What two parties were there in Texas at the time of the Revolu-
tion, and what were their views on the subject ? W^hat was the general
conclusion of all thinking men ? W^hat were Santa Anna's plans for con-
{}uering Texas? W^hat did the Texans do towards organizing for resist-
ance and freedom? Describe the Tenorio incident. What about public
meetings? What was the sentiment in Bexar? W1iat was the uniform
sentiment in all the public meetings? When, where, and by whom was
the first meeting held suggesdng a "Consultation"? W' here else and
when were other meetings held for the same purpose ? What occurred at
tliis time in regard to the Indians ? What can you say about the meeting
held by the "peace party" in July, 1835? Who came to Texas from
Mexico at this time, and why ? What had been his career in Mexico ?
What did .Santa Anna do towards securing his arrest and return to Mexico,
and who else were included in the order of arrest ? What effect had the
order in Texas? What occurred in July? What in August? What was
decided ujion ? What was done towards organizing the militia ? Who was
elected commander at Nacogdoches ? When did Austin return from Mex-
ico, and what did he do in Texas ? Wliat condition did Mexico propose as
the basis of peace, and how did the Texans receive it ? W^hen and where
was the first battle of the Revolution fought ? Describe the events leading
to the battle and capture of Gonzales. What place did tiie Mexicans fortify
and reinforce ? What steps did the Texans take to capture that point ?
THE REVOLUTION.
195
TO
1836
What man, afterwards distinguished, joined the Texans at this time ? I )e- Period Hi.
scribe the capture of La Bahia or Gohad, and what was the importance of „ "^
' . ' . Revolution
that event ? What was the purpose of the Texans at that time ? Describe
what took place in regard to organizing a central council, and who was the ^^^^
president of it? Who was in command of the INIexicans at San Antonio,
and what did he do ? Describe the organization of the Texan army at Gon-
zales. Who were the various officers ? What did the army do ? Who vis-
ited it in camp, and what occurred ? Where did the army then go ? When
was this, and what was the size of the Texan forces? Describe the battle
of Concepciott, and how it happened. When was this ? Where did Austin
then move to ? Describe the location, surroundings, and plan of San Anto-
nio de Bexar in 1835. What was the Grass Fight, when and how did it
occur? What order did Austin issue on November 21, and why was
it not executed? What reinforcements did the Texans receive at this
time ? Where was General Houston, and what were his views as to the
situation at Bexar ? What can you say of them ? What changes occurred
in the army on November 24, and why? When did the first volunteers
from the United States join the army, who were they, and by whose
influence were they raised? What occurred after Austin left the army?
Who called for men to storm Bexar, and descril^e what happened ? How
was the storming party divided and commanded ? Describe the locality
involved in this storming. Explain the course of the Texans on entering
the town. Describe the storming, giving the progress of the fighting
each day, and explaining the movements of the Texans. Who finally
won, and when ? What were the terms of the surrender ? What were
the losses on each side, and what was the result of the Texan victory?
Who was killed on the Texan side, how, and who succeeded him in the
command? Give the names of the principal officers and troops engaged
in the storming of Bexar. When, where, and by whom was the battle of
Lipantitlan fought, and with what result ? What were the results and
importance of the campaign of 1S35, and explain the value of what was
accomplished by the Texan army in that campaign ?
Topical Analysis.
1. The progress of the Revolution, as shown in the public meetings,
committees of safety, general council, and final call for a " General Con-
sultation of all Texas." Note the times and places of the various meet-
ings.
2. Santa Anna's attempt to arrest citizens of Texas and carry them to
Mexico for trial for political ofTences. This precipitated the actual break-
ing out of the war.
3. Capture of Gonzales (the first battle of the Revolution), followed
by capture of Goliad and the marcii on San Antonio, being the beginning
of the campaign of 1S35.
96
A COMPI.ETF. HISTORY OF TEXAS.
rKRlOD III.
Thk
revolution
1832
TO
1836
4. Continuation of tlie cainpais;n, battle of Concei)cion, the Grass
Fight, Lipantitlan, and the storniin.i^ of Bexar. Mexicans driven out of
Texas.
5. Importance and vaUie of the cainpais;n of 1S35.
Geography.
The student should locate the se\eral ymmicipalitics of Texas as they
existed in 1835-6, as they formed the first political institutions of the
colonies and were afterwards adopted as original counties at the organiza-
tion of the permanent government of the Republic. Trace the route of
the Texan army in the campaign of 1835, and locate the battles of Gon-
zales, Goliad, Lipantitlan, Concepcion, the Grass Fight, and siege and
storming of Bexar.
Parallel Readings.
Scarfif's "Comprehensive History of Texas" (1897), Vol. I. ; Brown's
"History of Texas," Vols. I. and 11.; Williams's "Sam Houston;"
I'Vancis \V. Johnson's "History of Texas," MS.; Crane's "Life of
Houston."
SUTNATURK Ol'' Jl'AN Nl'roM rClsNO Sl'til'IN.
CHAPTER XII.
The Consultation ; The Provisional Government ;
Preparations for War.
T
HE General Consultation of all Texas, called to meet Period hi.
for October i6, 1835, did not organize on that day revolution
owing to the absence of a quorum, many of the dele- "T"
gates being with the army at Gonzales. The organi- to
zation was postponed to November i, and on that date, there '"'^36
still being a number absent, the proceedings were deferred until
November 3, — Austin's birthday. The general council, or cen- The Consuita-
tral executive committee, which had been previously formed by !!°" ** ^f "
. Felipe, No-
the municipalities, had been up to that time the only government vember 3, 1835
for all the colonies, and it had not been able to do much. It
had a delicate and difificult question to deal with, in satisfying
the Cherokee and Cushatta Indians, who were becoming very The Indian •
restless and even clamorous about their settlements in Eastern ^'^° ^"^
Texas. They had built villages and engaged in farming, to
some extent, near Nacogdoches and along the Neches and
Trinity, and they were anxious to have the titles to their lands
confirmed. In a critical moment like this it would not do to
incur their hostility, and ex'cry effort was made to pacify
them. Both Austin and Houston wrote to them in October,
1S35, assuring them that their lands and rights would be pro-
tected ; and they were invited to send a representative to the
Consultation.
The council managed to keep up a weekly mail through Early newspa-
Texas and to the United States. The Telegraph was published ^"^ ^"'^ '"^'•'
weekly by Raker and Borden at San Felipe, and "The Emi-
grant's Guide" was about starting at Nacogdoches ; so that the
colonists were kept informed of passing events. The council also
appointed Sims Hall army contractor, and Thomas F. McKin-
ney financial agent to contract a loan of one hundred thousand
197
198
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period III.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
Thomas F. McKinney.
Independence
deferred
dollars in New Orleans. These acts were regular and appar-
ently necessary, and the action of the council was afterwards
approved by the Consultation.
The Consultation finally met on November 3, fifty-five dele-
gates being present, representing thirteen municipalities. Branch
T. Archer was elected president of the body, and a committee
was appointed, with John A. Wharton as chairman,
to prepare a declaration of the causes which impelled
the colonists to take up arms against Mexico ; while
another committee, of which Henry Millard was
chairman, was appointed to draft a plan for a pro-
visional government for Texas. The question of
whether the colonists should declare their absolute
independence came up and was warmly discussed.
Perhaps all the delegates wished for such action and
believed it would soon come, but it was not then
thought to be prudent and wise to so declare. The
motion for a Declaration of Independence was defeated by a
\'ote of fifteen yeas to thirty-three nays. John A. Wharton led
the debate in favor of independence, while D. C. Barrett led
the opposition to it. Houston also opposed an immediate decla-
Deciaration of ration of independence. The declaration of grievances reported
grievances |^^. ^j^^ committee and adopted, set forth fully all the despotic
and unconstitutional acts of the Mexican government, as they
have appeared in the history of the preceding ten years, and
declared for the Constitution of 1824. The plan of the provi-
sional government, agreed upon on November 13, provided for
the election by the Consultation of a provisional governor and
lieutenant-governor, and an acKisory council composed of one
member from each municipality. Henry Smith was elected
governor and James W. Robinson lieutenant-governor. It was
desired to elect Austin provisional governor, but he was with
the army at San Antonio, and it was thought that his services
would be more valuable as one of the commissioners to the
Tnited States, to which position he was appointed, with Branch
T. Archer and William H. Wharton. Wharton at first declined,
ior the reason that he was in favor of declaring the absolute
independence of Texas. He argued that anything short of
Provisional
government
organized
William H.
Wharton
THE REVOLUTION.
199
Pkriod III.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
He was, how-
such a declaration would accomplish nothing ; that all Mexico
would unite against Texas, no matter what was done ; and
that nothing could be expected from the United States in the
way of men, money, or sympathy so long as the colonists oc-
cupied the position of a revolted province of Mexico, still
claiming allegiance to the Mexican constitution,
ever, at last prevailed upon to accept the posi-
tion of commissioner, upon the assurance that
what he desired would very soon be accom-
plished. In December the commissioners set
out for the United States.
The Consultation provided for a commander-
in-chief of the army, and Sam Houston was
elected to that rank, while the organization of
a regular army of eleven hundred and twenty
men was ordered, and one hundred and fifty
Rangers on the frontier. A loan of one million
dollars was authorized ; all land commissioners
were suspended and no further land titles could
be issued ; the fraudulent and illegal land grants
made by the legislature of Coahuila and Texas
were declared void ; and it was solemnly enacted that the Chero-
kee and other friendly Indians should be secured in the titles
and peaceable possession of their lands in Eastern Texas. The
Consultation adjourned on November 14 to meet March i, 1836,
the adjourned meeting to be composed of the same delegates
unless the council should order an election for new delegates.
As soon as the provisional government began operations, an Quarrel be-
unfortunate hostility arose between the governor and the coun-
cil. It would be a waste of time to undertake to decide who
was right in the various controversies that arose, or to enter
into the details of their differences. The continual disagree-
ment between Governor Smith and his council paralyzed the
government, and prevented the organization of the army for a
month. It progressed to the point of the most violent and
abusive language on both sides, and finally resulted in the
council adopting a resolution deposing the governor, although
he still claimed and continued to exercise such authority as he
Henry Smith.
Cherokees
guaranteed
their lands
tween g v-
ernor and
council
200 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
I'KKioi. III. could. The plan of the provisional government provided that
^"'^ the commander of the army should be "subject to the eov-
Revoi.ution ■' ' °
— - ernor and council," but as the latter could never agree among
TO themselves, General Houston was powerless to do anything.
1836 The spectacle of this disgraceful controversy disgusted every-
I)ody, discouraged the colonists, and well-nigh drove away the
Ks.'isastrous svmpathy and aid of the outside world. It was but another
effects example of the folly, so often demonstrated in modern times, of
placing the military operations of a revolutionary war under the
control of a political government.
Organization At last, on December 13, General Houston secured such ac-
t e army ^^j^^^ from the govcmor and council as enabled him to proceed
Land bounties to organize a regular army. The council declared that all sol-
diers in the regular army should receive six hundred and forty
acres of land as a bounty, which was afterwards increased to
eight hundred acres ; all volunteers in the war against Mexico
should receive six hundred and forty acres ; and all persons
who sht^uld leave Texas in her then condition forfeited their
lands entirely. Houston issued a proclamation, setting forth
these inducements and calling for soldiers to enter the service,
but the continual conflict in the provisional government greatly
retarded all his efiorts.
indep;nc';nce Meanwhile, the sentiment in favor of the declaration of ab-
Goiiad,^De- solute independence from Mexico grew apace among the people.
ccmber 20, 1835 In November and December public meetings were held in Na-
cogdoches and Brazoria, which adopted resolutions to that
effect, and on December 20, at Goliad, ninety-two citizens drew
up, adopted, and signed a declaration ' ' that the former province
and department of Texas is, and of right ought to be, a free,
sovereign, and independent state." Major Ira Ingram got up
this movement, and he was aided by Captain Philip Dinimitt's
volunteer company and the citizens of Goliad. Thirty-one out
of the ninety-two signers belonged to the Irish colonies of San
Patricio and Refugio.
The Mataino- About this time the country was agitated by the scheme of
ros expedition ... j o j
an expedition to capture Matamoros. Dr. James Grant, who
owned \aluable estates in Northern Mexico, seems to have
started this scheme, and it was favored bv Colonels P^rancis W.
THE REVOLUTION.
20I
Period III.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
council
Johnson and J W. Fannin. The soldiers were idle and rest-
less, and there was a desire to engage in some sort of desperate
enterprise against Mexico. General Houston and Governor
Smith were opposed to the expedition, but it seemed impossible
to prevent the volunteers who had gathered in the west from
taking part in the movement, and to preserve the enthusiasm
of the men the Matamoros raid was partially authorized by the
commander-in-chief. The council was wholly committed to the Aided by the
expedition, and in January, 1836, it went so far as to ignore
General Houston's authority by appointing Johnson and Fannin
as agents to raise troops and prosecute an independent war-
fare on Mexico. This was clearly beyond the powers of the
council, amounted to setting aside the general of the
regular army, and it led to most serious conse-
quences. All the confusion and disaster that fol-
lowed in the spring of 1836 were traceable to this
Matamoros scheme and the arbitrary action of the
council in regard to it. The troops were stationed
throughout the western country under separate
ciiiefs, the soldiers were in doubt as to what would
be the next move, the otiticers were involved in con-
troversies wilh the government and with each other,
and what should have been a united and well orgau-
ized army under one competent commander became
a disorganized and discordant force, made up of
widely scattered detachments engaged in pushing the individual
plans of their several leaders. The fall of the Alamo and the
massacre at Goliad were among the terrible results of such a
policy.
The financial condition of Texas at this time was very critical.
The people were poor and the provisional government had no
funds. Private aid came from many sources in and out of the
province. Mobile and New Orleans being especially generous
in their contributions. The finance committee of the council
recommended a system of taxation and customs duties which
would provide necessary funds for the future ; but what was
needed then was money and supplies -to conduct the war, and
these must be had at once. A public loan was the only remedy,'
Fr.'\ncis W. Johnson.
Financial con-
dition of Texas
202
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
pERion III.
Thi-;
Revolution
1S32
TO
1836
Mexico pre-
pares a srcond
invasion of
Texas
Volunteers
from Alabama
and Georgia
Houston's
orders in the
west
and for the negotiation of this the people looked to their com-
missioners in the United States.
In November, 1835, Mexico sent two war-ships, the Bravo
and the Monte ziana, to the Texas coast, and began to do great
harm to the importation and exportation of merchandise in
Texas. In the interior of Mexico extensive preparations were
made for the second invasion to subdue the Texans. A large
army was collected at San Luis Potosi in November and Decem-
ber, to be led to Bexar by Santa Anna in person ; Urrea was
sent to defend Matamoros and to march thence to Goliad ; Cos
was at Laredo, where he had been joined by Sesma with fifteen
hundred fresh troops, so that, unknown to the colonists, the
storm was gathering" beyond the Rio Grande.
On December 25, 1835, General Houston removed his head-
quarters to Washington, on the Brazos, where he met two com-
panies of volunteers from Alabama under Colonel Wyatt ; while
about the same time the famous Georgia Battalion, under Major
William Ward, arrived at San Felipe. Houston
had been industriously trying to concentrate the
regular troops at Goliad and Refugio, and the
supplies at Copano and Matagorda on the coast.
On December 30 he ordered all volunteers to
gather at Copano and to remain there for further
orders. These dispositions were all upset by
the- Matamoros excitement in January, and San
Antonio was left practically undefended by the
departure of men from there to join that expedi-
tion. On January 8, General Houston set out
for the west, having appointed Colonel Travis
chief of the recruiting service, and ordered
Colonels T. J. Rusk. J. K. Allen, and A. Hor-
. ton to report at headquarters. At this time
General Houston expressed himself as convinced that absolute
independence was the only course for Texas to pursue, and
almost at the same date General Austin wrote to Houston from
New Orleans, expressing the same conviction.
Houston reached Goliad on January 16, ordered the command
of Colonel R. C. Morris to proceed to Refugio, and on the 17th
All XANm.R IldKTON
THE REVOLUTION.
20'
Period III.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
San Antonio
practically
abandoned
Matamoros
expedition
continues to
he sent Bowie with thirty men to Colonel Neill at San Antonio,
with orders to destroy the fortifications there and retire with the
artillery to Goliad, as the position could not be held with the
small force then there. Captain Smith was also directed to raise
a hundred men and go to San Antonio ; it having been learned
that a Mexican force of one thousand men were marching on
that place. Neill replied that he had no teams to move the
cannon, and therefore did not destroy the fortifications. Only
eighty men were now left at Bexar, and Governor Smith assumed
the authority to remove Travis from his position as recruiting
ofificer, and sent him to San Antonio with a small command.
Travis called for men and money. Of the latter there was none,
and the former were few to respond in the disordered condition
then prevailing.
Meanwhile, the Matamoros expedition was being still nursed
by Grant, Fannin, and Johnson, supported by the council, and
it operated as a counter-movement to anything attempted by disorganize
the commander-in-chief. Houston reached Refugio and learned ^^^ ^''™^
that no supplies had been gathered at Copano, as he had
directed. On January 20, Colonel Francis W. John-
son arrived at Refugio and informed General Hous-
ton that the council had deposed Governor Smith,
arid had appointed Colonel Fannin and himself
agents to raise troops and supplies and invade
Mexico by taking Matamoros. Houston's con-
duct was simple and natural. One branch of the
provisional government had assumed to destroy
the other, thereby practically destroying itself
It had ignored the military organization estab-
lished by the Consultation, by superseding the com
mander of the army with independent agents of its own,
and all discipline, unity, and intelligence of action were
rendered impossible. General Houston at once returned
Washington and reported the facts to Governor Smith.
By a previous order of the council. General Houston, John
Forbes, and John Cameron had been appointed to make a treaty
with the Cherokee Indians and their associate bands, for the
purpose of carrying out Xhe solemn promise made by the Con-
JoHN Forbes.
to
Treaty with
the Cherokees
204
A COMTLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkriod 111.
Thk
KlCVOI.lTlON
IS32
TO
Santa Anna
marches to
Texas
sultalR)!! in reference to securing the Imlians in the title to their
lands. By order of the gtnernor, General Houston was granted
a furlough until March i, and directed to proceed on his mission
to the Indians. He and Forbes went to Chief Bowles's village,
and, on I'ebruary 23, 1836, entered into a treaty in acci>rdance
with the action of the Consultation. Tliis treaty was never
formally ratified by the go\'ernment of Texas.
Turning now to Mexico, we find Santa Anna at Sallillo in
January, 1S36, whence, on the ist of February, he set out for
Texas at the head of six thousand men. He reached the Rio
Cirande on the 12th, and sent General Jose Urrea to Matamoros,
whence the latter, on February iS, marched with about seven
hundred men to attack Johnson and Grant at San Patricio,
arriving tht^re on the 27th. Santa Anna's generals in this
expedition, besides Urrea, were Filisola, Sesma, Gaona, Tolsa,
Castrillon, Andrade. Woll, and Cos. Marching from
the Rio Grande in February, Santa Anna's army
reached the heights of the Alazan, overlooking San
.\ntonio, on the 23d, — the spot where the " Repub-
lican Army of the North" had so signally routed
l^lisondo in 18 13. The recovery of Bexar by the
Mexicans was about to begin. Texas was not well
prepared for the ensuing conflict, but her ]ieople felt
no fear, trusting in the bravery of their men and
the justice of their cause. The commissioners to
ihe I'nited States had met with reasonable success
Austin matle a great speech in Louis\ille, Kentucky,
which was widely circulated and aroused much sym-
pathy and enthusiasiu for the struggling colonists.
*."()lonel William Christy, of New Orleans, was the faithful friend
and helper of Texas in this crisis, and bv his aid the commis-
Sccurcsaioan sioiiers securcd a loan of two liundred thousand dollars, — ten
per cent, in cash and the balance in instalments, — and another
cash loan of fifty thousand dollars.
The iK'ople at large, however, seemed strangely indiflterent
to the approaching danger, and it was with the greatest difficulty
tlu'y could be aroused. This was largely due to the general
disgust at the provisional government and its unseemly discords,
Will I A ,1 IHKls 1 '
Austin n the
United States
General
apathy in
Texas
THi: RKVOI.UTION.
^05
vv iiich continued to paralyze the army and dishearten everybody. im-kiod hi.
Thk
Revolution
In spite of this continual trouble between the governor and the "'*'
council, some good measures were adopted, which formed the ~
basis for the subsequent legislative system of the Republic and ,0
State. One notable act of patriotism in those times was the gift ''^36
by Thomas J. Chambers of ten thousand dollars, for support-
ing an army of reserve which he was authorized to raise and
organize.
As a result of the general and growing sentiment in fa\-or of Election
the absolute independence of Texas from Mexico, on December general con^
10, 1835, the council had passed an ordinance providing for an vention to de-
election to be held throughout Texas on February i, 1836, to 'l^nde^pendence
select delegates to a general convention to be assembled at
Washington on March i, for the purpose of forming and declar-
ing an independent government for Texas, destined to place her
among the sovereign republics of the world. To that declaration
and its vindication on the field of battle we have now come.
QUESTIONS.
VV^HK.N' did the General Consultation finally organize, and what
caused the delay? Prior to that time what sort of government did the
colonies have, and what difficult question did it have to deal with? E.x-
l)lain what was done in regard to the Indians. What did the central exec-
utive council do in regard to the mails, army contracts, and negotiating
a loan ? What publications were issued in Texas at that time ? What did
tlie Consultation do in regard to the council's acts? How many delegates
were there in the Consultation, and how many municipalities were repre-
sented? Who was elected president, and what committees were ap-
pointed? What action was taken in regard to a Declaration of Indepen-
dence ? Who led the two sides in the debate on that question ? What
kind i)l declaration was adopted, and what did it contain? When was
the plan of provisional s^overiiment adopted, and what was that plan ?
Wlio were elected provisional governor and lieutenant-governor? Why
was Austin not elected governor, and to what position was he appointed
by the Consultation ? Who else was appointed with him ? Explain the
position and action of William H. Wharton. What provision was made
in regard to the army, and who was elected commander-in-chief? What
other important acts did the CcMisultation pass ? When did it adjourn,
and when and how was it to assemble again ? What controversy arose
RKVOl.rXION
206 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
pHRion 111. at this time between the governor and council, and explain the progress
'^"'■' and effects of this quarrel ? When did General Houston finally begin to
organize the army, and what provisions were made for donating lands to
J ^32 the soldiers? What progress was made in the direction of independence,
'^ what meetings were held, and when, where, and by whom was a decla-
-"* ration of independence actually adopted? Who constituted a large part
of the signers of that declaration ? What scheme was agitated at this
time ? Who originated and favored it ? Who opposed it ? What did the
council do in the matter, and with what result? Explain the disastrous
consequences of that scheme. What was the financial condition of Texas
then, from whence was private aid received, and what was necessary to
raise money? When and how did Mexico do injury to Texan commerce?
What preparations were made for a second invasion of Texas ? Explain.
. General Houston's movements and plans at this time. What troops came
to Texas to aid the Revolution? What effect did the Matamoros expedi-
tion have on the army ? When did Houston go to the W^est, and what
orders did he give? What views did he and General Austin entertain at
that time in regard to independence ? When did Houston reach Goliad,
ar.d what orders did he issue? Explain how they were executed, and
wiiat was the situation at .San Antonio ? W^hat was being done in regard
t ) the Matamoros expedition, and by whom? What occurred at Refugio,
and what did General Houston do, and why? Explain the relations and
treaty with the Cherokee Indians at this time. When and by whom was
the treaty made, and what were its provisions? Describe Santa Anna's
movements in January and February, 1836. Who were his generals in
the invasion of Texas ? When did the ^Mexican army reach .San Antonio ?
What success had the Texas commissioners in the United States ? What
great speech did Austin make, and with what result? What citizen of
New Orleans rendered valuable aid to Texas ? What loans were made
to Texas, and on what terms ? What was the condition among the people
at large, and wiiy? \\1iat good measures did the council adopt? What
notable act of patriotism occurred at that time ? W'hen was an election
for a general convention ordered, for what purpose, and when and where
was it to meet ?
Topical Analysis.
1. The General Consu/hifioii ^t San Felipe, November 3, 1835. Or-
ganization of a provisional government. Declaration of grievances
adopted instead of declaration of independence. Commissioners to the
United States ajiixjinted, to secure a public loan and general sympathy
and aid.
2. The organization of the army, scarcity of men and means, and
difficulties of the situation. Land bounties granted the soldiers. Volun-
teer troojis from the United States.
3. Tlie Matamo7'os Expeditioji, and its disastrous influence and results
in the ensuing campaigns of 1835-6.
THE REVOLUTION.
207
TO
1836
4. The quarrel between the governor and council, and its paralyzing
effects upon the army and the people.
5. Treaty with the Cherokee Indians, by which they were solemnly
promised secure title and peaceable possession of their lands in Eastern '°32
Texas, in consideration of their remaining neutral in the fight l^etween
Mexico and Texas.
6. Second invasion of Texas by a Mexican army, led l)y Santa Anna
in person.
7. Growth of sentiment in favor of absolute independence, and the
calling of a general convention for that purpose.
Geography.
The student should familiarize himself with the locations of the
various points of interest in this period of the history ; such as San
Felipe, Goliad, Gonzales, Refugio, San Patricio, San Antonio, and the
various rivers in that region.
Parallel Readings.
Scarff's " Comprehensive History of Texas" ( 1897), Vol. 1. ; Brown's
"History of Texas," Vols. I. and II.; Williams's "Sam Houston;"
Francis W. Johnson's "History of Texas," MS.; Crane's "Life of
Houston."
Bible ok Colonki. \V. B. Travis (found in the Alamo).
CHAPTER XIII.
The Independence of Texas Declared ; Campaign of
1836; Fall of the Alamo; Battle of the
Coleto ; Massacre at Goliad.
1832
T
iKRioi) III. l^^^HE first Constitutional Convention of Texas met at old
„ '"'■■ I Washineton on the Brazos, on March i, 1836. It
Kkvoi.ltion m ^ 'J
contained fifty-eight members, comprising most of the
men then prominent in Texas and many who after-
i^3^ wards became so. Among the leading members were Sterling
C. Robertson, Bailey Hardeman, George C. Childress, Charles B.
First consti- Stewart, James B. Collinsworth, Edwin Waller, Thomas J. Rusk,
tutionaicon- j^^, Antonio Navarro, ColHn McKinnev, Albert H. Latimer,
vention, •' ' • '
March i, 1836 William Menefee, Richard Ellis, Stephen W. Blount, Matthew
Its leading Caldwcll, W. C. Crawford, Sam Houston, Lorenzo de Zavala,
members Qeorge W. Smvthe, Claiborne West, B. B. Goodrich, M. B.
Menard, Jesse Grimes, James G. Swisher, A. B. Hardin, Elijah
Stapp, Robert Potter, R. M. Coleman, William Morley, S.
Rhoads Fisher, Samuel A. Maverick, Andrew Briscoe, and John
W. Moore. James Kerr and John J. Linn were members, but
did not arrive in time to participate. Richard Ellis, of Red
River, was elected president, and H. S. Kimball, secretary.
Declaration of On the uext day, March 2, a Declaration of Independence
adopted, *"'^* ^^'''^ unanimously adopted and signed by the members present,
March j, 1836 the absentees signing as they came in. The Declaration was
prepared by a committee composed of George C. Childress,
Collin McKinney, Edward Conrad, James Gaines, and Bailey
Hardeman. The convention spent no time in investigating the
difficulties of the provisional government, but simply demanded
the books and papers and took charge of affairs. On March 4,
General Houston was elected to the supreme command of all the
military forces then or thereafter in the service of the new gov-
ernment. Houston was a delegate from Refugio, ha\ing been
20S
THE REVOLUTION.
209
Period III.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
Bailey Hardkman.
elected from there, instead of from his home in Nacogdoches.
All able-bodied persons between the ages of seventeen and fifty
were declared liable to military duty, and provisions were
adopted to compel their service. Liberal land bounties were
likewise offered to the soldiers. Those then in the army, and
who should continue to the end of the war, should receive
twelve hundred and eighty acres ; for six
months' service, six hundred and forty acres ;
for three months, three hundred and twenty
acres ; and all new recruits serving six months,
or to the end of the war, nine hundred and
sixty acres. An appeal to the people of the
United States for aid in money, supplies, and
troops was published.
On March 16-17, a permanent constitu-
tion for the Republic of Texas was adopted,
modelled after that of the United States, with
some provisions borrowed from the various
State constitutions of the American Union. It
provided for a president, vice-president, and congress composed Constitution
of two houses ; and a temporary government, called the govern-
ment ad interwi, was to be established
until a regular election could be held.
The constitution was to be submitted
for ratification to a vote of the people,
at an election to be held on September
I, at which time also the first perma-
nent ofificers and members of congress
were to be elected by popular vote.
On the 17th the convention elected
David G. Burnet president ad interim ;
Lorenzo de Zavala, vice-president ;
Samuel P. Carson, secretary of state ;
Bailey Hardeman, secretary of the
treasury ; Thomas J. Rusk, secretary of war ; Robert Potter,
secretary of the navy ; and David Thomas, attorney-general.
On the following day the convention adjourned, its labors having
been thoroughly harmonious. The headquarters of the govern-
i4
of the Repub-
lic of Texas
adopted in
convention,
March 16, 17,
1836
Government
ad interim
David G. Burnet.
2IO
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period III.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
Military situa-
tion at the
opening of the
campaign of
1836
James B.
Bonham
ment ad interim were removed to Harrisburg, on Buffalo Bayou,
and General Houston had already set out, on March 6, for the
scene of active operations in the west.
At the commencement of the campaign of 1836, the military
situation in Texas was as follows : Francis W. Johnson was at
San Patricio, while Dr. James Grant and Robert C. Morris were
scouting for horses west of the Nueces. Fannin had marched
from Copano, by way of Refugio, to Goliad, where he was sta-
tioned with his regiment composed of the Lafayette and Georgia
battalions under Majors Wallace and Mitchell, with Fannin as
colonel and William Ward as lieutenant-colonel. The plan was,
that as soon as Grant returned to San Patricio,
he and Johnson would join Fannin at Goliad.
At San Antonio there were about one hundred
and fifty men, under the four notable leaders
whose names are imperishably linked with the
bloody memories of Bexar. William B. Travis,
a native of North Carolina, was in command.
He was a lawyer by profession, twenty-eight
years old, of indomitable courage, fine physical
bearing, and great personal attraction. There
was James Bowie, originally of Georgia, as
desperate and dangerous a foe as lived in those
deadly days, — but withal a kind-hearted and
chivalrous man, — a duellist, a filibuster, a pirate
and slave-trader with Lafitte, a skilful Indian
fighter, and now a devoted defender of Texan
liberty. Lately there had come from Tennes-
see to Texas, and to the little band at San
Antonio, the famous Davy Crockett, — the bear-
hunter, the politician and ex-congressman, the former friend and
subsequent caricaturist of Jackson and Van Buren, — who "ever
with a frolic welcome took the sunshine and the thunder. ' ' And
there was the quiet and soldierly James B. Bonham, from South
Carolina, whose cool daring was concealed beneath a surface of
kindly reserve. These men and their loyal comrades were des-
David Crockett
' From oil-paintins^ by W. H. Huddle.
THE REVOLUTION.
21 I
tined to make the Alamo as immortaLLn-riie calendar of historic
heroism as Leonidas and his three hundred had rendered the
mountain pass of northern Greece.
It should be borne in mind that, in what followed, most of
the events in different places occurred without the knowledge of
what was passing elsewhere. Communication was slow and
difficult in those days, and the scattered detachments of Texan
soldiers fought their battles and met their fate in entire isolation
from each other and from the great body of the colonists east of
the Colorado.
As we have seen, Urrea reached San Patricio from Matamoros
on the night of February 27, and immediately assaulted the town.
The Texans, numbering about a hundred, were nearly all killed,
a few were captured, and Colonel Johnson and three others
escaped and made their way to Refugio. Urrea had nearly a
thousand men, and, learning that Grant was absent with a scout-
ing party, he sent out a force to capture him. On March 2, at
the Agua Dnicc Creek, twenty miles from San Patricio, the
Mexicans ambushed "Grant's party and killed all of them, includ-
ing Colonel R. C. Morris, except Grant and Reuben R. Brown,
who escaped and fled with the horses. They were pursued for
several miles, and Grant was finally lamed and shot to pieces by
the Mexicans, while Brown was captured and lived to relate the
story of the butchery. Urrea, having thus disposed of two
leaders in the famous Matamoros expedition, now turned his
attention to the remaining one at Goliad. Fannin, having occu-
pied Goliad early in February, fortified the town and began
collecting men and supplies for its defence, rechristening old La
Bahia as Fort Dejia^icc. His means of transportation and sub-
sistence were scarce, and he had great difificulty in maintaining
his force. When he heard of the fate of Johnson and Grant and
Urrea' s advance on Refugio, Fannin sent Captain King with
twenty-eight men to remove some families who were at that
mission. King reached Refugio on March 12, where he was
immediately besieged by Urrea' s cavalry and took refuge in the
old mission, sending a messenger to Fannin for aid. The mes-
sage reached Goliad at midnight the same date, and F^annin at
once sent off Major Ward with one hundred men to King's relief.
Period HI.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
Isolated na-
ture of the
war move-
ments
Urrea cap-
tures San
Patricio
Grant killed at
Agua Dulce
Creek
Fannin at
Goliad
Sends Kin?
and Ward to
Refugio
A rOMPI.ETK HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period 111.
Thk
Revolution
1S32
TO
1836
King's com-
pany Cuptured
and shot
Battle at Re-
fugio Mission.
Ward escapes
Houston at
Gonzales. Or-
ders Fannin 10
retreat
The Texans
besieged in
the Alamo,
February 24,
1836
Description of
the Alamo
Ward reached the mission on the 13th, and next day Mexican
reinforcements arrived. It was intended to return to Fannin on
the 14th, but, hearinij of the Mexican increase of force, King
took a few men from the mission and went to reconnoitre. He
lost his way and wandered around for two days, when his jiarty
were all captured and shot. The same morning King left the
mission (the 14th), Ward, becoming alarmed by tiring in the
direction the party had gone, started after them with his com-
mand. They came on the enemy, eight hundred strong, and
retreated to the mission, where a desperate battle ensued, — the
Mexicans losing two hundred killed and wounded. The follow-
ing night. Ward and his men escaped fi\)m the mission and
marched to X'ictoria.
Meanwhile, on March 11, General Houston had reached
Gonzales, and the same day sent a despatch to Fannin, at Goliad,
to abandon that place, blow up the fort, and retire to X'ictoria
on the Guadalupe. Fannin recei\'ed this order on the 14th. and
at once sent runners after Ward and King, while he prepared to
evacuate Fort Defiance. His fatal delay in waiting for the return
of his officers and men from Refugio led to the tragedy that
o\-ertook his command a few davs later.
We return now to the little garrison at Bexar. As has been
stated, Santa Anna reached San Antonio with the advance of his
army, on February 23. The Texans took refuge in the Alamo
Mission, on the east side of the river, driving as they went a
herd of some fifty beeves. Santa Anna at once sent a flag of
truce and demanded the surrender of the place. Travis an-
swered with a cannon-shot. The blood-red flag of "No quarter
to rebels !" was hoisted over the church of San Fernando in the
town, and the siege of the Alamo began February 24, 1836.
The same day Travis issued and sent to the people a pathetic
appeal for help, in which he declared, " I shall ne\-er retreat or
surrender. ' ' The enemy, after losing several men by the Texan
rifles, succeeded in erecting a battery three hundred yards south
of the entrance to the mission, and another at the powder-house to
the southeast. The mission, as then constructed, covered con-
siderable space, and fully garrisoned would have been invincible.
It lay along-side the northern angle of the great bend in the river,
THE REVOLUTION.
21
about two hundred yards or more from the eastern bank and
facing obliquely towards the town on the west. There was first
the mission church, which is all that now remains, a building of
stone, with walls five feet thick, narrow, deeply embrasured
windows and heavily barred doors, fronting the west. It was
constructed in the form of a cross, with the longer end in front
and the arms in the rear, there being two small rooms in front Description of
on either side of the entrance. The body of the structure then
had no roof, l)ut the two front rooms were closed in, and a room
Period HI.
The
RliVOLUnoN
1832
TO
1836
Plan ok the Alamo.'
Oil the north side towards the rear was roofed in with stone and
used as a powder magazine. Adjoining the church on the
northwest was the convent yard, about a hundred feet square,
enclosed with stone walls sixteen feet high and three feet thick,
strengthened by an embankment on the inside half the height of
the walls. Along the west side of this yard and beyond to the
north ran the row of priests' cells and hospital rooms, built of
adobe, two stories high, eighteen feet wide, and one hundred
and ninety-one feet long. Just west of the convent yard was the
main area or quadrangle of the mission, containing two or three
' From Corner's " History of .San Antonio," by permission.
214
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
I'KKUUl 111.
THIi
Rkvolution
1832
TO
i3.-,6
acres. It was oblong from north to south, being about four
hundred and ninety feet long and two hundred feet wide. Its
southern end thus projected about sixty feet beyond the south
line of the church, and at a distance of about a hundred feet from
the front of that building. This large area was enclosed with a
stone wall eight feet high and thirty-three inches thick, and along
Description of its west sidc ou the inside was a row of buildings or stalls used
the Alamo j^^ vaHous purposcs. lu the south end of it were some rooms
against the wall, used as barracks and prison, and about midway
of this side was a gateway or porte-cochere, with a room on either
side of it, that being the real entrance to the mission. Across
the triangular open space in front of the church a stockade of
heavy cedar logs had been built, running diagonally from the
southeast corner of the large area to the southwest corner of the
church, thus protecting the entrance to the latter. On the
north side of the convent yard was a sally-port defended by a
redoubt. There were two large acequias running around the
mission on the west, north, and east sides, with a branch from
the larger one entering the main quadrangle, running along its
west side and furnishing water to the fort.
For the defence of this extensive fortification Travis had
taken one hundred and forty-five men with him into its walls.
He had fourteen pieces of artillery. Some of the guns were
placed in the church, at its south, east, and north windows, on
raised platforms, so as to command the openings. They did but
little good there, as the assault of the Mexicans was finally di-
rected to other parts of the mission. Other cannon were stationed
at the main entrance to the mission, at the stockade, at the sally-
port and redoubt of the convent yard ; and it is believed that one
of the best guns was mounted on a raised platform near the
centre of the large enclosure.
Santa Anna continued to erect batteries on all sides of the
mission, and kept up the cannonading from day to day and some-
times at night. Not much damage was done to the fort, except
a breach in the northern wall of the large area. No assault was
attempted until the final storming. At dawn on March i. Cap-
lain Albert Martin, with thirty-two men from Gonzales, entered
the fort. In the last days of Fel)ruary, Travis sent Captain
Plan of defence
by Travis
Santa Anna
bombards the
mission
thp: rp:volution.
215
Bonliam to Goliad with an appeal to Fannin to come to his aid. period in.
Thk
Revolution
Bonham returned on the 3d, bringing the news that Fannin "'''
would come. The latter did in fact start on February 28, with ~
three hundred men and four pieces of artillery, but his wagons to
broke down a few miles out from Goliad, and he abandoned the 1836
attempt. On March 3, Travis sent his last message to Texas
and the .world, and to a friend in Washington County he ad- Travis's last
dressed a pathetic note, in which he said : ' ' Take care of my "^^^^^^^ ^°
^ ■' Texas and
little boy. If the country should be sa\ed, I may make him a the world
splendid fortune ; but if the country should be lost and I should
perish, he will have nothing but the proud recollection that he
is the son of a man who died for his country."
On March 2, Santa Anna's entire army had arrived, and he Santa Anna's
had not many short of ten thousand men at San Antonio. Dur- °'^'^^. """^
•^ the siege
ing the eleven days of the siege, the Texans, by repeated sallies
from the walls and by the unerring aim of their rifles, had killed
quite a number of the enemy, forcing them to keep at a safe
distance. On the 4th, at a council of war held by the Mexican
commanders, it was decided to carry the Alamo by storm, the
morning of the 6th being selected as the time for the assault.
Between midnight and day on that Sunday morning the The final
Mexican infantry was formed into three columns, under the im- g^jg*^ '
mediate command of General Castrillon. One column was to
enter the breach in the northern wall of the large enclosure ; the
other two were to approach from the south, — one of them to
attack the main entrance of the mission, the other to storm the
church. The assault was so timed as to reach the walls at day-
light. Santa Anna and his staf? were stationed south of the
mission at the old bridge across the river, surrounded by the
regimental bands. At the signal of a single bugle-note the
Mexican columns advanced in the dead stillness of the Sabbath
dawn. No sound but the tramp of the assaulting host was heard
until the guns of the little garrison opened from the fort. Then
all the bands at the bridge broke forth in the shrill and terrible
strains of the dcgiiello (da-gwal-yo), — the music of merciless
murder. The approach was so rapid that the artillery of the
Texans did little or no service. But when the enemy reached T^^.H^ '^"^"
-' gle 01 the
the breach on the north they were driven back by the deadly Texans
i6
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period IK.
The
Revolution
1S32
TO
1 8^,6
Death of
Travis
No quartei
rifles of the defenders, aided by the cannon that commanded the
area from within. The column that attacked the southern gate-
way was more successful and effected an entrance. The Texans
fought with incredible bravery and inflicted terrific slaughter.
Travis was probably killed near the northwest angle of the large
area, as his body was found lying near the cannon there. After
the outer walls were carried by the Mexicans, the gairison sought
refuge in the inner buildings, and were killed as they were over-
powered. No prisoners were taken and no quarter was asked
SlEGK OF THE AlAMO.
Death of
Bowie
The desperate
fight in the
barracks and
church
or given. Bowie had been injured by a fall, and was in bed in
an upj)er room in the southwest corner of the convent yard.
There he was found and was shot to death, with his smoking
pistols in his hands and more than one dead Mexican near his
couch. As the heroic men were driven into the barracks and
towards the church, the struggle became more furious and des-
perate. Volleys of musketry were followed by bayonet charges
on the part of the enemy, while the Texans fired as rapidly as
they could, and then clubbed their muskets or used their bowie
knives in hand-to-hand conflicts. Retreat was impossible, and
each hero fell where he was brought to bay. The bloodiest
struggle occurred in the long barracks or row of priests' cells in
THE REVOLUTION.
21
Period III.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
the convent yard, and the dead were piled thick in front of it.
Crockett was killed in one of the rooms near the main entrance,
on the south side of the large area. His body was found alone,
but many a slaughtered Mexican lay around him. Where Bon-
ham died is not known.
The church was the last point taken. The assault upon it
had been at first repulsed, but it was finally carried by a terrible Last stand
effort. Here the few remaining Texans continued the conflict, ^^rch" *Tex
and, firing from the upper platforms, did fearful execution. Here ans aii slain
they were all despatched, and the Alamo was in the hands of
Santa Anna's army. In thirty minutes one hundred and eighty-
^' ^ ! BlgT -
•HM it*t<«^
The Alamo. (Restored.)
two Texans had killed and wounded over five hundred of their
foes, and had died to a man with their guns in their hands.
And behold the grim irony of their isolation ! They fell with
the flag of the Constitution of 1824 floating over their heads,
while four days before the banner of a free republic had been
unfurled on the Brazos !
The defence of the Alamo is unparalleled in the history of The heroic na-
desperate and unyielding valor, inspired by the purest and loftiest -r^J^an defence
patriotism. But the most melancholy feature connected with
that immortal combat is, that it was a mistaken and fruitless sac-
rifice of noble human lives. As was said of another marvellous
exhibition of heroic courage : " It was glorious, but it was not
war !" By nine o'clock the reduction was complete. Santa
2l8
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
I'ERion III.
Till-;
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
The news at
Gonzales
The "Run-
away Scrape.
Character cf
troops at
Gonzales
Fannin leaves
Goliad for Vic-
toria, March
19, 1836
Is attacked by
Urrea on the
Coleto
Anna then appeared upon the scene, and by his orders the dead
bodies of the Texans were piled up in the church and burned.
The charred bones and half-consumed bodies were left there, to
be collected and buried in the church of San Fernando, a year
afterwards, by Colonel John Seguin, mayor of San Antonio.
When General Houston reached Gonzales on March 11, the
news of the fall of the Alamo had arrived there, and a scene of
grief and terror was enacted. Women and children, many of
them widows and orphans by the butchery at San Antonio, were
wild with fear of the approaching Mexicans. It was then that
the universal panic began which, spreading afterwards as Hous-
ton retired to the east, was known among the old settlers as
the ' ' Runaway Scrape. ' '
General Houston found at Gonzales about three hundred
militia, and a hundred more came in soon. But these were raw
troops, unorganized and incapable of resisting Santa Anna's
large invading army, now ready to proceed to the interior, to
say nothing of Urrea' s thousand men then on the Guadalupe.
Houston decided to retire to the Colorado, expecting Fannin, to
whonrwe have seen he sent a peremptory order on the nth, to
join him with the force then at Goliad. Fannin delayed his
departure from the latter place until the i8th, when he learned
that Refugio had been captured and that Ward had fled towards
Victoria. He at once prepared to leave Goliad, dismantling his
fort, burying such of the cannon as could not be taken, and on
the 19th he set out for Victoria. He had about three hundred
and fifty men, ten pieces of artillery, and some ox wagons. His
line of march lay over the prairie towards the Coleto Creek, ten
miles from town. In the afternoon he halted to rest in a de-
pression of the prairie, about three miles from the Coleto. This
was an unfortunate delay and was opposed by Fannin's officers.
After an hour's stop, as he started to move on, Urrea' s cavalry
came in sight and rode between the Texans and the creek, while
a heavy infantry force approached from the rear, completely
surrounding Fannin's men. Undismayed, he prepared for bat-
tle. The wagons were meissed in the centre, a hollow square
three lines deep was formed around them, and the artillery was
placed at the corners. The Mexicans advanced rapidly and
THE REVOLUTION.
219
fiercely, but were driven off by the Texan rifles. Charge after period hi.
The
Revolution
charge was repelled by the gallant square, and dead men and ^"^'
riderless horses soon covered the prairie. There was no water t~
. 1832
to sponge the cannon, and they became useless early in the to
action. Night came on, and the Mexicans drew around the little 1836
band, out of range, while a hundred Campeachy Indians crawled
through the long grass and kept up a murderous fire upon the
Texans until dark. Then the flashes from their guns enabled
Fannin's marksmen to silence them, and many a dead Indian
was afterwards found with a rifle-bullet in his head. The night a dismal night
that followed was one of dense darkness and deep gloom#in the
Texan camp. There was no water, and it was discovered that
the provisions had been left at Goliad. There were sixty
wounded men whose injuries and sufferings could not be relieved,
and the red camp-fires of the watchful enemy gleamed all around
them in the distance, while the shrill cries of Urrea's sentinels
broke the stillness of the dreary darkness. The proposition to
retreat was discussed and rejected, because the men would not
leave their wounded comrades. At daylight, Urrea received
three or four hundred fresh troops with two pieces of artillery.
The battle commenced again, and the enemy's cannon did such The batUe con-
deadly work upon the men and wagons that it was decided to ^Ith^^ °"
surrender if honorable terms were offered. Fannin opposed it,
but he and three officers met a like number from the Mexican
lines. Written articles of capitulation were drawn up and signed Fannm sur-
by both sides, and the Texans laid down their arms. By the w"i,^en arti^"^
terms agreed upon the men were to be treated as prisoners of cies of capitu-
war, the officers were to have their arms and property restored
to them, and they were all to be paroled and sent to the United
States as soon as arrangements could be made for that purpose.
This was the distinct understanding, as embodied in the written
instrument and as stated by the Mexican officers at the time.
This battle is known as the daff/c of f/ir G;/("/'t> among the Texans,
and as that of the Encinal or Perdido bv the Mexicans. The Losses in the
loss on Fannin's side was sc\en killed and sixty wounded, some
of whom died ; while the Mexicans lost between two and three
hundred killed and wounded, they having about fifteen hundred
men in battle. The prisoners were marched back to Goliad and
220
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period III.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
Santa Anna
orders the exe-
cution of the
prisoners
The massacre
of Goliad,
March 27, 183G
The survivors
The prisoners
nearly all vol-
unteers from
the United
States
Disheartening
effect of these
tragedies on
the Texans
guarded in the old church of Espiritu Santo. On the 25th,
Major Miller and eighty-two volunteers from the United States,
who had been captured at Copano, were brought to Goliad ; and
on the same day Major Ward and his men, who had surrendered
at Victoria, were also brought in. There were thus in the
hands of Urrea about four hundred and forty-three prisoners.
Several days passed in apparent hope among the Texans. Ar-
rangements appeared to be in progress for sending them to
Copano and thence to New Orleans. But on March 26, Urrea
being absent, Santa Anna sent an order from San Antonio to
Lieutenant Portilla that the prisoners should all be instantly shot.
This he claimed to do under an act of his congress, dictated by
himself, requiring all rebels taken with arms in their hands to be
executed as pirates.
On Palm Sunday, March 27, 1836, the Texajis were marched
out in squads and shot like dogs, those who fled being pursued
and murdered without mercy. Miller's command was spared,
and the physicians and attendants to the number of eight were
also omitted from the execution. Senora Alvarez, a humane
Mexican lady, — the same who saved Reuben Brown's life at San
Patricio, — secreted and saved two or three officers ; while in the
wholesale butchery twenty-seven men succeeded in getting away
from the massacre. Three hundred and thirty were victims of
this cruel and treacherous slaughter. Fannin and Ward were
shot separately from the men, and the latter died denouncing his
murderers. Nearly all the Goliad prisoners were volunteers
from the United States. Fannin himself was originally from
Georgia, and Ward had but lately come with his battalion from
that State. Among those who perished were the soldiers
composing the New Orleans G^'ays, under Captain Pettes ; the
Mustangs of Kentucky, under Captain Duval ; a company from
Louisville, Kentucky, and Huntsville, Tennessee, under Captain
Bradford ; Captain King's company from Georgia ; and the Red
Rovers from Alabama, under Captain or Doctor Shackelford.
These were in addition to Ward's battalion.
The campaign of 1836 had thus far been one of fearful tragedy
to the young republic, and the feelings of horror and terror pro-
duced by its bloody work drove the colonists in panic-stricken
1832
TO
^ THE REVOLUTION. 22 1
flight towards Eastern Texas. But the rage and resentment that period hi.
possessed the gathering troops under Houston nerved them to r^volio-ion
such a pitch of excitement that it was with difficulty they could
be restrained from sacrificing their army in vain resistance against
the approaching foe. A time came, however, and right speedily, 1836
when their valor and vengeance should find satisfaction in a
decisive and glorious victory over the butcher of the Alamo and
Goliad.
QUESTIONS.
When and where was the first Constitutional Convention held in
Texas ? How many delegates composed it, and give the names of the
leading members ? Who were president and secretary of the convention ?
What did the convention do on March 2, 1836? Who prepared the
Declaration of Independence ? What did the convention do in regard to
the command of the army? W^hat district did Houston represent in this
convention? Describe what provisions were made in regard to military
service, land bounties, etc. When was a permanent constitution for the
Republic of Texas adopted by the convention, and after what was it
modelled ? What officers of government did it provide for? What provi-
sion was made for a government until an election should be held ? When
was the constitution to be ratified by the people and permanent officers
elected ? What was the temporary government called ? Give the names
of the officers of the government ad infei'iin, and how were they elected ?
When did the convention adjourn ? WHiere did the government ad
interim establish its headquarters, and \\ hen did General Houston start
for the west? Describe the military situation at the beginning of tiie
campaign of 1836. Who was William B. Travis ? Who was James Bowie ?
Who was David Crockett ? Who was James B. Bonham ? Describe the
characters of each of these men. Where were they at that time ? What
did they afterwards do? What is necessary to be borne in mind in
reference to the events that followed in that campaign ? Describe w hat
occurred at San Patricio and Agua Dulce Creek. When did those events
occur, and who took part in them ? When did Fannin occupy Goliad,
and what did he do there? W'hat did he call his fort? What occurred
in regard to sending relief to Refugio Mission? Describe the subsequent
events in relation to the commands of King and Ward. When did Gen-
eral Houston reach Gonzales, and what message did he send to Colonel
Fannin ? Why did Fannin not obey this order, and to what did his delay
lead ? What did the Texans at San Antonio do on the arrival of Santa
Anna at that place ? What did Santa Anna do, and what reply did the
Texans make? What then occurred ? On what date was this? Describe
Rhvolition
22 2 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period 111. the nioveiiieiits and acts of Travis and of the enemy after this. Give a
^"^ description of the Alamo Mission as it then existed, and make a sketch
of its ground plan. What part of it now remains? Describe the church
'^32 or chapel as it was in 1836. Describe the surrounding buildings, enclo-
^" sures, etc. How many men had Colonel Travis to defend the Alamo,
■3 and what arrangements did he make for the defence ? What did Santa
Anna continue to do, and with what results ? WHiat occurred in the last
days of February and on March i ? When did Bonham return to the
fort, and with what news ? What effort did Fannin make to go to the
rescue of the Alamo, and how came he to fail ? When did Travis send
his last message, and what letter did he write about his little boy? When
did Santa Anna's entire army arrive, and how many men had he then ?
What losses had he sustained? When was it decided to storm the
Alamo ? What date was fixed for the storming ? Describe the beginning
of the assault, giving the plan of the Mexican attack. Describe the open-
ing scenes of the battle. What occurred at the breach in the north wall ?
What, at the southern gate-way? How did the Texans fight? Where
was Travis killed? When the outer walls were carried, where did the
Texans retire, and describe what happened there? Where and how
was Bowie killed? Describe the retreat to the inner works, and the
character of the struggle. Where was the bloodiest fighting? Where
were Crockett and Bonham killed ? Where was the last stand made by
the Texans? Describe the final struggle and slaughter. How long did
the storming of the Alamo last ? How many men had the Texans. and
how did they die ? How many Mexicans were killed ? What flag floated
over the Alamo at the time, and what can you say of this incident?
What may be said of the defence of the Alamo ? What was done with
the dead bodies of the Texans, and by whose order? When and by
whom were their remains afterwards buried, and where ? What eftect did
the news of the fall of the Alamo produce at Gonzales ? What was the
"Runaway Scrape"? How many and what character of troops were
collected at Gonzales? What did General Houston decide to do, and
what did he expect? What was Fannin doing meanwhile at Goliad?
When did he finally decide to leave that place, and what steps did he
take in that direction ? When did he finally leave, and for what place ?
Describe his movements and what occurred, until the battle began with
Urrea's troops. How did Fannin arrange his men, and what was the
progress of the battle until night? Describe the scenes, events, and
surroundings of the night that followed. W'hy did the Texans not
retreat that night ? What occurred on the Mexican side at daylight next
morning? What was the result of the battle when renewed? What was
decided by the Texans, and what was Fannin's position on that question ?
By whom were the terms of surrender agreed upon, and what were those
terms? Were they verbal or written ? What is that battle called ? What
were the losses on both sides ? When did it occur ? How many Mexicans
were in the fight ? How many Texans were taken prisoners, and what
TO
1836
THE REVOLUTION. 2 2^
was done with them after the battle? What other Texan prisoners were I'eriod ill.
brousrht to Goliad at that time, and how many Texans in all were then in
^ ' -' Revolution
Urrea's hands? What happened for several days? What order was
received on March 26, and by whom was it executed? When did the ^°32
massacre of the Texan prisoners at Goliad occur ? Describe the deed.
How many were shot, how many escaped or were spared ? W^hat noble
woman saved several Texans ? How were Fannin and Ward executed ?
Where were inost of these men from ? Give the names of the troops who
thus perished. What had been the character and results of the campaign
of 1836 thus far? What effect did these things have on the Texans?
Topical Analysis.
1. The first Constitutional Convention in Texas, at W^ashington on
the Brazos, March i, 1836. Adopts a Declaration of Independence for
the Republic of Texas, frames a constitution, organizes a government ad
interim, and provides for the ratification of the constitution by the people,
and the election of a permanent government. Provisions for an army.
2. The campaign of 1836. The military situation in the west, at
Bexar, San Patricio, Refugio, Goliad, and Gonzales. General Houston's
plan of campaign.
3. The heroes of the Alamo, — Travis, Bowie, Crockett, and Bonham.
4. Fannin at Goliad. His delay in obeying Houston's orders, by
reason of attempting to relieve King and Ward at Refugio. Urrea's
advance on San Patricio. The battle at Refugio Mission. Capture and
killing of Dr. Grant at Agua Dulce, and slaughter of King's command.
Escape of Ward.
5. The siege and fall of the Alamo. The desperate and heroic
struggle of Travis and his men.
6. The battle of the Coleto, and the massacre of Texan prisoners at
Goliad. Disastrous results of the campaign thus far.
Geography.
Study the geography of Western Texas between the Colorado and
the San Antonio Rivers, and in the neighborhood of San Antonio, Goliad,
San Patricio, Refugio, Victoria, and Gonzales, so as to understand the
exact locations and relative situations of those places. Study also the
original plan of the Alamo and its location.
Parallel Readings.
Scarff's " Comprehensive History of Te.xas" (1897), Vol. T. ; Brown's
"History of Texas;" W^illiams's "Sam Houston and the War for
Independence ;" Corner's " History of San Antonio de Bexar ;" Crane's
"Life of Sam Houston."
CHAPTER XIV.
General Houston's Retreat; Battle of San Jacinto;
Close of the War.
1832
TO
plan of cam-
paign
A
Period III. "1^^ FTER the barbarities at San Antonio and Goliad,
Thh f 1 Santa Anna seemed to think that he had practically
Rkvoi.ltion ^^i^^ ^ ■'
conquered Texas, and that he had only to complete
the subjugation by easy stages. He divided his army
J836 into three columns. The first, under Gaona, was to march to
Nacogdoches by the old Comanche trail and the upper crossing
Santa Anna's of the Trinity; the second, under Sesma, was to advance to
Bastrop on the Colorado, and thence to San Felipe ; and the
third, under Urrea, after scouring the country between Victoria
and Galveston, was ordered to cross the Colorado at Matagorda
and march to Brazoria. The point of concentration of the sec-
ond and third columns was evidently at the mouth of the Brazos,
or i)erhaps at Anahuac, whence it was expected the Mexican
])resident and his victorious troops could embark for Vera Cruz.
He leaves Santa Anna himself was to personally direct the operations of
the army of occupation, and for that purpose he set out with
F"ilisola from Bexar, on March 31, accompanied by two battalions
and five pieces of artillery, to join Sesma' s column.
Houston's re- Meanwhile, General Houston left Gonzales in llames, on the
treat to the • 1 c ivt i • i i • r
Colorado night ot March 13, with about three hundred men and a tram of
fleeing and homeless women and children. The weather was
wretched ; the rain poured in torrents, the roads were quagmires,
the prairies were trackless seas of water, the streams were swollen
and swift, and the dull and lowering skies covered everything
like a pall of gloom and despair. The " Runaway Scrape" had
begun in earnest, and the frightened colonists, seeing in Hous-
ton's retreat and the removal of the government to Harrisburg
the sure signs of Mexican conquest of the whole country, fled in
wild confusion, sjireading dismay and dread ex-erywhere they
224
THE REVOLUTION.
225
came. The wretchedness and desperation of those times were
frightful, and the women and children suffered most. The great-
est terror was caused by some cowardly deserters, who left the
army and ran through the country, even to Eastern Texas, circu-
lating the most outrageous accounts of the size of Santa Anna's
forces and the retreat of the Texan troops.
Houston reached. Burnham's Crossing on the Colorado, near Texan army at
the present town of Columbus, on March 17, and at once sent
William T. Austin to the mouth of the Brazos for artillery. It
Period III.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
IS36
Map showing Route of the Armies from Gonzales to San Jacinto.
was his purpose to make the Colorado his line of defence, ex-
pecting reinforcements from Eastern Texas and some news of
Fannin. On the 19th, Houston crossed to the east bank of the
river and marched down stream a few miles to Season's Crossing,
where he remained until the 26th. On the day the Texans left Mexicans
Burnham's, Sesma and Woll reached the Colorado with about l^^'^^^]'''
Colorado
seven hundred men, and stopped on the west side two miles
above Beason's. Houston then had about twelve hundred men
and could have easily defeated Sesma, but he waited for his
artillery and for information from Goliad. On the 25th the story
of the battle of the Coleto reached the Colorado, and that event
had left Urrea free to join Sesma or to march to the rear of the
15
226
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAg.
Period III.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
Houston re-
tires to the
Brazos
Dissatisfac-
tion at his
course
P.t the Brazos
San Felipe
burned
Santa Anna
concentrates
his army on
the Brazos
Texan army by a flank movement lower down the river. A
battle with Sesma at that point would also no doubt have con-
centrated the entire Mexican force on the Colorado, and this
would have brought on the decisive struggle farther from the
base of supplies and troops in the settlements of the east than
was deemed prudent. A victory would not have been final and
a defeat would have been destructive. At any rate, for these or
other reasons. General Houston decided to retire to the Brazos,
and he began his retreat on the evening of March 26. His
action provoked great criticism and almost mutiny in his army.
The soldiers were anxious to fight, and they knew they could
whip the enemy just in front of them, and to fall back under the
circumstances was considered by many to be the height of folly,
not to say cowardice. Some of the ofificers shared this feeling,
notably Captains Mosely Baker and Wylie Martin, who then
and afterwards were unsparing in their condemnation of General
Houston. But he pursued his own course, reaching the Brazos
at San Felipe on the 27th. From there he marched up the
river, and this strange and unexplained movement excited open
rebellion on the part of Baker and Martin, and they refused to go.
Baker, with one hundred and twenty men, stayed at San Felipe,
while Martin took his company below to guard the crossing at
Fort Bend.
The rains and floods continued, and the experiences of the
troops in the Brazos bottoms were dreary indeed. Houston
reached Groce's Ferry, and remained there and at Donoho's,
both near the present town of Hempstead, until April 14. On
March 29, Captain Baker had burned the town of San Felipe,
as he always claimed, by Houston's orders. In the first days
of April, Vice-President Zavala and Secretary of War Rusk
joined the army.
While the Texans were thus scattered up and down the
Brazos, Santa Anna was gathering all his forces towards the
same locality. He countermanded Gaona's march to Nacog-
doches and directed him to join Sesma, who had advanced from
the Colorado to San Felipe. Gaona reached the latter place on
April 17, having been lost in coming from Bastrop. Urrea had
also been ordered to come from west of the Colorado to join his
THE REVOLUTION.
227
Period III.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
Crosses the
river
Burns Har-
risburg
forces with Sesma, Gaona, Tolsa, and Woll on the Brazos, where
a final victory was expected. But when Santa Anna reached
San FeHpe in person on April 7, and found that Houston had
gone up the river, he thought the Texan army had concluded to
get out of his way and give him free course to overrun the
country. He sent word to Urrea to proceed on his original
route to Matagorda, and, leaving Sesma to await Gaona' s de-
layed arrival, he took about one thousand men and one cannon
and tried to cross the Brazos. Baker was still at San Felipe
and gallantly disputed the passage, so that Santa Anna went
below and effected a crossing at Fort Bend, in spite of Martin's
defence there. Pushing on down the river and through the
bottoms, he reached Harrisburg on the 15th, whence the gov-
ernment had barely escaped towards Galveston Island. He
burned the town on the i6th, and marched to the town of New
Washington, on Galveston Bay, where President Burnet and
family were just leaving in a boat in full view of the enemy, and
escaped unharmed because Almonte would not permit the sol-
diers to fire on account of the ladies.
Learning of Santa Anna's movejiients from his scouts, on the Houston pre
14th Houston left Donoho's to follow him. Baker had rejoined fjfj^,^^;^
the army, but Martin's conduct was such that he was sent to the
Trinity to guard the families there against Indi-
ans. It was just as the little army was leaving
the Brazos that there came to them two can-
non, the first artillery they had possessed in this
campaign, — the generous gift of the citizens of
Cincinnati, — known afterwards as the "Twin
Sisters," and used effectively at San Jacinto.
Santa Anna was now separated from his army,
and had placed himself in a trap by entering
the narrow peninsula below Harrisburg, into
which the Texan army now hurried to catch
and hold him fast.
Buffalo Bayou was reached on the i8th.
Deaf Smith brought in a captured courier with
despatches, from whicli it was rendered certain that Santa
Anna was in front of them. Houston made the men a speech
Erastus Smith.
228
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period III.
The
Rkvohtion
1832
TO
1836
which set them wild with enthusiasm and tilled their souls with
righteous vengeance, as he bade them ' ' Remember the Alamo !
Remember Goliad !"
On the 19th, by rafts and in rickety boats, the army was
crossed over the Bayou two miles below Harrisburg, marched
r..L .cidoi
Sai, JncintO
Miu.i-kN Map of Rkgion near San Jacinto Battle-Ground.
nearly all night, and at sunrise on the 20th they were halted on
the borders of the heroic field of San Jacinto. The scene of
this encampment was picturesque and beautiful. In the rear
lay the deep and sluggish waters of Buffalo Bayou, skirted by
groVes of live-oaks, whose vivid green was sobered by the soft
THE REVOLUTION.
Hkriod III.
Thk
Revoluiion
1832
TO
IS36
gray moss that hung in festoons from the giant trunks antl
spreading limbs ; in front, for two miles, stretched the rolling
surface of a fertile prairie, covered with tall, waving grass, and
interspersed with small clumps of trees ; while beyond this lay
the Gulf marshes of the San Jacinto Bay, treacherous and miry,
and covered with a thick growth of rank verdure and swampy
timber. The wet and late spring was now ripening into early
summer, the atmosphere was soft and balmy, the trees and grass
were fresh and fragrant, and the whole scene was full of those
sights and sounds that make life sweet and hope strong in human
breasts. Almost immediately in front of the Texan camp there Texan camp
were two small groves of live-oaks, a few hundred yards distant ;
while the whole ground in front for a length of five hundred
yards rose above the level of the camp, and to the top of this
rise there ran a skirt of timber from the Bayou,
about midway, reaching to near the top where
the level of the prairie began.
Santa Anna was then at New Washington
on the upper arm of Galveston Bay, and his
route of escape by Lynch' s Ferry would neces-
sarily bring him past the Texan camp. The
Mexicans proceeded towards the Ferry on the
way to Anahuac, on the 20th, and coming
upon a part of the Texan camp soon after-
wards, a sharp skirmish ensued, after which
the enemy withdrew towards the San Jacinto
and camped. In the afternoon. Colonel Sid-
ney Sherman, with a small force of cavalry,
went out to reconnoitre, and became engaged
with the Mexican infantry, which for a while
seemed about to develop into a battle, but the Texans withdrew Cavalry fight
successfully. In this action Mirabeau B. Lamar first displayed °" pri2o, 13
his bravery and skill, which resulted in his being placed in com-
mand of the cavalry next day. The Mexican army spent the
night in extending their lines and erecting fortifications of packs
and baggage, with an opening in the centre for the artillery.
Nothing occurred on the 21st until the afternoon. It was Cos brings re-
a bright and beautiful day, and the two armies lav i" expectant '" °J^^I"^!! ^
&• -' -^ I to Santa Anna
Sidney Sherman.
230
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period 111.
This
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
Vince's bridge
Houston's
plan of attack
The Mexican
position
The battle.
April 21, i8j6
impatience waitin": for the result. At nine o' clock in the morn-
ing, General Cos arrived from the Brazos, bringing to Santa
Anna five hundred of Sesma's choice troops, which increased
the Mexican force to about fifteen hundred men. They came
b)- Vince' s bridge, o\er an arm of the Bayou by that name, and
Houston at once sent Deaf Smith to destroy the bridge, so as
to prevent any further reinforcements from that direction, or
the escape of the enemy by that route. At half-past three
o'clock in the afternoon, General Houston paraded his troops
in their position, and arranged to attack the Mexican camp.
The location of the Texan camp, with the protection given by
the timber and the nature of the ground as before described,
enabled Houston to make his dispositions for the attack with-
out being seen by the enemy. He divided his army into four
divisions. On the extreme right the cavalry was placed, under
command of Colonel Lamar ; next towards the left came the
infantry, under Millard ; then the "Twin Sisters," under Hock-
ley ; Colonel Burleson with the first regiment occupied the cen-
tre ; and the second regiment, under Sidney Sherman, formed
the lefl wing. The troops advanced to the edge of the pro-
jecting neck of timber at the top of the rise in front of their
camps, while the cax'alry went to the front to draw the atten-
tion of the enemy. Santa Anna's cavalry was on his left wing,
his infantry and artillery in the centre, behind fortifications of
boxes and baggage, while his extreme right had been extended
so as to reach the timber along the San Jacinto.
The Texan army had no band, its only martial music being
a drum and fife, and to the air of "Will you come to the
bower?" it formed its line of batde. At four o'clock the com-
mand " F"orward" was given along the whole line. The men
adxanced rajMdly, and Houston had difficulty in making them
hdUl their fire until near enough to do execution. When at
p(»iiU-l)lank range, the two cannon were wheeled, and poured
their contents into the barricades of the Mexican centrci while
the Texan soldiers dashed headlong upon the startled camp,
delivering a destructive volley at close quarters. Santa Anna's
army seemed to be taken by surprise. He himself was asleep
in his tent, and the soldiers were lying about in confusion. But
THE REVOLUTION.
231
I'eriod III.
The
Revolution
1 832
TO
2^2 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
I'liKion 111. when those terrible words — "Remember GoHad ! Remember
'^"'"' the Alamo !" — smote on their ears, they endeavored to form in
Revolition -^
line and stem the Texan charge. It was useless. Castnllon
w as shot dead while trying to rally his men. Santa Anna in
1S36 terrified haste mounted a swift horse and fled towards Vince's
bridge, now destroyed. The Texans were too eager to reload
often, and, in their furious haste to wreak vengeance for past
outrages, they clubbed their muskets and drew their bowie
Mexican de- kuivcs. At first uo quarter was given. The route was com-
^^^^ plete and the slaughter terrific. The intensity of the rage and
violence of the victorious colonists were something fearful. After
the battle, many dead Mexicans were found into whose heads
the heavy knixes had been struck with such force as to shatter
their skulls like panes of glass. The few Texans who were
injured received their wounds from the first scattering volley,
fired by the enemy as the barricades were reached and over-
thrown.
The rout and The fugitives ran in wild terror over the prairie and into the
boggy marshes of the San Jacinto, and were pursued and killed
or driven into the mud and water and drowned. In thirty
minutes it was all over. The inhuman butchery of Travis,
Bowie, Crockett, Ward, and Fannin had been terribly avenged,
but not without regard to the usages of civilized war. Almonte
rallied about four hundred men and formally surrendered, their
Mexican jiycs and rights as prisoners being respected. But six hundred
losses in the ii- »»• 1 ii',/-ii ■, , ■, .
battle ^I'l^i thirty Mexicans lay dead on the field, two hundred and
eight were wounded, and seven hundred and thirty prisoners
were taken, a very few having escaped, most of whom were
afterwards captured, including Generals Santa Anna and Cos,
Colonel Almonte, and several other officers. Large quantities
of arms, army stores, camp equipage and mules and horses w^ere
also taken, and eighteen thousand one hundred and eighty-four
dollars in money, three thousand dollars of which were at once
Texan losses votccl to the uavy. The number of men engaged on the Texan
side in the battle of San Jacinto was seven hundred and forty-
three, and their loss was six killed and twenty-fi\'e wounded,
(icneral Houston was painfully and seriously wounded, his ankle
being shattered by a ball in the first volley fired by the Mexi-
THE REVOLUTION.
Period III.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
cans. That night was one of unbounded joy and uproarious
celebration. The men were simply wild with the intoxication of
victory and the sense of freedom at last gained, after so much
suffering, such tragic losses, such sickening suspense, and oft-
times despair.
Next day, James A. Sylvester, a sergeant in Wood's com- Capture of
pany, with six others, was scouting for prisoners on Vince's ^^"^^ ^""^
Bayou. Sylvester, while separated from the others,
came on a man concealed in the tall grass. He was
dressed like a common soldier, but wore a fine linen
shirt with studs in the bosom, which convinced Syl-
vester that he was in disguise. When the others came
up, they started to camp with the prisoner, a distance
of eight miles, the captive walking part of the way
and riding behind Joel W. Robinson the remainder.
When they reached the Texan camp, Sylvester con-
ducted the strange man to where General Houston
was lying under a tree, talking with General Rusk.
As the party passed some Mexican prisoners, the
latter exclaimed in Spanish, "The President," "General Santa
Anna." This was the first intimation of his identity. As soon His interview
as Sylvester reached Houston and Rusk, Santa Anna stepped ^^^ ^^^^^
forward, and with dignity stated his
name and rank, and demanded the
treatment of a prisoner of war. A con-
\ersation of nearly two hours ensued.
At first Moses Austin Bryan, a youth
about grown, acted as interpreter ; then
General John A. Wharton and Vice-
President Zavala came up, and the
latter interpreted for a while, when
General Rusk asked Santa Anna if he
would like to have Almonte sent for, to
which the prisoner gladly assented, and
Almonte translated the greater part of
the interview. After the first exchange of courtesies between
Houston and Santa Anna, General Rusk did most of the talking
on the part of the Texans. A warm discussion was had between
JoKL VV. KuBlNSON.
with Houston
Moses Austin Br^an.
234
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
rKKiop 111.
The
RkVOLI'TION
1832
10
Sant.\ .\nn.\'s SAuni.i
Armistice
agreed upon
Treaty of
peace
Changes in
the Texas
army and
government
him and the Mexican coniniancler as to the massacre of Fannin's
men, the responsibility for which Santa Anna denied, but did
not dispute Urrea's treaty with Fannin. At last Santa Anna
said lie wanted to end the war and would order Filisola to retire
from Te.xas with the army, to which Rusk replied that Filisola
would not obey him. The prisoner said his
otticers and men would obey any order he
mii^ht issue. "Then," said Rusk, "order
them to surrender." With great dignity and
spirit Santa Anna responded : "I am but a
single Mexican, and you can do with me as
you please ; but I will do nothing that would
be disgraceful to me or my nation." The cap-
tive president was much exhausted, mentally
and physically, and asked for opium, which was
given him. He finally addressed a note to Gen-
eral Filisola, directing him to retire to San An-
tonio, and to order Gaona to do the same, while
Urrea should retreat to Victoria, and all hostili-
ties should be suspended until further orders, pending
an armistice which had been agreed upon between him
and Generals Rusk and Houston. These orders were at
once sent off to the Mexican commander, and the war
practically ceased.
As soon as the news of the \ictory reached GaUeston
Island, President Burnet and his Cabinet came to the
camp on the San Jacinto, reaching there April 28. The
outline of a treaty of peace had already been draw n up by Rusk
and Houston, and was submitted to Burnet. On Meiy 5, General
Houston was granted leave of absence to go to New Orleans for
treatment of his wound, and Rusk was appointed to the com-
San 1 a
Anna's
Cane.
^^^■^^^V ^^W|^(
Sama Anna's Eielu-IiLass.
mand oi the army, while Colonel M. R. Lamar was made
secretary of war. Lamar and the secretary of the na\y, Robert
THE REVOLUTION. 235
Potter, were opposed to treating with Santa Anna, holding him period hi.
to be a miscreant outside the pale of civilized warfare, and revouttion
entided only to be shot as a murderer. A violent controversy T~
arose as to the standing and treatment to be accorded the pris- to
oner, which did not end without further serious trouble extend- 1836
ing over several months. But on May 14, 1836, a treaty was
finally signed between Santa Anna and David G. Burnet, as Terms of the
presidents of their respective republics, by the terms of which jg^g*^' ^^''''
Santa Anna pledged himself never again to take up arms against
Texas, and to use his influence to end the war ; all hos-
tilities should cease on land and water, and the Mexican
troops must immediately evacuate Texas ; all property
should be respected, captured property to be restored ;
and all prisoners held by the Mexicans must be ex-
changed for an equal number of Mexicans held by
the Texans. On the same date a secret treaty was
made, by which Santa Anna was to use all his inHu-
cnce in Mexico to secure a recognition of Texan in-
dependence and the establishment of the boundary at
the Rio Grande. The government ad interim had estab-
lished itself at Velasco on May 8, and the treaties were ~ ,
■' . . Thomas J. Rusk.
executed at that port. The Mexican army, amounting in
all to about seven thousand troops, continued its retreat to the Mexicans
Rio Grande, and in the early part of June they all retired beyond
that river.
Meanwhile, great numbers of volunteers were constantly Arrival of
arriving from the United States, and the enthusiasm produced
by the victory of San Jacinto brought troops from Eastern Texas ;
so, that when the enemy's last column crossed into Mexico, there
were enough men in the recruited Texan army to have driven
out the invaders had they delayed their departure.
In following the exciting operations of the army on land in The Texas
the campaign of 1835-36, it must not be forgotten that Texas "^^^
also had a small and efficient navy in the Gulf. Early in the
year 1836, the government succeeded in procuring three armed
vessels, — the Invincible, the Brtdus, and the Independence, —
which did valuable service in destroying Mexican commerce and
securing supplies for the army. Other small vessels were after-
236
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
1832
TO
I'KRioD 111. wards added, and the Texan navy was an important factor in
, ^""^ some of the events that followed under the Republic.
RlAOLUTlON _ '^
Having declared and achieved by the test of heroic battle
her sovereign independence, the new Republic prepared to
1836 assume her place among the nations of the world, and to main-
tain a government suited to the needs and capacities of her great
territory and her growing population.
QUESTIONS.
What plan of campaign did Santa Anna adopt for the further con-
quest of Texas, after the fall of the Alamo and the massacre at Goliad ?
At w hat point did he intend to centre and complete his final campaign ?
When did he leave Bexar, and with what general and forces? When
and under what circumstances did General Houston leave Gonzales?
Describe the condition of the weather, roads, and surroundings. Describe
the " Runaway Scrape," and its progress. W^ho caused a great part of
this general panic? When and at what point did Houston reach the
Colorado River? What did he do there, and what were his plans?
Describe his movements on the Colorado. When did the Mexicans
reach that river, and under what oflficers? How many men had Houston
at that point, and explain why he did not fight the Mexicans then and
there? What did Houston decide to do, and what effect did his conduct
at that time have upon the officers and men? When did he reach the
Brazos, and what disposition was made of the Texan army at that river ?
Where did Houston go with the main body of the army, and what were
the experiences of the troops on the Brazos ? When and by whom was
the town of San Felipe burned ? W' ho joined the Texan army on the
Brazos, and when ? What was Santa Anna doing meanwhile ? Explain
the movements of the several divisions of the Mexican army. What did
Santa Anna think and do? Wlio prevented his crossing the river at San
Felipe, and where did he finally cross? Where did he then go, and
describe what happened at those places? Describe Houston's plans and
movements as soon as he heard of Santa Anna's course. What gift did
the Texan army receive at this time ? What was Santa Anna's situation
at this juncture ? When did the Texans reach Buffalo ]5ayou, and describe
their subseciuent movements until they reached the field of San Jacinto?
Describe the scene and surroundings of the Texan camp at the latter
place. Where was Santa Anna then? Describe his movements, and the
cavalry fight on April 20. Wiio distinguished himself in that action?
What did the Mexicans do that night? What occurred in the forenoon of
the 2 1 St? What reinft^rcements did the Mexicans receive? How did
THE REVOLUTION. 237
they come ? What did Houston at once do, and for what purpose ?
What occurred at three o'clock in the afternoon? How did Houston
arrange his troops for the attack, and give the names and disposition of
the Texan troops ? How did they advance ? How was the Mexican ^832
army phiced ? Describe the battle of San Jacinto, giving the several ^°
events in its progress. What can you say of the impatience and violence ^ •^
of the Texans? What became of the Mexicans after the rout began?
What did Colonel Almonte do ? What were the Mexican losses in killed,
wounded, and captured, and who were included among the captives?
What property was also captured by the Texans ? How many men had
the Texans in this battle, and what was their loss? Who was wounded
on the Texan side? What occurred that night? Describe the circum-
stances of the capture of Santa Anna. Describe the interview of Santa
Anna with Houston and Rusk when he was brought into camp, giving
the substance of what was said, the persons present and participating,
etc. What was Santa Anna asked to do, and what did he reply? What
did he finally do towards ending the war? Where was the Texan govern-
ment at that time, and what did its officers do when they heard of the
victory at San Jacinto? What treaty was outlined, and by whom? What
changes occurred in the army and cabinet ? W^hat controversy arose in
regard to Santa Anna, and what position did Colonel Lamar and Secre-
tary Potter take in the matter ? When and by whom was the final treaty
of peace signed, and what were the terms of that treaty? What secret
treaty was made at the same time ? Where were these treaties signed,
and why at that place ? When did the Mexican army finally leave Texas ?
What had occurred during this period in regard to the Texan army ?
What can you say of the Texas navy during the war for Texan indepen-
dence ? What did the new Republic now prepare to do ?
Topical Analysis,
1. Santa Anna's plan of campaign for the further conquest of Texas,
the disposition of his army, and his movements in the advance from San
Antonio.
2. Houston's retreat from Gonzales to the Colorado, and then to the
Brazos. The reasons for these movements, and the criticism and opposi-
tion they caused in the Texan army.
3. Santa Anna's advance across the Brazos and down to Harrisburg
and New Washington. The situation this movement placed him in, cut
off from the main body of his army and liable to be hemmed in on a
peninsula.
4. Houston's rapid march from the Brazos to Harrisburg and across
Buffalo Bayou to the field of San Jacinto. His position of advantage
there, being such as to cut oflf Santa Anna's return up the Bayou, or his
escape across Lynch's Ferry to Anahuac. The IVIexican army was caught
in a pocket, and a battle was inevitable.
2 3^
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Periop III.
Thk
RkVOLV'TION
IS32
TO
IS36
5. The battle of San Jacinto. Its desperate and \ iolent character,
under tlie inspiration of Texan vengeance and the know ledge that the
issue involved tiie salvation of Te.xas. The disparity in numbers, and in
lo.sses, between the two armies. The completeness of the victory.
6. The end of the war, the treaty of peace, and the future prospects
of the young Republic.
Geography.
Study particularly the route of the two armies from Cionzales to San
Jacinto. Study also the plan of Santa Anna's campaign and the routes
his several generals were expected to pursue. Locate and understand
clearly the battle-field of San Jacinto.
Parallel Readings.
Williams's " Sam Houston and the War for Indejiendence ;" Crane's
" Life of Sam Houston ;" Brown's " History oi Te.xas ;" Scarf?'s " Com-
prehensive History of Te.xas" (1897).
Monument to Burnkt and Siikrman
TilK RKVOLUTIUN.
239
CONTEMPORANEOUS EVENTS.— 1832-1836.
Parallel with Period III.
AMERICA.
1332.— Morse originates the telegraph.
1333.— Andrew Jackson inaugurated President for his second term,
March 4. Santa Anna president of the Mexican repubhc, April 18.
First successful American locomotive— the " Arabian"— built. Clay's
compromise tariff. Jackson removes the deposits from the bank of
the United States.
1834. —The IVhiiT party in the United States organized, to succeed the
National Republican party. Growing hostility between North and
South on slavery and States'-rights issues.
1 835.— The second Seminole Indian war. Colt's revolving pistol patented.
1836.— Arkansas admitted into the Union, June 15. Congress refuses
to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia. United .States treas-
ury issues the " specie circular." United .States debt extinguished.
Michigan admitted to the Union. Territory of Wisconsin created.
The Me.xican republic ends.
GREAT BRITAIN.
1833.— The Reformed Parliament meets. Daniel O'Connell in parlia-
ment. Slavery abolished in the British colonies. Edmund Kean
and Wilberforce died.
1834. — New Poor Law passed. System of national education begun.
Agitation by O'Connell in Ireland. Houses of Parliament burnt.
Ministry of Sir Robert Peel.
1835. — Death of James Hogg, the " Ettrick Shepherd." Municipal Cor-
porations Act passed, restoring local government to towns, wliich liad
been taken away in the fourteenth century.
1836. — Act passed allowing Dissenters civil marriage. General Registra-
tion Act. Continued agitation in Ireland.
EUROPE.
1833. — Donna Maria, Queen of Portugal. Isabella II., Queen of Spain.
1834.— Death of Lafayette. Monasteries abolished in Portugal.
1835. — Ferdinand I., Emperor of Austria. Death of Humboldt.
1836. — M. Thiers, first minister of Louis Philippe in France. Death of
Charles X. of France and Abb^ Siey^s.
Period III.
The
Revolution
1832
TO
1836
periob TO.
THE REPUBLIC.-1836-1846.
¥¥
CHAPTER XV.
Government
at Velasco
Volunteers
from the
United States
Hostility to
Santa Anna
Events following San Jacinto ; Troubles in the Army ;
First General Election ; Organization of
the Permanent Government.
T
'HE government having been established at Velasco, the
course of events was for a time somewhat confused and
disorderly. Some changes had taken place in the
composition of the Cabinet. Lamar was now secretary
of war ; Samuel P. Carson being disabled by sickness, James B.
Collinsworth was secretary of state ; and David Thomas having
been accidentally killed, Peter W. Grayson was attorney-general.
Meanwhile the volunteers from the United States and else-
where continued to arrive, until June i, 1836, the army had
increased to nearly twenty-five hundred men, and many of them
were not of the most conservative and obedient character.
Among the prominent new arrivals were General Felix Huston,
a Mississippi lawyer who had raised and brought with him a
command of five hundred men from that State ; General Thomas
J. Green, also at the head of a band of volunteers ; J. Pinckney
Henderson, and General Memucan Hunt. Nearly all the new-
comers were ambitious and adventurous, and their zeal seemed
proportioned to the litde they had had to do with preceding
events. The hostility to Santa Anna which had been so em-
phatically expressed by Lamar and Potter rapidly extended to
240
THE REPUBLIC.
!4I
Period I\'.
The Republic
1 87,6
1846
many officers in the army, and the freshly arrived troops were
especially anxious for his trial and execution as a murderer. The
captive president of Mexico had been brought to Velasco, and
on June i he was placed on board the Invincible to be sent to
Vera Cruz, in accordance with the treaty.
But Thomas J. Green, Generals Hunt, Huston, Henderson,
and others stirred up such a tumult against letting him go that
President Burnet was compelled to submit to his being brought
ashore. It was then proposed to try him by court-
martial. President Burnet vigorously resisted these
violent acts, and his opposition aroused such resent-
ment that there was an organized movement in the
army against the President, which accused him of
starving the soldiers and demanded all sorts of arbi-
trary relief. Burnet was firm but powerless, and the
civil power for a time seemed in danger of being over-
thrown by the military. To add to the difficulty,
some of the old officers, like Colonel Millard, took
sides with the mutineers, and it was known that the
secretary of war sympathized with them, at least in
regard to Santa Anna. General Houston was then at Natchi-
toches, and he wrote a most positive protest against the conduct
of the army and the proposed trial of Santa Anna. The latter
was finally sent for safe-keeping to the plantation of Dr. Phelps,
at Orozimbo on the Brazos. Sometime before that General
Rusk had asked to be relieved of the chief command of the
army, and suggested General Felix Huston as his successor.
President Burnet, about July i, instead appointed Colonel La-
mar, a most unfortunate.' selection under the circumstances. The
army rebelled against the appointment, and, upon the question
being submitted to a vote of the soldiers, they decided by a large
majority that they would not accept Lamar, but preferred to
retain Rusk in immediate command, with Sam Houston as real
commander-in chief. Lamar did not take his defeat with good
grace, but at last he saw that the army would not receive him
and he retired.
The vacancy created in the Cabinet by his appointment had changes in the
been filled by Colonel Alexander Somervell, and during tlie
16
GfNKRAI. I'^ELIX HlSTON.
President
Burnet resists
attempt to kill
Santa Anna
Insubordina-
tion in the
army
government
24:
A 'COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
1836
TO
1846
Isaac W. Bur
ton's notable
feat
Period IV. Slimmer otlicr changes occurred in the government. John A.
phe Republic \Yharton became secretary of the navy instead of Robert Potter ;
Barnard E. Bee succeeded Bailey Hardeman as secretary of the
treasury, the latter having died ; William H. Jack became sec-
retary of state, to succeed James B. Collinsworth ; while Peter
W. Grayson having been appointed commissioner to the United
States, the office of attorney-general remained vacant for most
of the time until the regular government was installed.
The army was unemployed, except as above stated, during
the months following San Jacinto, except the one notable feat of
Captain Isaac W. Burton, who with a company of Rangers cap-
tured three Mexican vessels in the harbor of Copano,
which was rather more of a naval than a military
exploit, and was certaifily a novel performance for
mounted Rangers.
The news of the battle of San Jacinto reached the
City of Mexico on May 15, the day after Santa Anna
had signed the treaty at Velasco. By that time the
Mexican troops were all leaving Texas, and, notwith-
standing several attempts were made during the sum-
mer to send a second invading army into Texas,
nothing was accomplished in that direction. The ru-
mors of invasion, however, served to keep the Texans
uneasy and to necessitate some preparations to meet
it. Mexico repudiated Santa Anna's treaty and de-
clared she would never recognize Texan independence. In
June, 1836, Manuel Flores and other Mexican agents renewed
their efforts to organize and excite the Indians in Eastern Texas
against the colonists, and they did succeed in stirring up enough
hostility among the Cherokees, Caddos, and Cushattas to render
the situation a dangerous and delicate one. But for the presence
of United States troops on the eastern border, there might have
been serious trouble.
During the war for Texan independence in 1835-36, the
United States government had jireservcd strict neutrality. An-
drew Jackson was President, and his sympathies were with the
struggling patriots, but the law of nations required him to main-
tain an attitude of perfect impartiality as between the two con-
Gknerai. Barnard E. Hee.
Indian
hostilities
Attitude of
United States
THE REPUBLIC.
243
Period IV.
The Republic
1836
TO
1846
Protection
against In-
dians by
American
tending parties. Mexico complained bitterly of the volunteers
who were allowed to join the Texan army from the United States,
but the government was powerless to prevent them from leaving,
so long as they did not actually march out in military array.
But there was one thing the United States did do. During the
war it was known that the Indians along the Trinity and next to
Louisiana were being influenced by Mexican agents to rise and
massacre the families of the men who were struggling for liberty troop
at San Antonio, Goliad, and San Jacinto.
The nearness of these tribes to the United
States territory, and the instincts of hu-
manity and justice required that the
United States, as a neutral power, should
keep the Indians from such an uprising,
and accordingly General Edmund P.
Gaines was stationed with troops on the
Louisiana frontier, to watch and quell
any outbreak among the Indians in East
Texas. At the request of the Texan
government, in the summer of 1836, he
performed the same service, making his
headquarters at Nacogdoches.
As soon as the victory of San Jacinto
had rendered their independence secure,
the Texans were anxious to have the new
government recognized by the United
States, and, if possible, to be annexed to the American Union. Movement
The commissioners who had been sent to the United States in *°^Y- ^ ^"'
nexation to
December, 1835, were not accredited as diplomatic agents to the United states
American government, but were merely representatives commis-
sioned to solicit the sympathy and aid of the people of the United
States, which they did most successfully. These gentlemen — Texan com-
Austin, Wharton, and Archer — returned to Texas in June, 1836
but on May 30 President Burnet had appointed James B. Collins
worth and Peter W. Grayson as commissioners to the govern-
. . Recognition of
ment at Washington City, to secure the recognition of Texan Texan inde-
independence, to enlist the influence of that government with pendence by
,, . . . ... . . , , , ... the United
Mexico in procuring a similar recognition by the latter republic, states
Indian War Danck.
missioners to
Washington
!44
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period 1\'.
Thk Republic
TO
1846
Early politics
aiitl to suggest that the annexation of Texas to the United States
would be most acceptable to her citizens, upon certain terms
which were to be explained by the commissioners. The news
of the success of the struggle in which Texas was engaged was
received with general rejoicing in the United Sates, and on June
18, 1836, Henry Clay offered a resolution in Congress to recog-
nize the independence of the new Republic.
This, however, was postponed, and it was not
until March i, 1837, that the United States
finally recognized Texan independence. The
subject provoked political controversy, and the
agitation was the beginning of the exciting and
bitter struggle that occurred over annexation
eight years later. During the discussion of
the question of recognition, Henry M. Morfitt
was sent by the United States to investigate
and report on the condition and resources of
Texas. He reported favorably, stating that the
population was about fifty-eight thousand, of
whom thirty thousand were white, three thou-
sand six hundred and seventy were Mexicans,
five thousand were negroes, and twenty thou-
He estimated the public debt at one million two
hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
On July 23, President Burnet issued his proclamation for the
first regular election, to be held September i, 1836, to ratify the
constitution of the Republic, elect the first permanent ofificers of
the Republic and members of the First Congress, and at the same
time the people were to vote on the question of annexation to
the United States. Politics in Texas then and for many years
afterwards, were entirely personal. There were no great party
Issues, and no important public measures and policies upon
which political divisions could be organized. Men rallied around
their favorite candidates from motives of personal attachment, or
because they admired their position on some question of local
and temporary concern. A man's personal popularity and suc-
cess in winning and holding friends were the secrets of his
leadeishiij, and strong personal friendships begat equally strong
Moses Austin Biyan. Lewis demons
George W. Petty.
.\ (".ROii- OF Old Texans.
sand Indians.
First regular
election in the
Republic
THE REPUBLIC.
245
personal hatreds. Hence the difficulty of correctly estimating Period iv.
the real character and merits of the public men of those days, ^^ ^ublic
and the danger of accepting the opinions of their contempora- ^^
ries, unless their personal attachments are known and made JS46
proper allowance for.
In the election of 1836 there were two of these personal par- Austin and
ties,- — the A us f/?i pa r/j' and the Wharton party. The former was parttes°"
not strictly an Austin party, for all the people loved and revered
Stephen F". Austin, but his immediate, personal friends felt that
injustice had been done him on account of his position in regard
to the war with Mexico and the early declaration of Texan inde-
pendence, and that such injustice was largely due to the ambi-
tious intrigues of John A. and William H. Wharton. Resent-
ment against the Whartons produced personal opposition to
them among Austm's closest followers, and it was an aiiti-
Wharton rather than an Austin party. The Whartons espoused
the candidacy of Henry Smith for the first presidency, and their
influence rather than his own gathered a few followers around
him. Austin was not a candidate in the sense of seeking the
office, but he could not prevent the use of his name, although
he took no part whatever in the canvass. The new-comers and Position of the
the volunteers in the army took but little interest in the personal ^l?!'/^!!," „„^
■' r new-comers
animosities of the Wharton and anti-Wharton factions. They
had known but little of General Austin, as he had been absent
in the United States since most of them came to the country,
and his services as the real founder and father of Texas were not
felt nor appreciated by them. To them General Houston was
the central figure in the Revolution, whose success they con-
sidered had been won by his valor and skill, and as the " hero
of San Jacinto" his military fame, as so often happens, outshone
the less sensational achievements of civil life. Besides, Houston
was a skilful politician, adroit, dramatic, popular in his speech
and manner, and trained in a State where politics and public
speaking had reached the position of a fine art. So he was
brought out as a candidate, apparently against his wishes, by
public meetings at Columbia, Nacogdoches, San Augustine, and
elsewhere. The Wharton party, finding thev could not elect Sam Houston
' •' o . ^ elected first
Smith, threw their influence'to General Houston. In the election president
246
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
I'KRioD IV that followed Houston received four thousand three hundred
thk kki'l:blic ^nd sevcnty-four votes, Smith seven hundred and forty-five,
1836
TO
1846
First Congress
lJI^
«6ac^:
I'lRST Capitol 01
I.UMHIA, 1836, lira
Houston's
Cabinet
First Judici-
ary of the Re-
public
and Austin live hundred and eighty-seven. Mirabeau B. Lamar
was elected Vice-President, in consequence, it was said, of Hous-
ton's complimentary mention of him in the report of the battle
of San Jacinto.
The First Congress met at Columbia, to which place the
capital had been removed from Velasco, on October 3, and the
President and Vice-President elect were in-
stalled on October 22, 1836. The vote for
annexation was almost unanimous, while the
constitution was also adopted by a large
vote, but the proposed authority to Con-
gress to amend it was defeated.
President Houston appointed as his
Cabinet, Stephen F. Austin, secretary of
state ; Henry Smith, secretary of the
treasury ; Thomas J. Rusk, secretary of
war; S. Rhoads Fisher, secretary of the
navy ; James Pinckney Henderson, attorney-general ; Robert
Barr, postmaster-general.
Congress organized with Ira Ingram as speaker of the house,
and Richard Ellis was president pro tern, of the senate, in place
of Vice-President Zavala, until Vice-Presi-
dent Lamar was inaugurated. Zavala died
on November 15 following his retirement
from office.
James B. Collinsworth was elected chief
justice of the Supreme Court by Congress,
and Shelby Corzine, Benjamin C. Frank-
lin, Robert M. Williamson, and James W.
Robinson were elected judges of the four
judicial districts of the Republic, who,
together with the chief justice, constituted
the Supreme Court. District attorneys
and county judges were also elected by Congress, and the vari-
ous county and local officers had been chosen at the election on
Septenil)er i. These all assumed their duties in December.
jAMiis B. Collinsworth.
TO
THE REPUBLIC. 247
William H. Wharlon was appointed minister to the United pkriodiv.
States. The vacancy in the command of the army, caused by "^ ^^lblic
the appointment of General Rusk to the* ^^
war department, left General Felix Huston
at the head of the army, and soon after-
wards efforts were made, in view of war
with 'Mexico, to induce the distinguished
General James Hamilton, of South Caro-
lina, to become commander-in-chief of the
Texan forces.
The first permanent government of the
„ , ,. r 11 -1 1 General James Ham-
Repubhc was now fully organized, and ilton.
its labors in meeting the severe demands
made upon it furnish another illustration of the capacity of the
Anglo-Americans for self-government.
QUESTIONS.
Where was the government established after the battle of San
Jacinto? What changes took place in the officers of the government?
What can you say of the volunteers who continued to arrive from the
United States ? Give the names of the most prominent among them, and
what position did they assume towards Santa Anna ? Where was he at
that time, and what occurred in regard to him, and how was it brought
about? Describe what happened between President Burnet and the
leaders of this movement. What position did General Houston take,
and what did he do on the subject? What was finally dtme with Santa
Anna at that time ? What occurred in reference to the command of the
army? What changes occurred in the government at that time? What
singular and notable feat was performed by Captain Isaac W. Burton
at Copano? When did the news of the battle of San Jacinto reach the
Mexican capital, and what was done in Mexico? When, by whom, and
where were attempts made to excite Indian hostilities ? What Indians
were concerned in this movement, and what prevented an outbreak
among them? What was the attitude of the United States during the
Texas Revolution ? What did that government do in regard to pre-
venting Indian hostilities along the eastern frontier of Texas? What
American officer commanded the troops for that purpose, and what did
he do in the summer of 1S36? Where were his headquarters? What
were the Texans anxious for as soon as their independence was secured.
2J.8 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
pkkiod IV. and what steps did the government of the RepubUc take towards that
TnK Replbi.ic ^^^-^ ^^ho were sent to the United States, and with what instructions?
1S36 How was the news of Texan success received in the United States, and
1 o what occurred in the American Congress ? When was that, and when
'^46 did the United States finally recognize Texan independence? What
efTect did the discussion of the subject have in the United States ? Who
was sent to Texas, for what purpose, and give the substance of his report
in reference to the population and public debt of the Republic ? When
was the proclamation for the first regular election issued in Texas?
When was the election to be held, and for what purposes ? What was
the nature of politics in Texas then and for many years afterwards?
Describe how men took sides in political campaigns. What difficulty did
that condition of affairs create in regard to judging the public men of those
days? In the election of 1836, what two political parties were arrayed
against each other? Explain the relations and feelings which existed
between Austin's friends and the Wharton party. What candidate for
the presidency did the Whartons support? What was Austin's attitude
towards the campaign ? What was the position of the army and the new-
comers, and whom did they favor? What were Houston's qualifications
as a politician, and how was he brought into that campaign ? What did
the Wharton party then do ? What was the result of the election ? Who
was elected Vice-President, and why? When and where did the First
Congress meet, and when did the inauguration of the new government
take place? What was the result of the vote on annexation and the
constitution? Whom did President Houston appoint to his Cabinet?
How did Congress organize? What distinguished patriot died soon
afterwards? Who was elected chief justice of the Supreme Court, and
who were his four associates? How was the Supreme Court then con-
stituted and elected ? What other officers were elected at this time, and
by whom ? When did all the officials assume their places ? WHio was
appointed minister to the United States ? Who became commander of
the army, and what distinguished American officer was solicited to accept
that position ?
Topical Analysis.
1. The first troubles of the government of the Republic, growing out
of the desire to execute Santa Anna.
2. The arrival of distinguished volunteers from the United States,
and their somewhat meddlesome disposition to interfere with the govern-
ment. Beginning of insul)ordination in the army.
3. Efforts of the Texan government to secure recognition of its inde-
pendence by the United States, with the ultimate object of annexation.
4. The political agitation in the United States, caused by the discus-
sion of the question of Texan recognition and annexation. Delay in
recognizing Texan independence.
THK REPUBLIC.
249
5. The friendly action of the United States in protecting Texas from Period iv.
Indian hostilities during the Revolution. Its effects in exciting the enmity ^^ ep ublic
of Mexico towards the American government. 1836
6. The first regular election in the Republic of Texas. The personal to
nature of early Texas politics. The Aus/iii and W/iarton parties. '"46
General Houston's attitude, and the causes of his political strength in
that campaign.
7. The organization of the first permanent government of the
Republic. Names of the first officers, and a general outline of the
government.
Geography.
Locate Velasco, Copano, Orozimbo, Columbia, and the country
inhabited by the Cherokees, Caddos, Cushattas, and other Itidian tribes
in Eastern Texas.
Parallel Readings.
Scarft"'s "Comprehensive History of Texas" (original text of Yoa-
kum's "History"), Vol. I. ; Brown's "History of Texas;" Williams's
"Sam Houston and the War for Texan Independence;" the several
works on Texas by Foote, Kennedy, and Mrs. Holly ; Benton's "Thirty
Years' View;" Crane's "Life of Sam Houston;" Jere Clemmon's
" Bernard Lyle."
Old Colt's Revolver, i
CHAPTER XVI.
Period IV.
1 HE Republic
i'836
TO
1846
Release of
Santa Anna
Difficulties of
the new gov-
ernment
Indians
Public debt
and poverty
Land scrip
pnd titles
Houston's First Administration; Land and Financial
Policies ; Indian and Army Troubles ; Elec-
tion of President Lamar.
ONE of the first acts of President Houston was the release
of Santa Anna. Already the unwise and violent con-
duct of certain persons in holding the Mexican chief a
prisoner, in direct violation of the treaty made with
him, had lost all the advantages to be derived from holding him
at all. Houston visited him at Orozimbo, and soon afterwards
sent him to Washington city, where he was kindly treated by
President Jackson, and the United States government sent him
to Vera Cruz, where he landed February 23, 1837. His pop-
ularity for a time was gone, but his abilities for thriving in the
troubled politics of Mexico erelong brought him again to the
head of affairs in that distracted country.
The responsibilities and difificulties that confronted the first
administration of the permanent governmenr of the Republic of
Texas were enormous and complicated. There was the whole
machinery of regular republican institutions to be devised, con-
structed, and put in operation. The threats of continued war
and invasion from Mexico required the support of an army and
navy suitable to maintain the independence and security of the
country. The frontier was harassed by hostile Indian tribes,
many of whom lived in dangerous contact with the best settled
portions of the Republic, and among whom the agents of Mexico
were continually plotting and urging murderous outbreaks against
the American settlers. To provide for all these necessities there
was not a dollar in the public treasury, and a public debt of
more than a million dollars had already accumulated against the
government. Quantities of layid scrip — that is, paper authorizing
the holder to locate and secure title to a section or less of land,
250
THE REPUBLIC. 25 I
at not less than fifty cents an acre — had been issued to meet the Period iv.
expenses of the late war and of the provisional governments ^^ _ehlbli
theretofore existing ; but owiner to the uncertain future of the ^^^"
. . . TO
country and its independence, and the great confusion m land ^g^^
titles arising from the various grants, bounties, and contracts
made in Texas since its colonization, this scrip was very difficult
to sell and commanded a very low price, and the multitude of it
which continued to be issued rendered it practically worthless in
a short time.
In addition to these necessary evils, there existed another, Ambitious and
11 T-1 . f 11 c 1 1 turbulent men
most trymg and dangerous. 1 he country was luU 01 reckless
and ambitious men, many of whom had no patriotic interest in
the welfare of the new government, and whose presence in Texas
was but recent and prompted by motives of personal and selfish
gain. Some of these were lying in wait to secure legislation
from the Texan Congress, by which they might put on foot large
schemes of speculation, calculated to defraud the public and dis-
grace the government. Most of them, however, had joined the Troubles in
army, which was now quartered on the Lavaca, as volunteers,
and there they stirred up all sorts of wild and mutinous move-
ments, which soon converted the army into a turbulent and
lawless mob, threatening the safety and stability of the civil
authorities of the Republic. We have seen how this same influ-
ence had defied President Burnet at Velasco and clamored for
the blood of Santa Anna. It was not long in finding other ob-
jects for its visionary and reckless ambitions. The old scheme Matamoros
• T.T '11 expedition
of an expedition against Matamoros was revived, and prepara- revived
tions for the invasion of Mexico were openly advocated. At a
time when that country was torn with civil strife and unable to
continue the war ; when the United States had been asked to use
their influence to secure peace and the recognition of Texan
independence ; and when Texas was utterly without means to
maintain her own government and defend her own territory with
respectable success, — it was proposed to incur the expense of a
useless and dangerous raid beyond the Rio Grande, destroy all
hopes of Mexican recognition, and invite a renewal of barbarous
hostilities. We shall see the disastrous effects of these enter-
prises on the subsequent fortunes of the young Republic.
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period IX .
iHfc; Republic
1S36
TO
IS46
An OLD-TiMbc Texas Ran(;er
Money panic
of 1837
Confusion in
land system
Land bounties
But President Houston met these demands upon his capacity
and patience with firmness and wisdom. His pohcies were well
defined. He favored peace and good faith with the Indian
tribes, which his intimate knowledge of Indian character, his
personal influence with them, and his respect for their rights,
enabled him to secure more successfully than any other of the
early executives of Texas. At the same time
he recognized the fickle and dangerous temper
of the tribes and the influence of the Mexican
agents among them, and hence maintained a
strong Ranger force to watch and subdue them
as occasion demanded. His administration,
while not free from some Indian outrages, was
able to prevent any general hostility among
them, and the murders committed were generally
the result of local and temporary causes.
Houston was opposed to all schemes for
financial speculation and Jiaf money. The pov-
erty of the government and the worthlessness of
land scrip led Congress to favor the issuance of
treasury notes to a large amount, thus flooding
the country with paper monev that could not be redeemed, and
would become practically valueless. The United States, in 1837,
suffered a terrible financial panic, due very much to the same
causes, and he tried to save Texas from a similar experience.
He vetoed the most hurtful acts passed by Congress on this
and other subjects, and, although some of the bills were passed
over his veto, he managed to control legislation to a certain
extent in the interest of the public credit.
The land system of Texas was in a disorderly condition.
The Consultation, in November, 1835, had suspended all land
operations of every description, and no further titles could be
extended. In the last days of the legislature of Coahuila and
Texas, great frauds had been committed and large quantities of
land were voted away without any regard for the laws. The
provisional government had declared these acts void, and the
Constitution of the Republic also pronounced them null and
\()id. But under the provisional go\ernment and the govern-
THE REPUBLIC.
253
ment ad interim extensiv^e bounties had been granted to soldiers Period iv.
and volunteers in the army, and it was necessary that these ^""^ Republic
lands should be located, surveyed, and patented to the true '^-5°
TO
owners. Many of the colonists who were in Texas before the jg.g
Revolution had not received their portions of lands, and were —
anxious for their titles. The Constitution of the Republic pro- General land
vided for the recognition of all these valid claims, and that a
general land office should be established, in order to properly
conduct the business of locating, surveying, and patenting the
lands. All heads of families living in Texas on March 2, 1836,
were to receive a league and labor of land (four thousand six
hundred and five acres), and all single men a third of a league ;
and this was afterwards extended to persons who arrived between
March 2 and August i, 1836, who served in the army and were
honorably discharged, or died prior to December 14, 1837.
These grants of land were called headrights of \\\ft first class.
It will be readily seen that there was great room for fraud President
and speculation in managing the details of this extensive and °"^ °"
' & & vetoes
complicated system ; and President Houston favored the most land bills
rigid safeguards against such dangers. He vetoed several land
bills passed during his first administration, which were
some of them passed over his veto and led to much
fraud and litigation afterwards.
In regard to the foreign relations of the Repub-
lic, Houston advocated a dignified and independent
course, seeking the recognition of all the leading-
powers, the establishment of commercial relations
with all of them, including Mexico, and a course of
wise, conservative, and honest national policy that
would strengthen the government at home and make
it respected abroad. He was in favor of annexation
to the United States, and William H. Wharton and mfmican hint.
Memucan Hunt were both sent to Washington to
secure that object. But after much delay the American gov- Annexation to
ernment confined itself to recognizing Texan independence, on declined
March i, 1837, and declined the proposition of annexation.
Houston then believed that Texas should withdraw her offer
and wait for developments, meanwhile maintaining a friendlv Init
254
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period IV. dii^nihed attitude towards the Union. The course the United
thk repiklic gi-gfgg i^^^ taken, in placing troops at Nacogdoches to protect
1336 the colonists from the Indians during the Texan Revolution and
1°.^ afterwards, had offended Mexico. There were also other causes
1 040
— for ill feeling between the two governments, growing out of
Mexican depredations on American commerce, and in October,
1836, all diplomatic relations between the two nations ceased for
several months.
Reiationswith Jamcs Pinckncy Henderson was appointed minister to Great
nat'ion"" Britain and France, and while he did not succeed in securing an
absolute recognition of independence, he did negotiate commer-
cial treaties with those two governments, by which they estab-
lished trade with Texas and sent their agents to represent them
in the new Republic. In the management of foreign relations,
the secretary of state, Stephen F. Austin, was invaluable, as his
great tact, conservatism, and prudence peculiarly fitted him for
the post, and his unselfish patriotism inspired all he did. But
the Republic, whose foundations he had laid, was all too soon
Death of ste- to be deprived of his aid in the completion of its fabric. Over-
p en . us in ^^.qj.],^.^| j^y j.|^g pressing duties of his office, and exposing himself
to the inclement weather, his health, already impaired, gave way
to an attack of pneumonia, and after a very short illness he died
at Columbia, December 27, 1836, at the early age of forty-three
His public and years. His life had been one of incessant activity, great suf^er-
private char- . , , . n i i r i i •
acter and "''8'^ ^"^ cxposures, and of unparalleled usefulness to his race
services and couutvy. He was never married, and the wealth of devo-
tion, fidelity, and zeal which most men bestow upon their fam-
ilies he lavished upon the child of his genius and labor, — the
magnificent commonwealth whose dawning destiny his dying
eyes were permitted to behold. President Houston announced
his death in a bulletin which began with the truthful statement :
"The Father of Texas is no more." Amid universal sorrow
and the highest honors official grief could award, he was buried
at Peach Point, near the mouth of the river on whose banks just
fourteen years before he had planted the first American colony
in Texas.
Turbulence of Early in his administration, Houston was confronted with
the disorderly and rebellious spirit of the army, camped on the
THE REPUBLIC.
255
Lavaca and Navidad. The troops were in command of General
Felix Huston, whose military attainments were few, but whose
reckless and turbulent conduct among his men provoked them
to great disorders, and often to violence among themselves. He
and other leaders favored an expedition into Mexico, and he
came to Congress to secure aid for that enterprise. While he
was absent, President Houston seijt the secretary of war to the
Lavaca and furloughed all the soldiers except a small command,
sending the most of them to their homes in the United States
and elsewhere. Thus the government was relieved of a great
expense and a menace to its safety, and the country was spared
the further development of the second Matamoros expedition.
General Huston, deprived of his military mob, not long after-
wards returned for a while to the United States. Prior to these
events, however, in February, 1837, he had challenged and shot
Albert Sidney Johnston, who had been sent to relieve him of the
command. Upon his final departure, Johnston assumed control
of the remaining troops.
During the spring and summer of 1837, the Texas navy
sustained serious loss in the capture, by Mexican vessels, of the
Independence and the Invincible. William H. Wharton, late
Texan minister to the United States, having resigned in favor of
Memucan Hunt, was returning home on the former vessel and
was captured and taken prisoner to Matamoros. His brother,
John A. Wharton, went to his relief, proposing to exchange
thirty Mexican prisoners for him ; but
he, too, was seized and thrown into
prison. Both the brothers soon escaped,
and about a year later they both died
within a few months of each other.
Throughout the two years of Hous-
ton's first administration there was
more or less trouble with the Indians,
necessitating continual activity by the
Rangers. Some daring murders were
committed by roving bands, and thefts of horses were frequent.
Among the leading officers in the Ranger service at this time
were Edward Burleson, John H. Moore, R. M, Coleman, Henry
George B. Erath.
Period IV.
The Republic
TO
1846
Disbanded by
President
Houston
General Felix
Huston
Texas navy
Captivity and
death of the
\Vhartons
Indian raids
The early
Rangers
256
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
I'KKIOD 1\'.
Tmi-; Repibi.ic
1S36
TO
IS46
First, Second,
and Third
Congresses
Capital at city
of Houston
< H.i) Caim roi.
Commis-
sioners to
locate a new
capital
Important
early laws
W. Karnes, George B. Erath, William M. Eastland ; and Gen-
eral Rusk took an active part in many of the Indian campaigns.
In the summer of 1838, Vicente Cordova, a Mexican agent,
attempted to stir up a rebellion among the Indians and Mexicans
in Eastern Texas ; but this was speedily suppressed, although
Cordova remained for some time on the upper Brazos and
Trinity, to encourage the Indians to war and outrage against
the Texans.
Houston's first term extended from the date of his inaugu-
ration, October 22, 1836, to December 10, 1838. During that
period the First and Second Congresses and a part of the
session of the Third Congress were held. The first session of
the First Congress met at Columbia on October 3, 1836, and
adjourned on December 21. By one of its acts the capital was
moved to the new town of Houston, founded at the head of
Buffalo Bayou by the brothers A. C. and John K. Allen. The
second session of the same Congress met in Houston May i,
1837, and remained in session until June 13. The Second
Congress was elected the first Monday in September, 1837, ^"d
President Houston called them to meet
in special session on September 26,
which lasted until the end of December.
A second session was held the ist of
May, 1838^ and continued about a
month. The Third Congress met No-
vember 5, 1838, and continued in session
until the close of January, 1839.
By an act of the first session of the
Second Congress, October 17, 1837,
commissioners were to be appointed to
select a permanent capital for the Re-
public, to be located between the Gua-
dalupe and Trinity Rivers, not more than one hundred miles
north of the upper San Antonio Road, nor south of a line
from the Trinity to the Guadalupe, crossing the Brazos at Fort
Bend.
There were many laws passed by these Congresses during
the first jjrcsidential term ; Ijut the most important general laws
stra-
Henderson, Robert A. Irion ; secretary of war, Thomas J. Rusk,
William S. Fisher, Barnard E. Bee, George W. Poe, and George
W. Hockley ; secretary of the treasury, Henry Smith ; secretary
of the navy, S. Rhoads Fisher, William M. Shepherd ; attorney-
general, J. Pinckney Henderson, Peter W. Grayson, John Bird-
sail, Albert S. Thruston ; comptroller, Elisha M. Pease, Frank
R. Lubbock ; postmaster-general, Robert Barr ; commissioner
of land office, J. P. Borden ; minister to United States, W. H.
Wharton, Memucan Hunt, Anson Jones ; minister to England
and France, J. Pinckney Henderson. James B. Collinsworth,
the first chief justice, having died in the summer of 1838, Presi-
dent Houston appointed John Birdsall to the vacancy.
17
tion
258
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkriod IV.
Thk Kkpihlic
1S36
TO
IS46
Early life at
the capital
kKsir)i:N-CE oi'
(while the
Public debt
Commerce
President' Houston, 1S36
capilol was being built).
President not
eligible for re-
election
Candidates for
second presi-
dent
The mode of life of the President and his Cabinet and Con-
gress was of the simplest kind. The President's house at Hous-
ton was a log cabin, with a puncheon floor in one room and a
dirt floor in the other. The building used for a capitol was a
cheap frame house, unfinished, and its leaky roof subjected the
Congress to frequent and involuntary baths. There were very
few people in the new town, and they dwelt in tents and shanties ;
but among them were ladies and gentlemen of education and
refinement, so that the rude simplicity
of this infant capital was enlightened
by many of the graces and charms of
intellectual and social intercourse.
On the whole, the first administra-
tion of the Republic was a success, and
its results compare most favorably with
those of the first government of the
American colonies after the revolution
of 1776. At its close, in December,
1838, the public debt of all descriptions
was $1,942,000 ; there were outstanding $739,789 of treasury
notes, worth from fifty to sixty-five cents on the dollar ; and the
receipts from the customs duties for the year 1838 were $278, 134.
A fair trade had been established with Mexico along the Rio
Grande, and there was really very little to fear from that country
in its then condition. Commercial relations had been secured
with the leading European powers, and the United States were
friendly and favorable to annexation when the time should arrive.
The only trouble was with the Indians, who were kept hostile by
the Mexican agents who were active among them. The govern-
ment was very poor, but its prospects were hopeful.
The Constitution forbade the re-election of a president of the
Republic to succeed himself ; so that President Houston could
not be a candidate at the re-election in September, 1838. The
regular term of a president was fixed at three years, but the first
executive was limited to two years. In the canvass for the
second presidency, Vice-President Mirabeau B. Lamar, James
R. Collinsworth, and Peter W. Grayson were the candidates.
During the summer Grayson committed suicide in Tennessee,
THE REPUBLIC.
259
and Collinsvvorth was drowned in Galveston Bay, — by many also period iv.
The Rkpublic
TO
1846
supposed to be a suicide. This left Lamar without opposition,
and he was elected by a vote of 6995 out of a total poll of 7247. ^^3°
David G. Burnet was elected Vice-President over Albert C
Horton and Joseph Rowe, by a majority of 776.
President Lamar was inaugurated on December 10, 1838,
the Third Congress having been already in session since Novem-
ber 5. On December 14 the new President appointed his Cab- President
inet, as follows : secretary of state, Barnard E. Bee ; secretary of cabinet
war, Albert Sidney Johnston ; secretary of the navy, Memucan
Hunt ; secretary of the treasury, Richard G. Dunlap ; attorney-
general, John C. Watrous. The Congress elected Thomas J.
Rusk chief justice of the Supreme Court, who resigned in 1841,
and was succeeded by John Hemphill.
The policies of the newly-elected executive, as outlined in His policies
his inaugural address and as deduced from his well-known views,
were to be the reverse of those pursued by his predecessor.
Their nature and results we shall soon see.
QUESTIONS.
Describe the circumstances attending: the final release of Santa
Anna and his return to Mexico. What difficulties met the first adminis-
tration of the government of the Republic ? What troubles existed with
the Indians? What was the financial condition of the country? What
was latid scrip, and what difficulties arose from this source? What can
you say of the dangers arising from the schemes of ambitious and turbu-
lent men ? What was the condition of the army ? What old scheme for
invading Mexico was revived at this time, and to what did these influences
lead? How did President Houston meet these difficulties? What were
his policies in regard to the Indians, public finances, and the land system?
What financial troubles existed in Texas and the United States at that
time? What confusion and difficulty arose in regard to land titles, and
what was done to remove them ? What land grants were made by the
Constitution of the Republic? What bills did President Houston veto,
and with what result? What was Houston's policy as to foreign and
commercial relations and annexation ? W^hen did the United States
recognize Texan independence, and what was done in regard to annexa-
tion? What state of feeling existed between Mexico and the United
States, and what caused it? What occurred in consequence? When
26o A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period IV. vvas that? Who was appointed minister to Great Britain and France,
TnK Rkpuhlic .^j^j ^.],.jt^ ^\[^] j^g succeed in doing? Who managed the foreign relations
1S36 of the Republic at that time, and what can you say of him? When, at
TO what age, and where did he die ? What can you say of his public and
1846 private life and services? Describe what honors were paid him by the
government and people. Where was he buried ? Describe the troubles
that arose in the Te.xan army. Who led this movement ? What did the
President do in regard to the army ? What can you tell about General
Feli.x Huston? Who assumed command of the army as his successor?
What occurred to the navy in the spring and summer of 1837 ? What two
distinguished men were captured by the Mexicans at that time, and under
what circumstances? What became of them soon afterwards? What
was the condition of Indian affairs during Houston's first administration?
Who were some of the noted officers in the Ranger service of those times ?
Who tried to arouse the Indians to warfare against the Texans ? Between
what dates was Houston President the first time? What Congresses met
during his administration, and give the dates and places of meeting of
each of those Congresses ? Where was the capital of the Republic then,
and who founded the town? When were commissioners appointed to
locate the permanent cajiital, and within what limits was it to be located?
Give a list and outline of the most important laws passed during
Houston's first presidency. Give the names and official positions of the
various persons who held office in President Houston's Cabinet during
his first term. Who were the first and second chief justices of the
Supreme Court of the Republic, and when were they elected or appointed ?
Describe the residence of President Houston at that time, and the general
mode of domestic and social life at the first capital of the Republic.
What were the general results of the first administration as to finances,
commerce, and Indian affairs ? W^hat were the constitutional provisions
as to re-election of the President, term of office, etc. ? Who were can-
didates for second President of the Republic? What became of two of
them ? Who were elected second President and Vice-President of the
Republic? Who were candidates for Vice-President? When did the
election occur, and what was the vote? When was President Lamar
inaugurated? What Congress was then in session? Who were the
members of Lamar's first Cabinet ? Who was elected chief justice of the
Supreme Court, how long did he hold the office, and who succeeded him ?
What were Lamar's policies as compared with those of his predecessor?
Topical Analysis.
I. President Houston's first administration. Difficulties of the new
government, as follows :
(a) The inauguration of a new and complete system of republican
institutions.
(d) Indian depredations and threats of invasion from Mexico.
THE REPUBLIC. 26l
(c) Heavy public debt and impoverished condition of the country. Period IV.
(d) Great confusion in land titles, owing to issuance of /and scrip, ^^'^ Republic
frauds in procuring bounties, and general spirit of reckless 1836
speculation. to
(e) Turbulence in the army, caused by ambitious and reckless men, ^'^46
who revived the scheme of an expedition to invade Mexico,
and promoted insubordination among the soldiers.
Policies of President Houston in dealing with these questions, as fol-
lows :
(a) Peace with foreign nations, including Mexico, and the promotion
of commercial intercourse abroad.
{d) A firm but friendly attitude towards the Indians, supported by a
vigorous Ranger service on the frontier.
(c) Recognition by the United States, with annexation to the Ameri-
can Union, if possible.
(d) Opposition to all financial schemes for increasing the public debt,
issuing yJ^?/ money, or flooding the country with worthless land
scrip, and speculative land enterprises.
(r) Opposition to all schemes for invading Mexico, and a determina-
tion to quell the turbulence of the army and its reckless leaders.
Important events of this administration :
(i) Final release of Santa Anna and his return to Mexico.
(2) Independence of Texas recognized by United States, but annex-
ation declined. Commercial treaties with United States, Great
Britain, and France.
(3) Death of Stephen F. Austin, John A. Wharton, William H. Whar-
ton, Peter W. Grayson, and James B. Collinsworth.
(4) Foundation of the land system of the Republic ; general land
office and board of land commissioners established.
(5) Continued troubles with Indians, who were excited to hostility by
Vicente Cordova and other Mexican agents. The Texas
Rangers organized under their first great captains.
(6) The army disbanded by indefinite furlough, to prevent its lawless
conduct. Revival of the " Matamoros Expedition" scheme.
(7) Movement to- prevent issuance of worthless land scrip and treas-
ury notes.
(8) Town of Houston founded and capital established there. Ap-
pointment of commissioners to locate the permanent capital.
First, Second, and part of the Third Congresses held their
sessions at Houston.
(9) Passage of laws authorizing a five million dollars' public loan,
organizing a complete judicial system, dividing the Republic
into counties, establishing eleven land districts, establishing
post-offices and post-roads, for scctioniziH}^ the public lands,
organizing the Ranger service on the frontier, and providing
for establishing the boundaries of Texas.
i- I'.kxak in ]Sy
and run the
boundary of
Texas
is true that President Lamar issued proclamations forbidding
these demonstrations, but his personal conduct and sympathies
neutralized his public warnings.
Early in 1840, an attempt was made to run the boundary line Attempts to fix
between the United States and Texas on the Louisiana border.
The Sabine and Red Rivers were adopted as the eastern boun-
dary, which threw a strip formerly belonging to Miller County,
Arkansas, into Texas. The northern boundary was left unde-
cided. By the act of December 19, 1836, of the First Congress
of Texas, the northern boundary was fixed as the forty-second
degree of latitude, which would include New Mexico as part of
the Republic, but there was no authority for any such claim.
New Mexico was a separate province of Mexico long before
Texas was attempted to be settled, and no pretence had ever
2 70
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
I'lCRion 1\'.
THli RKPIIBLIC
1836
TO
1846
The Texan
navy
Sent to aid
revolution in
Yucatan
Gloomy finan-
cial prospects
President La-
mar retires
New schemes
Military roads
' Franco-
Texan Land
Company."
been made that it was included in the territory of Texas. The
claim set up to that country by some persons in 1840-41 in-
volved the Republic in great trouble and expense.
During- the year 1840, by the efforts of General James Ham-
ilton, in connection with the Texan ministers, Great Britain,
France, and Belgium recognized Texan independence, and com-
merce rapidly increased with Europe in consequence.
The Texan navy had been greatly enlarged and strengthened
since the Revolution, but it had cost the government a great
sum of money. During the first nine months of 1839, sixty
thousand dollars were spent on it, and the estimated naval appro-
priations for the year beginning September i, 1839, were nearly
half a million dollars. This costly armament, not being needed,
was placed in ordinary, — that is, retired from service by an act
of the Fourth Congress. But in the spring of 1840, Yucatan, a
province of Mexico, being in a state of insurrection, sent an
agent to Texas to solicit aid, and President Lamar, in June,
1840, placed the best part of the Texan navy in the service of
that distant and alien country, where it remaineci for two years,
most of the vessels being lost altogether.
At the close of the second year of the administration the sit-
uation was gloomy indeed. The financial distress was alarming.
No loan had been secured, the public expenses were enormous,
the issues of government notes were nearly worthless, and there
seemed no relief. The Congress which met in November, 1840,
did the best it could by cutting down appropriations nearly sixty-
six per cent., but it could do nothing with the condition of the
finances. In December, President Lamar, on account of sick-
ness, retired from the active duties of office, and left Vice-Presi-
dent Burnet to act as chief executive.
At the beginning of the year 1841, notwithstanding the im-
poverished state of the treasury and the sad experience of the
two years past, new and magnificent schemes w^ere set on foot.
A great military road from the Nueces to Red River was put
under construction, supported by land bounties ; and another
from Austin to Santa F^, New Mexico, six hundred miles through
a savage wilderness, was j)rojected. In February the ' ' Franco-
Texan Land Company" came near getting its gigantic scheme
THE REPUBLIC.
271
of fraud throiio:h Congress, which would have given to that cor-
poration three miUion acres of the best land in Texas, free from
taxation until 1849, and exempt from all import duties for twenty
years. This tremendous monopoly was understood to have the
endorsement of the administration, but it was fortunately de-
feated in the Senate.
In the spring of 1841, President Lamar became enamored of a
project to extend the jurisdiction of Texas over New Mexico.
Santa Fe had long been a great trading post between St. Louis
and Mexico, and its rich commerce would undoubtedly have
been of great value to the poverty-stricken Republic. But the
peaceable or forcible acquisition of that territory was out of the
question at that time. Congress was asked to endorse and sup-
port the expedition, but refused, and the President then under-
took it on his own responsibility. The Santa Fe expedition was
disguised as a peaceable, commercial undertaking, but its whole
organization showed it to be a military, filibustering enterprise,
intended to occupy New Mexico, amicably if possible, violently
if necessary. The expedition started from near Austin
on June 21, 1841, under command of General Hugh Mc-
Leod, with two hundred and seventy men divided into
companies, a full military equipment and supplies, and
accompanied by adventurers of every description and
citizenship. Jose Antonio Navarro, William G. Cooke,
and Richard F. Brenham went along as commissioners
from the Republic, while George W. Kendall, of the
New Orleans Picayune, was the historian of the expedi-
tion. After being lost for days in the canons and arid
plains of the upper Pecos and Rio Grande, and being
reduced to a diet of snakes and lizards to keep from starving,
they reached San Miguel, New Mexico, in August. They were
all made prisoners by Armijo (ar-me'ho), the governor of the
province, and sent on foot two thousand miles to the City of
Mexico, which place they reached after untold sufferings and
cruelties and many deaths from violence and small-pox. It re-
quired the best efforts of the United States and England to secure
the release of the prisoners, and the expense of the venture was
paid for by more promissory notes of the Republic of Texas.
Period IV.
The Republic
i'836
TO
1846
The " Santa
Fd Expedi-
tion" pro-
jected
It sets out
from Austin,
June 21, 1841
11 McLeuI).
Captured by
Armijo, and
prisoners sent
to Mexico
2-2 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pi-RioD IV. The end of the administration was drawing near, and with it
thk rkplblic j.j^g government itself seemed on the verge of dissolution, but in
1836 j-j^g midst of it all Acting- President Burnet declared : "Texas
1846 proper is bounded by the Rio Grande ; Texas as defined by the
— sword may comprehend the Sierra del Madre. Let the sicord
do its proper work. ' '
Financial ruin Th.e proimssory uotes had done their "proper work," and
.epu ic ^^,]^gj^ ^j^g Sixth Congress assembled on November i, 1841, the
government was financially wrecked. The expenses for the year
.had been $1,176,288, and the receipts $442,604, mostly in gov-
ernment paper taken for taxes and duties. The national debt
had grown beyond computation, and was variously estimated at
from seven to twelve viillions. The debt represented dollars in
good money ; the receipts were in promissory notes worth from
ten to twenty cents on the dollar.
Period of La- President Lamar' s administration began December 10, 1838,
istration ' '^"^ ended December 12, 1841. During that period there were
two entire Congresses and parts of two others. The Third Con-
Third, Fourth, gress was iu session when he was inaugurated, and continued
Sixth Con- '"^bout thrcc months. The Fourth Congress met at the new
gresses Capital, Austiu on the Colorado, on the first Monday in Novem-
ber, 1839, and was in session until February, 1840. The gov-
ernment paid twenty-one thousand dollars in treasury notes for
seven thousand one hundred and thirty-five acres fronting three,
miles on the east bank of the Colorado, on which the new cap-
ital was located, the city tract proper being six hundred and
forty acres. The Fifth Congress met at Austin on the first
Monday in November, 1840, and adjourned on February 5,
1 841. The Sixth Congress met November i, 1841, and ad-
journed February 5, 1842.
Important Thc legislation of these several bodies, during Lamar's term
of ofifice, was extensive and much of it highly beneficial. It
comprehended the foundation of our whole system of laws of
'Common property rights and judicial procedure. On January 29, 1840,
the Fourth Congress adopted what is called the Common Law
of Lni^Iand, with certain modifications. This identified the
legal and judicial institutions of Texas with that great and vener-
able system of jurisprudence by which the English-speaking race
legislation
Law" adopted
THE REPUBLIC. 2 73
everywhere is governed. The modifications in it were mainly period iv.
those affecting the property rights of husband and wife, in which
the Spanish Civil Law was retained ; and also the establishment ^ -^
of the law of homestead exemptions, borrowed from the Spanish jg.g
law and founded upon the preservation of the family home as the
necessary element of all social and political prosperity. In the Modifications
(• 1 !• 1 • • 1 . . ii • X from Spanish
matter of pleadmg and practice m the courts, too, the ancient "civiiLaw"
and technical forms of the Common Law were abolished, and
the litigant was required to state the facts of his case without
regard to forms of action or distinctions between law and equity.
But it was in the field of educational enterprise that President Foundation of
Lamar and his Congresses are entitled to special admiration and orfree pubiTc
gratitude. He was the father of the great system of free public education
schools supported by a landed endowment,. which has ever been
the pride of Texas. As far back as May ii, 1829, the legisla- Eariyde-
ture of Coahuila and Texas had provided for compulsory free ^3"^^ °"^
education in a limited number of schools, on the Lancastrian or
Monitorial plan. The Declaration of Texan Independence had
complained of the failure of the Mexican government to establish
and maintain a system of free education by bounties from the
public domain, as one of the grievances of the colonists. The
Constitution of the Republic commanded that ' ' it shall be the
duty of Congress, as soon as circumstances will permit, to pro-
vide by law a general system of education. ' ' But it remained President La-
for President Lamar to put these demands into execution. In ^^l. e a er
r 01 the system
his inaugural he was eloquent in his advocacy of liberal aid to in Texas
public education, and his efforts secured the first laws on the
subject. The Act of January 26, 1839, appropriated three Lands granted
leagues of land in each county, to found a primary school or J^nfyersItTer
academy, and fifty leagues were required to be surveyed and set and free
apart for the endowment of two colleges or universities. An act
of the Fourth Congress, February 5, 1840, provided further for
the location of these lands by the county commissioners, and for
receiving and holding other property for school purposes ; and
gave an additional league of land in each county to be sold and
the proceeds applied to the purchase of necessary scientific
apparatus for schools. Thus was begun that wise and liberal ^"^ "t^thi
policy of public support to the free schools and the University policy
18
274
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkriod IV.
Thk Repibi.ic
1836
TO
1846
General re-
sults of the
administra-
tion were good
Growth and
prosperity of
the Republic
Commercial
activity
Election of
September,
Sam Houston
elected Presi-
dent second
time
of Texas, which has been the most consistent and meritorious
feature in the whole subsequent history of the government. All
of President Lamar's mistakes — and they were errors of judg-
ment rather than of motive — can be readily forgiven him in the
contemplation of his zeal and wisdom in the interest of the
highest function of a free government, — the universal enlighten-
ment of its citizens.
During the three years of his administration many new
counties were organized and their boundaries defined ; several
important industries incorporated and encouraged ; a general
bankruptcy law adopted, to enable unfortunate men to rebuild
their fortunes ; and, outside the reckless financial and foreign
policy of the government, the general results of his administra-
tion were good. In spite of the poverty and distress of the
times, the Republic rapidly filled up with immigrants, domestic
and foreign trade increased immensely, and Texas was gradually
learning to export more and import less of the articles of con-
sumption. In 1836 there was but one newspaper in the Re-
public ; in 1840 there were over a dozen, and their columns
showed ability, thought, and hopeful energy throughout the
country. Foreign nations had sent their representatives to the
new court, while foreign vessels in considerable numbers whitened
with their sails the harbors of Galveston, Velasco, Matagorda,
and Copano, and small steamers plied the Brazos, the Trinity,
and even the Colorado. But the blight of financial distress
touched every interest, and there was no remedy but a change
in the government. In the election of September, 1841, Sam
I louston and David G. Burnet were the candidates for the presi-
dency. Houston, since his retirement from the executive chair,
had been a member in the Fourth and Fifth Congresses, and
had opposed most of the reckless schemes of the administration.
He was now regarded as the only man to save the country from
its ruinous condition. Burnet was universally respected as a
inire patriot and an able man, but his identity with the disastrous
jxilicics of the past three years assured his defeat.
At the election, Houston received 7915 votes and Burnet,
3619. For Vice-President, Edward Burleson received 6141
\()tes and Miniucan Hunt, 4336.
THE REPUBLIC.
275
On December 13, 1841, General Houston was inaugurated Period iv.
for his second term as President of the Republic, and at once "^ _epubli
entered upon the difificult task of restoring the broken and dis- '^^6
TO
ordered affairs of the government. jg^g
QUESTIONS.
Who was Mirabeau B. Lamar, what was his age when elected Presi-
dent, and what can you say of his talents, character, and administration ?
How did his theories on public questions compare with those of General
Houston? What were the principal features of his public policy, as
shown in his messages to Congress? What results followed from the
pursuit of these measures? What eflfect did they have on Lamar's
administration, and what single service redeemed the misfortunes of his
government? What condition existed among the Indians at the time of
Lamar's inauguration as President? Explain the situation and attitude
of the Cherokees, — their history, rights, and claims in Texas. Who was
their principal chief, what was his character, and how did he feel on the
subject? Who were in communication with the Indians, and for what
purpose? What happened in March, 1839? Describe what occurred in
July of the same year, the negotiations with the Indians, and the final
results of the Cherokee War. What can you say of the causes and merits
of that war? What was the result of the Indian policy thus inaugurated?
When, where, and under what circumstances did the "Council House
Fight" occur? Describe that fight. When and by what Indians was a
bloody raid made through the country ? What occurred at Linnville and
Victoria? Who pursued the Indians, and with what results? When,
where, and by whom was the "Plum Creek Fight" fought? What
further operations were had against the Indians in that year? When and
by what Congress was a law passed for locating the permanent capital of
the Republic ? What were the provisions of that law ? Who were the
commissioners and agent appointed under it, and what was done ? When
was the capital removed to Austin? Describe the various laws and
changes made in regard to the seal, coat of arms, and flag of Texas.
Give a description of the seal, arms, and flag finally adopted by the
Republic. What flags were used by the Texans at San Jacinto and the
Alamo? What did President Lamar propose in regard to a national
bank, and what disposition did Congress make of his suggestion ? What
did he then do ? Describe the condition of Texas finances in November,
I.S39, — amount of outstanding treasury notes, loans, receipts from revenue,
expenses, and public debt. How did the expenses compare with the
preceding and succeeding administrations? What occurred in 1839 in
reference to land certificates, and what was done to remedy it ? What
qd
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period 1\'. was occurring in Mexico at this time ? When, where, by whom, and on
The Republic ^.j^^^ account was the battle of Alcantra fought? What followed that
1836 battle? What " Republic" was formed at that time, who were its officers,
TO what were its purposes, and what did the leaders do in Texas ? Describe
1846 what occurred in the summer of 1840 in regard to an expedition to
Mexico. What Texans took part in this expedition? Describe their
experiences. When, where, between whom, and with what results was
the battle of Saltillo fought ? VV^hat did Texas do at this time towards
securing peace and recognition from Mexico, with what result, and why ?
W^hat was done in 1840 towards running the boundary line between
Louisiana and Texas? Describe the condition of the Texas boundaries
at that time. What claim was laid to New Mexico by some persons, and
what can you say of that claim ? By whose efforts and when did Great
Britain, France, and Belgium recognize Texan independence? What
were the condition and cost of the Texas navy at that time ? Wliat was
done with it by the Fourth Congress ? What did President Lamar do
with the navy in June, 1840, and what became of most of the vessels?
What was the financial condition at the end of the year 1840? W^hat did
Congress do to relieve the situation ? What occurred to the President at
that time ? What new schemes were put on foot in the early part of the
year 1841? What can you say of the "Franco-Texan Land Company"
and its projected monopoly? What was the "Santa Fe Expedition,"
and when and how did it originate? Who undertook it? WHien and
whence did it set out, under whose command, with what force, and
accompanied by whom ? Describe the adventures, capture, and fate of
this expedition. What was the condition of the government at the close
of Lamar's administration? What did Acting-President Burnet declare ?
What was the state of the finances at that time ? Give the amounts of
expenses, receipts, public debt, etc. When did Lamar's administration
begin and end? What Congresses were in session during that period,
and give the places of their meeting and dates of assembling and adjourn-
ing of each? Describe the terms and location of the purchase of the
location for the permanent capital. What was the general character of
legislation during this administration? What great system was then
founded ? Describe the adoption of the Common Law, and how modified ;
what features of the .Spanish Civil Law were retained, etc. What special
and new legal changes were instituted as to homestead, pleading, and
practice in the courts, etc. ? In what particular field of enterprise was
this administration distinguished? Give a sketch of the early legislation
of Mexico and Texas on the subject of public education. Who was really
the father of the Texas educational system ? Describe the various provi-
sions that were made by law for founding that system during his admin-
istration, gi\ing the dates of each act of Congress. What can you say of
this policy, and of its effect upon President Lamar's fame and memory?
Describe the general results of his administration. What were the condi-
tion, growth, comnu-rcial activity, and foreign relations of the Republic?
THE REPUBLIC.
277
What general blight rested on the country, and what was necessary to Period IV.
remove it? Who were candidates for President and Vice-President at the ^"^ Republic
election in September, 1841 ? What can you say of Houston and Burnet? 1836
Give the result of the vote at that election. When was President Hous- to
ton inaugurated for his second term of office ? ^^4^
Topical Analysis,
1. President Lamar's administration, Deceml)er 10, 1838, to December
12, 1841. His policies the reverse of those of his predecessor, in the
following respects :
{a) Opposition to annexation of Texas to the United States.
(b) Unrelenting war on the Indians, and their expulsion from Texas.
{c) Alliance with revolutionary schemes in Mexico, and filibustering
expeditions to invade that country.
(d) Extension of Texas boundary to include New Mexico.
{e) Aid to Yucatan in her revolt against Mexico.
(y) Establishment of a national bank, and the issuance of irredeem-
able paper money and treasury notes.
(^'•) A generally expensive and extensive administration of the gov-
ernment.
2. Important events of his administration :
(rt ) The Cherokee War in Eastern Texas, expulsion of the Cherokees,
and a general Indian war on the frontier, accompanied by murderous
raids of Comanches and Kiov\as as far as Linnville and Victoria.
(d) "Council House Fight" at San Antonio; battles of "Plum
Creek," "Battle Creek," and other Indian encounters with Texas
Rangers.
{c) Location of permanent capital of the Republic at the city of
Austin. Adoption of national seal, arms, and flag.
(d) Expensive navy developed, placed tfi oj'dinary, and finally sent
to Yucatan.
(r) Defeat of national banking scheme, increase of public debt,
expenses, and outstanding treasury notes. Loan from United States
Bank. Forgery of land certificates. Travelling land board.
(/) Revolution in northern Mexico, " Republic of the Rio Grande"
formed, filibustering expeditions from Texas to aid the revolutionists.
Battles of Alcantra, .Saltiilo, Matamoros, and Monterey. Mexico refuses
peace.
{g) Attempt to fix boundaries of Texas. Claim laid to New Mexico.
(//) "Santa F6 Expedition;" is captured in New Mexico, and
prisoners sent to the Mexican capital. Their release secured only after
long delay and difficulty.
(/) Military roads projected fr.om the Nueces to Red River, and from
Austin to Santa Fe. The corrupt scheme of the "Franco-Texan Land
Company."
2/8
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS,
1836
TO
1846
Period IV. ij) Adoption of the "Common Law" of England, modified to some
The Republic extent by Spanish " Civil Law." Homestead exemption, and abolition of
forms of action and distinction between tazu and equity in the practice of
courts, adopted.
(X-) Educationat System of Te.xas founded ; policy of land donations
to schools and University adopted ; and the liberal endowment of a great
system of free public instruction established, — entitling President Lamar
to lasting gratitude and renown.
(/) Organization of many new counties, general growth and prosperity
of the Republic, increased immigration, commercial activity, and foreign
trade.
(w) Financial distress and enormous public debt, threatening the
destruction of the government. The Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth
Congresses sat during Lamar's administration.
(«) Re-election of Sam Houston as President, defeating David G.
Burnet. Edward Burleson elected Vice-President.
Geography.
Locate the country claimed and inhabited by the Cherokee Indians
in Texas ; the places where the several Indian battles mentioned in this
chapter occurred ; the scene of the expeditions and battles in Mexico
which are described; the route of the "Santa F6 Expedition;" the
boundaries of Texas as claimed and sought to be established during
Lamar's administration.
Parallel Readings.
ScarfT's "Comprehensive History of Texas," Vol. I. ; Brown's "His-
tory of Texas;" Foote's "Republic of Texas;" Kendall's "Santa Y€
Expedition ;" Bancroft's " His-
ico ;" Williams's "Sam Hous-
pendence ;" Crane's "Life of
Scrap- Book ;" Gouge's
Mirabeau B. Lamar"
of Texas Geography."
" Fiscal
(1S57);
tory of Arizona and New Mex-
ton and the War for Inde-
Houston ;" Baker's "Texas
History of Texas;" "Life of
Fulmore's "Chart of History
Tomb of General M. B. Lamar,
Kichmoiid, Te.\as.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Period IV.
Thk Republic
1836
TO
1846
Houston's sec-
ond adminis-
tration one of
Houston's Second Administration ; Financial Reform ;
Mexican Hostilities ; Indian Treaties ;
New Colonial Contracts.
PRESIDENT HOUSTON'S first administration had
been one of construction ; his second was one of rccon-
strnction. The results of the three years since he left
the executive office were such as to render his second
labor more difficult than the first. To aid him in the work he
selected able and experienced men. His various Cabinet and
executive appointments during his second administration were
as follows : secretary of state, Anson Jones ; secretary of war reconstruction
and navy, George W. Hockley, George W. Hill ;
secretary of the treasury, William H. Daingerfield,
James B. Miller ; attorney-general, George W.
Terrell, Ebenezer Allen ; treasurer, Asa Brigham ;
comptroller, Frank R. Lubbock, James B. Shaw ;
auditor, Charles Mason ; commissioner of general
land office, John P. Borden, Thomas William Ward ;
minister to the United States, James Reiley, Isaac
Van Zandt, J. Pinckney Henderson ; minister to
France, Ashbel Smith ; minister to Belgium, the
Netherlands, and Hanse Towns, W. H. Daingerfield ; secretary
of legation to the United States, Charles H. Raymond.
It was during this administration that there were developed Personal
in their fullest intensity the personal issues that divided men into ^° ' '*^^
Houston and rt^/ZZ-Houston parties, and the influence of which
runs through all the politics of Texas from that time even to the
breaking out of the civil war in 1861.
In his message to Congress in December, 1841, the Presi- His public
dent outlined his policies as in the main the same as during his
former term and directly opposed to those of President Lamar.
279
Thomas \Vm. Ward.
•So
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkriod IV.
The Rkcublic
TO
IS46
Financial
plans
Isaac \an Zandt
Congress
adopts his
recommenda-
tions
Exchequer
bills
Destruction of
old notes
Reduction of
salaries
He recommended friendship and treaties of peace with the
Indians, with a Hne of trading posts along the frontier, protected
by small garrisons ; the absolute suspension of all attempts to
meet the outstanding obligations and debts of the Republic,
until their amount and nature could be fixed, and there was
some certainty of paying them ; the issuance of not more than
$350,000 of exchequer bills, to take the place of the "red-
backs," as the old promissory notes were called, — these ex-
chequer bills to be secured by 1,000,000 acres of the Cherokee
lands and by the customs revenues of the government, to be
received for duties and taxes only at par, and to be cancelled
as fast as they were received ; the reduction of all
expenses and cutting down of taxes one-half, to be
paid only in coin or par paper ; and a public loan of
$300,000. He deprecated all connection with Mexican
revolutionists, and advised a friendly attitude of armed
neutrality towards that country.
Congress at once adopted the spirit of these reforms
to a considerable extent. It provided, on January 19,
1842, for the issuance of $200,000 of exchequer bills,
secured by the customs receipts, and that these bills
should be received only at par for taxes and duties.
It did not base these issues on landed security, as the President
had advised, nor did it reduce taxes ; so that the exchequer
currency fell for a while to fifty cents on the dollar. This was
due also to the fear that the government might refuse to receive
the bills for duties and taxes, as had just been done with the
treasury notes issued in the past five years. It was further pro-
vided that all bills received by the government, and all of the
old notes, bonds, and obligations of the Republic then in the
hands of the government, should " be cancelled, burned up, and
utterly destroyed." Congress repealed the law authorizing the
$5,000,000 loan, and declined to authorize any further loans
in any amount. It cut down all salaries more than half, and
itbolished many useless ofifices. At the organization of the
Re|)ublic in 1836, the public salaries were fixed very high, —
the President's was $10,000 a year, — and a multitude of un-
necessary olificials were recjuired to run the government. These
THE REPUBLIC. 28 I
were now unsparingly reduced. The beneficial results of this pkriod iv.
legislation are apparent from the financial records of the times. ""^ j^^piulic
The expenses of Lamar's three years' term of service were ^^°
$4,855,215, while those of Houston's second terra were $51 1,082. jg.5
The salaries of the public ofificials at the capital for the year 1840 —
were $174,200 ; for 1841, $173,506 ; for 1842, $32,800.
But with all the wisdom thus displayed in regard to the
finances, the Sixth Congress was not free from the insanity of
the times when it came to dealing with Mexico. The news of
the fate of the Santa Fe prisoners reached Austin on January
18, 1842, and great were the sorrow and indignation of the
people. Congress at once passed a bill extending the boundaries Absurd action
of Texas to include the Californias, New Mexico, Chihuahua, ° °"sress
Sonora, and parts of Sinaloa, Durango, Coahuila, and Tamau-
lipas, — a territory as large as the then American Union, and
containing a population of 2,000,000 Indians and Mexicans.
Houston promptly vetoed this astounding act, but so great was Houston's
the feeling that it was passed over his veto. Aside from the ^^*°
utter absurdity of the declaration, it was a reckless and dan- .
gerous provocation to Mexico at a time when Texan citizens
were prisoners in her hands, and when their release as well as
permanent peace were being sought through the mediation of
foreign nations. But Mexico was already aroused by the Mexico
expedition to Santa Fe and the aid to Yucatan in the previous ^^°^^ °^'^'
'■ " tive hostility
year. Besides, it was necessary that she should make some
active movement showing her continued claim to Texas. It had
been six years since San Jacinto, and the young Republic was
fast taking its place among the independent sovereignties of the
world. Foreign nations were beginning to think and to say
that Mexico's claim was growing stale, if not entirely forfeited.
Santa Anna had again seized the presidency, and at the begin- santa Anna's
ning of the year 1842 declared he "would plant his eagles on ^°^^*
the banks of the Sabine." General Arista, in command at
Monterey, issued a proclamation on January 9, 1842, inviting
Texans to return to their allegiance, and declaring his purpose
to reconquer the lost province.
On March 5, General Rafael Vasquez, with five hundred J"^^^*"" ^y
* Vasquez,
men, appeared at vSan Antonio. The small garrison left the March, 1842
282
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkriod I\'.
Thk Rkpl'bi.ic
1836
10
1S46
Houston's call
for troops in
Texas
Soldiers
assemble at
San Antonio
Houston's
plan
Blockade of
Mexican ports
Troubles with
the Texas
navy
Ordered to be
sold
town, and he took possession for two days, returning to the Rio
Grande on the 7th. About the same time small parties of Mex-
ican troops entered Goliad and Refugio, but they did no dam-
age, and left in- a few days. These movements were probably
intended merely to evidence Mexico's claim to the country, but
they excited the people of Texas. The President issued a call
for troops on March 10, and published a letter of defiance in
reply to Santa Anna's boasting utterances. A force of some
three hundred men assembled at San Antonio ; but, as the Mex-
icans had retreated to the Rio Grande, it was not considered
advisable to follow them. There was a dispute as to the com-
mand of these troops, the men preferring Colonel Edward Burle-
son (the Vice-President), while General Alexander Somervell,
by virtue of his rank in the militia, was assigned to the command
by the President. The men were disbanded on April 2. Mean-
while the levies and volunteers had swelled the number of men
at Bexar to nearly thirty-five hundred, and there was great dis-
satisfaction that they were not permitted to march at once into
the enemy's country. The fact appears to be, that while Hous-
ton publicly humored the demand for war and invasion, he was
determined not to go beyond defending the territory and inde-
pendence of Texas ; and in the subsequent events it is likely
General Somervell acted under his secret instructions to that
effect.
On March 26, 1842, the President declared a blockade
against all Mexican ports, from the coast of Tobasco to Brazos
Santiago. The Mexican navy had been destroyed in the French
war, and this blockade could have been easily enforced if the
Texas navy had been on hand to execute it ; but the vessels had
been sent to Yucatan in the fall of 1841, and did not return until
May, 1842. Commodore Moore then took them to the mouth
of the Mississippi for repairs. President Houston ordered Moore
to bring the navy to the Texas coast for blockading purposes.
He refused, on the ground that he had contracted debts for the
repairs of the ships and had pledged his honor not to take them
away until the amount was paid. On January 16, 1843, Hous-
ton procured a secret act of Congress for the sale of the navy,
and soon aherwards sent James Morgan and William Bryan as
THE REPUBLIC.
283
commissioners to bring the vessels to Galveston. But Commo-
dore Moore had been offered rich spoils if he would return to
Yucatan and aid in the rebellion going on there. He per-
suaded the commissioners to let him go, and one of them went
with him. President Houston at once suspended Moore and
proclaimed him and his men pirates, requesting the vessels of
all foreign nations to treat them as such, and to seize and
return the vessels to the Texan government. Moore served his
little fleet with brilliant success at Campeachy, and roughly
handled all vessels that came in his way. Houston's acts pro-
voked great indignation among the Commodore's friends and
at Galveston. The act for the sale of the navy was repealed
on February 5, 1844, and the vessels, having returned, were
laid up in ordinary. Four of them remained at the date of
annexation, and were transferred to the United States navy.
As late as 1857, Congress appropriated money to pay the
ofificers for the five years succeeding annexation. Thus ended
the history of the Texan navy. It had a gallant career, but,
as with the army on land, insubordination impaired its use-
fulness.
The alarm produced by the occupation of San Antonio by
Vasquez, in March, 1842, excited fears for the safety of the cap-
ital at Austin, and the President decided to return the seat of
government to Houston. The records were not then removed
on account of the opposition of the citizens. But in December,
1842, Houston sent Captain Thomas I. Smith to bring away the
papers and archives of the various departments. He succeeded
in entering the town on December 30, at night, and loaded three
wagons with boxes of records. He was discovered and fired
upon with a cannon, a Mrs. Eberly touching off the piece.
Smith escaped with his loads as far as Brushy Creek, where he
camped. Next morning he found himself surrounded by a com-
pany of men from Austin, under command of Captain Mark B.
Lewis, with a cannon planted squarely in front of his wagons.
He was compelled to haul the records back to Austin, where
they remained until delivered to President Anson Jones at the
Annexation Convention in that city, in 1845. This episode was
known as the " Archive War."
Period IV.
The Republic
TO
1846
Commodore
Moore's insub-
ordination
and removal
Indignation
against Presi-
dent Houston
Fate of the
navy
Capital
removed to
Houston
" The Archive
War"
284
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period IV.
The Republic
.1836
TO
1846
Houston's
message on
relations to
Mexico
To provide for the threatened renewal of hostihties by Mexico,
and to decide upon what course should be pursued in regard to
that country, the President convened the Sixth Congress in
special session at Houston, on June 27, 1842. In his message
to that body he did not assume the responsibility of advising an
invasion of Mexico. He stated that he did not believe there
was any real danger of a serious attempt on the part of Mexico
to subjugate Texas, but that the policy of that country would be
to harass the frontier, excite the Indians, and make predatory
Mks. Eberly firing the Cannon.
General Davis
at Corpus
Christi
Fight with
Mexicans on
the Nueces
incursions into Texas ; and that some remedy must be adopted
to prevent these evils. He called attention to the fact that many
volunteers and militia-men had responded to his call for troops,
and were then on the Nueces and at other points, waiting to be
employed in active operations, or to be disbanded ; and he left
with Congress the decision of what should be done. In May,
the President had sent General James Davis to Corpus Christi,
to take command of the volunteers and militia gathering there,
but with orders to make no advance without authority. The
men gradually left, until in June Davis had only one hundred
and ninety-two men. He was attacked on the Nueces, on June
7, by Canales, with seven hundred men and one piece of artillery ;
THE REPUBLIC.
285
Period IV.
The: Republic
1876
TO
1846
Act of Con-
gress for active
war, and
appointing
Houston
dictator
but the Texans repulsed the enemy, who soon afterwards retired.
These recent events had caused such a feeHng that the Congress
passed a bill providing for an offensive war against Mexico,
appointing the President commander-in-chief with dictatorial
powers, and appropriating 10,000,000 acres of land to defray
the expenses. President Houston vetoed the bill for several
reasons given by him. One was that he was opposed to dicta-
torial powers being conferred upon any person in a free govern-
ment ; another was that to prosecute a successful war of invasion
would require at least five thousand men, with all necessary
military funds, supplies, and equipments, and the Re-
public had no money to put such an army in the
field. The 10,000.000 acres appropriated would re-
quire agents to sell it, and no provision was made for
their pay ; and the land itself would bring but little,
as the Republic had already issued great quantities
of land scrip which had no sale except at nominal
prices. As he said, the whole bill was like ' ' a reso-
lution to appropriate ten million acres of blue sky,
and conferring dictatorial powers on the north wind. ' '
This veto provoked unbounded and violent criticism
of the President. He was accused of having secured
the passage of the bill, in order to make popularity by refusing Houston
.1 [ 1 1 • 1 -^ vetoes the bill
the powers conferred upon him by it.
Threats of revolution and even assassi-
nation were freely indulged in, and the
storm of abuse was terrific. He bore it
calmly and fearlessly, and the excitement
gradually subsided, although the bitter-
ness of this and other events in his career
at that time never entirely passed away.
The Congress at this special session Change in time
changed the time for the meeting of the ° '"^^'"S"
'm
, -""~^.,
, •m ^ I
i 'jc »
i
^L ^^^^H^^
James Davis.
tk
Violent feeling
against him in
consequence
■/
Sam
Houston.
regular sessions to the first Monday in
December of each year.
Meanwhile the Mexicans were not idle. On September 11,
Congress
Mexican
invasion under
1842, General Adrian Woll, with an army of fourteen hundred General woii,
1 (- A • 11 • r 1 September,
men, appeared at ban Antonio and took possession of the town, 1842
2 86
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkriod IV.
Thk Rfpubi ic
1836
TO
IS46
Texans rally at
San Antonio
Battle of the
Salado, Sep-
tember 18, 1842
capturing the officers of the district court then in session. A
few Texans escaped and spread the news throughout the country.
In a few days the miUtia, Rangers, and volunteers gathered from
the Brazos to the Lavaca, and under the leadership of such men
as Captains John C. Hays, Matthew Caldwell ("Old Paint"),
Henry E. McCuUoch, Ewan Cameron, James Bird, and John R.
Baker, they rallied towards San Antonio to the number of two
hundred and two men. On September 18, they succeeded in
drawing Woll's force out of the town, and a battle occurred on
the Salado, six miles from Bexar. The Mexicans numbered
about a thousand infantry and four hundred cavalry, and they
had two pieces of artillery. The Texans held the enemy in
close fight for several hours, and WoU at sunset drew off. Next
day he retreated towards the Rio Grande, having lost severely
in killed and wounded.
While the battle of the i8th was in progress. Captain
Nicholas Dawson, with fifty-three volunteers from Fayette
County, approached from the east to join Hays and Caldwell on
the Salado. They were cut oH and surrounded by Mexican
cavalry in the prairie, and after a desperate struggle, in which
they could accomplish but little because the Mexicans kept out
of range of their rifles and used a cannon, they surrendered,
after half of them had been killed. The Texans were shot
down without mercy after their surrender. Only two men
escaped, fifty-one were killed, and ten were taken prisoners.
This is known as " Dawson's Massacre," and the dead bodies
The "Dawson of the slaiu Were stripped and left in the prairie, where they were
found next day by Caldwell's scouts. After Woll's retreat, Cald-
woii's retreat 'wcll and his mcu followed him on the 20th, and reinforcements
came in to the number of two hundred and twenty, under Jesse
Billingsley, W. J. Wallace, and John H. Moore. The Mexicans,
however, made good their escape, leaving their carts and bag-
gage, and crossed the river at the Presidio del Rio Grande.
The Tfexans returned to San Antonio, meeting on the way three
hundred volunteers under Colonel Ed. Burleson. On the 25th
they were disbanded, Burleson advising them to go home and
get ready for a vigorous campaign into Mexico.
This second Mexican invasion within the year aroused the
monl'ment to
Dawson and his
MliN AND MlKR
Prisoners, La
(Jraiige, Texas.
and escape
Texans
disband
THE REPUBLIC.
187
most intense war spirit in Texas, and preparations for a counter
invasion of Mexico were extensively made. After the called
session of Congress adjourned, in July, 1842, the President
issued a proclamation removing the temporary seat of govern-
ment from Houston to Old Washington, on the Brazos, where it
remained until the Annexation Convention in 1845, when it was
brought back finally to Austin. As soon as the Woll invasion
was known, President Houston called out two regiments of
militia, who, together with the volunteers, were to constitute an
army for active operations against Mexico, and General Somer-
vell was assigned to the chief command. The latter was not
acceptable to the men, because it was not believed that he was
in sympathy with the war party, and his subsequent conduct
proved that he was not, or that he was controlled by secret
instructions from Houston not to advance beyond the Rio
Grande. A considerable number of troops, mostly volunteers,
assembled at San Antonio in October and November, and a
regiment was organized with James R. Cooke as colonel. Chief-
justice Hemphill was adjutant-general of the entire force, and
William G. Cooke, quartermaster-general. On November 22
they set out for the Rio Grande, and after a most disagreeable
march, during which the dissatisfaction against Somervell in-
creased, they reached Laredo on December 8. The town had
been vacated by the Mexican garrison, and the command was
marched to a point three miles down the river and camped.
The weather was cold, the men had scant clothing, few blankets,
and nothing to eat, and their murmurings became loud and
frequent. Somervell refused to cross the river, but marched
down stream to the mouth of the Salado River, nearly opposite
Guerrero. All who wanted to go home had been invited to do
so at Laredo, and two hundred had accepted the invitation,
leaving about five hundred men now in the party. They crossed
the river on December 15, and camped near Guerrero for two
or three days. On December 19, the commander ordered them
to prepare to return to Gonzales and be disbanded. Three
hundred of them refused to obey, and, organized into companies
under the chief command of Colonel William S. Fisher, they
prepared to conduct a campaign on their own account. The
I'kriod IV.
Thk Republic
1836
TO
1846
Capital re-
moved to Old
Washington,
on the Brazos
Army to
invade Mexico
General
Somervell
Beginning of
the " Mier
Expedition"
Reaches
Laredo
Dissatisfac-
tion
Crosses the
Rio Grande
Colonel W. S.
Fisher organ-
izes an inde-
pendent force
At Mier
(88
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkriod IV.
The Republic
1836
TO
1846
Siege of Mier
decided upon
The siege of
Mier, Decem-
ber 25 26, 1842
The Texans
surrender
Desperate
escape at the
" Hacienda
Salado"
Lost in the
mountains
Recaptured
Other two hundred, including the more prudent and conservative,
returned to Texas. Fisher's party descended the river in boats
and by land until they reached the Mexican town of Mier, and
on December 23 crossed the river and entered the town. After
levying contributions on the inhabitants, they brought away the
alcalde and the priest as hostages and returned to the Texas side
of the river. Two days later they learned that General Ampudia
had occupied Mier with two thousand troops. The Texans de-
cided to cross over and give the Mexicans a battle. Meanwhile
disputes had arisen among them, and several of the best men
went home, including Captains Hays, Ben and Henry E.
McCulloch, Tom Green, and Ephraim M. McLean.
On Christmas night, 1842, this little band, leaving forty-two
men to guard the camp on the Texas side of the river, crossed
the Rio Grande and the Alcantra River, which skirts the walls
of Mier, and entered the town, effecting a lodgement in some
houses near the/i/rt^a. It was a repetition of the siege of Bexar
under Milam and Johnson, but with a different result. Ampudia' s
strong force resisted desperately, and the fight was conducted in
the streets, from the housetops, and with volleys of grape and
canister from the Mexican artillery. It lasted nearly eighteen
hours, during which the Mexicans lost over six hundred killed
and wounded, while the Texans had sixteen killed and mortally
injured. At last Fisher's men were persuaded to surrender,
under written promise that they would be humanely treated and
soon exchanged. Instead of this, the prisoners were tied to-
gether in pairs and driven on foot towards the City of Mexico.
The majority of these captives reached the Hacienda of the
Salado, between Saltillo and San Luis Potosi, on February 10,
1843. Next morning, led by Captain Ewan Cameron, they rose
against their guards, and after a deadly struggle, in which five of
them were killed, they routed the guard, consisting of nearly
two hundred men, and escaped, well armed and mounted.
There were about one hundred and ninety-three liberated pris-
oners, and they started at once for the Rio Grande. But leaving
the road, they became lost in the mountains, several perished
from hunger and thirst, and only four finally reached home.
The others were recaptured on February 19, and carried back to
THE REPUBLIC.
:89
the Hacienda of the Salado. Santa Anna ordered them all to
be shot at once, but the humanity of the officers modified this
barbarity, so as to shoot only every tenth man. On March 26,
1843, the prisoners were drawn up in line, blindfolded, and a jar
containing one hundred and seventy beans, of which seventeen-
were black and the remainder white, was held above their heads.
As the roll was called, each man stepped forward and, thrusting
his hand into the jar, drew out a bean. If it was black, his
Period IV.
The Kkpuulic
1836
TO
1846
Drawing of
the black
beans
DRAWIM-. 1111 |!l Aik r.l.ANS A 1 IIai II
doom was sealed ; but if zvhitc, he was spared for the uncertain
cruelties of continued captivity. The seventeen men were exe-
cuted, and the others were marched on to the Mexican capital.
On the way, at Huehuetoca (wa-wa-to-ca), came an order for Captain Ewan
the immediate execution of Captain Ewan Cameron, who headed ^'^^'■°"
the break for liberty at the Hacienda ; and this gallant Scot was
taken out and shot. The others were carried to the strong Prisoners of
castle of Perote (pa-ro'-ta), on the road from Mexico to Vera ^^°^^
Cruz, where they found other Texan prisoners, waiting for death
19
>90
A COMPLETE HISTOKY OF TEXAS.
Period 1\'.
The Rkpi'blic
1S36
10
1846
Troubles in
Eastern Texas
or release. This unfortunate invasion of Mexico is known as the
" Micr Expedition," and of its members who joined in the battle
at Mier only about thirty-five lived to return to Texas. It was,
however, the last but one of the desperate and hopeless ventures
in which so many heroic lives were sacrificed in mistaken efforts
of valor and patriotism.'
While these warlike events were happening in the West, a
dangerous civil feud broke out in the East, in the old munici-
uand forgeries pality of Tcueha, mainly in Shelby County. The ' ' heroes of
the neutral ground" were not all dead, and from smuggling and
filibustering they haci turned their attention to forging land titles
and setting up fraudulent squatters' claims to large and valuable
tracts in Eastern Texas. The confusion of land titles in that
region was great, owing to the many conflicting grants from the
days of Hayden Edwards's " Fredonian War" down to the
Feud between reccut acts of the district land boards. In 1842, one Charles W.
Jackson, a fugitive from justice from Louisiana, ran for Congress
in Shelby County. He was defeated, and he ascribed his defeat
to certain persons interested in land frauds, which he at once
declared he would expose to the general land office. One Joseph
Goodbread, a leader of the other faction, threatened to run him
Jackson and
Goodbread
' I''()rty-one of the Texans who remained at the river during the siege
of Mier escaped, but Major George W. Bonnell was captured and shot.
There escaped from Mier ten of the Texans ; sixteen were killed or died
from wounds received in the siege ; in the struggle for liberty at the
Hacienda Sahido, five were killed, including Dr. Richard F. Brenham ;
seventeen drew black beans and were shot ; Captain Cameron was
executed at Huehuetoca ; five perished in the mountains after their escape
from tlie Ifacioida ; four reached Texas ; thirty-five died in the prison of
I'erote ; fourteen were released at various times ; eight escaped from the
City of Mexico. The seventeen who drew the fatal beans were L. I.. Cash,
James D. Cocke, Robert H. Dunham, Captain William M. Eastland,
Robert Esty (brother of Mrs. David G. Burnet), Robert Harris, Thomas
E. Jones, Patrick Mahan, James M. Ogden, diaries Roberts, William
Rouen. J. E. .Shepherd, J. W. N. Thompson, James N. Torrey, Turnbull,
Henry Whaling, and Martin Carroll Wing. There were confined in the
Castle of Perotc?, besides the Mier prisoners, the survivors of the Santa
I'Y- I':xpedition who were captured in New Mexico, those captured at San
Antonio by General Woll in 1S42, and the men who survived the Daw.son
■Nhissacre .-muI were taken prisoners l)y the Mexicans.
THE REPURIJC.
291
out of the country, and Jackson shot Goodbread dead in Shelby-
ville. When Jackson's trial came on, the court-house was filled
with armed men, and the judge would not attend the court.
The excitement spread and assumed dangerous proportions.
Jackson organized an armed force which he called the Rcgida-
to7's, while his opponents formed into an equally violent organiza-
tion called the Moderators, and a deadly vendetta was declared
in East Texas. More than fifty men were killed from time to tors"
time, and in 1844 the two factions were drawn up in battle array
at Shelbyville. President Houston sent General Smith to dis-
perse the lawless bands, which he succeeded in doing without
bloodshed ; but for many years afterwards the feud broke out
now and then, and more than one citizen held the title to his
lands by virtue of his readiness to defend it with his rifle. This
desperate civil strife was known as the "War of the Regulators
and Moderators. ' '
Since his second election, President Houston had been so
engrossed with the affairs of the government that he had but
little time to devote to the Indian problem. But he had not
abandoned his plan of making a general treaty with all the
tribes, by which the line of the frontier would be defended,
trading posts established, and the rights of both
parties fixed and respected within the agreed
limits. In pursuance of that plan he appointed
Joseph C. Eldridge commissioner of Indian af-
fairs. A partial treaty was made in the winter
of 1842-43 with the Wacos, and representa-
tives of several of the smaller tribes visited tlie
President to have friendly talks. In March,
1843, Houston sent Eldridge, with Hamilton P.
Bee and Thomas Torrey, to see all the tribes on
the Brazos, upper Trinity, and as far north as
the Comanche headquarters in the Indian Terri-
tory, to solicit their head chiefs to meet him in
a general council for the purpose of entering into
a treaty of peace and trade. The point selected for this nneting
was Bird's Fort, on the west fork of the Trinity, being about
twentv-tvvo miles west of where Dallas now stantls, and the date
Period IV.
The Republic
1836
TO
1846
" War of the
Regulators
and Modera-
Houston's
Indian policy-
Treaty with
Indians
attempted
Fol T ON THl \Vl Sll KN BoRDLk
292
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
1836
TO
1846
Adventures of
Eldridge, Bee,
and Torrey
Meet with rep-
resentatives of
several tribes
Pay-hay
yuc-co
Period IV. was August lo. The latter part of March the commissioners
The Republic ^^^ ^^^ from Washington, accompanied by Acoquash, head chief
of the Wacos, a party of Delaware guides and interpreters, a
pack train with supplies and presents for the Indians, and car-
rying with them two Comanche children, captured three years
before in the Council House Fight at San Antonio. They pro-
ceeded up the Brazos and then north to a point on the upper
Trinity, probably in what is now Wise, or Jack County, where
they met representatives of the Waco, Tawakana, Towash, lonie,
Keechi, Caddo, Bedais, Biloxi, Delaware, and Anadarko tribes,
all of whom promised to attend the council. They were delayed
here a month, but pushed on north to find the Comanches.
Finally, about the ist of August, they reached the village of
Pav-hav-vnc-co, the head chief of the Comanches, near where
Fort Sill is now located. A council of the tribes was held
August 9, and it came near decreeing the death of the Texan
commissioners. As it was, Pay-hay-yuc-co declined to enter
into the treaty, and the commissioners were alloweci to depart
in peace. The date for the meeting of the council had now
passed, and it was necessary to fix a new date and send word to
the other tribes. This was done, and after considerable delay
and some adventures they reached Bird's Fort, to find that
President Houston had awaited their coming until it was con-
cluded they were lost, and had returned
to Washington. George W. Terrell and
E. H. Tarrant, however, were there to
represent the government, and on Sep-
tember 29, 1843, a treaty was negotiated
with the several tribes before named. A
divitling line between the white settle-
ments and the Indian grounds was agreed
upon, along which trading posts were to
be estal)lished. This frontier line ran
from the present site of Fort Worth, by
way of Comanche Peak in Hood County,
south past the location of the old San
Saba Mission to the Rio Grande, and the
Indians agreed to keep to the west of it.
Treaty finally
negotiated,
September 29,
1843
Mai- simwiNf; Frontier in 1843 and 1873.
(Solid lines and nags .show frontier and trading
posls in 1843; dotted lines the border in 1873.)
THE REPUBLIC.
293
There was one more ' ' expedition' ' to attest the restless and
reckless spirit of those days, and it was authorized by the
government. In the spring of 1843, Colonel Jacob Snively set
out from Texas, with one hundred and eighty men, to capture a
richly-laden wagon-train that was said to be on the way from
Missouri to Santa Fe. He reached the Arkansas River in May,
and learned that the train was ai)proaching under escort of
United States dragoons, while a large Mexican force was near
by to receive and guard it to Santa Fe. Sni\ely came in con-
tact with the Mexicans on May 20 and killed seventeen of them,
Period IV.
The Republic
1836
TO
1846
Snively's
expedition
A.N ULU-TIME SlAGE-CoACH.
United States
troops
capturing eighty prisoners and large supi)lies. Here seventy of
the party returned to Texas under Captain Chandler. On June Captured by
30, Captain Cooke, of the United States army, captured Snively's
command, one hundred and seven men, alleging that they were
on the soil of the United States, and disarmed them. Fifty of
the men went to Missouri with Cooke's dragoons, and the others
overtook Chandler's party, with whom they reached Fort Bird
on August 6.
In the midst of these stirring scenes on both borders, en- Growth,
livened by an occasional outbreak of turbulence at home, Texas P''°spe"ty.
•' _ and public
was. nevertheless growing rapidly in [population, and the financial economy
294
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS,
Period IV.
The Republic
1836
TO
1846
Revival ot
colonization
contracts
Peters's
Colony
Fisher and
Miller's, Cas-
tro's, and Mer-
cer's colonies
Irregularity of
Mercer's Col-
ony contract
Diplomatic
correspond-
ence with
Mexico and
United States
condition had vastly improved. The public debt was not in-
creased a dollar ; the exchequer bills were brought up to some-
thing like par ; the old " red-backs" had been entirely lost sight
of ; and the receipts of the government exceeded its expenses.
The total cost of Houston's three years' administration was
$416,058, and there was a balance in the treasury of $5058.
The system of colonization contracts had been abolished by
the Consultation in 1835, but it was revived by an act of the
P'ifth Congress, passed January 4, 1841, under President Lamar's
administration. The first colony contract under that law was
made with W. S. Peters, Daniel S. Carroll, and eighteen others,
and it was modified afterwards by additional families and an
extension of time. This was known as Peters's Colony, and by
the general terms of the contract six hundred and forty acres
were to be given to each head of a family, and three hundred
and twenty acres to each single man, subject to requirements as
to actual settlement and improvements. Peters's Colony was
located in the district of country lying one hundred miles scjuare
just south of Red River. Under the same law and other acts of
Congress, similar colonies were established. Among the princi-
j)al ones of these were Fisher and Miller's Colony, on the Llano
and San Saba Rivers ; Henri Castro's, in 1842,- between the Rio
Grande and Medina Ri\'ers and along the Arroyo LIvalde ; and
that of Charles Fenton Mercer, on the upper Trinity. Mercer's
Colony contract was signed by President Houston on January 29,
1844, when Congress had but a few days before repealed the law
authorizing such contracts, and the repealing bill was then in
the President's hands for approval. On January 30 he vetoed
the bill, and the same day it was passed over his veto. His
conduct provoked much criticism, and the Supreme Court of
the United States, forty years afterwards, held the contract to
be unlawful and void.
A great feature of Houston's second administration was the
diplomatic correspondence and intrigues, looking to peace with
Mexico and annexation to the United States ; but this subject is
s(j intimately interwoven with the acts of the succeeding adminis-
tration that it will be postponed to the next cha])ter, in order to
treat that tcjpic as a continuous and intelligent whole.
THE REPUBLIC.
295
Houston's second term as President began on December 13, Pkriod iv.
1 84 1, and ended December 9, 1844. During that period the ""^ _iip) A friendly attitude of armed neutrality towards Mexico, and non-
interference with re\olutionary movements in that country.
(r) Suspension of all attempts to pay public obligations until their
amount was ascertained and payment could be certainly provided for.
{d) A public loan of 1300,000, and issuance of 1350,000 of exchequer
THE REPUBLIC.
299
bills, secured by 1,000,000 acres of Cherokee lands, and receivable at par Period iv.
J. J ,. J . The Rkpublic
for duties and taxes.
(e) Reduction of all expenses, and cutting down taxes one-half, 1836
payable in coin or paper at par with coin. to
2. Principal events of the administration : ^"4o
{a) Reforms by Congress in the direction indicated by the President ;
but the exchequer bills, not being secured by the lands as he had
advised, rapidly depreciated. Salaries and expenses reduced.
{d) Passage of a bill to extend territory of Texas to include California,
New Mexico, and a large part of Northern Mexico. Vetoed by the Pres-
ident, and passed over his veto. Beginning of Houston and «;///- Houston
politics.
{c) Renewal of hostilities by Mexico, in two invasions of Texas, — one
by Vasquez, in March, 1842, and the other by Well, in September, 1842.
Texans aroused. Battle of Salado, September 18, 1842. Mexicans driven
out of Texas. Dawson's Massacre.
{d) Passage by Congress of bill for active war against Mexico, and
declaring Houston dictator. Vetoed by the President.
{e) Blockade of Mexican forts declared, but not enforced, because
the Texan navy was absent at Yucatan. The President's troubles with
the navy, resulting in its final disuse.
(/) Removal of the capital from Austin to Houston, causing the
"Archive War," and afterwards to Washington, on the Brazos, where it
remained until annexation. Change in time for meetings of Congress.
(^) Texan troops march to Rio Grande. Dissatisfaction with
General Somervell. The " Mier E.xpedition" organized, December, 1842.
(//) Siege of Mier, capture of Texans, escape at Hacienda Salado,
recapture, drawing of the black beans, and execution of the Texans.
"The prisoners of Perote."
(/) The " War of the Regulators and Moderators" in Eastern Texas.
(7) Treaty with Indians, September 29, 1843, by which the western
frontier was established.
{k) "Snively's Expedition,"— the last of the filibustering schemes.
(/) Revival of colonization contract system. Peter's, Eisher and
Miller's, Castro's, and Mercer's colonies. Repeal of the law.
[in) Diplomatic negotiations looking to peace with Mexico and
annexation to the United States.
(«) I^lection of Anson Jones and Kenneth L. Anderson, fourth Pres-
ident and Vice-President of the Rtpublic, September 2, 1844.
Geography.
Locate the routes and places mentioned in connection with Vas-
quez's and Woll's invasions, " Dawson's Massacre," Battle of the Salado,
the "Mier Expedition," the Hacienda Salado, Castle of Perots, and
"Snively's Expedition." Trace the boundaries of Texas iis they woulc
^OO A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period IV. have existed under the act of the Sixth Congress, January, 1842. Locate
The Kepuhlic ^i^^^ several trading posts and the Hue of frontier as estabUshed by the
1836 Indian treaty of September 29, 1843.
TO
1S46 Parallel Readings.
Scarff's "Comprehensive History of Texas," Vol. I.; Brown's
"History of Texas," Vol. II.; Williams's "Sam Houston;" Crane's
"Life of Houston;" Green's " Mier Expedition;" "A Prisoner of
Perots ;" Raker's "Texas Scrap-Book ;" Gouge's "Fiscal History of
Texas;" Kennedy's "Republic of Texas;" Foote's "Te.xas and the
Texans ;" Mrs. Holly's "Texas;" Anson Jones's "Reminiscences."
Brigham's San J ai in ro Monument.
CHAPTER XIX.
Annexation; Diplomacy and Politics; Anson Jones's
Administration ; Texas Annexed to the United States.
Period IV.
The Republic
1S36
TO
1846
Annexation of
Texas dis-
cussed in
THE annexation of Texas was more fruitful of political
interest in the United States than in the Republic of
Texas. By the purchase of Louisiana in 1803, it was
claimed by many of the ablest statesmen in the Union
that Texas rightfully belonged to the United States. In 1843,
Andrew Jackson charged President Monroe and his secretary of
state, John Ouincy Adams, with having deliberately adopted
the Sabine instead of the Rio Grande as the western boundary United states
of Louisiana, in the treaty of 18 19, when Spain was perfectly
willing to concede the latter stream as the dividing line
between the two countries. With those who thus believed
that Texas had been improperly surrendered, her incor-
poration into the Union was always spoken of as ;r-
annexation. As we have seen, President John Quincy
Adams, through Mr. Clay as secretary of state, offered
to buy Texas from Mexico in 1S25, 1827, and 1829. But
the course of events in the United States rapidly intro-
duced new issues into the problem. New England has
always been opposed to the acquisition of new territory by
the Union. Her statesmen bitterly resisted the purchase of
Louisiana in 1803, the admission of that State in 181 1, the
admission of Missouri in 1820, the annexation of Texas in 1844,
the reoccupation of Oregon at the same time, and the Mexican
war in 1846-48, by which the whole Pacific slope was added
to the national domain. This antagonism was originally and pri-
marily due to the narrow and selfish views of that region, which
has never yet been willing to surrender its former supremacy
acquired when the population of the Union was confined to the
Atlantic seaboard. The spirit of the North and East has always
Anson Jones.
Attitude of
New England
towards exten-
sion of the
Union
^02
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Tkriod IV.
I IlK Repi'hi.ic
1836
TO
IS46
Her provin-
cialism and
Anglo-mania
Abolitionism
Effect of this
influence on
annexation of
Texas
Texas with-
draws the
proposition
Attitude of
Great Britain
towards Texas
been provincial as affecting their relations to the great country
lying beyond the Alleghanies and south of the Ohio River, and
coIo7iial as influencing their feelings towards American institu-
tions and ideas in general. The intellectual, social, and political
tone of New England has always been as thoroughly English as
when its people were colonists of the British crown and paid
homage to the petty magnificence of their imported Tory
governors. Accordingly, as soon as the Anti-Slavery Society
in London began its godly attempts to meddle with the affairs of
Christendom, the Abolition Party of Boston, in ready imitation,
organized its moral protectorate over the consciences of the
American people, and prepared to wage war upon the
property of the Southern slave-owner and the Consti-
tution of the Republic. The acquisition of more slave
territory was a crime which both Mr. Ouincy and Mr.
Adams declared, in 181 1 and in 1844, dissolved the
Union and released the New England States from their
allegiance to the Constitution. Secession was then
considered by those statesmen to be necessary and
justifiable, in order to destroy slavery ; but in 1861 it
became treasonable and rebellious, if resorted to to
protect the constitutional property rights of the slave-
holding States. The jealousy of the East and North,
aided by the fanatical opposition of the Abolitionists, raised up
a determined resistance to the annexation of Texas, so that,
under a pretext of the fear of a war with Mexico, the request of
the newly-formed Republic for annexation, in 1836, was rejected.
President Houston withdrew the proposition in 1838, and it was
not renewed until 1842, and on July 6, 1843, under Houston's
second administration, the whole question was again formally
withdrawn by the Texan government.
In the interval the relations between Texas and Great Britain
had become quite close and interesting. England had several
reasons for not wishing to see the Republic become a part of the
American Uni(Mi. Mexico owed her a very large sum, and the
people and resources of Texas would aid materially in helping to
discharge the debt. Hence there were strong grounds for desir-
ing that Mexico should regain and hold the revolted province.
■ N Ji)M-S.
THE REPUP.LIC.
^^J
But if thai was not to be, Texas as a separate nation would
furnish a profitable commercial ally for Great Britain, as well as
a field for extending the views of English philanthropists on the
subject of slavery. Influenced by one or all of these considera-
tions, England exerted herself to aid the Texans in procuring
peace with Mexico, and in preventing annexation to the United
States.
In October, 1842, President Houston issued a letter to all
the great powers, asking their intervention to compel Mexico
either to declare peace and recognize the independence of Texas,
or to prosecute a regular war for her subjugation, in accordance
with the rules of civilized nations. Sir Robert Peel, in England,
and M. Guizot, in France, received this letter favorably, and at
once the London government took steps to bring about
an understanding between Texas and Mexico. The
United States also interested themselves in seeking a
solution of the troubles. Finally, in June, 1843, a tem-
porary armistice was declared between Santa Anna and
Houston, and the following September, Samuel M.
Williams and George W. Hockley were sent as Texan
commissioners to draw up a general armistice looking
to permanent peace. The agreement was concluded on
February 14, 1844, and returned to the Texan govern-
ment. Houston promptly rejected it, because it spoke
of Texas as " a department of Mexico." Soon afterwards Santa
Anna declared hostilities reopened.
Meanwhile, England's intimate association with the Texan
government excited the jealousy of the United States. The
Southern States of the Union were fearful that Great Britain
would succeed in establishing or gaining control over a powerful
non-slaveholding territory to the south of the United States, and
even the North did not relish the idea of a foreign monarchy
gaining a foothold in America. The annexation feeling grew
rapidly in the United States, and Texas was assured that the
question would be decided favorably. President Tyler, who
had always been in favor of the movement, in his message to
Congress, on December 5, 1843, rejected as idle Mexico's
threats of war in case the American government annexed Texas,
I'rriod IV.
The Rkpuhi.ic
1836
TO
IS46
Houston's
address to
foreign powers
Its reception
abroad
Jon
Texas rejec s
terms of peacj
Jealousy of
United States
excited to-
wards Eng-
land
Growth of
annexation
sentiment in
United States
John Tyler
304
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
l'i:Ri<>n I\'.
Tm-: Rkpihi.ic
1836
TO
1S46
John C. Calhoun.
Treaty of
annexation
signed, April
12, 1844
Rejected by
United States
Senate
Campaign of
1844 between
Polk and Clay
Whiles.
JA.M1.S K. 1-ULK.
and declared emphatically that the United States would not
permit any European power to assume control over the destinies
of the young Republic. This, of course, meant England, and
the national pride was aroused in favor of annexation. In Jan-
uary, 1844, J. Pinckney Henderson was sent to Washington to
aid Mr. Van Zandt in bringing about a successful issue of the
matter. John C. Calhoun was secretary of state in
;. Tyler's Cabinet, and in the annexation of Texas he
saw a great advantage to the slave States. He there-
fore earnestly seconded the President's efforts. A
treaty of annexation was signed on April 12, 1844, by
Messrs. Henderson and Van Zandt for Texas, and
John C. Calhoun for the United States. It was at
once sent to the Senate for ratification. But a presi-
dential campaign was approaching, and Martin Van
Buren was a candidate for the Democratic nomination,
while Henry Clay was the accepted choice of the
They both declared themselves opposed to annexa-
tion, and their influence defeated the treaty
in the Senate, on June 8, by a vote of sixteen
to thirty-five. Texas withdrew her minister
from Washington and prepared to conduct
her future destiny to suit herself. But the
people of the United States were now thor-
oughly aroused. Clay and Van Buren had
defeated the treaty, but their victory ruined
them both. The Whig and Democratic Na-
tional Conventions had met in May, before
the rejection of the treaty in the Senate. Clay was
nominated for the presidency by the Whigs, but the
influence of Tyler, Calhoun, and other Democratic
leaders defeated Van Buren, and nominated James K.
Polk for President, and George M. Dallas for Vice-
President. The campaign war-cry was: "Polk and
Dallas, Oregon and Texas," and it won at the polls in
November by a majority of sixty-five electoral votes.
Clay lost the ambition of his life, but the Union had
gained the right to invite into its fold an independent
Hknry Clay.
THE REPUBLIC.
305
empire, whose sovereignty had been won by the valor and patri-
otism of American colonists.
Texas, however, had made her last offer to join the United
States. President Jones in none of his communications to the
Ninth Congress made any reference to the subject of annexation,
and the world was given to understand that it would require a
very plain and pressing invitation to induce the Republic to
surrender her separate existence for a place among the American
States. The invitation was not long in coming.
But at last, warned no doubt by the result of the recent elec-
tions in the United States, General Herrera, the new President
of Mexico, released Jose Antonio Navarro, who was a Santa Fe
prisoner, and sent him to Texas to conclude a treaty of peace,
with a recognition of Texan independence, provided the Republic
should not afterwards be annexed to the American Union. Pre-
liminary articles to that effect had been drawn up on May 19,
1845, and submitted to the Texan government on June 2. Before
this action, however, the American Congress had passed a Joint
Resolution providing for the annexation of Texas. It passed
the House on February 25, 1845, by a vote of one hundred and
twenty to ninety-eight, and the Senate on March i, by a vote
of twenty-seven to twenty-five, and the same day President
Tyler had the gratification of signing this realization of his
earnest hopes and labors.
The Resolution was received by President Jones from Wash-
ington, and on May 15 he called a Convention of sixty-one dele-
gates to meet at Austin on July 4, to decide what should be the
response of the people of Texas ; and at the same time he con-
vened a special session of the Ninth Congress, for the purpose
of expressing the will of the existing government, as provided
for in the Resolution. The latter body, on June 23, gave its
approval to the Resolution and to the calling of the Convention.
On June 4, the President had issued his proclamation, informing
the people of the proposed treaty with Mexico, and inviting their
decision between the two alternatives thus presented to them.
The Convention met on July 4 and remained in session until
August 27, during which time it framed a new Constitution for
the State of Texas, and accepted the terms of annexation offered
Period IV.
The Republic
1836
TO
1846
Texas indiffer-
ent and silent
Mexico pro-
poses peace
and recogni-
tion of Texan
independence
American Con-
gress passes
annexation
resolution,
March i, 1845
Convention
called inTexas
to consider
the question
Texas Con-
gress ap-
proves it
Constitutional
Convention of
1845
3o6
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period IV.
THK RliPl'HI.lC
1S36
TO
IS46
General elec-
tions ordered
to vote on
these matters
Method of
annexation
Disposition of
the affairs of
the Republic
Colonial
contracts
annulled
by the United States. The Constitution framed by this Conven-
tion was adopted and signed by the delegates on August 27,
1845, and is known in poHtical history as the Constitution of
1845, being the second instrument of organic law under which
Texas was governed, omitting the articles of provisional govern-
ment adopted by the Consultation in November, 1835. The
Constitution was submitted for ratification by a vote of the
people, at an election held on the second Monday in October,
1845, at which time, also, the question of annexation was to be
voted on. This election was not by ballot, but viva voce, — that
is, by the open, verbal declaration of the person voting at each
])olling place. The result was to be proclaimed on the second
Monday in November following, and the Constitution, if adopted,
was to go into effect as soon as a State go\'ernment was
organized under it. As soon as the Constitution was adopted
l)y the j)eople, it was made the duty of the President to issue his
proclamation calling for an election to be held on the third
Monday in December, 1845, to choose a governor, lieutenant-
governor, and legislature for the State of Texas ; and as soon as
the President was informed of the acceptance of the Constitution
by the Congress of the United States, he was to convene the
newly-elected State legislature, which should then proceed to
declare the result of the election for governor and lieutenant-
governor, install them in ofifice, elect United States Senators,
and provide for the election of Representatives to the United
States Congress ; the legislature was also to provide for the
transfer to the United States of all property belonging to the
Republic, and formerly used in its public defence as an inde-
pendent nation. It was further provided that the laws and
officers of the Republic should continue until the new State
government was organized, and that the first general election in
the State of Texas should be held on the first Monday in
November, 1847, ^nd on the same date every two years there-
after, until otherwise ordered by the legislature. The Conven-
tion of 1845 also passed an ordinance declaring certain colonial
contracts made by the President of the Republic null and void,
and refpiiri ng suits to be brought to cancel and forfeit them,
saxing the rights of actual settlers.
THE REPUBLIC.
307
'<"- 1 ■■<■.:,;
All the acts thus required were properly performed. On
October 10, 1845, the Constitution and annexation were adopted
by a vote nearly unanimous. At the election for State officers,
held in December, James Pinckney Henderson was elected first
governor of Texas over James R. Miller, the vote being : Hen-
derson, 7853 ; Miller, 1673 ; and Albert C. Horton was chosen
lieutenant-governor over Nicholas H. Darnell. On December
29, 1845, the Congress of the United States accepted the new-
State Constitution, and this date has been declared by the Su-
preme Court of the United States to be the true date of the
annexation of Texas to the American Union, although the State
government was not organized until February 16, 1846.
The Joint Resolution of the American Congress, under which
Texas was to be annexed, adopted March i, 1845, contained
substantially the following provisions : All questions of boundary
with other nations were to be submitted
to adjustment by the United States ; the
new State Constitution was to be sub-
mitted to Congress for acceptance on or
before January i, 1846 ; Texas should
cede to the United States all property
owned and connected with the public
defence, such as arsenals, barracks, navy
and navy-yards, arms, fortifications, and
magazines ; Texas should retain all
funds, debts, taxes, and dues belonging
to the Republic, and all of her public
lands, but all such funds and lands
should be first subject to the payment
of the debts and liabilities of the Re-
public, and such debts should in no
event become a charge against the United States ; new States,
not exceeding four in number, in addition to said State of Texas,
might afterwards be created out of the territory of said State,
with its consent, and be entitled to admission to the Union
under the provisions of the Federal Constitution ; all new States
formed out of such territory lying north of thirty-six degrees,
thirty minutes, north latitude (known as the Missouri Com-
Pkriod IV.
The Republic
1836
TO
1846
Date of annex-
ation, Decem-
ber 29, 1845
Provisions of
the Joint Res-
olution for an-
nexation
Tkxan Annexation, 1S43.
Public debt of
the Republic
New States
-,o8
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
PKRion IV.
This Rki'ublic
1836
TO
1846
Annexation
the voluntary
act of Texas
promise Line), should be admitted to the Union without slavery,
but those lying south of that line could be admitted with or
without slavery, as they should choose.
Upon these terms Texas became one of the United States.
It was her own free and deliberate act, without compulsion, be-
cause her independence and peace were assured by the Mexican
government if she refused annexation, and the alliance with
F"rance and Eneland would have established her commercial
\
>,\,
-^
'"^^_-^\ \'^'y
-
M>^-
fruin 'M GiTi-iiwii-h SO
Map showing Territorial Changes after Annexation, 1S45.
Credit for the
success of the
movement
pros])erity. Since the rejection of the treaty in June, 1844, her
people had made uj) their minds to pursue an independent career,
and it was only the force of influences brought to bear upon
them by their leaders that finally secured the acceptance of the
conditions offered by the United States. The credit for the
final triumjjh of the annexation policy is due to Presidents Hous-
ton and Jones. The former was always an annexationist, and
the latter labored earnestly to the same end from the time he
was minister to the United States in 1836. It required the most
skilful diplomacy to accomplish the purpose without sacrificing
the jjride and position of Texas. Houston as chief executive
and Jones as his secretary of state managed it most admirably.
tween Hous-
ton and Jones
THE REPUBLIC. 3O9
They played upon the jealousies of the United States, the slavery pkriod iv.
interests of the South, the national pride of the North, the force '"^ _|!^ubl
of the "Monroe doctrine," and the fears that Texas would fall ^^-5°
TO
into the lap of Great Britain. At times it suited their designs to jg^g
oppose annexation, but in the end they witnessed the attainment
of their ambition. In after years these two men became political Hostility be
enemies, and there was much bitterness between them, in which
the credit of this great work was disputed by their friends ; but
truth compels a recognition of their mutual services in bringing
about the incorporation of the Republic of Texas into the Ameri-
can Union of States.
Anson Jones's administration began on December 9, 1844, Administra-
and ended February 16, 1846. During that period there was ,o°„"°
Init one Congress, the Ninth, which met in regular session the
first Monday in December, 1844, and adjourned February 3,
1845, and again convened in special session on June 16, which
continued until June 24. Aside from the usual legislation neces-
sary to perfect the laws and run the government, there was no
incident of special importance in the acts of the Ninth Con-
gress. The country was at peace, both at home and abroad ; state of the
the population was rapidly increasing, there was the prospect '^"""'"'^
of early annexation to the kindred States of the North, and the
finances were so improved that the Republic's paper was at
par, while there was a cash balance in the treasury sufficient
to operate the government' for two years without a dollar of
additional receipts.
During the fourteen months of President Jones's administra- President
tion, the following were the principal executive officers of the cTbinet
Republic : secretary of state, Ashbel Smith, Ebenezer Allen ;
secretary of war and navy, George W. Hill, William G. Cooke ;
secretary of the treasury, William B. Ochiltree, John A. Greer ;
attorney-general, Ebenezer Allen ; treasurer, Moses Johnson ;
comptroller, James B. Shaw ; commissioner of the general land
office, Thomas William Ward ; auditor, Charles Mason ; min-
ister to France, Great Britain, and Spain, Ashbel Smith, George
W. Terrell ; minister to the United States, James Reiley, David
S. Kaufman ; secretary of legation at Washington, William D.
Lee.
3IO A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period IV. Oil February i6, 1846, amid the booming of cannon and the
HE ^uBLic j-^-,jj-,g.j(_.^j smiles and tears of Texan patriots, the flag of the Re-
■5 public with its single star was lowered, the broad banner of the
TO . .
1X46 American Union was unfurled, and President Jones declared in
tones at once solemn and sad : ' ' The final act in this great
drama is now performed : the Republic of Texas is no more !"
QUESTIONS.
What interest did tlie annexation of Texas arouse in the United
States ? What had been claimed by some persons in regard to Texas
belonging to the United States? What position did Andrew Jackson
take on the subject ? What did those who held this view call the annex-
ation of Texas ? What efforts were made to purchase Texas from
Mexico? What was New England's attitude towards the acquisition of
new territory, as shown by her position in reference to Louisiana, Mis-
souri, Texas, Oregon, and the Mexican War ? What caused this antago-
nism to the extension of the Union ? What can you say of the provincial
spirit of the North and East? What of their colonial altitude towards
England in all matters touching American interests? What connection
was there between the Abolition party in the North and a similar move-
ment in England ? What inconsistency characterized the position of New
England statesmen in 181 1 and 1844 and in 1861 ? What effect did these
influences exert upon the question of the annexation of Texas ? What
occurred in 1836 on this subject ? When did Texas withdraw her propo-
sition for annexation, and when was it renewed ? When was it again with-
drawn ? Explain fully the relations that grew \\\\ at that time between
Great Britain and Texas, and the reasons for such relations. What was
England's attitude towards annexation? When did President Houston
issue his address to the great powers, and what was it? How was it
received abroad ? When was an armistice declared between Texas and
Mexico, who were sent from Texas to draw up articles of permanent
peace ? When was an agreement concluded, and why was it rejected by
the Texan government ? What effect did the intimacy between Texas
and England produce in the United States, and why ? What message
did President Tyler send to Congress, and when was this? When and
whom did the Texan government send to Washington for the purpose of
promoting annexation ? What distinguished Southern statesman aided
the mo\'ement, and why ? When and by whom was a treaty for annexa-
tion concluded ? What was done with it in the United States Senate, and
explain what pL-rsonal antl political influences caused this result ? When
THE REPUBLIC. 3I I
and by wliat vote was the treaty rejected? What effect did this haxe on r-iuion iv
Van Buren and Clay? Explain the action of the Whig and Democratic thk Rkpublic
National Conventions in 1S44. What was the campaign war-cry of the o^
Democrats, and what was the result of the election ? What was the atti- ^^
tude of Texas at that time, as shown by President Jones's conduct ? What 5^45
did the Mexican government do looking towards peace with Texas?
When were preliminary articles drawn up for that purpose ? When did
the American Congress adopt the Joint Resolution for the annexation of
Texas, and by what vote in each House ? What action was taken in
Texas upon receipt of this Resolution, and with what results ? When,
where, and how long did the Constitutional Convention of 1845 sit, and
what did it do? When was the Constitution adopted and signed by the
delegates ? When was it to be submitted to a vote of the people for rati-
fication, how was the election to be held, and explain the methods by
which the result was to be declared, officers elected, and the State gov-
ernment inaugurated ? What was to be done in regard tC the property
belonging to the Republic, and the continuation of its laws and officers?
When was the first general State election to be held after annexation, and
how often thereafter ? What was done in reference to colonial contracts
of the Republic ? When did the first election for State ofificers occur, who
were the candidates for governor and lieutenant-governor, and what was
tile popular vote ? When did the Congress of the United States accept .
the State Constitution, and from what date did legal annexation occur ?
When was the State government put into actual operation? Give at
length the several provisions of the Joint Resolution for the annexation of
Texas. Explain that portion of it referring to new States and slavery.
What can you say of the manner in which Texas came into the American
Union ? To whom is the credit due for that event ? What did it require,
and explain how it was accomplished ? What can you say of the rela-
tions of Sam Houston and Anson Jones towards annexation? When did
I'resident Jones's administration begin and end? What Congress met
during that period? When did it meet and adjourn? What was the
condition of the country and the state of public finances ? Who were the
principal executive officers during Jones's administration? Describe the
scene when the Texas Republic came to an end, and what were President
Jones's last words on that occasion?
Topical Analysis.
T. The annexation of Texas as a political issue in tiie United .States,
luulL-r which considef :
{a) The attitude of New England and the Northern States in oi)po-
sition to all acquisitions of new territory, due to their narrow and selfish
desire to retain supremacy ; their coloiial dependence on English ideas
and sentiments for all their pt)litical and social principles, and their fanat-
ical views in regard to the abolition of slavery.
- 1 2 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period IV. ((^) The position of the leaders of the two great political parties,—
The Republic Whig and Democratic,— both Clay and Van Buren being opposed to
j'gTg annexation. F"irst treaty defeated in Congress on June 8, 1844.
■J■^J {c) The influence of England's relations towards Texas, whereby the
1846 jealousy of the United States was excited. The North feared that Texas
— would fall into the hands of a foreign monarchy, and thus violate the
Monroe doctrine ; while the South feared the formation in the southwest
of a large and powerful nation opposed to slavery.
{d) The rapid growth of annexation sentiment in 1844, resulting in
the nomination and the election of Polk by the Democrats on that issue.
Clay being defeated on account of his opposition to it.
{e) Joint Resolution for annexation adopted by American Congress,
March i, 1845.
(/) Final acceptance of the Texas Constitution by Congress, on De-
cember 29, 1845, from which date Texas became one of the United States.
2. Annexation as an issue in Texas, under which consider :
(i) Proposition for annexation adopted by popular vote at election in
September, 1836, and tendered to United States. Not accepted by the
latter.
(2) Proposition withdrawn by Te.xas in 1838.
(3) Renewed in 1842, and again withdrawn July 6, 1843.
(4) Treaty for annexation concluded between United States and
Texas, April 12, 1844 ; rejected by United States Senate, June 8, 1844.
(5) Texas determines to make no further efforts in that direction, and
is on the point of making a treaty of recognition, peace, and independence
with Mexico, May-June, 1845 ; is also on intimate friendly relations with
Great Britain.
(6) Accepts the Joint Resolution for annexation by act of Ninth Con-
gress, June 23, 1845, by vote of State Convention, July-August, 1845, and
at popular election, October 10, 1845.
(7) Adopts State Constitution, October 10, 1845, elects State officers,
Deceml)er, 1845, and organizes State government, February 16, 1846.
3. The provisions of the Joint Resolution for annexation, as follows :
((? ) All boundary questions submitted to adjustment by United States ;
all i)ul:)lic property of the Republic ceded to the United States ; all taxes,
dues, debts, lands, and i>ublic funds to be retained by Texas, but to be
first applied to payment of tlie i)ublic debt of the Republic, for wliich the
United States should in no event become liable.
{b) New States, not to exceed four, in addition to State of Texas,
may be created out of the territory of the Republic, with the consent of
Texas, and be entitled to admission to the Union.
{c) But no new State formed out of such territory lying north of
the Missouri Compromise Line should be admitted to the Union with
slavery.
THE REPUBLIC.
Geography.
313
Period IV.
The Republic
Trace carefully the boundaries and extent of the territory claimed by 1S36
Texas at the date of annexation. Note the changes in the territory of the to
United States resulting from that event. ^^4^
Parallel Readings.
Scarff's "Comprehensive History of Texas" (1897) ; Brown's " His-
tory of Texas;" Williams's "Sam Houston;" Crane's "Life of Hous-
ton ;" Draper's "Civil War in America," Vol. I., and "Civil Conflict ;"
Greeley's "American Conflict ;" Von Hoist's " Constitutional and Politi-
cal History of the United States;" Benton's "Thirty Years' View;"
Blaine's "Twenty Years in Congress ;" Davis's "Rise and Fall of the
Confederate States;" McPherson's "History of Political Parties;"
Johnston's "American Politics ;" W'insor's "Narrative and Critical His-
tory."
¥¥
CONTEMPORANEOUS EVENTS.— 1836-1845.
Parallel to Period IV.
AMERICA.
1836. — Continuation of Seminole War in United States. The Democrats
elect Martin Van Buren President. Arkansas admitted to the Union,
June 15. Central Constitution adopted in Mexico, and Bustamente
elected President.
1837. — President Van Buren inaugurated, March 4. Seminole War con-
tinues. Great financial panic in United States. Rebellion in Canada.
1838. — End of Canadian rebellion. Revolution in Mexico under Mexia,
who was captured and shot by Santa Anna. The French declare war
against Mexico, capture Vera Cruz, and dictate terms of peace.
1839. — Revolt in Northern Mexico, led by Canales, to establish the " Re-
public of the Rio Grande."
1840. — Sub-treasury bill passed by American Congress. The Il7/ii;s
elect William H. Harrison President. .Sixth census shows [xjpula-
tion of 17,069,453. Union of Upper and Lower Canada.
1841. — President Harrison inaugurated, March 4 ; died, April 4 ; suc-
ceeded by John Tyler, Vice-President. Tyler vetoes United .States
Bank bill and all his Cabinet except Daniel Webster resign, Septem-
ber II. Revolution and civil war in Mexico ; Pta// of Tacubaya, for
new Constitution, with Santa Anna as temporary ruler.
314
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
1846
I'KRioD IV. 1842. — luid of Seminole War. " Ashburton Treaty" between Great Brit-
The Republic ^Jj^ ^^j^d ^Tnited States, establishing the Maine boundary. The " Dorr
1836 Rebellion" in Rhode Island.
1843. — Santa Anna disperses the INIexican Congress, declares himself
dictator, and proclaims the " Bases of Political Organization" as his
Constitution.
1844. — Great political agitation and campaign in United States over the
question of Texan annexation. James K. Polk (Democrat) defeats
Henry Clay (Whig) for President. First telegraph established in
the United States between Baltimore and Washington. Joseph
Smith, the Mormon leader, killed ; succeeded by Brigham Young.
Santa Anna involved in a revolutionary struggle in Mexico with
Paredes ; is defeated, imprisoned at Perots, and exiled to Cuba
(May, 1845).
1845. — President Polk inaugurated, March 4. Annexation question still
agitated. Judge Joseph Story died, September 10. General Herrera
acting President of Mexico ; declares war against United States, June
4. Texas annexed to Union, December 29.
GREAT BRITAIN.
1837. — Victoria succeeds to the throne, aged eighteen, Jime 21.
1838. — X'ictoria crowned Oueen, June 28. Death of Lord Eldon. Da-
guerrotype process discovered.
1839. — Anti Corn Law League formed by P.ichard Cobden. Chartist
agitation, (iold discovered in Australia.
1840. — Oueen Victoria married to Prince Albert, of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha,
Fel)ruary lo. Penny postage system adopted.
1841. — Prince of Wales born, November 9. London Punch founded.
1843. — Daniel O'Connell prosecuted by the English government. "Young
Ireland" movement grows in strength. The Thames tunnel opened.
1845.— Death of Sydney Smith and Thomas Hood. Railway mania and
panic. Failure of the potato crop in Great Britain and Ireland.
Gun-cotton invented. Lord Rosse's great telescope erected.
OTHER COUNTRIES.
1836.— Death of Charles X., late King of France. M. Thiers prime min-
ister of Louis Philippe. Louis Napt)leon attempts a revolution at
.Strasburg.
1837.— liiMclemic of cholera on the continent of Europe. Winter palace
at St. Petersburg burnt.
THE REPUBLIC.
315
1839.
mark
1838.— Death of Talleyrand, May 17.
The Pope prohibits the slave-trade. Charles VIII., King of Den-
Abdul-Medjid, Sultan of Turkey.
1840. — Frederick William IV., King of Prussia. Remains of Napoleon I.
brought back to France from St. Helena. Quadruple Treaty be-
tween England, Austria, Prussia, and Russia to protect the Sultan of
Turkey. Reign of the Khedives in Egypt, under the suzerainty of
Turkey. Louis Napoleon attempts another revolution at Boulogne ;
is imprisoned for six years.
1842. — ^The French take Tahiti. Great fire at Hamburg.
1843. — Site of ancient Nineveh discovered by Botta. The Queen of
Spain (Isabella II.) declared of age, and ascends the throne.
1844. — Joseph Bonaparte died, July 28.
1845. — Sir John Franklin's last expedition to the Arctic regions.
Period IV.
The Republic
TO
1846
IPcriob ID,
FIRST PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.— 1846-1861.
¥¥
CHAPTER XX.
The New Government; The Texas Land System;
Henderson's Administration; Boundary
Question; Churches in Texas.
State Consti-
tution of 1845
T
HE State Constitution of 1845 has been regarded by
many able jurists and statesmen as superior to any of
those since adopted. The convention that framed it
was an exceptionally strong body of men, — they com-
posed the ablest and wisest citizens of Texas. Thomas J. Rusk
was president of the convention, James H. Raymond, secretary,
and the roll of its members contains the names of nearly every
man then and afterwards prominent in the affairs of Texas, in
peace and war. The Constitution began with a " Bill
of Rights," setting out certain fundamental rights of
person and property which should never be invaded
by the government. In its general features it was
similar to all .State constitutions.
It required the State to be divided into representa-
tive and senatorial districts, the members of the lower
house of the legislature never to exceed ninety or to
fall below forty-five ; while the senators should never
be more than thirty- three or less than nineteen. The
hirst Legislature should contain sixty-six representa-
ti\es and nineteen senators. Ministers of the gospel,
TiioMAb J. kusK. or priests of any denomination, were declared ineli-
316
FIRST PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
17
Period V.
First 1'eriod
OF Statkhood
1S46
TO
1 86 1
gible to cither house of the legislature. The legislature was
to meet every two years. On the subject of slavery, it was
provided that offences against the persons of slaves should be
punished the same as if against white persons ; the importa-
tion of slaves for the purpose of traffic and merchandise was
forbidden ; the legislature was required to pass laws compelling
masters to provide for and treat their slaves humanely, and no slavery
slave should be emancipated without the consent of his owner. ^ „.
'■ _ Duelling and
Duelling was prohibited, and divorces could not be granted by divorce
the legislature. Banking corporations could not be char-
tered, nor any private corporation be created except by
two-thirds vote of both houses of the legislature. The
homestead exemption was fixed at two hundred acres
in the country, and in towns and cities as a lot or
lots not exceeding in value two thousand dollars ;
and the legislature was authorized to pro\'ide for the
exemption from taxation of two hundred and fifty
dollars' worth of personal property belonging to a
family, and from forced sales a reasonable quantity of
such property. It was provided that all property owned
by the husband or wife at the time of the marriage, and
all acquired afterwards by gift, devise, or descent, should
be the separate property of each ; while all property otherwise Community
acquired during marriage, by either husband or wife, should be ertat^T^*^^^^
community property.
On the subject of education, it was declared to be the duty PubUc educa-
of the legislature to make pro\'isions for the support of public
free schools by taxation on property ; and one-tenth of the annual
income of the State derived from taxation was required to be
set apart as a perpetual school fund, never to be diverted or
used for any other purpose. All the public lands that had been
granted to the counties for school purposes were forbidden to be
sold or disposed of, except by lease not to exceed twenty years.
A general land office for the whole State was established at the
capital, where all titles from the go\'ernment must be registered.
The Constitution contained many other wise and practical
l)rovisions, which ha\'c not l)cen improved upon by the constitu-
tion-makers of later times.
J. PiNCKNKV HkNDER-
SON.
General land
office
,t8
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkriod V.
First Period
OF Statehood
1846
TO
IS6I
Texas land
system
The First Legislature of the State had a very difficult task to
perform, in remodelling the laws and institutions of the govern-
ment to suit the changed conditions brought about by annexa-
tion. It was no longer necessary to maintain an army, navy,
postal system, and other institutions of an independent nation ;
but the details of domestic legislation were many and impor-
tant. Texas, unlike any other American State, had her own
public lands, and . their domain was
immense. It was /'^'""^-^^^^ estimated at the
time of annexation / / F*"*""^ \ that the extent of
the una])propriated / iw .^9% «!SSf \ public lands was
nearly 185,000,000
were besides this
acres claimed by
der fraudulent and
it was necessary to
stated, the land sys-
JOHN HkMPHII.L.
and there
millions of
acres,
many
various persons un-
illegal titles, which
recover. Briefly
tem, as then exist-
RovALL I. Wheeler. Abnkr S. Lipscomb.
THE OLD SUPREME COURT.
ing under laws passed by the previous governments, was as
follows : The lands granted to \'arious persons by the Republic
Headrights consistcd of hcadrights, bounty^, and donation grants. Hcad-
rt's^hls were those lands which had been granted to the original
colonists by virtue of their contracts of settlement, and those
afterwards granted to immigrants by the laws of the provisional
government, the government ad interim, and the Congresses of
FIRST PERI(')n OF STATFIIOOt).
3^9
the Republic. These were divided into four classes. Head-
rights of the first class, as has been already stated, consisted of
the lands granted to colonists under the colonization laws of
Coahuila and Texas ; to persons residing in Texas at the date of
the Declaration of Independence ; and to volunteers who arrived
and served in the army between March 2 and August i, 1836,
who were honorably discharged or died before December 14,
1S37. In this class, heads of families were entitled to a league
and a labor' of land (four thousand six hundred and five acres),
and single men over seventeen years old were entitled to one-
third of a league, and if they married before December 14,
1837, they would receive a league and a labor'. Headrights
of the second class included lands granted to immigrants who
arrived in Texas after the Declaration of Independence and
before October i, 1837. Under this class, heads of families
were entitled to twelve hundred and eighty acres, and single
men to six hundred and forty acres, provided they remained
and performed their duties as citizens for three years. Under
this class were also included all persons who served in the army
j)revious to March i, 1837, 'i"*^ whose families were in Texas
on January i, 1840. They were to receive twelve hundred and
eighty acres. Headrights of the third class were certificates
issued to immigrants arriving between October i, 1837, ^"<^1
January i, 1840, and to single men permanently residing in the
Republic who became seventeen years old prior to January i,
1840. In this class, heads of families received six hundred and
forty acres and single men three hundred and twenty acres.
Fourth class headrights were those granted to immigrants who
came after January i, 1840, and before January i, 1842. They
received the same quantities of land as the third class. In order
to make up the full quantities of land to which colonists and
immigrants were entitled under the laws granting headrights,
additional certificates were issued, known as Augmentation Cer-
tificates.
There were certain special grants, of a league and a labor'
and a third of a league of land, issued to the heirs and repre-
sentatives of the men who fell at the Alamo, Goliad, and other
battles of the Revolution, which were classed by the authorities
Period V.
First Period
OF Statehood
1846
TO
I86I
First class
headrights
Second class
Third class
Fourth class
Donation
headrights
320
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkriof) V.
First I'kri<)i>
OK STATKHOOI)
1S46
TO
I86I
Bounty lands
Land scrip
William E. Ochil-
TREK.
" Eleven
league grants"
Pre-emption
lands
as headrighls, although, strictly speaking, they should have been
described as donation lands. There were also donated to the
survivors of those early struggles, certificates for six hundred
and forty acres of land, known as Donation lands.
Then there were the Bonnty certificates, being those issued
to soldiers in the army of the Revolution, — three hundred and
twenty acres for three months' service ; six hundred and forty
acres for six months ; nine hundred and sixty for nine months ;
and twelve hundred and eighty acres for twelve months or more.
There were also large quantities of land scrip which had been
issued and sold at fifty cents an acre, to pay the debts of the
Republic ; each of such certificates calling for six hundred
and forty acres of unlocated land. In after years came
rertificates granted to encourage irrigation, improve-
ments of rivers, boring artesian wells, and building
railroads. Many fraudulent and fictitious certificates
I had been issued under the Republic, and it was a
■i very delicate and difficult task to detect and reject
them. Various means were used for this purpose,
such as travelling land boards, local and district boards,
and, finally, the Constitution of 1845 required persons
holding certificates not yet approved to file suits on them
in the district courts on or before July i, 1847, or be
thereafter forever debarred. The ' ' eleven league grants, ' ' so
often spoken of in Texas land history, were acquired under the
Mexican government. The State Colonization Law of 1825, of
Coahuila and Texas, and the Federal Colonization Law of 1824,
of Mexico, provided that a person might acquire not more than
one league of irrigable land, four leagues of arable land not irri-
gable, and six leagues of pasture land, — making in all eleven
leagues. There were no such grants by any government of
Texas after she began her Revolution.
The last Congress of the Republic, by the act of January 22,
1845, created what were known as Pre-emption titles to land, —
that is, where any person "should settle upon and improve any
portion of the vacant, unappropriated public domain, he was
entided to three hundred and twenty acres including his im-
provements, provided he proved up his claim, surveyed the
FIRST PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
321
Tkriod V.
First Perioe)
OF Statehood
1846
TO
I86I
First State ad-
ministration,
J. Pinckney
Executive
officers
land, and applied for a patent in three years from the date of
settlement, or the date of the law. This feature of our land
system was continued with modifications in all subsequent legis-
lation, until all pre-emption laws were repealed by the act of
March 7, 1889.
The first governor, J. Pinckney Henderson, was a native of
North Carolina, and came to Texas in June, 1836. As we have
seen, he filled many and diiificult positions, at home and abroad,
under the Republic, and was a man of varied talents as well as a Henderson,
fine lawyer. Albert C. Horton, the lieutenant-governor, was an governor
officer in the Revolution, and was with Fannin at Goliad, but
was cut of? at the battle of the Coleto and escaped the massacre.
Governor Henderson appointed the following gentlemen to the
offices which were at his disposition under the Consti-
tution : David G. Burnet, secretary of state ; John W.
Harris, attorney-general ; John Hemphill, chief justice,
and Abner S. Lipscomb and Royall T. Wheeler,
associate justices of the Supreme Court ; William G.
Cooke, adjutant-general ; Thomas William Ward,
commissioner of the general land office ; James Loxe,
William E. Jones, R. E. B. Baylor, M. P. Norton, O.
M. Roberts, William B. Ochiltree, John B. Jones, and
John T. Mills, district judges for the several judicial
districts in the order named. The legislature elected
James B. Shaw, comptroller, and James H. Raymond,
treasurer. On February 21, 1846, Sam Houston and Thomas United states
J. Rusk were elected the first United States Senators from Texas,
Houston drawing the short term, so that he was re-elected on
December 15, 1847.
By the terms of the annexation Resolutions, Texas was al-
lowed two Representatives in the Congress of the United States,
and the legislature divided the State into two districts, with the
Trinity River as the line. On March 30, 1846, an election was
held for the Congressmen from Texas, and David S. Kaufman
was elected in the Eastern district, and Timothy Pilsbury in the
Western, the former being a native of Pennsylvania and the latter
of Maine. The State constituted a Federal judicial district, and Federal judge
John C. Watrous was appointed the first Federal judge. He
21
R. K. B. Baylor.
First
Congressmen
322
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period V.
First Period
OF Statehood
1846
TO
I86I
Texas politics
in 1846
Boundary
question
Complications
on the slavery
issue
Missouri Com-
promise Line
as affecting
Texas
was afterwards asked to resign, and an unsuccessful attempt was
made to impeach him.
PoHtics prior to that time, as has been said, were purely
personal in Texas, and it was yet some years before party lines
were drawn on the issues that governed political affairs in the
United States. But so far as Texans then took an interest in
Federal politics, they were nearly all Democrats. It was the
Democratic party, under Polk, Calhoun, and Dallas, that had
brought Texas into the Union, and naturally her citizens rallied
around its standard.
One of the serious questions that arose under the first State
administration, and which continued to vex the government for
several years, was that of the northern boundary of Texas.
That had been fixed by the First Congress of the Republic as
extending to the forty-second parallel of north latitude, v/hich
included New Mexico, or the territory of Santa Fe, as it was
called. Mexico did not recognize any such claim, nor did the
United States, except in an indirect way. In the annexation
Resolutions, it will be remembered, there was a provision that four
new States might be formed out of Texas territory, but that any
such new State lying north of thirty-six degrees and thirty
minutes north latitude would only be admitted to the Union as
a free State, — that is, without slavery ; which was a recognition
that a portion of Texas lay north of that line. That line was
known as the Missouri Compromise Line, having been agreed
upon in 1820, when Missouri was admitted into the Union, as
the northern limit of slave territory west of the Mississippi River.
Now', Texas might never form any new States, in which case
part of her territory would lie north of the slavery line, and the
Abolitionists would have no power to prevent slaves in that part
of the State. In other words, the Missouri Compromise Line
was abolished so far as Texas was concerned, unless new States
were formed out of her territory lying north of that line. This
condition of things made it the desire and interest of the anti-
slavery party in the United States to shove the northern boundary
of Texas as far south as possible. Again, when the war broke
out between the United States and Mexico in 1846, in conse-
quence of the annexation of Texas, a bill was introduced in
FIRST PERIOD OF STATEHOOD. 323
Congress to provide funds for that war. A Mr. Wilmot, of Period v.
Pennsylvania, offered an amendment to the bill, providiner that "1^^ eriod
-^ ' ' 1 .n> OF bTATEHOOD
slavery should never be permitted in any portion of the territory ~
which might be acquired by the war. This was known as the to
Wilmot Proviso, and the bitter tight over its adoption in the end 1861
broke up the old political parties and prepared the way for the
Civil War fifteen years later. It was defeated, but it definitely wiimot
divided the country into North and South on the slavery ques-
tion. Texas was interested in the Wibnot Proviso in this way : Relation of
When the Mexican War was ended and the question of the (,uest^io°
boundary between Texas and other Mexican territory acquired
by the war came up for settlement, if the doctrine of the Proviso
prevailed, there would be another strong reason among the anti-
slavery party for narrowing the boundaries and reducing the
territory of Texas as much as possible ; and the United States
had reserved the right, by the terms of the annexation, to adjust
all questions of boundary. If the foregoing facts are borne in
mind, they will explain nearly all of the political events that
followed in Texas and the United States.
Shortly after annexation United States troops occupied New Dispute as to
Mexico, and preparations were begun to organize it into a terri-
tory of the Union. Governor Henderson at once protested to
the secretary of state, Mr. Buchanan, who replied that it was
merely a military movement until peace was declared with
Mexico. Another thing was, that by the terms of annexation -Attitude of the
Texas was to hold her public lands subject to the debts of the
Republic, and those debts were never to become a charge against
the United States. There was no way to enforce this agree-
ment against Texas, unless the United States should occupy
enough territory belonging to Texas to force some settlement of
the debts ; and no doubt this had something to do with the
action of the United States in regard to New Mexico.
Governor Henderson's term of office began February 16, Henderson's
1846, and ended December 21, 1847. During a part of this
time, as will be seen, he was absent in the Mexican War, and
Lieutenant-Governor Horton was the acting governor. Under
this administration there was only one legislature, the regular
session of the First Legislature, which met February 16, 1846,
New Mexico
United States
administra-
tion
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkriod V.
First Perioii
OF Statehood
1S46
TO
I86I
Indian affairs
First census
of Texas
Public debt
Beginning of
real progress
Religious en-
terprise
Catholics
Count Far-
and adjourned May 13, 1846. It passed many necessary laws
and organized a great number of new counties. Under the Re-
public, new counties could not be created except upon very strict
conditions, and this had been very inconvenient for the growing
interests of the people. There were no serious troubles with the
Indians at this time. An occasional outrage and a few desperate
tights by the Rangers comprised the history of Indian affairs.
In 1847, the first census of Texas was taken by counties.
There were then reported 100,508 white population, 35,267
negro slaves, making a total of 135,775, exclusive of Indians
and Mexicans. The Indians were estimated at 30,000.
The total public debt of Texas on January r, 1848, all of
which was incurred under the Republic, was $11,050,201.51.
As will be seen, this was afterwards cut down or scaled to
$5,528,195.19.
The social, moral, and material growth of the State, under
the encouragement of a settled destiny and assured peace, now
began in earnest. It must not be supposed, however, that
during all these years of war, sacrifice, and uncertainty there
was no moral and religious influence thrown around the strug-
gling jiatriots and suffering citizens of early Texas. Pious faith
in (iod and the ministers of His holy word have always accom-
panied the footsteps of American pioneers, and it was not differ-
ent in Texas. The Missions were closed in 1793, but in after
times, when the Americans held sway, they were permitted to
be used by the few jiriests who remained in the country, and
around their altars there still gathered the remnants of the Mex-
ican population, while in the sacred ground near their portals
rude graves marked the last resting-place of pious Catholics.
Father Henry Doyle, among the Catholic colonists of San Pa-
tricio, and Father Muldoon on the Brazos in the early days
visited the scattered homes of the settlers, married their young
men and maidens, baptized their converts, and soothed the
dying hours of such as succumbed to the pri\'ations of the wil-
derness. After the Revolution, Galveston was erected into a
See and Bishop Odin was placed in charge. The cathedral
there was built in 1848. In 1837, the Count Farnese, from Eu-
n^pe, visited the Texan government, and proposed to have the
FIRST FKRIOD OF STATEHOOD.
325
Roman Cathfjlic faith adopted as the established rehi^ion of the
Repubhc. He represented that it would be the means of se-
curing immediate peace with Mexico, and would greatly promote
the interests of the country. Hut he little understood the spirit
of the Texan patriots. They had battled for and won the in-
herited institutions of Anglo-American freedom, not the least of
which was religious liberty, and they were ncjt likely to surrender
any of them so soon. Besides, the Protestant churches already
had a firm foothold in Texas. Of these, the Baptists were per-
haps the first to commence organized work, although the Meth-
odists were here about the same time. In 1825, Elder Joseph
Bays, a Baptist, visited Austin's Colony and preached on the
Brazos. In 1829, Thomas Hanks, of the same denomination,
l^reached at the same place, and Thomas J Pilgrim, also a
Baptist, established the first Sunday-school at San Felipe. In
1833, a Baptist church was organized in Austin's Colony, and in
1837, Rev. Z. L. Morrell established another at Washington on
the Brazos. Isaac Reed, in 1838, founded the Union Baptist
Church near Nacogdoches, and the following year churches were
organized at Independence and in Austin and Fayette counties.
The Union Baptist Association was formed at Austin
on October 8, 1840 ; the same year a church was es-
tablished at Galveston, and the next year at Houston.
In 1843 the Sabine Association was formed, with five
churches represented. In 1845, Baylor University, at
Independence, was chartered under Baptist auspices,
and the following two years associations of churches
were formed in various parts of the State. The Bap-
tist State Cc^nvention was organized at Anderson, in
Grimes County, in 1848. At that time there .were
reported to be eleven associations of the missionary Baptists,
and three of the anti-mission, with one hundred and fifty-one
churches and ten thousand members.
Rev. Henry Stephenson, of the Methodist Church, arri\ed
in Austin's Colony in 1824. Rev. Alexander Thompson came
to Rol)ertson's Colony in 1830, and did much to organize Meth-
odism in that region for years afterwards. A camp-meeting was
held and a church organized near San Augustine in 1833, and a
Pkriod V.
First Period
OF Statehood
1846
TO
I861
Protestants
Baptists and
Methodists
Baptist asso-
ciations and
colleges
Rui'US C. Bl'rleson.
Early Meth-
odist churches
and institu-
tions of
learning
326
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period V.
First Period
OK Statehood
1846
TO
I861
Early Pres-
byterians in
Texas
Episcopal
church
Christians
Masons
similar action was held in Austin County in 1834. In 1837, the
Methodist Church sent three missionaries to Texas, — Revs. Mar-
tin Ruter, R. Alexander, and Littleton Fowler. In December,
1840, the Texas Annual Conference was organized at Ruterville,
by Bishop Waugh, but in 1844 it divided into two conferences,
called the Texas Conference and the East Texas Conference.
In 1850 there were two hundred and eighty-six Methodist min-
isters in Texas, and twelve thousand three hundred and thirty-
six members.
The Presbyterians began their labors as early as 1834, t>y the
preaching of Rev. P. H. Fullenwider. In 1838, Rev. Hugh
Wilson organized a church at San Augustine, and another at
Independence ; and the same year churches were organized at
Galveston and Houston. In 1840, the Brazos Presbytery was
organized at Gay Hill, in Washington County. The Cumber-
land Presbyterians did their first work in Texas in 1828, by Rev.
Sumner Bacon. In 1833, '^ church was organized in Red River
County by Rev. Milton Estell, and one near San Augustine in
1836. The first presbyteries were formed near San Augustine
in 1837, on Red River and the Colorado in 1841, and the Synod
was organized at Nacogdoches in 1842. The Synods of the
Brazos and Colorado were organized in 1849 and 1853.
The Protestant Episcopal Church sent its first preacher to
Texas in 1838, and built a church in Galveston in 1842, with
Rev. Benjamin Eaton as rector. In 1843, Rev. Charles Gillette
supplied the church at Houston. In 1844, Texas and Arkansas
formed a bishopric under Rev. G. W. Freeman. The Diocese
of Texas was organized at Matagorda, January i, 1849.
The Christians or ' ' Campbellites' ' were earnest workers in
the days of the Republic, but few reliable facts have been pre-
served as to their labors and leaders. In 1850, there were in
Texas, according to the United States census, of all denomina-
tions of Christian churches, 63,571 members, owning church
property worth $204,930.
The first Grand Lodge of Masons in Texas was organized in
Houston on December 20, 1837. Among its members were
Sam Houston, Thomas J. Rusk, Anson Jones, Adolphus Sterne,
A. S. Thruston, William G. Cooke, and Thomas G. Western.
FIRST PERIOD OF STATEHOOD. 327
The public free school system, owing to the scattered and I'kriod v.
, . 1 .1 J- -J i-^- • i- • First I^eriod
scanty population and the disorganized conditions existing prior ^^. s,atehood
to annexation, had not yet been inaugurated ; but a number of ~^
private schools, academies, and colleges, generally under religious to
control, had been chartered and were in successful operation. 1861
Men's minds were turning to peace and the prosperous rewards
of intelligent toil ; and yet they were not altogether done with Early schools
war, l)rought on by the very cause that had secured their future
tranquillity and progress.
QUESTIONS.
What can you say of the State Constitution of 1845, and of the men
who framed it? How did it begin, and what were its general features?
Give an outline of the oiganization of the legislative department of the
government under that Constitution. How many representatives and
senators were there in the First Legislature ? Who were ineligible to the
legislature, and how often did it meet ? What provisions did the Consti-
tution contain in regard to slavery? What, in reference to duelling and
divorce ? What, in regard to banks and private corporations ? What
was the homestead exemption ? What other exemptions were provided
fur ? What provisions were made in reference to the property of husband
and wife ? What provisions were made for public schools ? What, as to
a general land office ? What difficult and important work had the First
Legislature of the State to perform ? How did Texas differ from the other
States in the matter of her public lands ? What amount of public land had
she at the time of annexation? Into what general divisions were lands
granted to individuals by previous governments divided ? How were
Iicadr!_ii/ifs classified ? What grants were included in headrights of the
ftrsf class f What, in the second class? Third class f Fomih class?
What special grants were made to persons on account of certain mili-
tary services ? How are those grants classified ? What were the botmty
cciiificafes ? What can you say of land scrip ? What, of irrigation and
other imj^rovement certificates? What difficulties arose in regard to
land certificates issued by the Republic, and what methods were adopted
to remedy them? What was meant by an "eleven league grant," and
explain how it originated? When did such grants cease? When were
prc-emplion titles originated, and explain their nature? How long were
prc-ciiipfion lands recognized by the government, and when were they
abolished ? Who was the first governor of the State of Texas, from what
State did he come to Texas, when, and what had been his career in
Texas ? Who was the first lieutenant-governor, and what can you say of
him ? Whom did Governor Henderson appoint to the various offices
Ol'
^28 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period V. uiickr liis control? What officers did the legislature elect? Who were
First Pkriod the first United States Senators, when elected, and for how long? How
bTAihJHuoD ,-,^3„y Representatives had Texas in Congress at that time, how was the
1846 State divided for that purpose, and who were the first Congressmen
TO elected? Who was the first Federal judge in Texas, and what can you
1861 gjjy yf him? W'hat was the condition of politics in Texas then, and for
several years afterwards? What was one of the first serious public
(juestions that arose in Texas ? How had the northern boundary been
fixed by the Republic ? What provisions were contained in the Annexa-
tion Resolutions in regard to new States, and explain how those provisions
affected the Texas boundary question, slavery, and the Missouri Compro-
mise ? What effect did this condition of things have in the United States ?
What was the IVihnoi Proviso, when, for what purpose, and with what
result was it introduced in Congress? Explain how it affected Texas.
What happened in New Mexico shortly after annexation ? W^hat did
Texas do in regard to it ? Explain the motives that actuated the United
States in that matter. During what period was Henderson governor of
Texas ? Where was he during part of that time, and who was governor
then? W^hat legislature sat in his administration, and between what
dates ? What work was accomplished by it ? What was the condition of
Indian affairs at that period ? When and how was the first census taken in
Texas, and what did it show as to the population ? What was the amount
of the public debt, January i, 1848, and how was it afterwards reduced?
What can you say of the growth and prosperity of the State at that
time? What influence contributed largely to the early civilization of the
State? Who were the first religious teachers in Texas? When did the
regular mission work of the Catholics end? l)e.scril)e the subsequent
labor of the priests among the early colonists. When and by whom was
the See of Galveston established ? When, through whom, and with what
representations did the Catholics propose to make their church the estab-
lished religion of Texas ? Why was the proposition rejected ? What two
Protestant denominations were pioneer missionaries in Texas? When
and by whom did the Baptists first commence their work? Give an
account of the early Baptist churches, associations, conventions, colleges,
and preachers, and what was the condition of the denomination in 1848?
When and by whom did the Methodists begin their labors in Texas?
Ciive an account of their early organizations and institutions, and what
was their condition in 1850? When and V)y whom did the Presbyterians
commence religious work in Texas ? Give the dates, names, and localities
of their early organizations. When did the Episcopal Church send its
first preacher to Texas? When, where, and by whom were its early
labors conducted? When did the Christians or " Campbellites" begin
work here? WMiat were the number and wealth of all Christian churches
in Texas in 1850? When and where was the first Grand Lodge of Masons
organized in Texas, and who were among its members' W'hat can you
say of the early schools of Texas?
FIRST PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
329
Topical Analysis.
1. The government of Texas as organized under the Constitution
of 1845. Consider the principal provisions of that Constitution on legis-
lative department, slavery, duelling, divorce, banks, private corporations,
homestead exemptions, community and separate estate of husband and
wife, public education, and land office.
2. The Texas land system. Peculiar position of Texas as owner of
185,000,000 acres of her own public lands. General division of land
grants into Hcadrighfs, Bounty, and Donation lands. Four classes of
headrights. " Eleven league grants." Irrigation, railroad, and other
improvement certificates. Land scrip. Pre-emption lands.
3. Governor Henderson's administration ; inauguration of the State
government ; the First Legislature. Election of United States Senators
and Congressmen. Early politics.
4. The first serious public question, — the Northern boundary, involv-
ing title to New Mexico and other territory north. Considerations of
Federal politics affecting that question, such as the probable formation
of new States that might lie north of the Missouri Compromise Line ; the
Wittnot Proviso ; the desire of the United States to hold New Mexico as
a means of forcing Texas to pay her public debts.
5. The population, progress, and increasing prosperity of Texas.
6. Early religious enterprise in Texas as shown in the labors of the
Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and Chris-
tians. Early establishment of the Masonic order.
Geography,
Locate the territory involved in the dispute between Texas and the
United States as to the Northern and North-western boundary.
Parallel Readings.
Scarff's "Comprehensive History of Texas" (1897), Vol. I., Chap.
XIX.; Vol. II., Part III.; Brown's "History of Texas," Vol. II.;
Blaine's " Twenty Years in Congress ;" Draper's " Civil War in America,"
Vol. 1. ; Benton's "Thirty Years' View."
mSjfS^' ' '< ' ''LJ * -^ -■;'.". I Mill,
Period V.
First Period
ov Statehood
1846
TO
I86I
Capito}. at Washington.
CHAPTER XXI
Period V.
FiKST Pkkiod
111- SfATliHOOD
1846
TO
I86I
Mexico pre-
pares for war
President
Herrera's
friendly
overtures
A revolution
in Mexicj
United States
troops in
Texas
The Mexican \A/ar; Administrations of Governors
Wood, Bell, and Pease ; The Boundary and
Public Debt ; Railroads ; Public
Schools ; Indians.
"W''W"EXICO had threatened that she would regard the
■ %# I annexation of Texas as a declaration of war by the
^ w.^ United States, and, as soon as the resolutions for
annexation passed Congress, the Mexican minister
at Washington demanded his passports and left the capital. In
November, 1845, Mr. John Slidell had been sent as the Ameri-
can minister to Mexico to try and adjust the difficulty that was
foreseen would arise from annexation. But his arrival in the
Mexican capital, on December 6, preceded but a few days one
of those political revolutions to which that country had become
accustomed. The Mexican president, Jose Joaquin de Herrera,
was friendly to the independence of Texas, and, as we have seen,
sul)niitted a proposition to the Texan government to recognize
that independence if the Republic would agree to remain a sep-
arate nation. Herrera's liberal and friendly views did not suit
the excited temper of the Mexican people, and General Paredes
(piir-a-daz) at once organized a revolution and forced Herrera
to resign in his favor. This was on December 29, 1845. Min-
ister Slidell at once withdrew from the capital, but was not
furnished his passports until March 21, 1846. On April 18,
1846, Paredes ordered the army on the Rio Grande to take the
initiative in bringing on actual hostilities.
Meanwhile, anticipating trouble, ill the fall of 1845, General
Zachary Taylor had been stationed with troops at Corpus Christi,
in Texas, to be ready for any emergency. The feeling between
the United States and Mexico had not been friendly for a long
Mexico owed the American government over eight
time.
330
FIRST PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
331
Period V.
First Period
OF Statehood
1846
TO
I86I
million dollars for depredations committed on the persons and
property of American citizens, and the attempt to collect it had
produced considerable friction. The annexation of Texas ren-
dered war inevitable.
On January 13, 1846, Taylor was directed to march to the
mouth of the Rio Grande, opposite Matamoros. This would
necessitate his crossing the Nueces,
which Mexico claimed as the northern
boundary of her territory, and was re-
garded by her as an invasion of Mex-
ican soil. The war was now on, and
it was only a question of time and
opportunity when the first hostilities
should occur. On April 25, 1846,
General Taylor's troops being in camp
on the east bank of the Rio Grande
opposite Matamoros, a small force of
Mexicans crossed the river and at-
tacked the United States dragoons,
capturing a number of men and officers
and killing sixteen American soldiers.
Thus Mexico began the actual attack
and shed the first blood.
Already, two small companies of Texan Rangers, under Rangers and
Captains Samuel H. Walker and John T. Price, had joined in°xexas'^'^
Taylor's command, and were with it when hostilities commenced.
After the affair of April 25, General Taylor called on the gov-
ernor of Texas for four regiments of troops, two to be mounted
and two on foot. These troops did not arrive in time to take
part in the first battles. On May 8, 1846, was fought the first Paio aio, May
real battle, at Palo Alto, on Texas soil, about eight miles north- Rggaca^de la
east of Brownsville, and next day that of Resaca de la Palma, Paima, May
still in Texas, four miles north of Matamoros. The Americans ^' ' '*
were victorious in both bfittles, the Mexicans retreating across
the river, evacuating Matamoros and falling back towards the
Sierra Madre in the direction of Monterey, their rear being fol-
k)wcd and harassed by the American ca\alry.
It is not possible here to give a history of the Mexican War.
Map showing disputed Terkitoby between
Nueces River and Rio C.rande, 1846.
132
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period V.
First Period
OF Statehood
1846
to
iti6i
Nothinjj more than a brief statement of the part Texan troops
took in it will be attempted. On May 9, 1846, the Texas legis-
lature granted Governor Henderson leave of absence to take
command of all the Texan troops in the army. Prior to this
President Polk had offered to Sam Houston and Thomas J. Rusk
commissions as major-generals in the United States army, which
Map of General Taylor's Campaign.
Texas officers
and troops in
the Meitican
War
they declined on account of their duties in the Senate. Gov-
ernor Henderson at once joined the army, and commanded the
Texan soldiers for the first year of the war, with the rank of
major-general. On his staff were M. B. Lamar, Edward Bur-
leson, Henry L. Kinney, and Edward Clark. Texas contributed
to this war, first and last, about eight thousand men. The first
troops to arrive in response to General Taylor's call was a regi-
ment of infantry under Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston, in which
August Buchel commanded a German company. Then
came a regiment of mounted men under Colonel John
C. Hays, in which Samuel H. Walker was afterwards
lieutenant-colonel and Michel Chevallie was major.
Ben McCulloch also had a company of scouts attached
to this regiment. Next to join was Colonel George
T. Wood's mounted regiment, in which William R.
Scurry was major and P. Hansborough Bell was an
officer. After the battle of Monterey there was an
armistice for two months, and most of the men re-
j..,,N c. Havs. turned home. ' But "Mike" Chevallie organized a
Period V.
First Period
OF Statehood
1846
TO
I86I
FIRST PERIOD OF STATEHOOD. 333
mounted battalion composed of the companies of Walter P.
Lane, Robert H. Taylor, G. W. Adams, and G. K. Lewis.
Ben McCulloch raised a company and joined again just before
the battle of Buena Vista.
Among the other Texan of^cers not mentioned above, and
who served to the end, were M. T. Johnson, Shapley P. Ross,
Samuel Highsmith, John S. Gillett, Henry W. Baylor,
Hamilton P. Bee, R. A. Gillespie, Henry E. McCulloch,
Jacob Rol)erts, Ephraim M. Daggett, Isaac Ferguson,
Tom Green, Preston Witt, Alfred M. Truitt, John S.
Ford, and Alexander E. Handley. All these commands
behaved most gallantly from Monterey to Chapultepec,
and the name of Jack Hays's Texas Rangers became
a synonym for bravery, skill, and daring wherever
heroic courage is recognized and admired. Captain
R. A. GillesjMe was killed at the battle of Monterey, and
the uallant Samuel H. Walker lost his life in the siege
■ ^ Sam Highsmith
of Huamantla ( wii-mant-la), near the close of the war. (in Santa Anna's uniform.)
After the war was over, in 1848, 1849, and 1S50, the
United States employed some of these men to defend the fron-
tier against Indians, among whom may be mentioned Henry Noted Ranger
E. McCulloch, John S. Ford, Sam Highsmith, William A. A. "p'"'""
Wallace, Jerome B. McCown, and John J. Grumbles.
^A'* y^io zidn, ^
V' \ j',P focatcpitl
Mat (IK Gr.Ni^KAi. Scon's Campai(;n.
On September 14-16, 1847, the City of Mexico was captured Capture of
by the American army, and on February 2, 1848, a final treaty '^^ °
of peace was signed at the village of Guadalupe, four miles from
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkriod V.
First Pfriod
1)1' Statkhood
1846
TO
1 86 1
Second State
election, No-
vember, 1847
The candi-
dates for
governor
Governor
George T.
Wood's ad-
ministration,
1847 1849
tlie City of Mtxico, known as the treaty of Guadalupe- Hidalqo.
By its terms the United States became possessed of the territory
out of which have since been formed Cahfornia, Nevada, Utah,
Arizona, a large part of New Mexico, and parts of Wyoming
and Colorado.
The election for the second governor of Texas took place the
first Monday in November, 1847. The candidates for the office
were George T. Wood, Isaac Van Zandt, Dr. J. B. Miller, and
Nicholas H. Darnell. Mr. Van Zandt died of yellow fever at
Houston during the
During his
had
•^ At-
made speeches advo-
cating the division of
Texas into four States,
his motive being no
doubt to give greater
strength to the South
Map showing Anni iions to I'nitkd
States made bv Annexation of Texas
AND Mexican War.
in the Senate of the United States, in view of the gathering
troubles over the slavery question. Colonel Wood had l)een a
gallant officer in the Mexican War, which was not yet ended, and
this gave him great popularity. He was elected governor, re-
ceiving 7154 votes, while Miller received 5106 votes, Darnell
1276, and there was a scattering vote of 121 2. The candi-
dates for lieutenant-governor were John A. Greer, E. H. Tarrant,
and Edwin Waller, and Mr. Greer was elected.
Governor Wood was inaugurated on December 21, 1847, the
.Second Legislature being then in session. The following officers
served in his administration : W. D. Miller, secretary of state ;
attorney-general, first John W. Harris and afterwards H. P.
fIRST PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
Brewster ; comptroller, James B. Shaw ; treasurer, James 11.
Raymond ; commissioner of land office, Thomas William Ward ;
adjutant-general, John D. Pitts ; auditor, J. M. Swisher.
At this election David S. Kaufman and Timothy Pilsbury
were re-elected to Congress, and two years later Kaufman was
again elected, but Volney E. Howard succeeded Pilsbury.
As the general subjects of legislation, politics, and
public progress were very much the same, and were
closely connected for the next several years, until
1857, it will be best to here state the results of the
successive elections and discuss the history of the
period as a whole.
At the election in November, 1849, P. Hans-
borough Bell, who had served with distinction among
the Te.xan troops, both at home and in Mexico, was
chosen governor, defeating Governor Wood and John
T. Mills. The vote stood : Bell, 10,310 ; Wood,
8764 ; Mills, 2632. John A. Greer was re-elected
lieutenant-governor. The ofificers under Governor Bell's two
administrations were as follows : secretary of state, James Webb,
Nicholas H. Darnell ; attorney-general, A. J. Hamilton, Ebe-
nezer Allen ; land commissioner, George W. Smyth ; adjutant-
general, C. L. Mason, John S. Gillett, Ben
Hill. The treasurer, comptroller, and
auditor were not changed.
Governor Bell was re-elected in 1851,
defeating M. T. Johnson, John A. Greer,
B. H. Epperson, and T. J. Chambers.
The total vote cast was 28,300. J. W.
Henderson was elected lieutenant-gov-
ernor. In 1853, Elisha M. Pease was
elected governor, receiving 13,091 votes
out of a total of 36,152, and defeating
William B. Ochiltree, George T. Wood,
Lemuel D. Evans, T. J. Chambers, and
John W. Dancy. -David C. Dickson was
elected lieutenant-governor. Governor Pease was re-elected in
1855, there being a total vote of 46,339, of which he received
Period V.
First PERion
OF Statehood
1846
to
1861
GKuKoii T. Wool).
Governor P.
H. Bell's first
administra-
tion, 1849-1851
Governor
Bell's second
administra-
tion, 1851 1853
Governor E.
M. Pease's
two adminis-
trations, 1853-
1857
P. H. Bell.
3^
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period V.
First Pkriop
OK STATKHOOI)
1846
TO
1861
Ei.iSHA M. Peasr.
Congressmen,
1851 1861
First political
conventions
in Texas
26,336, and Hardin R. Runnels was elected lieutenant-gov-
ernor. These figures of the votes cast at the several elections,
from 1847 to 1855, show how rapidly the State increased in
population.
During Pease's two administrations Edward Clark was sec-
retary of state, James Willie and Thomas J. Jennings were
attorney-generals, Stephen Crosby was land com-
missioner, and the other executive olificers were the
same as under preceding governors. Governor
Pease was a native of Connecticut and came to
Texas in 1835. He was secretary of the Consulta-
tion, and afterwards of the Council of the provisional
government ; had been comptroller under the Re-
])ublic, and served in both houses of the legislature
after annexation. He was a lawyer by profession,
and his administration, from 1853 to 1857, showed
him to be a most liberal, practical, and progressive
executive. During his administrations most of the
public buildings and institutions at Austin were
established and completed, and the State assumed
its full functions as a commonwealth. In the Eastern Con-
gressional district, in 1851, Richardson Scurry was elected to
succeed David S. Kaufman, who died in Washington. In 1853,
in the same district. George W. Smith was elected to Congress,
and in 1855 Lemuel D. Evans succeeded
Smith. In 1857, John H. Reagan de-
feated Malcolm D. Graham for Congress
in the Eastern district, and was re-elected
in 1859. In the Western district, in 1853,
Governor P. H. Bell was elected to Con-
gress, and was re-elected in 1855. He
was succeeded in 1857 by Guy M. Bryan,
and in 1859 A. J. Hamilton defeated T.
N. Waul.
The first political conventions held in
Texas were in connection with Congres-
sional elections in the Eastern district, beginning in 1851. There
was no regular con\cntion in the Western district until 1859,
David S. Kaufman.
FIRST PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
Period V.
First Period
OE Statehood
1846
TO
1861
(iUY M. Bknan.
wlien General Waul was nominated. There were five legisla-
tures from 1847 to 1857, being the Second to the Sixth Legis-
lature inclusive, and the labor accomplished was varied and
useful. The growth of the State and the settlement of her
boundaries and finances, in 1S50, gave rise to many new sub-
jects of legislation, and required a liberal policy to promote the
development of her resources, in which respect the
several legislatures proved themselves equal to the
task.
Under Governor Wood's administration, in 1847-
49, the boundary question continued to attract atten-
tion. The United States still kept troops in New
Mexico in spite of Governor Wood's protests.
Finally, the legislature having created a judicial dis-
trict including that territory, the governor sent Judge
Spruce M. Beard and other civil officers to hold court
there. The military authorities ignored this action,
and ordered an election for organizing New Mexico
into a territory of the United States. The same
trouble continued under Governor Bell's first administration
Another serious cjucstion was that of the public debt handed The public
down from the days of the Republic. As we have seen, it was
nearly twelve millions of dollars. While Texas was an indepen-
dent nation, the receipts from the custom-
houses had been pledged to help pay the
debt, but now that source of revenue be-
longed to the United States. A large
part, if not all, of the obligations repre-
sented by the public debt had been ob-
tained by the creditors of Texas at from
ten cents on the dollar to eighty cents,
and now the holders of the obligations
were demanding the full face value of
them. Texas insisted that the claims
should be scaled, that is, cut down so as
to represent the fair value of what the
claimants had paid for them. If this was done the debt would
not amount to over five millions of dollars.
22
debt question
T. J. Ji;nninl.s.
Proposition
to scale
First Period
OF Statehood
1846
TO
•j'lS A COMPLEtE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period V. The boundary dispute was at last settled by the famous Com-
promise Measures of 1850, as adopted in the Congress of the
United States. By the terms of the " Boundary Bill," as it was
called, passed by Congress in 1S50, the United States offered
1861 to pay Texas ten million dollars in stock, bearing five per cent,
interest, due in fourteen years, for ninety-eight thousand three
Compromise hundred and eighty square miles of territory then claimed by
measuresof .j^^.^.^^ j^^ j^^^^, Mcxico, it being Understood that Texas should
1850, settling "^
boundaries release any and all claims against the United States of e\'ery
Terms of the description ; but the United States was to hold back five million
emen doHars of this stock, to pay the debts of Texas which had been
secured by the customs revenues of the Republic. After a bitter
opposition the legislature passed a bill in No\'ember, 1850, ac-
cepting the proposition, and the boundary dispute was disposed
of, except the question as to which fork of the Red River was
meant in I he original treaty of 18 19 between Spain and the
Greer Coumy United States. That issue remained to be settled in after years
in the famous Greer County case, in the Supreme Court of the
United States, decided March 16, 1896.
Settlement of The pul:)lic debt, however, was not settled until 1855, when
''" "^ '^ * laws were finally passed by both the United States and Texas,
under which the United States agreed to pay $7,250,000 to
cancel the debt of Texas, instead of the $5,000,000 of stock
which had been retained in 1850, the money to be distributed
ratably among the creditors. Thus Texas was free from debt
and had $1,575,000 of I'liited States bonds in the treasury,
besides $2,000,000 of the bonds that had been set apart as a
special fund for the public free schools, on January 31, 1854.
Taxes re- Since the leceipt of the $5,000,000 from the United States in
payment for the claim to New Mexico there had been no State
taxes collected in Texas ; but Governor Pease, in his message
to the legislature in the* fall of 1855, called attention to the fact
tliat the bonds in the treasury could not last always, and recom-
mended that they be applied to some permanent and useful
]Mir|)ose and that taxes l)e restored.
First legisia- On January 16, 1850, the legislature appropriated four
public s^c'hoois 1*^'''.^'"«^'^ <'f ''"^ntl each to all the new counties that had been
created since 1839, for the endowment of the public schools.
FIRST PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
v5v5^
Four years later, on January 31, 1854, the first law was passed period v.
to organize a general system of public free schools in the State, ok Statehood
tliat being the same law that appropriated the two million dollars "T".
of United States bonds as the foundation of a school fund. to
This, too, was the era of the first railroad enterprises in 1861
Texas. As early as 1846, public meetings had been held in
some sections of the State to favor the building of a railroad Railroad
through Texas. In February, 1850, a resolution was passed by ^" erpnses
tlie legislature, authorizing the United States to build a National
railroad through the State to the Pacific Ocean, granting a right Pacific raii-
of way overall public lands ; and, if the road should run througli ^^^^^
the State from Marshall to El Paso, all lands within ten miles of
the right of way on either side were to be divided into sections
of six hundred and forty acres, and every alternate section was
donated to the United States for the construction of the road.
The lands thus described were to be reserved from sale or loca-
tion for any other purpose. This resolution expired in 1851,
and nothing was done under it ; but it was the origin of the
"Pacific Reservation," afterwards revived. The first railroad First railroads
really projected in the State was the Galveston, Harrisburg, and
San Antonio road. It was organized by General Sidney Sher-
man and others in 1853, and was first constructed from Harris-
burg, on Buffalo Bayou, twenty miles to Stafford's Point. A
little later it was extended to Richmond, and in i860 it had
reached a point near Columbus. The Houston and Texas
Central Railroad was begun in 1853-54, by Paul Bremond and
other citizens of Houston. It was first built from Houston to
Cypress, then to Courtney, Hempstead, Navasota, and in 1861
it reached Millican. Between 1856 and i860 the Texas and
New Orleans road was run from Houston to Liberty, Beaumont,
and Orange. About the same time the Gulf, West Texas, and
Pacific road w-as built from Port Lavaca to Victoria. On Jan-
uary 30, 1854, by an act of the Fifth Legislature, in Governor
Pease's first administration, was begun the system of land grants
to aid in the construction of railroads. That act provided that System of land
any railroad comiiany that would construct and i:)Ut in runnincj grants m aid
-' ' ■' ' "="01 railroad
order twenty-five miles or more of road, could have surveyed construction,
thirty-two sections of public land for every mile of road so
340
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkriod V.
First I'ecriod
OK Statehood
1S46
TO
1861
constnictcd, tlic land to be surveyed in square sections of six
hundred and forty acres each, and every alternate section was
donated to the railroad company, while the other sections were
appropriated to the public free schools of the State. There were
many requirements to be complied with in order to get the
benefit of this law ; but this feature of giving railroads sixteen
sections of land for every mile of road constructed was continued
in all the subsequent legislation of the State, until there were no
more lands to give. By that system the State encouraged the
Map showini. Ti-kk 11 i >riai. (. 11 am.i.s in Uniiid Siaiks, 1S45-1S53.
Two opposing
policies as to
land grants to
railroads
building of railroads, got its public lands surveyed and sec-
tionized free of expense, 0])ened u]) a market for the wild lands,
and secured for its public schools the most magnificent landed
endowment in the world.
At the time that poli(-y was begun, in 1S54-55, there was
a strong party in Texas in fa\or of the State using the jMiblic
lands to build, eciuij), and own its own railroads, leasing them
out or charging track-hire to con^peting com])anies ; but the
donation policy carried the day, and the State has adhered to it
ever since. It is worthy of note that in 1853 a law was passed
regulating freight and jxissenger rates on railroads, and requiring
FIRST PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
341
serves estab-
lished in Texas
every railroacl company that accepted aid from the State to Period v.
1 -.1 j.\ 1 t- First Period
comply with the regulations. ^,.. s, a rHHooD
In 1850, as was required by the Constitution, an election "T",
was held to locate the State capital for the next twenty years. to
Austin was selected over Tehuacana Hills. 1S61
During the years from 1847 to 1857 there were frequent
Indian raids in the west, and the Rangers were kept busy pro- Indian raids
tecting the frontier. By the terms of annexation the control of
the Indians properly belonged to the United States ; but Texas
was forced to defend her people against the hostilities of the
tribes, because the Federal government could not or would not
do it. In 1854, desiring to give the Te.xas Indians a home in Indian re
the State, the legislature set apart two large districts of country
as reserves for the tribes, and placed them at the disposal of the
United States. One of these, called the Brazos Reserve, was
located on the upper Brazos near Fort Belknap ; the other,
called the Comanche Reserve, was about sixty miles distant
from the Brazos Reserve, on the Clear Fork of the Brazos.
Agents were put in charge of these reservations ; but it seemed
impossible to keej) the Indians from raiding into the white set-
tlements.
Te.xas was prosperous and progressive ; but the events that Progress
were transpiring elsewhere were destined soon to draw her people
into the gathering storm of Federal politics.
QUESTIONS.
What did Mexico do upon the adoption of tlie Annexation Resolu-
li) Thii public fl't'<^/ question. Finally settled in 1855, by scaling the
debt to ji^7, 250,000 from |i2, 000,000.
[c) Beginning of landed endowment of the public free school sys-
tem, by acts of January 16, 1850, and January 31, 1854, and donation of
$2,cK)0,ooo of United States bonds.
(d) Inauguration of railroad enterjjrises, and the first act of the legis-
lature (January 30, 1854) by which alternate sections of public lands were
donated to aid railroad construction ; being the beginning of the system
of land subsidies to railroads by the State.
(<■) Attempt to settle the Indians on Reserves on the Upper Brazos,
so as to control their hostile movements.
FIRST PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
345
Geography.
Trace the disputed territory claimed by Mexico lying between the
Nueces and the Rio Grande. Locate the routes of campaign of Generals
Taylor and Scott in the Mexican War, pointing out the places of the
l^rincipal battles. Locate and trace the region known in later years as
" Greer County," and point out the disputed boundaries claimed by the
United States and Texas. Trace and locate the territory in New Mexico
sold by Texas to the United States in 1850. Trace the lines of railroads
built in Texas prior to 1861.
Period V.
First Period
Statehood
OI'
1846
TO
I86I
Parallel Readings.
Scarff's " Comprehensive History of Texas" ( 1897), Vols. L and IL ;
Brown's " History of Texas," Vol. II. ; Wilcox's " History of the Mex-
ican War ;" Jenkins's " History of the Mexican War ;" Rose's " Life of
Ben McCulloch," "Life of Samuel H. Walker."
CHAPTER XXII
Early Politics in Texas; Campaign between Runnels
and Houston; Runnels's and Houston's Adminis-
trations ; the Secession Convention ; War.
Period V.
KiRST PlSRIOIi
' '!■ StATKIIOOI)
1846
TO
1 86 1
Early politics
of the State
Attitude to-
wards Federal
questions
P
i 11^
^;
^
^y
IT"
9Pf
'P
tJr
Kansas-
Nebraska bill
OLITICS, in the sense of a division of the people on
party lines and principles of government, did not exist
in Texas until 1854 and 1855. At the time of annex-
ation, and for several years afterwards, as has been
stated, most of the people of Texas were Democrats^ not from
any special devotion to the doctrines of that party, but because
it was the means of bringing Texas into the Union. The candi-
dates for the \arious offices came out voluntarily, or were brought
out by petitions, mass-ineetings, or the personal efforts of their
friends. But alter the defeat of the ]\'i7iiiof Proviso, in 1846,
the Co))ipromisc Measures of 1850, and the growing bitterness
of sectional feeling between the North and South on
tlie slavery question, the Texans were forced to take
sides in Federal politics, which of course extended to
State politics. In the course of the slavery agitation
in the United States the Whig party had been split to
pieces in 1848, and finally destroyed in 1852. Out
of its fragments was created the Know-Nothing or
American party, to which were also added many
Democrats who could not agree with some of the
measures proposed by their party. In 1854, the so-
callfd Kansas-Nebraska bill came un in Congress,
being a bill to organize the two Territories named,
lea\ iiig the inhabitants of each to decide for themseh'es whether
or not slavery should exist. This was in accordance with the
policy of that wing of tlie Democratic party which advocated the
doctrine of what was called S(] natter Soz'e re/on ty, or Non-inter-
ference, holding that Congress had no authority to control a new
3-i6
FIRST PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
\M
Period V.
First Period
OK Statehood
1846
to
1S61
Sam Hous-
ton's position
Know-
State or Territory on the subject of slavery, but that the citizens
of the locality must govern their own institutions in that regard.
Both Kansas and Nebraska lay north of the Missouri Compromise
Line, and the passage of the bill mentioned amounted to abol-
ishing that line entirely. This measure was supported almost
solidly by the Southern Democrats in Congress, but Senator
Sam Houston, from Texas, voted against it. This action on the
part of General Houston was regarded by Texas Democrats as
placing him out of harmony with his party, and his influence was
correspondingly weakened in the State. That strong personal
following which he was always able to command was not alto-
gether broken by his vote on the Kansas- Nebraska Bill, but it Nothing party
was very much diminished. In 1855, the Know-Nothing
party made its appearance in Texas. It was a secret
oath-bound organization, and its main principles were
supposed to be opposition to Roman Catholics and to
the easy naturalization of foreigners, and in favor of the
election of none but native-born, Protestant citizens to
office. It claimed the name of the American party, but
the fact that its members professed to ' ' know nothing' '
when asked about their purposes gave it the name of
Knoic- Nothing party. This organization was not origi-
nally an anti-slavery party, but the Whig party being dead,
and the Democrats who were opposed to the extension of
slavery and the extreme States' -rights doctrine, being driven out The political
of their own party by the force of recent events like the Kansas-
Nebraska Bill, many old Whigs and discredited Democrats drifted
into the Know-Nothing party. It was so in Texas. Many men
v\ho had always been good Democrats, and who still professed
to be so, were suspected of being secretly members of, or in
sympathy with, this new political faction. In the State campaign
of 1855, when Governor Pease defeated David C. Dickson for
governor, the latter was understood to belong to the Know-
Nothings. Among the prominent men who were supported by
the Know-Nothing party were Lemuel D. Evans, John Han-
cock, and A. J. Hamilton, who claimed to be Union Democrats.
In 1857, the candidates for governor were Hardin R. Run- The campaign
nels and General Sam Houston. Houston was still in the United °^'^57
Jamks H. Bell.
situation in
Texas, 1855
548
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
f'KRIOD V.
First I'eriod
OK Statkhood
1846
TO
1 86 1
C^
LliMUEL D. FVA.SS.
Judiciary
election
Slavery agita-
tion alarms
the South
Action of
Texas legisla-
ture, 1858
States Senate, but his views were such as to render his re-election
doubtful. It was feared by the regular Democratic party in
Te.xas that the Union Democrats and Know-Nothings would
combine to elect him governor, and so it was decided to hold a
State Democratic Convention to nominate candidates for State
offices. This was the first political State convention ever held
in Texas. It met in Waco, in the summer of 1857, and nomi-
nated Runnels for governor and Frank R. Lubbock
for lieutenant-governor. Jesse Grimes was candidate
for lieutenant-governor on the ticket with Houston.
\ It was a most exciting campaign, and resulted in the
C election of the regular Democratic nominees. The
total vote cast was 56,180, of which Runnels received
32,552 and Houston 23,628. Inihe fall of 1856, Abner
S. Lipscomb, associate justice of the Supreme Court,
died, and Oran M. Roberts was elected to fill the
\acancy. On November 9, 1857, Chief Justice John
Hemphill was elected to the United States Senate, 10
succeed Thomas J. Rusk, who committed suicide July
30, 1857. Royall T. Wheeler, associate justice, was
elected to the vacant chief-justiceship, and James H. Bell was
elected associate justice to fill Wheeler's place. It should be
mentioned that in 1850 the Constitution was amended, so as to
require all judges to be elected by the
people, instead of being appointed by
the governor, as had been the case be-
fore.
The continued agitation of the sla-
very question in the United States, ami
the disposition shown by the Abolition-
ists of the North to disregard the Con-
stitution, laws, and judicial decisions,
in their fanatical war upon the sla\ e
interests of the South, greatly alarmed
the people of the Southern States ; and
in 1858 the legislature of Texas passed
a resolution authorizing the governor to appoint delegates to
meet delegates from the other SoutlKin States, whenever it
Jessh Grimks.
FIRST PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
349
should be deemed advisable to hold a convention for the purpose
of considering the matter.
During- 1857, 185S, and 1859 there were several serious
tights between the Indians and Rangers on the frontier, the
Comanches being especially troublesome. It was impossible to
keep them on the Rcsetvcs, and in August, 1859, they were all
removed by the United States to the Indian Terri-
tory ; whence, however, they still continued to make
raids into Texas for twenty years.
General Houston's term as United States Senator
expired on March 14, 1859. Ex-Governor J. Pinck-
ney Henderson was elected to succeed him, but being
in feel:)le health, he died in a few months, and Gov-
ernor Runnels appointed Matthew Ward until the
legislature met, in the fall of 1859, when Louis T.
Wigfall was elected to the Senate. He and his col-
league. Judge Hemphill, serxed until the War between
the States broke out in 1861. In 1857, the same
convention tliat nominated State officers at Waco
])ut forward Guy M. Bryan for Congress in the Western district,
who was elected and served one term,
being succeeded in 1859 by A. J. Ham-
ilton, who defeated General Waul, the
Democratic nominee. Judge John H.
Reagan was the Congressman in the
Eastern district from 1857 to 1861.
During Governor Runnels's adminis-
tration, the notorious Mexican outlaw,
Juan Cortina, began his depredations on
the Rio Grande frontier. Colonel Robert
E. Lee, then commanding the United
.States troops in Texas, drove him back
into Mexico, in which service Colonel
Jchii .S. Ford rendered effective aid with
his body of Texas Rangers.
Governor Runnels's administration extended from December
21, 1857, to December 21, 1859, and during that period the
executixe officers f)f the State government were as follows :
Period V.
First Pkriod
OF StATFlHOOD
1846
TO
I86I
Loiis T. Wkm-ali.
Congressmen
Cortina's raids
on the Rio
Grande
John S. Ford.
Executive
officers of
Runne's's ad-
ministration,
1857-1859
350
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period V.
Imrst Pkkiod
OK Statehood
1846
to
1861
University of
Texas en-
dowed
Campaign of
1859, Runnels
and Houston
Hakdin K. Runnels.
Houston le-
fcats Runnels
Troubles on
the RioGrande
border
T. S. Anderson, secretary of state ; C. R. Johns, comptroller ;
C. H. Randolph, treasurer ; F. M. White, commissioner of the
general land office ; Malcolm D. Graham, attorney-general.
In the legislature which met in November, 1857, under
Governor Runnels, an act was passed providing for the estab-
lishment of the University of Texas, granting to it one hundred
thousand dollars of United States bonds and one section in every
ten surveyed for the railroads. Nothing, however, was done
under this law towards actually organizing the institution.
In 1859, Governor Runnels and General Houston were again
candidates for governor. There had been a change in public
sentiment since the last election. The increasing violence of
the slavery agitation, with the prospect of war and a
dissolution of the Union, made calm and conserva-
tive men cautious and fearful. The extreme and hot-
headed elements all over the country were advo-
cating all sorts of filibustering schemes, such as
Lopez's expedition to Cuba and that of Walker to
Nicaragua. It was even proposed by a few rash men
in the South to reopen the African slave-trade. No
considerable nimiber of respectable persons believed
in any such enterprises, but men's minds were in-
flamed and their passions aroused, and the dread of
unknown dangers caused all prudent men to pause
and think. The Democratic party was held respon-
sible for all these troubles, on account of its position on the
slavery and States' -rights questions, and it lost strength by
reason of them. The majority of two years before was re\'crsed.
Out of 64,027 votes cast, Houston received 36,257, and Run-
nels, 27,500. F. R. Lubbock was a candidate for re-election as
lieutenant-governor, but he was defeated by Edward Clark, who
ran on the same ticket with Houston.
Governor Houston's administration was compelled to deal
with serious troubles on the Mexican frontier along the Rio
Grande, and also on the north-western frontier. The United
States troops had been withdrawn to a large extent, and this
left the border to be protected entirely by Rangers. But a
greater trouble than Indian wars was approaching. The rapid
FIRST PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
351
course of political events in tlic United States, rcsultino- in the
election of Abraham Lincoln in i860, and the sercss/o/i of South
Carolina on December 20, i860, brought the country face to
face with Civil War. In January, 1861, Georgia, Alabama,
Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana followed the example of South
Carolina, and seceded from the Union. In a message to the
legislature, in January, 1861, Governor Houston op-
posed Secession, and advocated seeking relief from
threatened dangers by an appeal to the Constitution
and fidelity to the LInion. The movement, however,
had gone too far to be checked, and Texas had no
choice but to go with her sister States of the South.
On December 3, i860, a committee at Austin,
composed of William P. Rogers, George M. Flour-
noy, and O. M. Roberts, prepared and published an
address to the people of Texas, calling a convention
of delegates to meet at Austin on January 28, 1861. .,,
Governor Houston was opposed to this method of
procedure and to the whole movement. Accordingly, on De-
cember 7, i860, he called a s[)ecial session of the legislature to
convene on January 21, 1861 ; so that the legislature would
meet several days l^efore the convention. The go\'ernor sent
in his message, in which he expressed the
.iiltfEHI^:^ belief that all the evils complained of by
rthe South could be settled in the LInion
^ and without resorting to Secession. But
v?i v^ the legislature, by a two-thirds vote,
fe'4^ recognized the convention that had been
^^■|^ .-y called, and declared it had full power to
^^HA^'^I act for the people.
^^^K V/ The Secession Convent io)i met in Aus-
^^^ ' tin on January 28, 1861, with one hundred
georgk m. Fi.ot'RNOY. J^iiid eight delegates present, and others
afterwards came in. Oran M. Roberts
was elected president of the Con\'ention. A committee was ap-
pointed to notify Governor Houston of the organization. He
replied, stating that the recognition of the Conxcntion as a legal
body by the legislature commended it to his consideration ; that
Period V.
FiKsi Period
ov Statehood
1846
TO
I86I
Governor
Houston calls
the legislature
The Secession
Convention
Dealings with
the governor
15:
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period V.
First Prriop
OK STA TEHDOn
1S46
TO
IS6I
Ordinance of
Secession
pass d, Feb-
ruary I, 1861
County
W. S. Ol.DHAM
Secession rat-
ified by the
people
Confederate
States or-
ganized
General
Twiggs sur-
renders arms
and forts
whenever the people should have decided the question of Seces-
sion, he would submit to their will ; for, said he, " Their fate is
my fate, their fortune is my fortune, their destiny is my destiny,
be it i)rosperity or gloom ; as of old, I am with my country."
An Ordinance of Secession from the United States of America
was adopted by the Convention, by a vote of one hundred and
sixty-six yra-y and seven nays, on February i, 1861. The seven
delegates who voted against the ordinance were Thomas P.
Hughes, of Williamson County ; A. P. Shuford, of Wood
George W. Wright, Lemuel H. Williams, and Wil-
liam H. Johnson, of Lamar County ; James W.
Throckmorton, of Collin County ; and Joshua A.
Johnson, of Titus County. The governor and lieu-
tenant-governor and judges of the Supreme Court
were present when the vote was taken, the presi-
dent, of the Convention being one of the justices of
the Supreme Court. The Convention then ap-
pointed a Conunittce of Safety to attend to impor-
tant matters, and elected delegates to attend the
meeting of the delegates from the other Southern
States then assembled at Montgomery, Alabama.
The delegates from Texas thus elected were John H.
Reagan, W. S. Oldham, William B. Ochiltree, John
Hemphill, Louis T. Wigfall, and Thomas N. Waul,
and they at once proceeded to Montgomery.
On February 5, the Convention took a recess to March 2,
to await the result of a vote of the people on the Ordinance
of Secession, which was had on February 23. Secession was
carried by a large majority, and in the meanwhile the provi-
sional government of the Confederate States of America had
l)een organized at Montgomery, Alabama, with Jefferson Davis
as President, and Alexander H. Stephens as Vice-President.
During the recess of the Conx'cntion, the Committee of Safety
had managed to make an arrangement with General Twiggs,
who commanded the United States troops in Texas, by which
he surrendered all arms, forts, arsenals, and munitions of war in
the State. General Twiggs was afterwards dismissed from the
army for his conduct in that affair.
FIRST PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
353
Period V.
F"iRST Period
OF Statehood
1S46
to
1 86 1
Notwithstanding Governor Houston had declared his will-
ingness to abide the vote of the people, his whole conduct and
his official utterances showed clearly that, if possible, he would
like to avoid the result and in some way overturn the action of
the Secession Convention. The Convention adojited the ex-
isting State Constitution, with such changes as were necessary
to accommodate the government to its new relations
with the Confederate States. On March 14, 186 1,
an ordinance was passed by the Convention requiring
all the State officers to take the oath of allegiance to
the new government, and the governor, lieutenant-
governor, and executive officers at Austin were noti-
fied to appear in the convention hall, on March 16,
at mid-day, and take the oath ; and the offices of
such as did not appear were to be declared vacant.
This was intended to force a direct and final settle-
ment of Governor Houston's attitude towards the
new order of things. It was a shrewd and sum-
mary manner of compelling him to submit or vacate
the governorship. The time arrived, and he did not appear,
L. . ,— . T- J J r~'^ t deposed, and
leutenant- Governor Edward Clark was succeeded by
present and took the oath, and was de- Edward ciark
clared to be the acting governor of the
State.
This action produced violent excite- Great
mcnt in Austin, and was denounced by
all the leading Union men as wholly
re\'olutionary. The whole movement
was indeed a 7'cvolntion, and one that
could not be stayed by any number of
protests. The people were fully aroused
and committed to the step that had been
taken, and Governor Houston simply
mistook the situation when he sought to
delay and debate the issue. The matter
was brought up in the legislature on March 20, and that body
by a vote of fifty-two to twelve sustained the action of the
Convention.
23
Thomas N. VVal'i..
Houston
excite-
ment in Texas
Edward Clark.
154
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
First Period
()!■ Statkhooij
1846
TO
Period V. The Convention passed ordinances providing for a Ranger
force under John S. Ford, John R. Baylor, and Edwin Waller,
to protect the frontier ; for declaring Texas one of the Con-
federate States of America ; for dividing the State into six Con-
1S61 gressional districts, the members of the Confederate Congress
to be elected in November, 1861 ; and on March 26, 1861,
it finally adjourned.
Go\ernor Houston was inaugurated on December 2 1 ,
1859, and he was deposed, as it was called, on March 16,
_ / I 1861. The lieutenant-governor, Edward Clark, filled
out the unexpired term until the election and qualifica-
tion of Governor Lubbock, in the following winter.
The executive officers of the State government during
Houston's and Clark's administrations were the same as
under that of Governor Runnels, except that E. W. Cave,
, „,. ,, „,,., „ Hird Holland, and C. S. West were successively secretary
John k. i>a\ h>r. ' -^ -^
of state ; and George W. Flournoy was attorney-general.
Civil war The War between the States was now assured. On April
1^1861 1--14. 1 86 1, Fort Sumter was seized by the citizens of South
Carolina. Its fall was the signal for the call for troops, both
North and South, and Texas, along with the other Southern
States, was plunged into the four years' struggle that rent the
I'nion from 1861 to 1865.
QUESTIONS.
Wjien did political differences on part}' lines first appear in Texas?
To what i:)olitical party did most Texans belong at the time of annexa-
tion and for several years afterwards, and why? How were political
candidates brought out in those days? What events led Texans to take
an interest in Federal politics and to divide on those questions? Describe
the course of events among political parties in the United States from
1.S48 to 1854. What became of the old Whig party, and what party was
built up on its ruins? What was the k'misas- Nebraska Bill, when was it
agitated, and explain its i)olitical significance? What was the doctrine
( if squatter soverei,i^)ily .^ What was the situation of Kansas and Nebraska
with reference to the Missouri Compromise Line, and the effect of the
bill for organizing those territories in 1854? What was the attitude of
the .Southern Democrats in Congress on that measure? What position
FIRST PERIOD OF STATEHOOD. ^CC
did Sam Houston take, and what effect did it have upon his poUtical Period V.
First Pkriod
OF Staikhooi
lS6l
standing at home ? When did the Knoiv- Nothing party appear in Texas,
and what were its doctrines ? How did it get that name ? What was its
position on the slavery question, and by wliom was it supported and '"^46
composed ? W' hat figure did that party cut in the State campaign of
1855 in Texas? W^hat prominent men in Texas were favored by the
Kno"iv- Nothings, and what did those men claim to be ? Who were the
candidates for governor in 1857 ? What did the Democrats decide to do,
and why? When, why, and where was the first political State nomi-
nating convention held in Texas? What did it do? Who were the
opposing candidates for lieutenant-governor in that campaign? How
did the campaign progress and result? (iive the vote. Explain the
changes that took place in the Supreme Court and in the United States
Senatorships from Texas in 1856 and 1857. Wlien and how did Thomas
J. Rusk die? WHien and how were judges made elective in Texas?
Wiiat actions on the part of the Northern people and Abolitionists alarmed
tile Southern States? What did the Texas legislature do on the subject
in 1858? What occurred among the Indians in 1857-59, and what became
necessary in consequence ? When were the Indians removed from Texas
by the United States government, and to what place ? Did that end the
Indian troubles in Texas? When did General Houston's term in the
United States Senate expire ? Who succeeded him, and what soon hap-
jiened to his successor ? Who then filled the place ? Who were the
United States Senators from Texas until the War broke out in 1861 ?
Who were the Texas Congressmen from 1857 to 1861 ? What notorious
Mexican bandit made raids on the Rio Grande during those years ?
What United States officer drove him out of Texas ? Who commanded
the Texan Rangers in those troubles on the border ? When was the first
act passed providing for the establishment of the University, and what
endowment was granted it at the same time ? What was done under that
act ? Who were the candidates for governor in 1859 ? What change
had occurred in public sentiment since 1857, and what caused it? What
rash and dangerous schemes were set on foot at that time ? What can
you say of the proposition made by some persons to reopen the African
slave-trade ? What effect did all these things ha\'e on the Democratic
party in Texas ? W^hat was the result of the campaign and election of
1859? Who were candidates for lieutenant-governor, and who was
elected ? What serious troubles on the border and frontier did Governor
Houston have to deal with? What greater trouble was approaching?
Explain what events happened in the United States in i860 to hasten a
civil war. When did South Carolina secede from the Union? What
other States followed her example, and when ? What message did Gov-
ernor Houston send to the legislature in January, 1861 ? What can you
say of the situation at that time, and of the course Texas was compelled
to pursue ? When and by whom was the first movement made in Texas
356
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period V. towards Secession ? What was the nature of the movement ? What was
First Period Houston's position on the subject, and what did he do in regard to it?
What views did he express in his message to the special session of the
1846 legislature? What action did the legislature take in regard to the Con-
^° vention that had been called ? When and where did the Secession Con-
vention meet ? How many delegates were present, and who was elected
President ? What committee was appointed, and what did Governor
Houston reply to them ? When was the Ordinance of Secession adopted,
and by what vote? Give the names and residences of those who voted
against it. What State officers were present when the ordinance was
adopted ? What important committee was then appointed ? W' hat dele-
gates were elected by the Convention ? Give the names of the delegates
thus chosen. When and for what purpose did the Convention take a
recess? When was the Ordinance of Secession voted on by the people
of Texas, and with what result ? Meanwhile, what had happened at
Montgomery, Alabama ? What arrangement did the Committee of Safety
make during the recess in regard to United States arms, munitions, and
forts in Texas? Who was the United States officer who made this ar-
rangement, and what happened to him in consequence of it? What were
Governor Houston's attitude and disposition towards the Convention and
its action ? What did the Convention do in regard to the State Constitu-
tion? When did the Convention pass the ordinance requiring State offi-
cers to take the oath of allegiance to the new government ? What notice
was served on the governor and other officers at Austin, and what was
to be the result of not complying with the notice ? What were the pur-
pose and effect of this action as affecting Governor Houston ? What
did he do in response to the notice, and what followed ? What effect did
this produce at Austin ? What can you say of the whole movement of
Secession, and the futility of attempting to prevent or defeat it? When
was the matter brought up in the legislature, and what action did that
body take ? What ()ther important ordinances did the Convention adopt ?
When did it finally adjourn ? What was now assured ? What event was
the signal for the War to begin, and when and where did it occur ?
Topical Analysis.
I. Political events in the United States, tending to sectional feeling
and disruption of the Union on the slavery question :
{a) Defeat of the Wilmot Proviso m 1846, the adoption of the Coin-
promise Measures \\\ 1850, and the Kansas- Nebraska Bill in 1.S54, all
serving to intensify the slavery agitation and to widen the breach between
the North and South.
{b) The death of the Whig party in 184S-52, succeeded by the Knoiv-
Nothinfr or American jiarty, composed of discredited Democrats, old
Whigs, and other disaffected elements, many of whom gradually com-
FIRST PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
157
First Period
OF Statehood
TO
1861
l)ined with the Frce-Soilers, the Black Republican party, Abolitionists, ^Period V.
and other factions opposed to slavery, to form the National Republican
party.
\c) The organization of societies in the North to set at defiance the ^^4^
Constitution and laws of the Union, in the liberation and protection of
fugitive slaves ; the passage of personal liberty laws in many Northern
States, by which the Fugitive Slave laws of the United States were
t>penly nullified ; the Di'ed Scott decision by the United States Supreme
Court, which was purposely misquoted and misconstrued to serve the
jiurpose of lawless Abolitionists ; and the final nomination and election
of Abraham Lincoln by the Republicans, upon a platform that avowedly
threatened the constitutional rights and integrity of the slaveholding
States.
((/) The secession of Southern States in December, i860, and Jan-
uary, 1 86 1.
2. Political events in Texas preceding and leading to the war :
((?) The introduction of Federal issues into State politics in 1853-54.
Trior to that time nearly all Texans were Democrats simply because the
Democratic party had brought Texas into the Union. Candidates were
selected and elected on purely personal grounds.
{b) General Houston's opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Bill in
1854 practically drove him out of the Democratic party in Texas, and his
great personal popularity carried with him a great many others, thus
threatening the integrity and strength of the party.
(c) The advent of the Know-Nothing party in 1855, which gathered
to it all the elements dissatisfied with the policy and principles of the
Democracy, including many leading men.
[d] The campaign of 1857, between Runnels and Houston, for gov-
ernor, resulting in the election of Runnels by nearly ten thousand ma-
jority. In that year the first State political nominating convention was
held by the Democrats, at Waco, and nominated Runnels for governor
and Lubbock for lieutenant-governor. Houston was defeated on account
of his disaffection to what was considered the faith of loyal Southern
Democrats.
{e) The increasing violence of the extreme States' -rights and slavery
advocates, together with such wild and reckless schemes as the Lopez
expedition to Cuba, the Walker expedition to Nicaragua, and the pro-
posed revival of the African slave-trade, — for all of which the Democrats
were held responsible, — produced a great reaction in public sentiment
l:)etvveen 1857 and 1859.
(/) The second exciting campaign between Runnels and Houston,
in 1859, resulting in the election of Houston by nearly ten thousand ma-
jority, completely reversing the vote of two years before.
{g) Calling of a State Convention to consider what action Texas
should take in regard to Secession, December 3, i860. Special session
;58
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
F'ERIOD V.
FlKSI I'HRIOl)
Ul StA lEHOOD
1846
TO
1 86 1
M'lNi;.Ml-.M 10 I IIOMAS
J. Rusk.
of legislature, January 21, 1861, recognizes the validity of the call and the
authority of the Convention to be assembled.
(//) Secession Convention meets, January 28, 1861, adopts Ordinance
of Secession, February i, 1861, seven votes in the negative. Governor
Houston declares that he will abide the decision of the people, but avoids
recognizing the authority of the Convention. The Convention requires
all State officers to take the oath of allegiance to the new government ;
Houston refuses, and his office is declared vacant, the lieutenant-gov-
ernor, Edward Clark, succeeding him as governor, March 16, 1861.
(z) Te.xas Convention sends delegates to Montgomery, Alabama,
where the Provisional Government of the Confederate States of America
was organized, February 9, 1861.
(y) The "Committee of Safety" of the Convention secure from Gen-
eral Twiggs the delivery of all United States property in Texas.
(X') Ordinance of Secession ratified by the people, February 23, 1861 ;
the Convention organizes Ranger service to protect the frontier, declares
Te.xas one of the Confederate States, provides for electing Senators and
Representatives in the Confederate Congress, and finally adjourns, March
26, 1 86 1.
3. Other important events :
((/) Suicide of Thomas J. Rusk, July 30, 1857 ; succeeded in United
States Senate by John Hemphill.
{b) Final removal of Indian tribes from Texas to Indian Territory,
August, 1859.
{c) (jeneral Houston retires from the Senate, March 14, 1859 ; suc-
ceeded by J. Pinckney Henderson, who died in a few months, and was
succeeded by appointment of Matthew Ward until the regular election
of Louis T. Wigfall.
{d) The raids of Juan Cortina on the Rio Grande, beginning in
1.S58.
(r) I'^irst art to establish University of Texas, and donating to it
one hundred tliousand dollars of United States bonds, with every tenth
.section of lands surveyed by railroads, November, 1857. No action
was had under this law towards inaugurating the institution.
Parallel Readings.
.Srarff's "Comprehensive nist^)ry of Texas," \'ol. II., Part III.,
"Political History of Texas," by O. M. Roberts; Draper's "Civil
War in America;' Stephens's "War Between the States ;" Davis's
" Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government ;" Greeley's
" American Conflict ;" Blaine's " Twenty "\'ears in Congress;"
\'on Hoist's " Conslilutional and Political History;" May's
"Life of L. Q. C. Lamar;" Andrews's "History of United
States; Johnston's "American Politics."
FIRST PERIOD OF STATEHOOD. 359
CONTEMPORANEOUS EVENTS.— 1846-1861.
Parallel to Period V.
AMERICA.
1846. — Congress of United States declares war with Mexico, May 13.
General Taylor crosses the Rio Grande, May 18. "Bear Flag"
insurrection in California. Iowa admitted to the Union. The "Wil-
mot Proviso" proposed, to exclude slavery from newly acquired terri-
tory. Increase of agitation on slavery and sectional issues. Tariff
law passed by Democrats, for revenue only. River and harbor bill
vetoed as unconstitutional. Treaty with Great Britain, establishing
the Oregon boundary. Smithsonian Institution founded. Several
revolutions in Mexico, during which six men held the presidency,
resulting in Santa Anna becoming President, December 6.
1847 — Battle of Buena Vista, February 22-23.. General Scott captures
Vera Cruz, March 29. Battle of Cerro Gordo, April iS. Battles of
Contreras, Churubusco, and San Antonio, August 19-21. Capture
of Chapultepec, September 13, and entry into the City of Mexico,
September 16. Salt Lake City founded by the Mormons. Reformed
Constitution adopted in Mexico, restoring the Federal Republic ;
Santa Anna is deposed, leaves the country, and Pena-y-Pena becomes
President.
1848. — Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, signed February 2, completed I\Iay
20, by which peace, boundaries, and price of ceded territory were
settled between Mexico and United States. Wisconsin admitted to
the Union. "Free-Soil" party formed. " Barn-burners" and Aboli-
tionists in New York State. Gold discovered in California. Zachary
Taylor elected President. The annexation of Texas and the accjuisi-
tion of new territory by the Mexican War revived and intensified
slavery and sectional agitation.
1849. — President Taylor inaugurated, March 4. Great rush of gold
hunters to California, where a State government is organized. Death
of Edgar A. Poe. Cliff dwellings discovered in Colorado.
1850 — Democratic policy of " scjuatter sovereignty" and "non-interfer-
ence" proclaimed. "Boundary bill" passed by Congress, estaljlish-
ing upper bounds of Texas, Sejitember 9 ; accepted by Texas, De-
cember 13. Discovery of Grinnell's Land and the Northwest passage.
Death of President Taylor, succeeded by Vice-President I'illmore,
July 9. Clay's "Compromise Measures" adopted. California ad-
mitted to the Union. Wm. H. Seward proclaims the "higlier law"
doctrine. Fugitive Slave Law passed. Death of John C. Calhoun.
Seventh census of United States shows pt)pulation of 23,191,876,
First Pkkiod
oi- Statkhood
1846
TO
I86I
-<()Q A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
PiiRiooV. 1851. — Continued agitation of slavery and sectional issues in United
FIRST P.iR.OD g^^^^g
()!•- bTATEHOOD
-;— 1852. — Franklin Pierce elected President. Death of Henry Clay and
■^ Daniel Webster. Dissolution of the Whig party, and rise of the
Qg " Know-Nothing" or American party. Publication of " Uncle Tom's
— Cabin" adds to the slavery discussions.
1853. — President Pierce inaugurated, March 4. Gadsdoi PiDx/iase by
United States from Me.\ico, December 30. Revolution in Mexico ;
Santa Anna returns and is made dictator ; Flan of Ayulta ; Santa
Anna flees the country ; universal chaos.
1854. — Kansas-Nebraska Bill passed by Congress in May. New Repub-
lican party formed. Reciprocity treaty between United States and
Canada. Commodore Perry makes treaty with Japan. Troubles
begin in Kansas. Internal improvement bill vetoed as unconstitu-
tional.
1855. — Activity of "Free-Soil" party. Long contest for election of
Speaker of lower house of Congress, lasting three months. Grow-
ing violence in Kansas. Suspension bridge at Niagara completed.
" Bessemer process" for making steel patented. Provisional govern-
ment in Mexico ; Comonfort as President.
1856.— James Buchanan elected President. P'ree-State convention in
Kansas ; the State is refused admission to the Union. The Brooks-
Sunnier incident in VV^ashington. A constitutional convention in
Mexico ; radical reforms proposed ; rupture with Spain.
1857. — President Buchanan inaugurated, March 4. The Died Scott deci-
sion by United States Supreme Court. Civil war in Kansas. Low
tariff law jiassed. LTnsuccessful attempt to lay the Atlantic cable.
Liberal Constitution adopted in Mexico, March 11 ; suspended
December i, and Comonfort declared dictator ; Benito Juarez begins
the "War for Reform," which lasted until i860.
1858. — Minnesota admitted to the Union. Atlantic cable completed.
Continuation of the war and revolution under Juarez, in Mexico ;
Comonfort deposed by Zuloaga, and the Constitution suspended until
i86u.
1859.— John Brown's raid in Virginia ; he is captured, tried, and hanged
at 1 larper's Ferry, December 2. Oregon admitted to the Union.
Death of Washington Irving. Miramon, President of Mexico ; is
succeeded by Zuloaga ; Juarez continues the war for liberty and
reform.
i860.— Abraliam Lincoln elected l'resi(k'nt. .South Carolina secedes,
December 20. Japan sends ambassador to United States. Oil wells
discovered in Pennsylvania. Prince of Wales visits United States.
Great Eastern crosses the Atlantic. Lighth census of United States
FIRST PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
361
shows population of 31,443,322. The Liberals under Juarez triumph
in Mexico ; Miramon flees the country.
1861. — President Lincoln inaugurated, March 4. Jefferson Davis elected
Provisional President of Confederate States, February 9. Fort
Sumter fired on and captured, April 12-14. Kansas admitted to the
Union. Territory of Dakota organized. Alabama, Arkansas,
Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee,
Texas, and Virginia secede and join the Southern Confederacy. Juarez
elected President of Mexico ; great reforms instituted ; clergy sup-
pressed ; church and .State separated ; church property (1375,000,000)
confiscated. Spain, France, and Great Britain claim large indemnities
from Mexico,, and occupy Vera Cruz to enforce their demands.
Period V.
"iRST Period
F Statehood
1846
to
1861
GREAT BRITAIN.
1846. — Repeal of the Corn laws and reduction ot tariff. Famine in
Ireland.
1847. — Death of Daniel O'Connell. Roman Catholic hierarchy estab-
lished in Fngland.
1848. — Renewal of the (rZ/rtr/MV agitation. Income-tax riots in London.
1849. — Cholera in London. Livingstone in Africa. Conijuest of the
Punjab by the English.
1850. — Death of Wordsworth and Sir Robert Peel. Submarine telegraph
between France and England.
1 85 1. — Gold digging begins in Australia. London Great Exhibition
opened.
1852. — Death of Duke of Wellington and Thomas Moore.
1853. — English fleet enters the Dardanelles.
1854. — The Criiiieaii 11 ar, between Great P.ritain, I'rance, Turkey, and
Sardinia on one side, and Russia on the other. l.atties of Alma,
Balaklava, and Inkerman. Siege of Sebastopol begun. Crystal
Palace, at Sydenham, opened.
1 855. ^Battles of Redan and the Malakoff. Fall of Sebastopol, .September.
1856. — End of Criiiira/i II a/; Treaty of Paris. Death of Sir Wm.
Hamilton.
1857. — The Sepoy J///////!' in India. Relief of Lucknow.
1858.— Government of India transferred to the Briti.sh crown. T'irst
Atlantic cal)le. Jews' Relief Act passed. Right of .search at .sea
abandoned by l-".ngland.
1859. — Death of Lord Macaulay, DeQuincey, and Leigh Hunt.
i860. — Prince of Wales visits America.
i85i — Famine in India. Great Britain recognizes the Confetlerale .States
as a belligerent power, June 15.
'•52 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
mrstTek.od other countries.
()!• StA TliHOOD
-~, 1846.— Polish Republic crushed by Russia and Austria. Pope Gregory
'^ XVI. dies, and is succeeded by Pius IX., who favors liberty in the
ijench occupy Rome. Russia invades Hungary.
1850.— North German parliament at Erfurt.
1851. — Coiip-iV Hat in France, December 2. Louis Napoleon seizes the
government, and is elected President for ten years.
1852. — X'ictor Hugo banished from France ; Louis Napoleon elected
emperor, as Napoleon III.
1853. — Russia occupies Moldavia and Wallachia, principalities of Turkey,
and thus leads to the Crimean War. Napoleon III. marries Eugenie
de Montijo. Count Cavour, as Prime Minister, accomplishes great
reforms in Italy. French fleet enters the Dardanelles.
1854. — Crimean War begun. Dogma of the Immaculate Conception
promulgated at Rome, hnke dwellings discovered in Switzerland.
1855. — The fall of Sebastopol. Death of Emperor Nicholas of Russia.
Universal Mxposition at Paris.
1856. — End of the Crhnean Jl'ar, Treaty of Paris. Ale.xander II. crowned
Emperor of Russia.
1857. — Mount Cenis tunnel begun. Canton, China, taken by French
and English.
1858. — Great eru|)tion of Vesuvius.
1859.— War between France and Austria. P>attles of Montebello,
Magenta, and Solferino. Lombardy surrendered by Austria. Death
of Alexander von Humboldt and Prince Metternich.
i860. — Garibaldi begins his campaign for the liberation of Italy. Prattles
of Palermo and Melazzo.
i86i. — William !., King of Prussia. Rise of niliilism and emancipatitm
of the serfs in Russia. Garil)aldi succeeds in freeing Naples, Italy,
and Sicily, and founds the new kingdom of Italy, with Victor Em-
manuel as king. Death of Cavour.
ll^crio^ m.
THE CIVIL WAR, OR CONFEDERACY.-1861-1865.
¥¥
CHAPTER XXIII.
Civil Government in Texas during the War; Military
Operations on the Coast and Frontiers ;
Texans in the Confederate Armies.
URING the period of the war between the United and civil govern-
I I the Confederate States, the civil government of Texas
3^^ was necessarily feeble and its important acts were few.
Nearly every able-bodied man in the State was in the
army for the greater part of the time, and the few old men and
boys who were exempt from service busied themselves in taking-
care of the homes and cultivating the fields of the absent soldiers.
The necessaries of life became scarce, the anxiety of the times
was intense, and the waiting families at home listened
daily for the news of the deadly conflict, in which
many a brave Texan fell fighting for the Stars and
Bars.
The usual State elections were held in Noveml)er,
1 86 1, and November, 1863. At the former election
F"rank R. Lul:)bock was elected governor, defeating
Edward Clark by a vote of 21,854 ^^ 21,730, while
T. J. Chambers received 13,759 votes. John M.
Crockett was elected lieutenant-governor. In 1863,
Pendleton Murrahwas elected governor and Fletcher
S. Stockdale lieutenant-governor. These two ad-
ment in Texas
during the war
j64
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period VI. iiiiiiisliatiuns were chiefly concerned in raising, organizing, and
Civi'l"war providing for troops to serve in the armies of the Southern Con-
■~7 federacy. Various conscript acts were passed, requiring men to
TO
IS65
Map showing the Seceding States that formed the Southern Confederacy
(Darker shade shows original secession ; lighter shade shows subsequent secession.)
Conscript acts cnlist as soldicrs, and martial law was declared and attempted to
he enforced at different times. These things produced consid-
erable dissatisfaction, and the history of those times in Texas
discloses a good many arbitrary acts on the part of
the State government, which, however, were perhaps
unavoidable in the general state of war then prevailing
throughout the country.
At the close of his term of office. Governor Lub-
bock went to Richmond, Virginia, where he was ap-
pointed an aide on President Davis's staff, in which
position he served to the end of the war, being with
Mr. Davis when the latter was captured. Upon the
organization of tiie go\ernment of the Confederate
States, in i86i, Judge John H. Reagan was ap[)ointed
postmaster-general in the President's Cabinet, which
John H. Rea- phicc he Continued to occupv until the fall of the government,
(ian in the . , ' ■ & '
acting also as secretary of the treasury towards the close of the
war. He, too, was willi the President when ca])tured.
I'l-.NDI.KTON Ml
Confederate
Cabinet
THE CIVIL WAR, OR CONFEDERACY.
;65
phriod vi.
The
Civil War
1861
TO
1865
John H. RiiAtiAN.
At the election for Confederate congressmen from Texas, in
November, 1861, John *A. Wilcox, C. C. Herbert, Peter W.
Gray, Frank B. Sexton, Malcolm D. Graham, and W. B.
Wright were elected. In 1863, Wilcox, Sexton, and Herbert
were re-elected, and A. M. Branch, John R. Baylor, and S. H.
Morgan were the others selected. Wilcox having died during
his second term, Stephen H. Darden was elected to
the vacancy. The legislature, in the fall of 1861,
elected Louis T. Wigfall and Williamson S. Oldham
Confederate States Senators from Texas. O. M.
Roberts having resigned from the Supreme Court,
early in 1862, to go in the army, George F. Moore
was elected to the xacancy. Chief Justice R. T.
Wheeler having died in 1864, O. M. Roberts was
elected chief justice, and at the same. time Reuben
A. Reeves was elected associate justice, to succeed
James H. Bell. The Confederate government es-
tablished two Federal judicial districts in Texas, of
which Thomas J. Devine and William Pinckney Hill
were the judges.
On July 26, 1863, at his home in Huntsville, at the age of Death of Sam
seventy years, died General Sam Houston. His advent to
Texas in 1832 had been followed by
thirty years of active, earnest, and patri-
^g^ otic service to his adopted country, — as
J^^f a feeble province struggling for liberty
f -*» »r -" and independence ; as a free Republic,
l)eset with difificulties and threatened with
dissolution ; as an American common-
wealth among her sox'ereign sisters in the
Union. His declinino- years were sad-
dened by the loss of confidence of his
fellow-citizens, and his life went out amid
the roar of ci\il strife and the doubtful
struggle of discordant States.
It would require \olumes to relate the services of the Texan Texas troops
troops in the ffreat Civil War. That belontrs to the wider field '" \ ^ on e -
r " '^ erate armies
of American history. In proportion to population, Texas fur-
Gh.NKKAL John B. Hood.
366
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period VI.
The
Civil War
1861
TO
IS65
7Z
their own citizens and affairs by creating a United States citizen-
ship superior in its rights of person and property to citizenship
in the several States. These were the Thirteenth and Fourticnth
Amcnduioits, passed respectively in F^ebruary and June, 1865,
and were supposed to contain the practical results of the Civil
War. In order for the amendments to become a part of the
Constitution, they would have to be adopted or consented to by
three-fourths of the States, and it required the votes of some of
the Southern States to make up the necessary three-fourths.
Here was a dilemma. The lately seceding States were still in
the Union, and hence had the right to vote on the adoption of
the amendments ; it was absolutely certain that, if those States
were allowed to express their true and intelligent choice, they
would never assent to the proposed changes, and yet it was
necessary to secure enough of the Southern States to carry the
amendments. What was to be clone ? RccoJistruction was the
method proposed, but there was great difference of opinion as to
the course to be pursued in reconstructing the State govern-
ments of the South. '
President Johnson determined to adopt the plan of simply
punishing the most prominent leaders in the late war by de-
priving them of all civil rights, and then he would appoint pro-
visional governors in the Southern States and invite the people
of those States to call conventions, reorganize their governments,
and resume their former places in the Union. This was called
Presidential Reconstruction, and it proved a failure so far as
accomplishing the purposes of the North was concerned. The
Southern States had never been without their regular constitu-
tional go\ermuents ; there had been no destruction of their usual
republican forms of government requiring to be reconstructed,
and hence, when they were forced by military j)ower to carry
out the President's plan of reorganization, they simply re-enacted
their former laws and constitutions and remained the same
States they had always been, and unanimously opposed to the
Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments. This was inevitable,
and it was right and proper, if the theory of the Northern states-
men was correct, that the seceding States had never left the
Union. But it did not serve the end the North had in view in
Period VII.
Recon-
struction
1865
TO
1874
A serious
dilemma
Reconstruc-
tion proposed
Plan of Presi-
dential RecoHr
struction
A failure in its
operation
Why it was
a failure
;74
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period V'll.
Recon-
struction
i'865
TO
1874
Plan of Con-
gressional Re-
construction
Inconsistency
of the method
A. J. IIAMII.T
A.J. Hamilton,
provisional
governor
waging the war. To carry out the Republican ideas of go\'ern-
ment, the negro must be freed and clothed with all civil and
political rights as a citizen of the United States, and a new defi-
nition of citizenship must be made, so as to give the Federal
government power to override the States in enforcing the newly
created rights of the recent slaves. Presidential Reconstruction
evidently would not accomplish the purpose, and so -Congress,
ruled by the most violent of the radical Republicans, took hold
of the matter in 1867 and 1868.
Congressional Reconstniction, as the methods pursued by
Congress were called, consisted in placing the Southern States
under the absolute and arbitrary control of the military power,
disfranchising enough of the intelligent white citizens who had
taken part in the war to place the Union men and negroes in the
majority, and then adopting such State Constitutions and laws
as would force upon the people the adoption of the amendments
and the doctrines and institutions of the Northern Republicans.
And it must be remembered that all these reconstruction meas-
ures were passed through Congress while the Southern States
had not a Senator or Representative in that body, not-
withstanding it was constantly asserted that the Union
had ne\er been dissolved and that the South had not
in fact seceded.
The foregoing is necessary to be understood in
order to explain the history of those times and to fol-
low intelligently the course of events in Texas.
After the close of hostilities in April, 1865, there
was a period of two or three months when the State
had no government of any kind. Soldiers were re-
turning home, some fleeing to Mexico, and everything
was chaos and gloom. On June 19, 1865, General
Gordon Granger, of the United States army, assumed
military command over Texas, declared all that had
l)cen done by the State government since 1861 null and void,
and proclaimed the freedom of the negroes. In July, Presi-
dent Johnson appointed A. J. Hamilton provisional governor of
Texas, and he began the performance of his duties on the 25th
of thai month. According to the jilan of Presidential Recon-
THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD.
v3/0
Period VII.
Recon-
struction
1865
TO
1874
struction before explained, a State Convention was called to
amend the Constitution and reorganize the government. It met
February 7, 1866, and adopted the Constitution of 1845, in
force at the time of Secession in 1861, with certain amendments,
thereby ignoring all that had been done by the Secession Con-
vention. One of the amendments to the Constitution was to
increase the judges of the Supreme Court from three to five. It
was provided by the Convention that a general election should
be held on the last Monday in June to choose all the State,
district, and county officers, and members of the legisla-
ture, and for the ratification of the amendments to the
State Constitution. Before adjourning, the conserva-
tive members of both parties in the convention agreed
upon James W. Throckmorton as a proper candidate
for governor, and George W. Jones for lieutenant-
governor. George F. Moore, Richard Coke, Stockton
P. Donley, A. H. Willie, and George W. Smith were
also agreed upon for the new Supreme Court judges.
At the election in June, 1866, Throckmorton and Jones
were elected, receiving about forty-nine thousand votes
as against about twelve thousand for E. M. Pease and L
sey, the opposing candidates, and the gentlemen above named
were elected to the Supreme Court.
On August 9, the legislature met, and the new State officers
were installed. O. M. Roberts and David G. Burnet were
elected United States Senators from Texas ; and in the election
held in the fall of 1866, members of Congress from the State to
the Thirty-ninth Congress, then in session, and to the Fortieth
Congress, were chosen. The members elected to the Thirty-
ninth Congress were George W. Chilton, B. H. Epperson, A.
M. Branch, and C. C. Herbert, from the four districts in the
order named ; and the same gentlemen were also elected to the
Fortieth Congress, except George W. Chilton, in whose stead
James M. Burroughs was chosen.
The legislature passed quite a number of needed laws for the Acts of the
protection of the frontier against Indians and to restore the pros- ^^'^ ^^"'^^
perity of the State. The people were hopeful and industrious. Peace and
the government moved smoothly, and nothing was wanting to P''°'"*^^
Throckmorton.
Lind-
Senators and
Representa-
tives in Con-
gress elected,
1866
o/
76
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
TKRion VII.
Recon-
struction
1865
TO
1874
Disturbing
elements in
the country
" Carpet-
baggers" and
" Scalawags"
Texas refused
representation
in Congress
Use of the
military
Governor
Throckmorton
removed
E. M. Pease,
governor
Supreme
Court
make Texas again a thriving State in the Union, except the
removal of the United States soldiers and the admission of her
Senators and Representatives in Congress. But neither of these
events happened. The new order of things did not suit the
Republican party. The country was full of soldiers and Northern
j)oliticians who came with the army, and their influence was a
continual source of trouble between the recently emancipated
negroes and their former masters. The old Union men of Texas,
who had opposed Secession and claimed to be the " truly loyal"
citizens, were very much dissatisfied to see the government once
more in the hands of the men they had resisted in 1861. There
was much bitterness of feeling on both sides, and men's minds
were not favorable to a harmonious settlement of existing differ-
ences. The Northern Republicans who came South after the
war were called "Carpet-baggers," and the native Union men
and Republicans were called "Scalawags." These terms indi-
cate the odium in which the Reconstructionists were held by the
Southern people, and such epithets did not increase the prospect
of peaceful times.
In this condition of things, Congress took the reconstruction
of the Southern States out of the hands of the President, and
proceeded to inaugurate the measures known as Congressional
Reconstruction, above described. The Senators and Representa-
tives from Texas, like those of the other late Confederate States,
were refused admission to Congress. Military governments
were established throughout the South. On March 19, 1867,
General P. H. Sheridan, in command of the military department
which included Texas, issued an order placing General Charles
Grififin in command of the district of Texas. Governor Throck-
morton gave such aid as was requested of him in carrying out
the new plan of reorganization ; but on July 30, 1867, General
Sheridan, by military order, removed him from the governorship,
"as an impediment to reconstruction," and appointed Elisha
M. Pease in his place. All ofificers were remo\'ed by the mili-
tary power, and their places filled with those supposed to be in
sympathy with the methods of Congressional Reconstruction.
The Supreme Court as thus changed consisted of E. J. Davis,
C. Caldwell, Amos Morrill, A. H. Latimer, and Livingston
thp: reconstruction period.
Lindsey. No man could hold an office, or participate in any of
the elections that were to be held, unless he could take the
" Iron-Clad Oath," as it was called. This oath was to the effect
that the person taking it had not taken part in the late Rebellion,
or given aid thereto ; which, of course, disfranchised nearly all
the white voters in the State, The " Freedmen's Bureau" was
established in Texas and the other Southern States, — being a
military court composed of United States officers, whose special
duty it was to protect the negroes in their recently acquired
rights, and a great many rights that they had not acquired.
In oj^position to these measures there was organized among
the Southern people what was called the " Ku-Klux Klan," a
mysterious secret organization, whose members would parade at
night through the towns, on horseback and fully armed, clad in
long white or black robes, with masks on their faces and high
peaked hats,— claiming to be the returned spirits of dead soldiers
who fell in the late war. Their formidable and ghostly array
produced great terror among the negroes, and there is no doubt
it had a wholesome effect to restrain an ignorant and deluded
race of lately emancipated slaves, whose worst passions were
being aroused by unprincipled white politicians. In some local-
ities, however, in the South, the Ku-Klux and other lawless
bands who assumed their name and garb did not confine them-
selves to mere displays of mysterious power. Many cruel out-
rages were perpetrated in their name, and the organization
became a menace to the peace and order of society. It is not
b(.'lieved, however, that such lawless acts were ever committed
to any great extent in Texas.
A convention was called to meet at Austin, June i, 1868, to
frame a new State Constitution, in accordance with the recon-
struction measures of Congress. In selecting delegates to that
convention, nearly all the white citizens of Texas were prevented
from voting by the " Iron-Clad Oath ;" and it was understood
that Governor Pease and those acting with him proposed to still
further disfranchise the Democrats of the State, by unjust rules
and requirements in the registration of voters. This called out
from General Winfield S. Hancock, then in command of the
department at New Orleans, his famous order and letter, in
Period VII.
Recon-
struction
1865
TO
1874
" Freedmen's
Bureau"
"Ku-Klux
Klan"
Their methods
Lawless acts
Reconstruc-
tion conven-
tion of 1868
White citizen:
disfranchised
General W. S.
Hancock's
letter
-.yg A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkriod vii., which he rebuked such an attempt, and declared that the legal
recon- voters of Texas must have their rights respected and their votes
STRUCTION . . .
— recorded. The Reconstruction Convention met at the appointed
To^ time. Edmund J. Davis was elected president, and the leading
1S74 men in it were A. J. Hamilton, Morgan C. Hamilton, A. P.
McCormick, C. Caldwell, Arvin Wright, and Lemuel D. Evans.
The Hamilton brothers, A. J. and Morgan C. , were
on opposite sides in the issues that arose in the con-
yB" i\. vention ; the former being liberal and just in his desire
to protect the men who had taken part in the war,
while the latter was extreme and radical in the purpose
to completely destroy their influence in the govern-
ment (jf the State.
The Reconstruction Convention lasted from June
I, 1868, until February 6, 1869, and it never did
actually adjourn, nor was the Constitution ever finally
MoKt.A.N C. Hamilton. 111 • • 1 1
adopted by a vote of the convention or signed by
Irregularity of the members. Its proceedings were very irregular and dis-
pr^oceedrnes Orderly, and often there was no quorum present. Many mem-
bers went home in disgust, and one of these, a colored dele-
gate from Galveston, Hon. G. T. Ruby, filed his withdrawal
A forcible pro- in tlic following language : ' ' Believing that the present recon-
test by a negro . -11 1 1 r • 1
delegate structiou convcutiou has lost, through many oi its members,
all regard for dignity and honor as a legislative assembly, and
that its continued assemblage will only terminate in disgrace to
the entire country, I herewith tender my resignation as a mem-
The Constitu- ber hereof, and as a delegate from Galveston County. ' ' The
Constitution framed by this body is known as the Constitution
of 1869. It lengthened the terms and increased the salaries of
all ofificers ; reduced the Supreme Court to three judges, and
made all judicial officers appointive instead of elective ; and re-
quired all elections to be held at the county seat of each county,
Liberal provi- and to last four days. The most meritorious features of this
sion for free (^ ^- ^ ^- 1 i-i 1 • • , r t 1 i- r
public educa- Constitution were the liberal provisions made for the public free
t>on schools. In addition to lands, bonds, and funds belonging to
the schools under former laws, it was provided that all receipts
from public lands in the future should go to the school fund,
and one-fourth of the annual taxes and all of the poll-tax were
THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD.
379
appropriated to the schools, — all to constitute a permanent fund,
whose interest could be used to support the free-school system.
A State superintendent of public instruction was also provided
for, and a bureau to encourage immigration.
While these events had been occurring in Texas, enough
of the Southern States had been reconstructed by Congress to
adopt the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments, and a Fif-
teenth Amendment, allowing negroes to vote, was passed through
Congress in February, 1868, but was not ratified by
three-fourths of the States until 1870. The right of
suffrage, however, was extended to the recent slaves
in Texas by the Constitution of 1869 and the ordi-
nances of the military power. In December, 1869,
Governor Pease, being dissatisfied with the extreme
measures and methods employed in reconstruction,
resigned the office of governor, and from that time
until the new administration came in. General J. J.
Reynolds was the military governor of Texas. In
the subsequent political movements in the State,
Pease acted with the Hamilton and against the Da\'is
party. The election for the State and county officers
was held in November, 1869, and E. J. Davis was
elected over A. J. Hamilton by the close vote of
39,901 to 39,092. The Constitution was ratified by a large
majority. J. W. Flanagan was elected lieutenant-governor.
The registration showed the total number of voters in the
State to be 135,553, of whom 78,648 were white and 56,905
were negroes ; so that 56,560 voters did not participate in the
election.
Governor Davis took the oath of office January 17, 1870,
for the four years' term created by the new Constitution. The
legislature met in February, adopted the Fourteenth and Fif-
teenth Amendments, and elected Morgan C. Hamilton to the
United States Senate for the term ending March 3, 1871, and
also for the term ending in 1877: J. W. Flanagan was elected
Senator for the term ending in March, 1875. This go\'ernnient
was declared to be merely proxisional until Congress should
accept the nevv State Constitution, which it did on March 30,
Period VII.
Recon-
struction
1865
TO
1874
Fifteenth
Amendment
State election,
1869
The vote
Davis's ad-
ministration
United States
Senators
elected
-.go A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
1865
TO
Period VII. 1870, and the Twelfth Legislature met in regular session on
^^^°^- April 26, 1870.
STRUCTION .
It would be a fruitless and unpleasant task to review the
details of the Davis administration. He was personally and
1874 socially a courteous and considerate gentleman, but politically
he was as thoroughly unfitted for the head of a constitutional
government in a free country as it is possible to imagine.
His administration was one of boundless extravagance,
disorderly and lawless despotism, increasing disregard
of every principle of personal and political libertv, and
it brought utter ruin to the best interests of the State
and its citizens. He was given enormous power and
patronage by the legislature, and he used them in
the most reckless and arbitrary manner. He estab-
lished a State police, officered by petty tyrants and
composed of disreputable adventurers. He assumed
the right to declare martial law whenever and wherever
J. w. Flanagan. his authority was resisted, and he reduced whole counties
and districts to a state of terrorism and outlawry. Finally,
the profligate course of public expenditures and the increase of
taxes to the verge of confiscation aroused men of all parties to
overthrow such a ruinous system of misrule.
Non-partisan In September, 1871, a " Non- Partisan Tax- Payers' Conven-
convention to . , , 1 1 1 • a • • 11 r 1
secure relief, ^^''"^ ^^'^^ held HI Austm, to protest agamst the abuses of the
'27« State government. Besides the prominent Democrats in the
State, it contained such men as A. J. and Morgan C. Hamilton,
Ex-Governor Pease, George Hancock, and many leading Re-
publicans ; and Governor Pease was president of the convention.
Disastrous That couvcution ascertained and ])ublished to the world the fact
results of the , , 1 • 1 • 1 r
Davis govern- ^"'^^ ^'^*^ two legislatures of 1870 and 187 1 had appropriated for
"^'="' the exi)enses of the government the enormous sum of $3,752,875,
besides subsidies granted to railroads amounting to $14,000,000 ;
and the State and county tax was $2.17}^ on each one hundred
Revolution in dollars, besides poll, occupation, and license taxes. All these
public scnti- , , . • 1 1
ment '''<^ts being cnxulated among the j^eople, as well as the many
acts of Governor Davis in \iolation of the Constitution and laws,
a revolution in public sentiment began to take jjlace. No elec-
tion for iiK-nibers of the legislature was held until November,
THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD.
381
1872 ; but the Thirteenth Legislature, which met in January,
1873, had a majority in both houses opposed to Governor
Davis. It proceeded to repeal many objectionable laws, and it
set aside the grant of $6,000,000 to the Texas and Pacific Rail-
road Company, substituting lands therefor, as had always been
the policy of the State.
A general State election was held in November, 1873, the
old method of voting by precincts and on one day only having
been restored by the Democratic legislature. Richard Coke
and R. B. Hubbard were the Democratic candidates for governor
antl lieutenant-governor, against E. J. Davis and Robert H.
Taylor, Republicans. Coke received 103,038 votes to Davis's
51,220, and the entire Democratic ticket was elected. As soon
as the result was known, Governor Davis declared he would not
surrender the office until April 26, that being the date when the
Twelfth Legislature met in regular session in 1870 ; when, by
law, his term expired in January. Finding that this contention
would probably fail him, a method was then adopted to set the
entire election aside as illegal, because it had not been held on
four days, as provided in the Constitution. To raise this ques-
tion, a Mexican named Rodriguez was arrested for illegal voting,
and he pleaded in defence that the election at which he voted
was not a legal and valid election. In order to settle the point,
it was necessary to construe a sentence in the Constitution in
which a semicolon was used, and a change in the punctuation
might change the meaning. The case came before the Supreme
Court, composed then of Judges J. D. McAdoo, Moses B. Walker,
and Wesley Ogden, and the court held the election to be illegal
and void, basing the decision on the force of the semicolon.
Upon such slender threads do the destinies of nations sometimes
hang ! That court has always since been called the " Semicolon
Court," and to this day none of its decisions are ever cited as
good law in the courts of Texas.
But the Democrats were not to be cheated of their victory
by judicial quibbles over punctuation, nor by the arbitrary claims
of Governor Davis. They prepared to assume control of the
government to which they had been elected by the people,
peaceably, if possible ; forcibly, if necessary. Governor Davis
Period VII.
Recon-
struction
i"865
TO
1874
State election
of November,
1873
Richard Coke
elected gov-
ernor
Governor
Davis resists
the result
A fictitious
law case, ILv
pa) Ir Rodri-
guez
The "Semi-
colon Court"
and its deci-
sion
The Demo-
crats prepare
to seize the
government
Recon
struction
TO
032 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period VII. appealed to President Grant for military aid, the capitol was
occupied and surrounded by armed men, and a bloody revolution
seemed inevitable. But, fortunately, the Federal authorities
declined to interfere ; Davis sullenly yielded. Coke was inaug-
1S74 urated. Reconstruction had ended, and on January 17, 1874,
Texas was once more a free State in the American Union.
QUESTIONS.
What terrible event occurred in the United States just at the close
of the war, and what was the exact date of jt ? Who succeeded to the
presidency, and what struggle at once began ? What was the theory of
the Northern Republican leaders in regard to the attitude of the Confed-
erate States as to being in or out of the Union ? What did they say about
the nature of the Federal Union of the States ? According to this theory,
what was necessary to be done with the lately seceding Southern States ?
Wiiat two amendments to the Constitution were adopted just as the v\ar
was closing ? Describe the practical effect of those two amendments, and
when did they pass through Congress. What was necessary to make them
part of the Constitution ? What dilemma did this lead to in regard to the
Southern States ? What method was proposed to escape this difficulty ?
What plan of Rccotistruction did President Johnson propose, and what
was it called ? Why did it prove a failure in accomplishing the purpose
of the North towards the South ? Explain the practical operations of
Presidential Reconstruction as affecting the Thirteenth and Fourteenth
Amendments. What was the purpose of the Northern Republicans to-
wards the South, and why did they reject the President's plan of pro-
cedure? Wiien did Congress take hold of the matter? What was its
plan of treating the Southern States called, and explahi in what that plan
consisted ? How were the Reconstruction Acts passed tin'ough Con-
gress ? What voice had the South in that legislation, and what incon-
sistency was involved in the action of the Congress ? When did the war
actually cease ? What occurred in Texas for two or three months after-
wards ? What was the condition of the country and people ? When and
Ijy whom did the United States assume military command over Texas ?
What did he do and declare ? When and whom did President Johnson
apix)int provisional governor of Texas ? What convention was called to
carry out the plan of Presidential Reconstruction, when did it meet, and
what did it do? What change was made in the State Constitution in
regard to the Supreme Court ? What was provided in regard to holding
a general State election ? Who were selected by the conservative men of
Rkcon-
struction
THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 383
all iiarlies as candidates for governor and lieutenant-governor? Who Period vii
for judges of the Supreme Court? Who were the opposing candidates
for governor and lieutenant-governor? What was the result of the
election ? When did the legislature and the new officers take their ''^65
seats? Who were elected to the United States Senate? Who were ^"
elected as Congressmen in the following fall, and for seats in what _li7
Congresses? What character of laws did the legislature pass? What
were the disposition and feelings of the people, and what was the only
obstacle to the restoration of peace and prosperity ? Wliat was the
feeling of the Republican party at this time ? Describe the condition of
the country and the various influences at work to produce trouble. Ex-
p\ii'm the meaning of the terms " Carpet-bagger" and " Scalawag." What
did Congress do at that time ? What happened to the Senators and Rep-
resentatives who had been sent to Washington ? What kind of govern-
ments were established in the .Southern States? Who was in command
of the military department including Texas, and when did he put Texas
under military rule ? Whom did he appoint to command in Texas? What • ,
was done with Governor Throckmorton, and for what alleged reason ?
When was this ? Who was appointed in his place ? What else was done
towards placing Texas under military control ? Who constituted the
Supreme Court under the new order of things? What was the " Iron-
clad Oath," and who were required to take it? What effect did it have ?
What was the " Freedmen's Bureau," and what was its alleged object?
What peculiar organization arose in the South to counteract these political
and social evils? Describe the methods and effect of the " Ku-Klux."
What abuses did it lead to in some localities ? When was a State Con-
vention called to meet to frame a new Constitution under the plan of
Congressional Reconstruction? How were the delegates elected, and
what was proposed by the Republicans in order to gain complete mastery
of the situation ? W^hat distinguished Federal general rebuked this out-
rageous proposition ? Who was President of the Constitutional Conven-
tion of 1869? W^ho were some of its leading members? What can you
say of the Hamilton brothers in that Convention? How long did that
Convention last, and when did it adjourn ? Did it adopt a State Consti-
tution ? What can you say of its proceedings ? What protest was filed
by a negro delegate? What was the Constitution thus framed called?
What were its provisions as to officers, salaries, Supreme Court, and
elections ? What were its most meritorious features ? What provisions
did it make for free schools ? What new departments of government did
it create ? What occurred in the meanwhile in the United States ? Wiiat
new amendment to the Constitution was passed through Congress, and
when ? When was it ratified by three-fourths of the States ? When was
tlie right to vote e.xtended to negroes in Te.xas ? WHien did Governor
Pease resign his position as military governor, and why? WMiat govern-
ment did Texas then have, and for how long? What was Governor
Pease's political attitude afterwards? When did tlie first State election
-584 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period VII. occur under Congressional Reconstruction? Who were tlie candidates
Rkcon-
strixtion
for governor and lieutenant-governor, and who were elected ? What was
the vote for governor? What was the total registration and vote at that
"'^^5 electi(Mi, and what proportion were whites and negroes ? How many
^,° did not vote at all? When did Governor E. J. Davis take his seat, and
IZ7 for what length of term ? When did the legislature meet, and what did
it do with the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments ? Who were elected
United States Senators, and for what terms ? What was the nature of
this government, and when and how did it become permanent ? When
did the Twelfth Legislature meet ? W^hat was the personal and political
character of Governor Davis ? Wliat was the character of his adminis-
tration as governor ? What powers were given hiim by the legislature,
and how did he use them? What can you say of his "State Police"
and his arbitrary acts of despotism ? What finally resulted from his mis-
rule ? When and where was a Convention of citizens called to protest
against these abuses ? What was it called ? Who was its president, and
, • who were among its leading members ? What facts did that Convention
ascertain and i)ublish in regard to the acts of the legislatures of 1870 and
1871 ? What effect did their publication have? When was the next
election for members of the legislature, and what was the result of that
election upon the political composition of the legislature that followed ?
What did that legislature do ? When was the next general State election
held ? What was the method of holding that election ? Who were the
Democratic candidates for governor and lieutenant-governor ? Who
were their opponents ? What was the result of the election ? What did
Governor Davis at once contend ? What plan did he next adopt to defeat
the result of the election ? Explain the famous Rodriguez case, for what
purpose it was raised, and the grounds upon which it was decided. \\'ho
constituted the Supreme Court at that time, what did they decide, and
why ? What has that court always been called, and in what estimation
are its decisions held ? What did the Democrats prepare to do ? What
did Davis do, and with what result ? Describe what then occurred.
When did the Reconstruction Period end in Texas ?
Topical Analysis.
I. Condition of affairs in the United States at close of the war :
{a) Lincoln had been assassinated and Andrew Johnson was Pres-
ident. His views did not accord with those of the radical Republicans
who controlled Congress.
{/)) According to the political theories of the Northern Repulilicans,
there had been no Secession, the Union was indestructible, and the
Southern States had never left the Union.
{c) If this were true, the Southern States clearly nuist be allowed
their constitutional rights in the Union and participation in making and
changing the Constitution and laws, which would enable them to defeat
THE RFXONSTRUCTION PERIOD. 385
the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments. The votes of some of the Period vil.
RtCCON-
3TRUCTION
Southern States were absolutely necessary to make up the three-fourths
of the States required to adopt an amendment. Here was a dilemma
between a political theory and a practical demand. ^^^5
(d) It was decided to reconstruct the Southern States, or enough of ^°
1S74
them to pass the Constitutional Amendments, and two methods were _!j
tried to accomplish this end.
2. Two plans of Reconstruction attempted :
(a) Presidential Reconstruction, according to the plan of President
Johnson, which was for the Southern States to simply reorganize their
governments. He appointed provisional governors. State conventions
were called to frame new constitutions and laws, and then the States
were to take their former places in the Union, the more prominent leaders
of Secession being temporarily disfranchised. This plan did not work to
suit the radical Republicans, because the Southern States simply exer-
cised their rights as sovereign States and re-enacted their former constitu-
tions and laws, which had in fact never been suspended. So Congress
determined to take hold of the matter.
[b) Congressional Reconstruction, by which was meant a series of
arbitrary and unconstitutional acts passed by Congress -to regulate the
affairs of the Southern States, while those States had no voice in Con-
gress, notwithstanding they were said never to have left the Union. The
general features of the plan were to place the South under military rule,
disfranchise most of the respectable white population, so as to place the
negroes and Republicans in the majority, and then reconstruct the State
governments on Republican lines and adopt the several amendments de-
sired. This was the odious system enforced in Texas and the South for
several years.
3. Reconstruction in Texas :
{a) Presidential Reconstruction ; A. J. Hamilton, provisional gov-
ernor ; Constitutional Convention of 1866 ; election of Governor Throck-
morton ; comparative peace and the prospect of prosperity.
{b') Congressional Reconstruction ; General Sheridan removes Gov-
ernor Throckmorton and places General Griffin in command of Texas
as a military province ; E. M. Pease is appointed military governor and
all officers are placed under military authority; the "Iron-Clad Oath"
required of all voters, which disfranchised nearly all the white pojuila-
tion ; " Freedmen's Bureau" and military courts-martial rule the country ;
rise of " Ku-Klux" to resist these abuses ; Reconstruction Convention
of 1868 frames a State Constitution, and E. J. Davis is elected governor
in fall of 1869 ; his administration characterized by extravagance, corrup-
tion, arbitrary and despotic outrages, a lawless "State Police," and
universal disregard of political and personal liberty ; the conservative
citizens of all parties organize a movement for a change ; a Democratic
legislature is elected in 1872 and a Democratic governor in 1873 ; Davis
25
;S6
A COMPLETE HISTORV OF TEXAS.
Period VII.
Recon-
struction
i'865
TO
1874
attempts to hold the government, with the aid of a corrupt Supreme
Court, but is forced to yield ; Democratic government re-established Jan-
uary 17, 1874.
Parallel Readings.
ScarfT's "Comprehensive History of Texas," Vol. II., Part III, O. M.
Roberts's " Political History of Texas ;" Brown's " History of Texas ;"
" Destruction and Reconstruction," by General Richard Taylor; "Life
of L. Q. C. Lamar," by Mays ; Blaine's "Twenty Years in Congress ;"
S. S. Cox's "Three Decades of Federal Legislation ;" John Sherman's
" Recollections of Forty Years in House, Senate, and Cabinet ;" General
Grant's "Memoirs."
KanijI-.k Cami- in VVksiekn Tk.xas.
THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD.
387
CONTEMPORANEOUS EVENTS.— 1865-1874.
Parallel to Period VII.
AMERICA.
1866. — Civil Rights bill passed by Congress, April 12. Presidential
Reconstruction of Southern States begun. Outrages by " Freedmen's
Bureau" and military authorities upon citizens of the South. Rise of
" Ku-Klux Klan." Continued war in Mexico. Fenian invasions in
Canada.
1867. — Nebraska admitted to the Union, March i. Alaska ceded by
Russia to United States. Napoleon III. abandons Maximilian, who
is captured and shot by the Mexicans ; Juarez re-elected President.
The Dominion of Canada established.
1868. — Attempted impeachment of President Johnson. General Grant
elected President. Beginning of Congressional Reeonstrnetioii in
the South. Santa Anna and others attempt revolution in Mexico.
1869. — President Grant inaugurated, March 4. Fifteenth Amendment
adopted. Pacific Railroad completed.
1870. — Ninth census of the United States shows a population of 38,558,371.
1871. — Treaty of Washington and the Geneva Award. Great fire in
Chicago. All the Southern States represented in Congress under the
methods of reconstruction, but the white people of those .States not
represented. Juarez still President in Mexico. Slavery abolished in
Brazil.
1872. — President Grant re-elected, defeating Horace Greeley, the candi-
date of the " Liberal Republicans." Great fire in Boston. Death of
Juarez in Mexico ; succeeded by Lerdo de Tejada.
1873. — President Grant inaugurated (second term), March 4. England
pays United States the Alat)ama claim. Liberal Constitution of 1857,
greatly improved, becomes the permanent Constitution of Mexico.
Period VII.
Rhcon-
strixtion
1865
TO
1874
GREAT BRITAIN.
1867. — Fenian agitation in Ireland. New Reform bill passed. Expedition
against Abyssinia.
1868. — Death of Lord Brc^ugham. Disraeli resigns, and Ciladstone
becomes premier.
1869. — Irish Church disestablished. Suez Canal opened.
1870. — Death of Charles Dickens. Irish land act passed.
1872. — Dutch possessions on the Gold Coast transferred to England.
Ballot act passed. Riots at Belfast.
^88 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period VII. 1873. — England paj'S the Alabama claims to the United States.
Recon-
struction
1865
TO
874. — Gladstone ministry succeeded by Disraeli. Fiji Islands ceded to
England.
OTHER COUNTRIES.
1874 1866. — Prussia withdraws from Germanic Confederation. "Seven Weeks'
War" between Austria, Italy, and Prussia; battles of Sadowa and
Lissa. Insurrection in Crete. Vienna North German Confederation
formed.
1867. — Hungarian Constitution restored ; Emperor and Empress of Aus-
tria declared king and c]ueen of Hungary. Cochin China annexed
to France.
1868. — Insurrection in Spain ; flight of Queen Isabella ; temporary
Republic established.
1869. — Suez Canal opened. Death of Lamartine.
1870. — Isabella II., of Spain, abdicates ; succeeded by Duke of Aosta as
king. Vatican Council declares the infallibility of the Pope. War
between France and Prussia ; battle of Sedan ; surrender of Napoleon
III. ; Alsace and Lorraine restored to Germany ; battle of Metz and
siege of Paris. Revolution in Paris ; a Republic declared ; insurrec-
tion of the Comnmne. The German Empire established, December
10. Mount Cenis tunnel completed. King of Italy occupies Rome.
187 1. — King William of Prussia, Emperor of Germany, January 18.
Germans enter Paris. Communist revolution in French capital.
Thiers elected President of the new French Republic. Rome is
made the capital of Italy.
1872.— The German Reichstag expels the Jesuits. Great eruption of
Vesuvius.
1873. — Death of Napoleon III. Spain adopts republican government.
Exhibition at Vienna. MacMahon, President of France. First recep-
tion of foreign ministers by PZmperor of China. Germans evacuate
France. Trial of Marshal Bazaine.
IPeriob IDIfUll-
SECOND PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.— 1874-1897.
CHAPTER XXV.
Administrations of Governors Coke, Hubbard, Roberts,
and Ireland; Prosperity and Progress of the State.
THE election of Governor Coke marks a new era in the Beginning of a
history of Texas. From that date the methods of "^^ ^^^
orderly government, stable policies, and healthy prog-
ress — so long interrupted by the troublous events of
the Civil War and Reconstruction — were restored. It is
universally true that the annals of a peaceful and pros-
perous land are simple and few. The stream runs so
smoothly and so swift that, like a ri\'er of which Caesar
speaks in his story of the Gallic Wars, we may scarcely
tell in which direction it flows.
The new State officers were inaugurated at mid-
night, January 15, 1874. The scene was dramatic and
memorable. The Representative Hall was filled with
the two houses of the legislature and assembled citizens ;
the corridors without were thronged with the volunteer
military company of Austin, — beardless boys in gay uni-
forms, with glittering muskets, — while among them moved a
few stern and grizzled warriors, whose bravery had been tested
on many a bloody field of the Civil War ; below stairs, in the
389
Richard Coke.
)90
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period \'III.
Second
Period of
Statkhood
1874
to
1897
The Four-
teenth Legis
lature
dim hallways of the old capitol, was a motley mass of negroes,
State police, and desperate politicians, muttering defiance, but
cowed by the certainty of disaster ; while on the rocky slopes
of Capitol Hill, in the starlit night, sentinels stood in silent
watchfulness, as messengers of good or evil tidings came and
went in the darkness. But the critical moment passed in peace,
and the government of the people claimed and held its own.
The new legislature went to work with energy and intel-
ligence. They found the State burdened with a debt of neftrly
five millions of dollars, and taxes at two dollars and thirty cents
on the hundred. The corrupt Twelfth Legislature had voted
the International and Great Northern Railroad a money subsidy
of ten thousand dollars per mile for six hundred miles of road,
secured by State bonds and the interest provided for
in advance. The Fourteenth Legislature, which met
January 13, 1874, and adjourned May 4, pro\'ided for
the payment of four hundred thousand dollars of the
pulilic debt, cut down expenses more than one-half,
reduced taxes to fifty cents on the dojlar, and dis-
posed of the railroad subsidy by a compromise which,
although bad enough for the State, was a great deal
better than the cjriginal measure. There was a fierce
light o\er this compromise. The railroad had secured
the subsidy by fraud and bribery, and it clung to it
with desperate greed. The State could not aflford to
be invohx^d in another re\'olution, and the matter was finally
settled by rei)ealing the money subsidy and granting the railroad
twenty sections of land per mile, in solid bodies, and exempting
it from taxation for twenty-five years.
Lawlessness in the State and Indian raids on the frontier
were suppressed by small bands of State troops, still called
Rangers, and new counties began to l)e formed in the West. )
In September, 1875, a Constitutional Convention was held,
which formed a new Constitution, known as the Constitution
of /Sj6, which was submitted to a vote of the people and
st^ate election, adopted on February 15, 1876. At the same time State officers
^^t^ruary .5, ^^_^^^ elected, "to hold until November, 1878. All the State offi-
cers were re-elected, and a Supreme Court was elected, com-
Sam iJiiLL .Maxey.
Suppression of
lawlessness
and crime
Constitution
of 1876
SECOND PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
391
Period VIII.
Second
Period of
Statehood
1874
TO
1897
posed of O. M. Roberts, chief justice ; George F. Moore and
R. S. Gould, associate justices. A Court of Appeals was also
created, to which John P. White, C. M. Winkler, and M. D.
Ector were elected. The Supreme Court from January, 1S74,
to 1876 was composed of five judges, elected by the people ;
and during that period O. M. Roberts was chief justice, while
William P. Ballinger, George F. Moore, Thomas J. Devine,
Reuben A. Reeves, Peter W. Gray, John Ireland, and Robert
S. Gould were associate justices at different times.
In November, 1872, six Congressmen had been elected from congressmen,
Texas, namely : A. H. Willie and R. O. Mills for the State at '^^' '^^^
large, and W. S. Herndon, W. P. McLean, D. Q. Giddings,
and John Hancock. Of these, Giddings had been elected two
years before and with difficulty obtained his seat. At
the November election, 1874, the same gentlemen were
all re-elected to Congress. The legislature in 1874
elected General Sam Bell Maxey to the United States
Senate, to succeed J. W. Flanagan on March 4, 1875.
General Maxey was re-elected in 1881 and served until
1887. Governor Coke was elected to the United States
Senate by the Fifteenth Legislature, which met in
April, 1876, but did not take his seat until March 4,
1877. He was re-elected twice, and finally retired from
the Senate in 1895. Governor Coke resigned from
the governorship in December, 1876, and Lieutenant-
Governor Hubbard became the acting governor until the next
general election in 1878.
The Constitution of 1876 gave to the public schools all that Provisions for
had been granted them under previous laws and constitutions, p" "^ ^^ °° ^
" J m Lonstilu-
and added one-half of the public domain, continuing the one- tionofi875
fourth of the general revenues and the poll-tax, as provided in
the Constitution of 1869. It was also provided that a tax of
not more than twenty cents on the one hundred dollars should
be levied on all property, to be used in connection with the
interest on the permanent school fund, in order to maintain the
public schools for not less than six months of each year. It state
was further declared that the legislature should estalilish a first- "'versity
class University, to be located by a vote of the people, and one
RUHAKI) B. HlBllAKU.
392
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
I'KRion \'II1.
Skcond
Period of
Statehood
1874
TO
1897
Federal judges
A. P. McCoKMICK
Coneressmcn
in 1876
million acres of land were donated to it, instead of the tenth
sections of railroad lands granted in 1858. The Agricultural
and Mechanical College, which had been established near Bryan,
was declared to be a branch of the University, and a branch for
colored youths was required to be founded as soon as practi-
cable. The carrying out of these constitutional provisions and
the disposition of the lands granted to the support of public
education have engaged the attention of all the legislatures from
1876 to the present time.
Since 1858 there had been two Federal judicial districts in
Te.xas, and Thomas H. Duval was judge of the Western District,
wlyle, since 1872, Amos Morrill was judge in the
Eastern, succeeding John C. Watrous. In 1879, by
an Act of Congress, the Northern Federal District of
Texas was created, composed of counties taken from
the Eastern and Western Districts. A. P. McCormick
was appointed judge, and places for holding courts
were established at Dallas, Waco, and Graham, in
the Northern District. About this time, Judge Duval
died in the Western District, and E. B. Turner was
appointed in his stead, who also died during Mr.
Cleveland's first administration, when T. S. Maxey, a
Democrat, was appointed to the Federal bench in
that district. In the Eastern District, Judge C. B. Sabin, who
had succeeded Amos Morrill, died in the fall of 1890, and was
succeeded by D. E. Bryant. In 1892, Judge McCormick was
elevated from the district judgeship to be one of the judges of
the United States Circuit Court of Appeals at New Orleans, and
John B. Rector was appointed judge of the Northern District.
Later, additional j)laces for holding court in that district were
established at P^ort Worth, Abilene, and San Angelo. The
Federal judiciary in Texas has in recent years been al)lv and
acceptably represented, and the several judges have been highly
respected by both the bar and the people at large. In Novem-
ber, 1876, there were elected to Congress from the six districts,
in the order named, the following gentlemen : John H. Reagan,
I). B. Culberson, J. W. Throckmorton, R. O. Mills, John Han-
cock, and Gustav Schleicher.
SECOND PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
^9j
Period VIII.
Second
Period of
Statehood
1874
to
1S97
The Fifteenth Legislature provided for a revision of all the
laws of the State, and Governor Coke appointed to that task C.
S. West, B. H. Bassett, J. W. Ferris, George Clark, and Samuel
A. Willson. They completed the work, and it was adopted in
1879, being known as the Revised Statutes of i8jg.
In the year 1876 the "Greenback Party" made its first
appearance, and it continued to agitate the politics of the
Southern and Western States for several years,
reaching its greatest strength in Texas from 1880
to 1884. It advocated the issue by the government
of unlimited quantities of paper money, based upon
nothing but the faith and credit of the nation.
The State Democratic Convention met at Austin
on July 17, 1878. The candidates before it for
nomination for governor were R. B. Hubbard, J.
W. Throckmorton, W. W. Lang, and Thomas J.
Devinc. Neither of these gentlemen could get the
recjuisite two-thirds vote, and, after several days'
struggle, a compromise was made by which Oran
M. Roberts, then chief justice of the Supreme Court,
was nominated for governor, and Joseph D. Sayers for lieu-
tenant-governor. At the ensuing election in November the state election
,-,. . . , , I T-> 1 November,
entire Democratic ticket was elected, Rol)- jg g
erts and Sayers defeating W. H. Hamman
and J. S. Rains, the Greenback candidates
for go\'ernor and lieutenant-governor, by
over a hundred thousand majority. The
Republicans had placed Colonel A. B.
^ ^ Norton and Richard Allen (colored) in
V- {\ — >f -' -^^^ ^^^ field, and they received about twenty-
five thousand \'Otes. At the same election,
George F. Moore was elected chief justice
of the Supreme Court, and M. H. Bonner
associate justice, this change being required
by Judge Roberts's election to the governorship. Reagan, Cul-
berson, Mills, and Schleicher were re-elected to Congress, along
with Olin Wellborn from the Third District, and George W.
Jones from the F"ifth. Mr. Schleicher having died in a few
Ok AN M. Roberts.
Gkorgk F. Moore.
supreme
Court
Congressmen
in 1878
394
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pi-KioD VIII. months, Culuinl>us Upson was elected to the vacancy in April,
skcond 1870. Governor Roberts was re-elected in 1880, with L. T.
Pkriod of ' '' _ . .
Statehood Storey as lieutenant-govcrnor, defeating- E. J. Davis, Republican,
and W. H. Ham man, Greenbacker. At that election all the
Congressmen were re-elected.
There was much important legislation during Governor Rob-
erts's two administrations. When he came into office the
finances were somewhat disordered, the public debt had grad-
ually increased to over five millions and a half, the expenses
exceeded the income, and State warrants were selling at a dis-
1874
TO
IS97
Legislation
during Gov-
ernor Rob-
erts's two ad-
ministrations
Old Cai'ITol at Ausiin. {Burned November, i8Si.)
■' Pay as you
go"
Cash balance
in the treasury
count. To remedy these evils, he adopted a policy popularly
called "Pay as you go." He accomplished this by reducing
all expenses, cutting down the appropriations to the public
schools to one-sixth instead of one-fourth of the re\'enues, and
by selling the school and public lands at low prices, so as to get
them in the hands of private owners who would pay taxes on
them. His financial methods proved successful. The State's
credit was restored, the schools were taught a longer term for
less money than before, and he left a cash l)alance in the treasury
of three hundred thousand dollars, after paying all expenses,
SECOND PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
395
discharging four hundred thousand dollars of the public debt,
and reducing iaxes from fifty to thirty cents on the hundred
dollars. His administrations were especially noted for activity
and improvement in the educational institutions of the State.
The Agricultural and Mechanical College was reorganized, the
Sam Houston and Prairie View Normal Schools were founded,
and the University of Texas was located, organized, and put
in operation, most of these events occurring in his second
term, from 1880 to 1882.
On November 9, 1881, the old capitol was burned,
and it was fortunate that already, in 1879, the legisla-
ture had provided for selling three million acres of
public lands to erect a new State capitol. A contract
was finally made by which the land was transferred to
a Northern company in exchange for the completed
building, the land being valued at one dollar and fifty
cents an acre. The capitol was completed under the suc-
ceeding administrations of Governors Ireland and Ross.
The four years from 1878 to 1882 were prosperous and peaceful.
Taxable values increased from two hundred and eighty million
dollars to four hundred and ten million dollars, and the popula-
tion of the State had grown in proportion.
John Ireland and Marion Martin were the Democratic candi-
dates for governor and lieutenant-governor in 1882, and they
_ were elected in November of that year,
defeating George W. Jones and E. W.
Morton, the Greenback candidates. The
Supreme Court elected in 1882 was com-
posed of A. H. Willie, chief justice ; C.
S. West and J. W. Stayton, associate
justices ; while J. M. Hurt, John P.
White, and Samuel A. Willson were
elected to the Court of Appeals. The
census of 1880 had given Texas eleven
Congressmen, and in 1882 the following
gentlemen were elected for the several
districts, in order : Charles Stewart, John H. Reagan, James H.
Jones, D. B. Culberson, J. W. Throckmorton, Olin Wellborn,
Pkkiod VHI.
SliCOND
Period of
Statehood
1874
TO
1897
John Ireland.
Prosperity
and wealth
Campaign of
1882
State officers
elected
Congressmen,
1882 1886
A. H. Willie.
;96
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Tkriod VUI.
Skcond
Pkriod of
Statehood
i'874
TO
IS97
Democratic
victory in
United States,
Ireland's two
administra-
tions
Free grass and
Itntc-cutting
Land grants to
public institu-
tions
Creation of
many public
boards
Alamo bought
Thomas P. Ochiltree, James F. Miller, R. O. Mills, John Han-
cock, S. W. T. Lanham ; and they were all re-elected in 1884,
except Mr. Ochiltree and Judge Hancock, who were succeeded
by W. H. Grain and Joseph D. Sayers. Governor Ireland was
re-elected in 1884, with Barnett Gibbs as lieutenant-governor,
again defeating the Greenback candidate, George W. Jones. It
was in that year that the Democratic party in the United States
elected a President and Vice-President, the first time since 1856.
Grover Cleveland and Thomas A. Hendricks were the successful
candidates.
Governor Ireland's two administrations were prosperous and
progressive. His policies differed in some respects from those
of his predecessor. He withdrew the public and school lands
from sale on the terms before offered, and they were to be sold
for two dollars an acre, on thirty
years' time. Under the land laws
adopted in his first administration,
a large stock ranch might and often
did inclose smaller tracts of land
owned and cultivated by different
persons. When the large tract was
fenced up for miles, there was great
difiiculty in getting in and out
through the country. This, to-
gether with the regulations against
free grazing on public lands, gave
rise to a dangerous and lawless
jtiactice known as " Fence-cutting." The wire fences were cut
and destroyed by persons who considered their rights interfered
with by the laws, and the evil became so great as to recjuire a
special session of the legislature to suppress it. Two millions
of acres of land were granted to the University and public
schools ; great improvements were made in the various asylums
and penal institutions ; taxes were reduced to seventeen and a
half cents on the hundred dollars, and many boards w&Yft created
to look after special interests. The ofifice of superintendent of
I)ublic instruction was restored during Governor Ireland's first
administration. The Alamo was purchased by the State and
Main Hrn.mNi;, Univkrsity oi- Tkxas.
SECOND PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
597
intrusted to the care of the citizens of San Antonio ; the corner-
stone of the new capitol was laid with impressive ceremonies on
March 2, 1885 ; and the University was formally opened on
September 15, 1883, although teaching in some of its depart-
ments had begun at an earlier date. The main branch and law
department of the University were located, by the election of
1 88 1, at Austin, and the medical department at Galveston. On
September i, 1886, Sawnie Robertson was appointed to the
Supreme Court, Judge West having retired on account of his
health.
Period VIII.
Second
Period of
Statehood
1874
to
1897
QUESTIONS.
What can you say of the new era inau.sjurated with the election of
Governor Coke ? What is universally true of a peaceful and prosiierous
land? When were the new .State officers, succeeding Reconstruction,
installed? Describe the scene and events attending their installation.
In what condition did the Fourteenth Legislature find the affairs of the
Slate government? What was the amount of the public debt? What
measures were adopted by the legislature to remedy existing evils ?
W'hat compromise was effected with the International and Great Northern
Railroad ? What was done to suppress lawlessness and protect the fron-
tier ? When was a Constitutional Convention held, and what did it do ?
When was the new Constitution ratified by the people, and what was
done at the same election ? Who were elected State officers at that elec-
tion ? How was the Supreme Court constituted by this election ? What
otlier court of last resort was created by the Constitution of 1876, and
who were elected judges of that court at the election in February, 1876?
How was the Supreme Court composed from 1874 to 1876, and give the
names of the several judges who sat in that court during that period?
How many Congressmen were elected from Texas in 1872, and who were
they? Who were elected to Congress in 1874? Who was elected to the
United States Senate in 1874? Who in 1876? Who in 1881 ? Who
w'ere the Senators until 1895? Explain the various times at which, and
terms for which, these gentlemen took their seats in the .Senate. When
and why did Governor Coke resign ; who then became governor, and for
how long ? What provisions did tiie new State Constitution make for
public free schools ? Explain the difference between the permanent and
the available school funds. What provisions were made for a State Uni-
versity ? What about the Agricultural and Mechanical College ? How
;98
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
1S97
Pkriod VIII. have all those provisions been carried out? How many Federal judges
Sf.cond vvere there in Texas from 1858 to that time (1876), and give the names
c "^ , „„„ of the judges in the several districts? Who were elected to Congress
oTAThHOOD j ct ...
— in November, 1S76? What action did the Fifteenth Legislature take for
' "^ revising the laws, and who were appointed for that purpose? What was
that revision called? When did the "Greenback Party" make its first
appearance, what did it do, and when did it reach its greatest strength in
Te.xas ? What did it advocate ? When and where did the State Demo-
cratic convention of 1878 meet? Who were candidates for nomination
for governor in that convention? Describe what occurred in nominating
a candidate for governor, and who was nominated? Who was nominated
for lieutenant-governor? What was the result of the November elections
in 1878? Who were the candidates for governor on opposing tickets?
Who were elected to the Supreme Court at that election, and e.xplain the
change that took place in the court? Who were elected to Congress,
and what change took place in the Fourth district soon afterwards?
Who were candidates for governor and lieutenant-governor in 18S0, and
what was the result of the election that year? What Congressmen were
elected in 1880? What was the condition of the State's finances when
Governor Roberts came into office in January, 1879? What legislation
was passed in his administrations affecting the public treasury and pul)lic
lands? What policy did he adopt, and with what success? For what
were his administrations specially noted ? What educational institutions
were developed by him and his legislatures, and in what years? When
was the old capitol burned ? What provisions had already been made
for a new State capitol ? Explain the contract for that purpose. When
was the new capitol completed ? What was the general condition during
the four years from 1878 to 1882? What increase took place in taxable
values and populati(jn ? Who were the opposing candidates for governor
and lieutenant-governor in 1882, and what was the result of the election?
How vvere the Su[)reme Court and Court of Appeals constituted by that
election ? How many Congressmen did Texas ha\e under the census of
iSSo, and who were elected in 1882? Who in 1884? Who were elected
governor and lieutenant-governor in 1884, and whom did they defeat?
What occurred that year in the Federal elections ? What was the charac-
ter of Governor Ireland's two administrations? What were his policies
in regard to the public lands ? What trouble arose under the land laws
adopted in his first administration ? Explain "fence-cutting," and what
was done to stop it? Give an outline of the most important legislation
during Ireland's two terms as governor. What State office was restored ?
What important historical purchase was made by the State? What
interesting public ceremonies occurred, and on what dates ? When,
where, and how were the several departments of the State l^niversity
located? When were the main and law departments formally opened?
What change occurred in the Supreme Court in September, 1886?
SECOND PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
399
Topical Analysis.
1. Reformation in the State government, to restore it to a soimd,
prosperous, and economical basis ; reduction of expenses and taxes ;
improvement in educational affairs ; wise and provident management of
public lands ; erection of a new State capitol ; opening of the State
University ; great increase in population and taxable values.
2. Complete reorganization of the government, under the Constitution
of 1876, extending and amplifying all the functions and institutions of the
government ; a revision of the statute laws ; developiuent of all the
interests and industries of the State and its people.
Period VIII.
Second
Period of
Statehood
i's74
TO
1897
Parallel Readings.
Scarff's "Comprehensive History of Texas" (1897), Vol. II., Part
HI.: O. M. Roberts's "Political, Legislative, and Judicial History of
Texas, 1845-1895," Part VI. : " F"ifty Years of Material, Social, and
General Growth," by Dudley G. Wooten ; Brown's " History of Texas,"
\'<)1. 11.
Agricultikai. and Mkchanical College, Hryan, Texas.
Main Building. Ross Hall.
CHAPTER XXVI.
Administrations of Governors Ross and Hogg;
Legislation against Corporations ;
The Populist Party.
Period VIII.
Skcond
Phriod of
Statkhgod
1874
TO
I.S97
fi
L. S. Ross
Prohibition
campaign
in 1887
T the November election, 1886, General L. S. Ross
and T. B. Wheeler were the Democratic candidates
for governor and lieutenant-governor, and they, with
the entire ticket, were elected, defeating the Repub-
lican and Prohibition candidates by a majority of over one hun-
dred and fifty thousand votes. At the same election, R. R.
Gaines was elected to the Supreme Court, while Charles Stewart,
W. H. Martin, R. O. Mills, D. B. Culberson, Silas
Hare, Jo Abbott, C.^B. Kilgore, S. W. T. Lanham,
W. H. Crain, L. W. Moore, and Joseph D. Sayers
were chosen as the Texas Congressmen. Governor
Ross and Lieutenant-Governor Wheeler were re-
elected in November, 1888, at which time also John
W. Stayton was elected chief justice of the Supreme
Court, with R. R. Gaines and John L. Henry as asso-
ciate justices, and the same Congressmen were re-
elected.
Governor Ross's two administrations were singu-
larly peaceful, and the whole State was quiet and
. prosperous. The new State capitol was completed
and dedicated oh May 16, 1888, with great ceremony, there
being an international military drill, in which the volunteer com-
panies of Texas and other States and regular United States
trooi)S took part, to the number of several thousands.
In the summer of 1887 there occurred an election on the
adoption of a Constitutional Amendment to prohibit the manu-
facture, sale, and importation of intoxicating liquors in Texas.
The camj^aign which preceded it was intensely exciting and
4 Of J
SECOND PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
401
aroused great enthusiasm throughout the State. Nearly every
leading man in the State took part on one side or the other, and
the interest was in some respects more universal than on any
public question since the war. The amendment was defeated
by a vote of 129,270 for and 220,627 against it. During Gov-
ernor Ross's administrations laws were passed requiring the
attorney-general to institute legal proceedings to compel rail-
roads and other corporations to comply more strictly with their
corporate duties and obligations. Texas has ever been most
liberal in her encouragement of railroads, and has granted them
many millions of acres of land since the first law was
passed for that purpose in 1854. They. have been of
great benefit to the State, but they have been gener-
ously paid for all they have ever contributed to the
welfare of Texas. In return, they have not always
shown a disposition to comply with the laws or to
respect the rights and interests of the people, and
when they have had the advantage of the government
in any manner they have not failed to improve it to
the uttermost. By illegal and fraudulent methods in
years past the railroads had obtained large quantities
of land to which they were not entitled by law, and
under Ross's administrations Attorney-General James S. Hogg
was industrious and earnest in his efforts to recover these lands,
and to otherwise enforce the laws against the railroads and other
corporations. About this time, also, the question of regulating
freight rates on railroads began to be discussed, and soon be-
came a controlling issue in State politics. Passenger rates had
been reduced to three cents a mile, and it was believed that
the charges for freight transportation could be justly lessened
without injury to the railroads. The formation of combinations
between various corporations, in order to create monopolies,
called "trusts," was also an evil against which legislation and
the action of the government began to be exerted, and likewise
the issuance of fictitious bonds and stocks by railroads, so as
to absorb all their capital and destroy their usefulness. At this
time (1889) the Farmers Alliance, an association originating
among the farmers of the State for social and industrial pur-
26
Period VIII.
Second
Period of
Statehood
1S74
TO
1897
Railroad pol-
icy of Texas
K y. Mills.
Regulation of
freight rates,
" trusts,"
and fictitious
bonds
Origin of the
" Farmers'
Alliance"
402
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period Vlll.
Skcond
Period of
Statehood
1874
TO
IS97
poses, l)cg-an to make its influence felt in politics, and it was
arrayed on the side of regulating and restraining railroad and
other corporations within such limits as to protect the people
against unjust and arbitrary acts on the part of those creatures
of the government.
All these questions entered into the campaign of 1890. At-
torney-General Hogg became a candidate for governor, on the
proposition that Texas must rule the corporations or
they would rule and ruin the people. He was nomi-
nated by the Democratic State Convention in August,
1890, George C. Pendleton being the nominee for
lieutenant-governor. The entire Democratic ticket
was elected in November by a majority of one hun-
dred and sixty-eight thousand, and at the same time
an amendment to the Constitution was adopted,
authorizing the legislature to create a Commission
to regulate railroads. At that election the old Con-
gressmen were all re-elected except Silas Hare, who
,^_^_ was succeeded by J. W. Bailey, and W. H. Martin,
who was succeeded by J. B. Long. The legislature
at once established a Railroad Commission to be appointed by
the governor, and Governor Hogg appointed on the first Com-
mission, John H. Reagan, W. P. McLean, _ _
and L. L. Foster. Judge Reagan was then
in the United States Senate, having been
elected in 1887 to succeed General Maxey.
He resigned from the Senate, and Horace
Chilton was appointed United States Sen-
U;^s. Senators, ator in his stead, April 25, 1891. Subse-
quently, Roger Q. Mills was elected by
the legislature to fill out the unexpired
term, and was re-elected to a full term in
.\_ C • r^ -w -1 ^ IIoKAC K (Mil TON.
the Senate m 1893. In 1895, when Sen-
ator Coke retired, Mr. Chilton was elected to a full term in the
United States Senate.
By an amendment to the Constitution, adopted at the elec-
tion in 1890, the entire judicial system of the State was reorgan-
ized, so far as the higher courts are concerned. By legislation
Railroad
Commission
established
1887- 1897
Reorganiza-
tion of the
judicial sys-
tem in I 8qo
SECOND PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
403
1874
TO
1897
passed under that amendment there have been created a Supreme Period viii.
Court composed of three iud<>es, sittino- at Austin ; a Court of Second
' ... Period of
Criminal Appeals, three judges, sitting at Austin, Tyler, and statehood
Dallas ; five intermediate Courts of Civil Appeals, sitting at
Austin, San Antonio, Galveston, Fort Worth, and Dallas, and
composed of three judges each. The Supreme Court, as consti-
tuted in 1890, was composed of John W. Stay ton,
chief justice, R. R. Gaines, and John L. Henry.
Judge Henry resigned in 1893, and Thomas J.
Brown was appointed in his place. On July 5, 1894,
Chief Justice Stayton died, and Judge Gaines was
promoted to the chief-justiceship, while Leroy G.
Denman was appointed associate justice. At the
election in November, 1894, Chief Justice Gaines
and Justices Brown and Denman were elected to the
Supreme Bench, and Judge Denman was re-elected
in 1896. The Court of Criminal Appeals, in 1891,
was composed of J. M. Hurt, W. L. Davidson, and
E. J. Simkins. In 1894, John N. Henderson suc-
ceeded Judge Simkins, and the whole court as thus
constituted was re-elected in 1896. The five Courts
of Civil Appeals, as finally constituted in 1893, were composed Courts of Civil
as follows : First District, at Galveston, C. C. Garrett, chief ^^^^ ^
justice, F. A. Williams, H. C. Pleasants ; Second District, at
Fort Worth, B. D. Tarleton, chief justice,
H. O. Head, I. W. Stephens ; Third Dis-
trict, at Austin, H. C. Fisher, chief justice,
W. E. Collard and W. M. Key ; Fourth
District, at San Antonio, J. H. James,
chief justice, H. H. Neill, W. S. Fly ;
Fifth District, at Dallas, H. W. Light-
foot, chief justice, N. W. Finley-, Anson
Rainey. In 1895, Judge Head resigned
in the Second District and Sam T. Hunter
was appointed to the vacancy, and was p ,■ ■ j-
regularly elected in 1896. Governor
In his first administration. Governor Hogg pursued fear- H°eg's first
. '^'^ ^ administra-
lessly and consistently the policy laid down in his campaign tion
John W. Stayton.
Rki'rkn R. Gaines.
404
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period VI II.
SliCOND
Pkriod of
Statehood
1874
TO
1897
Corporations
aroused
against him
Also, the
conservative
element
Democratic
State Conven-
tion at Hous-
ton in August,
189a
Divides into
two conven-
tions
and in the platform on which he was elected. Extensive and
radical laws were passed for the regulation of corporations, to
prevent trusts and monopolies, to prohibit alien ownership of
land, and generally to control and abridge the power of large
moneyed and corporate interests. This course of conduct
aroused great opposition to him in certain quarters. The corpora-
tions, of course, would naturally resent the effort to regulate their
business and control their exactions. Besides these, very many
conservative men objected to the methods pursued by the gov-
ernor and his legislatures. It was believed that the continual
war and agitation against railroads and corporations were in-
juring the State, driving away foreign immigration and invest-
ments, and crippling the growth and prosperity of the country.
Hence arose a very formidable
and determined opposition to
Governor Hogg's re-election.
The campaign of 1892 began
early in May, and it was the
most exciting political contest
the State had ever witnessed.
George Cferk was the candidate
of all the elements opposed to
Hogg. He was the logical
choice of the corporations, and
the conservative element sup-
ported him, hoping to defeat Hogg and elect some third man
less extreme than either of them. On the Clark side the cam-
paign motto was "Turn Texas Loose," while the governor's
supporters rallied under the banner of "Hogg and the Com-
mission."
The Democratic State Convention met in Houston in August,
1S92. P>om what had preceded, it was almost certain there
would ]>e trouble in that body. There were charges of fraud in
the selection of delegates on both sides, the attendance on the
convention was unprecedented in magnitude, the weather was
intensely hot, and the condition of men's minds and tempers
scarcely less so. A disinite arose upon the call of the roll for
the election of temporary chairman, indescribable confusion and
Sam Houston Normal School, Huiitsville.
SECOND PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
405
discord ensued, and out of the seething, wrangHng, angry, and Period viii.
uncontrollable multitude of delegates two conventions were , ' '"-'-"'^"
" PliRIOI) OK
organized, called the "Car-stable" and "Turner Hall" con- Statkhood
ventions, from the buildings in which they assembled. James 1S74
S, Hogg and M. M. Crane were nominated for governor and '^'^
lieutenant-governor by the " Car-stable Convention," which was _
afterwards generally recognized as the regular Democratic or- Governor
ganization, while George Clark and C. M. Rogers were nomi- na°edb°"the
nated for the same offices by the ' ' Tui'ner Hall' ' meeting. The regular con-
campaign that followed until November was more or less enthu- '^^"^^°"
siastic, but the heat of passion subsided, and Democrats began George ciark
to realize the folly of such disagreements within the lines of their ^f ^he"oppo-
own party. A presidential campaign was in progress, in which sition
the Democracy had strong hopes of success, and this served Subsequent
very much to reconcile many men to the suj)port of the regular '^^'"P^'S"
nominees. The coinage ol
It was in this year that the coinage question became an issue ^° *",-.^' V^
-' o> 2 as a political
in Texas politics. As a rule, the supporters of Governor Hogg issue in Tex. s
favored a decided and explicit declara-
tion in favor of the free coinage of silver
and gold by the Federal government, at
the ratio of sixteen to one ; while the Clark
men generally contended for a modified
demand for the equal coinage of both
metals at such j-atio as would insure their
parity and circulation as money at par.
Governor Hogg and his ticket were vic-
torious at the polls in November, but not medicai. department ok university.
by a majority vote. There was another
political party, lately organized in Texas, whose candidates re- The Popuiist
ceived a large vote. This was the People's Party, or Populists, ^^^ ^
as they came to be called. Their platform of principles was a
protest against the conduct of both the Democratic and Repub-
lican parties, declared in favor of paper money based on the
credit of the government, demanded the government ownership
of railroads and telegraph lines, and was generally opposed to
the growing evils of the money and corporation interests. Their
candidates for governor and lieutenant-governor were Thomas
4o6
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period VIII.
Second
Period of
Statehood
i874
TO
1897
Governor
Hogg's second
administra-
tion
Congressional
elections in
1892
In 1894
L. Nugent and Marion Martin. The vote for governor in No-
vember was : Hogg, 190,486 ; Clark, 133,395 ! Nugent, 108,483.
In the Federal election in the United States for 1892 the
Democrats were successful, electing Grover Cleveland President
and Adlai E. Stevenson Vice-President.
Governor Hogg's second administration was not materially
different from the first, and there was no incident of special im-
portance in its history. There was a firm adherence to the
policies followed during his former term and on which he had
been re-elected. Towards the close of his second administra-
tion, however, it became evident that the finances of the State
were not in good condition. The government was not able to
meet its expenses out of its income, and State warrants could not
be paid in cash.
Under the census of 1890, Texas was entitled to thirteen
Congressmen, and in 1892 the State was reapportioned into that
number of districts. At the election in November of that year
the following Democrats were elected to Congress from the
several districts in the order named : J. C. Hutcheson, S. B.
Cooper, C. B. Kilgore, D. B. Culberson, J. W. Bailey, Jo
Abbott, George C. Pendleton, C. K. Bell, J. D. Sayers, Walter
Gresham, W. H. Crain, Thomas M. Paschal, J. V. Cockrell.
In 1894, all these gentlemen were re-elected except Kilgore,
Gresham, and Paschal, who were then succeeded by C. H.
Yoakum, Miles Crowley, and George H. Noonan (Republican).
QUESTIONS.
Who were elected governor and lieutenant-governor in 18S6, and by
what majority? Who was then elected chief justice of the Supreme
Court ? Who were the Congressmen selected ? What State officers and
Congressmen were elected in 1888 ? What was the character of Governor
Ross's two administrations? When was the new capitol finished and
dedicated, and with what ceremonies? What exciting campaign and
election occurred in 1887? Describe the nature and interest of that con-
test. What was the vote on prohibition ? What laws affecting corpora-
tions were passed in Ross's administrations? What has been the policy
of Texas towards railroads, and what has heeu llieir disposition and con-
SECOND PERIOD OF STATEHOOD,
407
duct towards the State ? What efforts were made by Attorney-General
Hogg to recover lands fraudulently acquired by railroads ? What other
question at that time began to excite public attention and became a po-
litical issue ? What was sought to be done to regulate freight rates on
railroads ? What other evils connected with corporations existed and
were attempted to be prevented by law? What noted organization
sprang up in Texas in 1889, and what were its objects ? How did it figure
in politics? How did all these questions afTect the campaign of 1890?
Who was the Democratic candidate for governor that year, and what
were his views on these public issues? Who was the candidate for
lieutenant-governor with him ? What was the result of the election ?
Who were the Congressmen elected at that time ? What important com-
mission was appointed by Governor Hogg, and whom did he appoint ?
What change occurred in regard to Texas's representation in the United
States Senate in consequence of this action ? How long did Mr. Chilton
hold his seat in the Senate, and who succeeded him ? Explain subsequent
elections of United States Senators until 1895. What important constitu-
tional amendment was adopted in 1890 affecting the judicial system of
the State? Explain the system of higher courts established under that
amendment. What changes occurred in the composition of the Supreme
Court from 1890 to 1896? How was the Court of Criminal Api)eals con-
stituted from 1891 to 1896? Give the locations and designations of the
live Courts of Civil Appeals, and the judges composing each, from 1S93
to 1S96. What was Governor Hogg's conduct during his first adminis-
tration? What important legislation was enacted at that time? Wiiat
effect did these things have upon the political attitude of the corporations
and their friends ? What other element was arrayed against the governor
and his policies, and why? W^hat influence did this opposition have on
the campaign of 1892 in Texas? Who were the opposing candidates
for governor, and by what elements were they respectively supported?
What were the campaign mottoes ? When and where did the Demo-
cratic State Convention meet that year ? Describe what occurred at thai
convention. Who were the nominees for governor and lieutenant-
governor put out by the two opposing factions ? What developed in the
ensuing campaign? What influenced Democrats to stick to their party
that year? What Federal issue became an issue at that time in Texas
l)olitics? Explain the attitude of the Hogg and Clark men on that cjues-
tion. Who was successful at the election in November? What new
jiolitical party appeared in that campaign? W^hat was its platform?
Who were its candidates ? Give the result of the votes for the several
candidates in 1892. Who were elected President and Vice-President in
that year? W^hat were the character and policy of Governor Hogg's
second administration ? What difficulties arose towards its close ? How
many Congressmen was Texas entitled to by the census of 1890? Who
were elected to Congress in 1892 ? Who in 1894 ?
Period VIII.
Second
Period of
Statehood
1874
to
1897
4o8
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period VIII.
Second
Pkriod ok
Statehood
1874
TO-
1897
Topical Analysis.
1. General prosperity and advancement of the State.
2. Introduction of new political issues and influences, such as :
(a) The attempt to restrain the inordinate power and the oppressive
exactions of corporations and " trusts."
(d) The effort to regulate transportation rates over railroads, and to
prevent the fraudulent issuance of stock and bonds as the basis for exor-
bitant freight charges.
{f) The money question, as involved in the coinage of gold and silver,
and the financial policy of the Federal government.
3. These issues disturb the harmony of existing party relations, give
rise to political excitement, and tend to disrupt the old political parties
and to create new ones, — the object of all the agitation being to find a
remedy against the growing power of corporations and combined wealth.
Roberts's "Political History," Part III
prehensive History of Texas" ( 1897).
Parallel Readings.
\'ul. II., of Scarff's " Coni-
Ham llh.li SciioiiL, {;al\c;Uun.
CHAPTER XXVII.
Governor Culberson's Administrations ; Campaigns of
1894 and i8g6; Reduction of Public Expenses;
General Progress and Prosperity of the
State ; Death of Distinguished Men.
Period VIII.
Second
Period of
Statehood
1874
to
1897
IN the campaign of 1894, Charles A. Culberson, who was
attorney-general during Governor Hogg's two administra-
tions, John H. Reagan, John D. McCall, and S. W. T.
Lanham were candidates for the Democratic nomination
for governor. Of these Mr. Culberson was the youngest, but
his service as attorney-general had attested his abilities, while
his views on public questions were known to be, in
the main, the same as those of his popular predeces-
sor. Judge Reagan's career had been one of singu-
lar and signal distinction, extending through forty
years of eventful and trying experience in high public
station, and identified with much that endeared him
to the hearts of the people. Mr. McCall had evi-
denced his good sense and practical capacity as State
comptroller for several years ; while Colonel Lanham
had served in Congress with credit and success. After
a spirited canvass, the convention met in Dallas in
August, and Mr. Culberson was nominated, with
George T. Jester for lieutenant-governor. This convention,
however, after a considerable debate, abolished the two-thirds
rjde in making nominations, which rule had been adhered to in
Texas since the first Democratic State convention in 1857. There
was also a long and very able debate on the adoption of the plat-
form for the Democracy in that campaign. The principal point Debate on the
of difference was in reference to the money or coinage question. ^°^*^ '^"^^
One side advocated the adoption of the declaration contained in
the National Democratic Platform of 1892, which was understood
409
ChARLI-S a. Cll.nhKbON.
Two-thirds
rule abolished
4IO
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period VIII.
Second
Period of
Statehood
]S74
TO
1897
Campaign of
1894
Governor Cul-
berson's first
administra-
tion
Thomas L. Nugent
Special ses-
sion on the
prize-fight
Campaign of
i8g6
Universal dis-
content and
agitation
to be in favor of the single gold standard ; while the other favored
a declaration for the/r*?^ and unlimited coinage of gold and silver
at the ratio of sixteen to one. The gold standard men won the
fight amid great enthusiasm.
In the ensuing campaign the Democrats were opposed by a
Populist and two Republican tickets for State officers. Judge
Nugent and Marion Martin were again the Populist candidates
for governor and lieutenant-governor, while the Republicans were
divided into two factions, called "Lily-Whites" and " Black-
and-Tans. " The vote stood: Culberson, 207,167; Nugent,
152,731 ; Makemson (Black-and-Tan), 54,520; Schmitz (Lily-
White), 5026.
Governor Culberson's first administration was uneventful,
but conservative, wise, and stable. He was greatly embarrassed
by the financial condition of the State when he assumed control
of the government, and it required great caution and
economy to conduct affairs so as to avoid serious
trouble.
At the election in 1894, amendments to the Con-
■ stitution were adopted, making the Railroad Com-
mission elective, and authorizing appropriations to
support the "Home for Confederate Soldiers." The
efforts of the administration were directed towards re-
ducing expenses, collecting delinquent taxes, and com-
pelling corporations which derive large revenues from
the State to pay a reasonable tax for their franchises
and business. An incident of the administration was
a special session of the legislature, in October, 1895, to pass
a law to prevent a notable prize-fght that was threatened at
Dallas, to the scandal of the civilization and laws of Texas.
The political campaign of 1896, State and Federal, was one
of unusual activity and interest. Since the dissensions at the
State convention of 1892, two factions had existed in the Demo-
cratic party of Texas, mainly on the coinage question, which was
strictly an issue of Federal politics. This division also existed
to some extent throughout the Union. The growth of the great
corporations, and their combinations in the form of "trusts;"
the accumulation of vast wealth in the hands of a few persons,
SECOND PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
411
by that means and the protective tariff ; the controlHng influence
of these agencies in shaping the financial pohcies of the Federal
government ; the growing discontent of the laboring and agricul-
tural masses, especially in the West and South, caused by low
wages, low prices, and general depression of business and indus-
try, — all these things contributed to produce a wide-spread dis-
satisfaction with existing conditions, and a consequent weakening
of old party ties, both locally and nationally. The course of
President Cleveland during his second administration had dis-
gusted and alienated the bulk of his party, and the Democracy
Period VIII.
Second
Period ok
Statehood
1874
to
1897
President
Cleveland's
conduct
CONIEUEKATE SoLUlERS' HOME, AuStill, TcxaS.
was in danger of great disorganization. It was this state of The Populists
affairs that had caused the formation and sudden strength of
the Populist party in Texas and elsewhere. In both the pre-
ceding State campaigns that political organization had exhibited
great vitality and power, under the leadership of Thomas L. Thomas l.
Nugent, a man of ability, purity of character, and very plausi- "^^"*
ble in his presentation of the new theories of the Populists.
His death, in 1895, transmitted the headship of the party in
Texas to Jerome C. Kearby, a prominent and able lawyer of
Dallas. There were no issues in 1896 of controlling importance
in State politics, but, it being the occasion of a presidential
election, all interest centred on Federal questions. A state-
412
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period VIII.
Second
Period of
Statehood
1874
to
Issues in the
national cam-
paign of i8g6
W.J. Bryan
Free silver
platform
Bolting Demo-
crats
Republicans
merit of those questions is necessary to an understanding of the
situation.
The Democratic National Convention met in Chicago on
July 7, and the fight between the Free Silver and Gold Standard
Democrats was earnest and bitter, the former constituting the
great majority of the delegates, while the latter were mostly
Northern and Eastern men, led by David B. Hill and William
C. Whitney, of New York. A spirited and eloquent debate
occurred on the adoption of the party platform, the point of dis-
pute being the declaration for "the free and unlimited coinage
of both silver and gold at the ratio of sixteen to one, without
waiting for the aid or consent of any other nation." In closing
that discussion, William J. Bryan, of Nebraska, speaking for the
aiifirmative, delivered a speech of phenomenal power and dramatic
effect. He had not previously been a candidate for the Presi-
dency, but so completely did his address capture the convention,
and so thoroughly did it embody the prevailing sentiments of
the assembled delegates, that he was nominated on the first
ballot. The vote adopting the free silver platform was 628 ayes,
301 nays. The convention refused to indorse Mr. Cleveland's
administration by a vote of 357 aj'cs to 564 ?iays. The platform,
besides the declaration on the money question, contained declara-
tions opposing the issuance of United States bonds in time of
peace ; against national banks and bank-notes ; denouncing a
protective tariff, but advising that that issue be not agitated until
the coinage issue was settled ; favoring an income tax by the
general government ; deprecating the unwarranted interference
of the Federal authorities in local and State affairs, and the
unconstitutional acts of Federal judges ; and the other usual
fundamental doctrines of the Democratic faith. The Gold
.Standard Democrats, who had been thus defeated in the con-
vention, bolted the platform and nominees of their party, and
met at Indianapolis on SeptemlxT 2, where they nominated John
M. Palmer, of Illinois, and Simon B. Buckncr, of Kentucky, for
President and Vice-President.
The Republican National Convention met at St. Louis on
June 16, and nominated William McKinley, of Ohio, and Gar-
rett A. Hobart, of New Jersey, for President and Vice-President.
SECOND PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
4^3
The platform issued was the usual Republican declaration, favor-
ing a high protective tarif!, pensions to Union soldiers, and, on
the money question, it proclaimed in favor of " the existing gold
standard" until the free coinage of silver could be obtained by
" the international agreement of the leading commercial nation's
of the world." When this last declaration was adopted, Sena-
tors Henry M. Teller, of Colorado, Fred T. Dubois, of Idaho,
and other advocates of free silver withdrew from the convention.
On July 22, the so-called " National Silver Party" met in St.
Louis, composed of many free silver Republicans and some
Democrats and Populists. They simply indorsed the Demo-
cratic ticket that had been nominated at Chicago. The Populist
National Convention met at the same time and place, and after
a stormy session, in which the Texas delegation took a leading
part, as "middle-of-the-road" Populists (by whom were meant
those opposed io fusion with any other party), it indorsed Bryan
for President, and nominated Thomas E. Watson, of Georgia,
for Vice-President. By a peculiar freak the usual order of pro-
ceeding was reversed, and the Vice-President was nominated
first. The platform was made up of the characteristic Populist
demands on all public questions.
Thus, practically, Mr. Bryan was supported by all the ele-
ments favoring the free coinage of silver, while Mr. McKinley,
directly or indirectly, received the support of all who opposed
that policy. In Texas the sentiment was largely one way, — in
favor of the Democratic candidate for President ; although the
Republicans developed a healthier strength than at any previous
period since Reconstruction days.
The Populist State Convention met at Galveston on August
5, 1896, and nominated a full State ticket, with Jerome C. Kearby
for governor and H. S. P. ("Stump") Ashby for lieutenant-
governor. The Democratic State Convention met in Fort Worth
on August 18, and the entire list of State of^cers was nominated
for re-election, except that Allison Mayficld was put forward to
fill the vacancy on the Railroad Commission. The platform
contained the customary Democratic declarations, with several
demands for legislation on local issues, such as the regulation
of official fees, reformation of the criminal laws and procedure,
Period VIII.
Second
Period of
Statehood
1874
TO
1897
National
Silver Party
National Pop-
ulist Conven-
tion
The practical
situation
State conven-
tions of Pop-
ulists and
Democrats
State Demo-
cratic platform
414
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period VIII.
Second
Period ok
Statehood
1874
TO
1897
Fusion
The canvass
in Texas
Results of the
elections, No-
vember 3, 1896
Character of
the campaign
abolition of the convict lease system, reduction of freight rates,
and the enactment of laws for reduction of expenses in the
government. The Republican State Convention met at Fort
Worth on September 9. It made no nominations for State
officers, but appointed an executive committee whose duty was
understood to be to work mainly for the Republican national
ticket, and, if possible, to secure the Populist support of McKin-
ley in exchange for the Republican support of Kearby. The
small faction of Republicans called "Lily-Whites," however,
did nominate a full State ticket, headed by Henry B. Cline, of
Harris County.
With the foregoing array of candidates and complications,
the canvass until the November elections was necessarily earnest
and sometimes confusing. The small fragment of bolting Demo-
crats who favored the gold standard generally voted for the
Populist candidate for governor, and many of them supported
the Republican national ticket. The Populists were badly con-
fused and demoralized by the peculiar ticket they had put out
at St. Louis, and all kinds of political bargains, fusions, and
coalitions were made or attempted to be made during the cam-
paign. At the election on November 3, 1896, the entire Demo-
cratic State ticket was elected, and the electoral vote of Texas
was cast for Bryan for President. The vote for governor stood
thus : Culberson, 298,528, Kearby, 238,692 ; for lieutenant-
governor : Jester, 306,244, Ashby, 230,863. The vote in Texas
for President and Vice-President was as follows : Bryan and
Scwall electors, 284,953 ; McKinley and Hobart electors, 160,-
695 ; Bryan and Watson electors, 78,129 ; Palmer and Buckner
electors, 4861. The vote in the whole United States showed
this result: For McKinley, popular vote, 7,107,822, or 271
electoral votes; for Bryan, popular vote, 6,511,073, electoral
votes, 176 ; for Palmer, popular vote, 133,800 ; for Levering,
Prohibitionist, 130,683.
No national campaign since the War had aroused such univer-
sal public interest, and the result was for a long time regarded
as very doubtful. The excitement in Texas was not so intense
as in the Prohibition canvass of 1887 or the Hogg-Clark contest
of 1892, but the activity of all parties was immense, and, although
SECOND PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
415
the result of the vote in this State was never uncertain, the cam- tkriod viii.
paign was conducted with energy and enthusiasm. Perio'^ of
The Twenty-fifth Legislature convened in regular session Statehood
on January 12, 1897, and L. T. Dashiell, of Leon County, was ' 1874
elected speaker of the lower house. The inauguration ceremo- '^°
nies occurred at the usual time, and the governor's message was _i:
practical and conservative. He recommended the passage of Twenty-fifth
laws in accordance with the platform demands of his party in jan^uary-jmie
the recent campaign, and the labors of the body were directed 1897
to the accomplishment of those ends. The regular session was
a very stormy and unsatisfactory one, much time being fruitlessly Regular
consumed in the discussion of a bill to regulate assignments by
insolvent debtors, a bill to reduce and equalize the fees of county
ofificers, a bill to abolish what was known as ' ' the fellow-servant
doctrine" in the matter of the liability of railroads for personal
injuries to their employes, and the deficiency and general appro-
priation bills. The session continued the full ninety days allowed
by the Constitution, and just as the time expired the governor
vetoed the general appropriation bill, for several substantial
reasons. This necessitated an extra or special session of the Special
legislature, which was accordingly convened the next day. May ^^^^'°"
22. That session also continued for the thirty days permitted
by law, adjourning on June 19. Its labors were devoted to fin-
ishing the work begun at the regular session. During the two Governor's
sessions of the Twenty-fifth Legislature, Governor Culberson ^^'°^^
found it necessary to veto quite a number of the bills passed by
the two houses, and in every instance his action was apparently
approved by the people of the State, as well as acquiesced in by
the legislature itself. The most important acts of a general important
nature passed by this legislature were the following : Providing s^"^""^' '^^^
for a uniform system of text-books in the public schools of the
State, to take effect in 1898 ; reforming the criminal code and
procedure, so as to avoid many technical defects in the trial of
criminals and secure more prompt execution of the laws ; a fee
bill, to reduce and regulate the official fees of county officers ;
giving to foreign corporations the same rights in the manage-
ment of their property that are enjoyed by domestic coq^ora-
tions ; modifying and limiting the "fellow-servant doctrine" in
4i6
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period VIII.
Second
Period of
Statkhood
1874 '
TO
1897
Constitutional
amendments
Success and
prosperity of
Culberson's
administra-
tions
Reduction in
expenses
Collection
of taxes
Congressmen
Greer County
case
suits for personal injuries against railroads, and several laws
affecting the sale of the public school lands. An act was also
passed for the purchase of the battle-field of San Jacinto.
Several joint resolutions for amending the Constitution were
attempted to be passed, the most important of which was one
providing for the issue of bonds and the levy of local taxes for
irrigation purposes in the arid counties of the State, which was
adopted, and was defeated by a vote of the people in August,
1897.
Aside from the general prevalence of ' ' hard times' ' through-
out the entire country, and the difficulties arising from financial
conditions existing at the time he came into office, the adminis-
trations of Governor Culberson have been characterized by thrift,
prosperity, and peaceful progress. Texas has, perhaps, suffered
less from the general depression than most of the other States
for the past several years, and, so far as the administration of
the State government could conduce to the happiness, welfare,
and advancement of the people and all their interests, it has per-
formed its full duty acceptably and creditably. During the
period since January i, 1895, there have been great reductions
in the general expenses of the government, in official fees, and in
the cost of transportation over the railroads by the operation of
the Railroad Commission. A large deficiency has been paid oft,
the public schools have been improved and their terms length-
ened, delinquent taxes have been collected promptly and success-
fully, and the whole business and financial aspects of the admin-
istration have been healthy, practical, and efficient.
At the election of 1896, the Congressmen elected for the
several districts in their numerical order were as follows : T. H.
Ball, S. B. Cooper, R. C. DeGraffenried, J. W. Cranford, J.
W. Bailey, R. E. Burke, R. L. Henry, S. T. W. Lanham, J.
D. Sayers, R. B. Hawley (Republican), R. J. Kleberg, J W.
Slayden, J. H. Stephens.
An important event was the decision of the Greer County
litigation, by the Supreme Court of the United States, on March
16, 1896. As has been previously seen, the question involved
in that suit was as to which of the two forks of the up])er Red
Ri\er was the true boundary, as called for in the treaty of 18 19
SFXOND PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
417
Period VIII.
Second
Period of
Statehood
1874
to
1897
History of the
CHEROKEE STRIP !
. i
I HEMPHILL ! //
between the United States and Spain, defining and establishing
the northern boundary of Texas. If the " Prairie-Dog Town"
Fork was decided to be the true Hne of Texas, Greer County
belonged to the United States, but if the North Fork was
adopted, Texas would own that district of country. As a mat-
ter of fact, Texas had been in peaceful possession of the country
for many years, had organized a county government there,
established and supported courts and public free schools, and case
exercised all the jurisdiction that
she did over any other county in
the State. Even the United States
had practically recognized it as part
of Texas by placing it as one of the
counties of the Northern Judicial
District of Texas. But for some
reason, not now obvious, the public
men of Texas began to agitate the
question of title and ownership.
After several times attempting to
arbitrate the question through joint
commissions, there being no tribunal
having jurisdiction to try the case,
a bill was finally introduced and
passed in Congress, at the instance
of Texas, conferring special jurisdic-
tion upon the Supreme Court of the
United States to try a suit between the United States and Texas
to determine the title to Greer County. After able argument
and years of delay, the case was finally decided adversely to the
State upon every proposition and contention that had been urged
by the lawyers representing her. This litigation furnishes a Foiiyofthe
curious example of a person whose possession and title to land
are quiet and undisturbed, rushing into court to remove a cloud
from his title, and losing his property by the suit. Greer County
contained 1,575,680 acres, and the suit was very expensive to
the State.
An interesting incident occurred at Galveston on February Battleship
20, 1897, being the presentation of a silver service by the gov-
27
HALL I '^^t'^^^^iAM^
.^ ^ 1 ">S.:p^^_^
•MOTLEY j
I I COTTLE I
._L J L._..i l::!:
Map showing Territory disputed between
United States and Texas, called Creer
County.
4i8
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period V'lll.
Skconu
PHRIOD Ol'
Statkhood
1874
TO
1897
Death of dis-
tinguished
men
J. W. Throck-
morton
Sam Bell
Maxey
ernor, in behalf of the State, to the United States battleship
Texas. This magnificent vessel was one of the first two war-
ships built by the government for its new navy, and the honor
of the name was appropriately recognized by Texas, amid im-
posing ceremonies, at the chief seaport city of the State.
While the intelligence and enterprise of an energetic people
have kept the State abreast with modern civilization, and their
hopeful spirit has conquered all adverse circumstances, many of
those who in the past have contributed the wealth of their labor
and talents to the up-building of Texas have recently been called
from the scenes of their toils and their triumphs. In tlue year
1894, at his home in McKinney, Ex-Governor J. W. Throckmor-
ton died, at the age of sixty-nine years. His father was one of
the first settlers of Collin County, and he himself had devoted his
life largely to the defence and development of Texas. Beginning
his services as a Texas Ranger, in the Mexican War, he suc-
cessively held high rank as a lawyer, was a prominent ofificer in
the War for Secession, negotiated important treaties with the
Indians, and became governor of the State in 1866, under the
operation of Presidential Reconstruction. In that capacity, he
labored wisely and successfully to remove the disastrous effects
of the war, and to restore peace and prosperity to his people,
until removed by the arbitrary order of a military satrap. He
afterwards took a leading part in the projection and extension of
the early lines of railway in Northern Texas, and in the general
encouragement of immigration and industry in the State. He
served several terms in Congress, and to the date of his enforced
retirement from active life he was a valuable factor in all great
public movements, whether in the field of politics or in the direc-
tion of business progress for his State.
On August 16, 1895, at Eureka Springs, Arkansas, died
General S.- B. Maxey, who had been a distinguished citizen of
Texas for over forty years. As a young soldier, he won his first
laurels in that war by which Texas secured her independence
and peace as one of the United States ; later he came from " Old
Kentucky' ' to the land he had fought for, and at once became a
leader at the bar, an invaluable assistant of every movement for
the advancement of his State and section, and a man of wisdom
SECOND PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
419
Period VIII.
Second
Period of
Statehood
1874
to
1897
and firmness in every public crisis. When the storm of civil
strife swept Texas into the great struggle for Secession, he led
her soldiers to battle, and won glory for them and himself in
many arduous campaigns. At the close of that conflict he
returned to his home at Paris, and lent his aid and counsel to-
wards rehabilitating the commonwealth, for which he found his
reward, when Texas regained her sovereignty, by his elevation
to the United States Senate in 1874, to which position he was
re-elected in 1880, and for twelve years he rendered practical
services to the State and country that have not been surpassed
by any one who has ever held the commission of Texas in the
Federal legislature. His later years were spent in scholarly
retirement at his home, although on all great questions affecting
the policies of the government and the welfare of the people his
opinions were sought and fearlessly given, to the end of his life.
Ex-Governor John Ireland died at San Antonio, on March John Ireland
15, 1896, at the age of sixty-nine. As State Senator after
Reconstruction, judge of the Supreme Court, and governor for
two terms, he always displayed that rugged vigor
of character, Spartan virtue of firmness and honesty,
and a blunt simplicity of purpose that had enabled
him, in a life of great labor and sacrifice, to win his
way from poverty and obscurity to distinction and
usefulness in his adopted State. In the summer
of the same year, the University of Texas sustained
a serious and painful loss in the death of Professor
Leslie Waggener, chairman of its faculty. He was
one of the original corps of professors in that insti-
tution at its organization, in 1883, and had been
chairman of the faculty for a number of years before
his death. He was a man of finished and profound
culture, intensely loyal to the University, and gifted
with a rare practical judgment and plain, common sense method
of conducting the affairs of the great institution over which he
prjesided that were as useful as they are difficult to duplicate.
At his death, the Board of Regents, acting under the authority
of a recent act of the legislature, created the ofifice of President
of the Universit)', which place they filled by the selection of
Leslie Waggener.
420 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period VIII. Professoi' Gcorge T. Winston, late of the University of North
Carohna.
Period of
Statehood On February lo, 1896, Congressman WilUam H. Grain died
1874 in Washington City, aged forty-eight years. Mr. Crain was a
™ native Texan, a man of thorough education, high order of
_ natural talent, gifted with great eloquence, graceful and cap-
tivating in social life, and very popular among his people. His
William H. career for ten years in Congress had amply established his rep-
utation for ability, and his loss at so early an age was deeply
deplored by his friends and by the State at large. At a special
election in the summer of 1896, R. J. Kleberg was elected to fill
the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Crain.
Richard Coke On May 14, 1S97, at his home in Waco, Ex-Governor and
Ex-Senator Richard Coke ended his days, mourned by the
whole people of Texas, and followed by the highest evidences of
the esteem in which he was universally held. His distinction
was due to a remarkably strong and commanding personality, a
vigorous and powerful intellect, and an unbending tenacity of
purpose in the pursuit of what he conceived to be right. His
first public station of prominence was as judge of the Supreme
Court in 1866, under Presidential Reconstruction. When the
time came for the final struggle to overthrow the corrupt and
ruinous system that had grown up under the Davis administra-
tion, he was selected as the most suitable leader of the aroused
people of Texas. His firmness in the critical moment of transi-
tion to free Democratic government attested the wisdom of the
choice, and his administration as governor marked the opening
of a new era in the development of Texan Statehood. He was
elected to the Senate in 1876, was twice re-elected, and volun-
tarily retired in 1895.
Closing reflec- Thus, in the short space of three years, several of the most
notable and useful men of later Texas histor}' have passed from
the stage of action. Their ages were not so advanced as to have
rendered them no longer useful, and there is a melancholy sig-
nificance in the fact that the generation of our later statesmen
seems not so long-lived as that which went before. While these
men, whose public service and fame belong to the more recent
periods in the devel()|)ment of the .State, are thus being gathered
tions
SECOND PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
421
to their fathers, there remain among us some whose youthful
vision saw the sunrise of Hberty and independence at San Jacinto,
and whose wisdom and valor contributed to the foundation and
support of the first free government in Texas. Such are the
venerable Ex-Governors O. M. Roberts and Frank R. Lubbock,
and that heroic old statesman and patriot, John H. Reagan.
Through long and busy lives they have served their State in
many and exalted stations ; they have seen the friends and com-
rades of their earlier careers pass into history, and now, from the
summit of an honorable old age, they are permitted to view the
land their labors and sacrifices have blessed and fostered, and to
receive the homage and gratitude of the people whose liberties
and hai^piness they have cherished and defended. But erelong
it may be truthfully said of them all, —
"Their part in all the pomp that fills
The glory of the summer hills
Is that their arraves are trreen."
Period VIII.
Second
Period of
Statehood
1874
TO
1897
QUESTIONS.
Who were the candidates for governor in 1894, and give a brief ac-
count of each ? When and where did the State Democratic Convention
meet that year? Who were nominated for governor and lieutenant-
governor ? What important rule was abolished by that convention ? On
what subject was there an exciting debate, explain the ciuestion debated,
and what was the result ? Who were the candidates of the Republicans
and Populists in the campaign of 1894 ? Give the vote for each candidate
for governor at the elections of that year. What was the character of
Governor Culberson's first administration, what difficulties did he have
to contend with, and how did he meet them ? What Constitutional amend-
ments were adopted at the election of 1894 ? To what subjects was the
attention of the administration mainly directed ? When was a special
session of the legislature called by Governor Culberson in his first ad-
ministration, and for what purpo.«e ? What was the nature of the political
campaign, State and F"ederal, in 1896? What two factions of the Demo-
cratic party existed in Texas and elsewhere, since when, and on what
issue ? Exi^lain the \'arious causes that had operated to produce discon-
tent in the country and disorganization among political parties. To the
formation and growth of what party had these things contributed ? Who
had been the leader of that party in Texas, when did he die, and who
422
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkriod Vlll.
Second
Period of
Statehood
TO
1897
succeeded him as the head of the party ? What were the controHing
issues in the campaign of 1896? When and where did the Democratic
National Convention meet that year, and what exciting contest occurred
in it ? On what special question did the debate arise, and what was the
result ? Who made a notable speech on that occasion, and to what did
it lead ? Who was nominated for Vice-President ? What did the con-
vention do in regard to President Cleveland ? Give the main points of
the platform adopted by the Democrats. W^hat did the "gold standard
Democrats" do? When and where did the Republican National Con-
vention meet, and whom did it nominate ? What was its platform ?
WHiat occurred among the " silver Republicans" ? What 'convention
was held by those who favored the free coinage of silver above all other
questions, and what did it do? W^hen and where did the Populist
National Convention meet? What part did the Texas delegation take
in that meeting ? What did that convention do ? What was its platform ?
Practically, how were the people divided in that campaign as between
Bryan and McKinley? What was the sentiment in Texas? When and
where did the Populist State Convention meet, and what candidates did
it nominate? When and where did the Democratic State Convention
meet, what nominations did it make, and what platform did it adopt ?
What did the Republican State Convention do in that year ? What was
the policy of the Republicans in the State campaign ? Explain the po-
litical situation in Texas during that campaign; how did the "gold
standard Democrats" and the Populists generally vote ? What was the
result of the election in November, 1896, as to State officers? Give the
vote for governor. What was the vote in Texas for President and Vice-
President? What was the vote, popular and electoral, in the country at
large ? What can you say of the general character of the campaign of
1896 in Texas? When did the regular session of the Twenty-fifth Legis-
lature meet, and who was elected speaker of the lower house ? What did
the governor recommend in his message ? What was the general charac-
ter of the regular session of that legislature? What measures received
its attention? Mow long did it sit, and when and for what purpose did
the governor call a special session ? What did that session do, and when
did it adjourn? What course did the governor pursue as to several bills
passed by the legislature, and how was his action regarded ? Give the
subject of the most important laws enacted by the Twenty-fifth Legisla-
ture. What important Constitutional amendment was submitted to the
peopk- ])y that body? What can you say of the general character and
results of Governor Culberson's administrations ? What important things
have been accomplished untkr his management ? Who were elected to
Congress in 1896? What important law-suit was decided against Texas
in March, 1896? Explain what was involved in that suit, how it origi-
nated, and the history of the case in its \arious stages. Wliat can you
say f)f the necessity of the litigation? How nuich land did Texas lose by
that decision ? Wiial interesting incident occurred at Galveston in Feb-
SECOND PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
423
ruary, 1897 ? What six distinguished citizens of Texas have died in the
last three years? Give a sketch of the character and public career of
each of tiiem. To what era of Texas history did they belong ? What
three eminent men of an earlier era still survive, and what can you say
of them ?
Topical Analysis.
1. The political campaign of 1896, State and Federal, involving the
issues of free coinage of silver, restriction of the power of corporations
and moneyed monopolies, protest against unwarranted interference by
the Federal government and judiciary in local afTairs, and other funda-
mental doctrines of Democracy.
2. The several national political conventions of that year, their plat-
forms and candidates. Marked features of the times were the introduc-
tion of economic and social questions in politics, general discontent and
agitation among the people, and a weakening of old party ties.
3. The .State campaign of 1896, followed by Democratic victory, but
attended with more than usual interest and discussion.
4. Governor Culberson's administrations, characterized by financial
reforms, economy in public expenses, reduction of official fees, a more
systematic collection of taxes, improved school facilities, reforms in crim-
inal laws and procedure, and general thrift and conservatism.
5. End of the Greer County litigation, by which Texas lost a large
area of valuable territory as the result of a law-suit instigated by the State.
6. Death of eminent men, and reflections thereon.
Geography,
Study the boundaries claimed by the United States and Texas in the
Greer County litigation, and the exact location, size, and nature of the
territory involved.
Parallel Readings.
Roberts's "Political History," Part III., Vol. I., Scarff's "Compre-
hensive History of Texas" ( 1897) ; W^. J. Bryan's "The First Battle."
Period VIII.
Skconu
Period ok
Statehood
1874
to
1897
TEXAS
253,314 Square Miles
FRANCE
204,178 Square Miles
Relative Size ok Texas and France.
I'hKlOD VIII.
Skcond
I'liKlOD OF
Statkhood
I.S74
lO
IS97
124 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
CONTEMPORANEOUS EVENTS.— 1874-1897.
Parallel to Period VIII.
AMERICA.
1874. — Act for resumption of specie payments passed, to take effect
January i, 1879. Supplementary Civil Rights Bill passed. Political
difficulties in Louisiana between Kellogg and McEnery. United
States troops sought to be used to keep the Republican party in
power in the South. Tidal wave of Democratic success sweeps the
country.
1875.— Prosecution of the "Whiskey Ring." Democrats continue to win
in the elections ; lower house of Congress Democratic.
1876.— Colorado admitted to the Union. Centennial Exhibition at Phila-
delphia. "Force Bill" passed by Congress. Massacre of Custer's
command by Sioux Indians. Presidential campaign between Hayes
and Tilden. Civil service reform agitated. Porfirio Diaz deposes
Lerdo de Tejada in Mexico by revolution.
1877.— Contest for the Presidency between Hayes and Tilden ; Electoral
Commission appointed to decide the contest, which declares Hayes
elected, and he is inaugurated, March 4. Great railroad strike.
Troops withdrawn from South Carolina and Louisiana. Diaz elected
President of Mexico. Greenback party organized in United States.
1878. -Yellow fever epidemic in the Southern States. Gold sells at
par in New York. United States pay the fisheries award. The
" Bland Silver Bill" passed by Congress. Growth of the Greenback
party.
1879. — United States resume specie payments. Democrats pass a free
silver bill in the lower house of Congress. Parliamentary fight to
repeal Federal election laws. Jeannettc Arctic expedition. Senate
passes bill to license women to practice in the Supreme Court.
1880. — Tenth census shows population of 50,155,783. James A. Garfield
elected President. Diaz not being eligible to succeed himself, Manuel
Gonzales elected President of Mexico.
i88i.— President Garfield inaugurated, Marcli 4 ; shot by Guiteau, July 2 ;
died .September 19 ; succeeded by Vice-President Chester A. Arthur.
Cotton Exhibition at Atlanta. Centennial Celebration at Yorktown,
Virginia.
1882. — Execution of Guiteau for tiie nuirder of President Garfield.
1883. — New York and Brooklyn bridge opened. Great strike among
telegraph operators.
SECOND PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
425
1884.— Grover Cleveland elected President, the first Democratic President
since 1856. Greely relief expedition rescues seven survivors of the
lost explorers. Diaz elected President of Mexico.
1885. — Inauguration of President Cleveland, March 4. Great railroad
strike in the Western States. Death of General Grant. Rebellion
in Canada under Riel. War in Central America between Nicaragua
and Guatemala.
1886. — Labor riots and agitation throughout the United States. Anarchist
murders and trial at Chicago. Earthquake at Charleston, South
Carolina. Slavery abolished in Cuba. The Constitutional rule for-
bidding re-election of President to succeed himself abolished in
Mexico.
1887. — Interstate Commerce Bill becomes a law. Centennial of framing
of Constitution celebrated in New York. International Fishery Com-
mission established. Hanging of the Chicago anarchists. Death of
Henry Ward Beecher.
1888. — Benjamin Harrison elected President. Chinese exclusion law
passed. Yellow fever in Florida. Diaz re-elected President of
Mexico.
1889. — President Harrison inaugurated, March 4. Oklahoma made a
territory. Centennial Celebration of the beginning of the United
States Government in New York. The Johnstown flood. Difficulties
between Germans and Americans in Samoan Islands. Brazil becomes
a RepubHc.
1890. — Eleventh census shows population of 62,622,250. Idaho and
Wyoming admitted to the Union. War in the West with Siou.x
Indians. Sitting Bull killed.
1891. — International copyright law passed. Mob murders members of
the Italian Mafia in New Orleans. Heavy financial failures. Trouble
with Chili threatened.
1892. — Grover Cleveland elected President. Behring .Sea arbitration
treaty concluded. Great strike and riots at Homestead, Pennsyl-
vania. Chili apologizes to United States. Diaz re-elected President
of Mexico, and is again re-elected in 1894 and 1896.
1893 — President Cleveland inaugurated, March 4. Columbian World's
Fair at Chicago. Agitation of the free coinage of silver. General
financial distress in the country. Satolli appointed by the Pope
apostolic delegate to United States. Difficulties in Hawaii, in which
United States declines to exercise protectorate.
1894. — Increasing labor agitation. " Coxey's Army" marclies to Wash-
ington. Strike of railway employes against Pullman Car Comjiany.
Riots at Chicago, in which Federal troops are u.sed. Utah admitted
to the Union. Insurrection in Cuba assumes formidable proportions.
Period VIII.
Second
Period of
Statehood
1874
TO
1897
426
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Pkkioi) VIII. 1895. — Income tax law held unconstitutional by Supreme Court. Atlanta
SKcoND Exposition. Cuban insurgents organize provisional government.
KRiou OF Trouble between England and Venezuela as to boundary : United
^4
TO
States asserts the Monroe doctrine as against England's claims.
1896. — Venezuela Boundary Commission appointed. Continued war in
,j^Q_ Cuba. Utah declared eligible to become a State in the Union. Many
strikes and failures throughout the Union. Exciting Presidential
campaign on the money issue ; William McKinley elected President.
Utah declared to be a State in the Union. Nicaragua, Honduras,
and Salvador form the Republic of Central America. United States
issues |ioo,ooo,ooo of gold bonds.
1897. — President McKinley inaugurated, March 4. General arbitration
treaty between United States and Great Britain rejected by the
Senate. A treaty for annexation of Hawaii signed and submitted to
the Senate. Belligerency of Cuba recognized by United States.
GREAT BRITAIN.
1875. — Tennyson's "Queen Mary" published. Prince of Wales visits
India. England acquires control of the Suez Canal.
1876. — Queen Victoria proclaimed empress of India.
1877. — Annexation of the Transvaal.
1879 — Great disaster at the Tay bridge.
1881. — Death of Lord Beaconsfield. Irish land league declared illegal.
1882. — War in Egypt. Attempted assassination of the Queen. Assassina-
tion of Lord Cavendish and Thomas H. Burke at Phoenix Park,
Dublin. Great fire in London.
1883. — The English occupy Egypt, and war in the Soudan w ith El Mahdi
ensues. Phccnix Park murderers are executed.
1884. — luigland assumes protectorate over Egypt ; war in the Soudan
continues. Part of New Guinea attached to Great Britain.
1885.— Capture of Khartoum by the Mahdi, and death of General Gordon.
Another expedition .sent to Soudan. lUirmah annexed to Great
Britain.
1886.— The Queen opens Parliament in i)erson, the first time in many
years. Gladstone resigns, and Salisbury forms a ministry.
1887.— Fiftieth anniversary of Queen \'ictoria's reign celebraktl by a
great jubilee. Stanley goes to Africa. Island of Cyi^rus ceded to
Great Britain by Turkey. International Mshery Commission with
United States established.
1888.— England annexes the Cook Islands. Parnell Coniniission sits in
London. Portuguese blockade the east coast of Africa.
1889.— Great strikes and labor riots in England.
SECOND PERIOD OF STATEHOOD.
427
1890. — Failure of the Baring Brothers.
1892. — Treaty with the United States to arbitrate the Behring Sea dispute.
1893. — Behring Sea Court of Arbitration sits in Paris.
1894.— Gladstone retires to private life ; Roseberry becomes prime
minister.
1895 — Lord Salisbury premier. Trouble with Venezuela as to boundary.
1896. — English under Dr. Jamieson invade the Transvaal. War with the
Matabeles in South Africa. Alfred Austin made poet-laureate.
Agreement to arbitrate the Venezuela matter, at the instigation of
the United States.
1897. — Great celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of Queen Victoria's
reign.
OTHER COUNTRIES.
1874.— G7K/-fl'V/a/'in Spain ; Alphonso XII. ascends the throne.
1876. — Imperial bank of Germany opened. Amnesty to the Communists
proclaimed in France.
1877.— First Turkish Parliament assembled. Trial of AU/iilisfs in Russia.
War between Russia and Turkey.
1878. — Paris International Exposition. Attempt to assassinate the
emperor of Germany. Russian victory at Plevna. Berlin Treaty
signed. King Humbert ascends the throne of Italy.
1879.— The Zulus defeat the English in South Africa ; Prince Napoleon is
killed. McMahon resigns the presidency of France, and is succeeded
by Jules Gr^vy.
1880. —Winter Palace at St. Petersburg is blown up with dynamite.
Mont St. Gothard tunnel completed. Jesuits expelled from France.
Cologne Cathedral completed, begun in 1228.
1881. — Gambetta premier of France. Alexander II. of Russia assas-
sinated ; succeeded by Alexaiucler III.
1882. — Resignation and death of Gambetta. Rebellion in Egypt ; bom-
bardment of Alexandria.
1883. — Death of Comte de ChamlK)rd ( Henry V. ) ; Comte de Paris
succeeds as the Bourbon claimant to the tiirone of France. English
occupy Flgypt. War of El Mahdi in the Soudan. Great eruption of
Mount Etna. Coronation of Alexander III.
1884. — England assumes protectorate over Egypt. Continuation of war
in Soudan. Cholera in Italy and France.
1885. — Death of Victor Hugo and Alphonso XII. of .Spain. Aljilionso
XIII. ascends the throne under regency of Queen Christina. War be-
tween Bulgaria and Servia. Congo Free State formed. Jules Gr(5vy
re-elected President of France. Burmah anne.xed to British India,
Period VIII.
Second
Period ok
Statehood
1874
to
1897
428
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Period VIM.
Skcond
Pkriod ok
Statehood
1874
TO
1897
Nevada
WyomiDg
Maho
Montana
l,' M.
WasbiiiKloi
N. Hanip.
Unnda
rolorn.lci
Maluu
( onn.
W. Vir.
Maryland
Nebraska
VrkanaaN
S. Carolina
raliforni.'i
M|..i.i.i|.,.i
Miiin.s.tii
Kan^ui
S. J.-r».-,
Mal.ania
N. Carolina
Virginia
VVlw:on«ln
c;.-ortrla
45,761
fiO.-Oa
132.159
l«8,4y:i
18-2.71!)
:ti:t.767
.1:12,422
:u.i..')i>fi
;<4ii :(!K)
::■(; :>.•!((
:iVl 122
4r2.ia8
mi. OKA
74R.2DN
762,794
l.O42.:l»0
1,0.18.911)
,llH.r,87
1886. — Germany annexes the Samoan Islands. Leopold 11. of Bavaria
deposed for insanity.
1887. — President Gr6vy resigns in France ; succeeded by Sadi Carnot.
Revolution in Hawaii ; King Kalakaua deposed.
1888. — Emperor William of Germany dies ; succeeded by Frederick 111.,
who also died during the year, and is succeeded by William II.
Papal jubilee at Rome to celebrate the priesthood of Leo XIII.
Failure of the Panama Canal Company.
1890. — Prince Bismarck retires from public life.
1891.— Persecution of the Jews in Russia. France annexes the Island of
Tahiti. Great earthquakes in Japan.
1892. — Cholera in Russia, Germany, and other countries of Europe.
Panama Canal scandals threaten the French government.
1894.— President Carnot assassinated in France. Death of Alexander
III. of Russia, and Nicholas 11. ascends the throne. Massacre of
Armenian Christians begun by the Turks. War between China and
Japan. Death of Louis Kossuth. Execution of anarchists in France
and Spain. Hawaiian Republic proclaimed.
1895. — European powers intercede to
prevent Turkish cruelties in Ar-
menia. Continuation of war be-
tween China and Japan ; ends in
Japanese victory and independence
of Korea.
1896. — War between Italy and Abys-
sinia. Insurrection against Spain
in the Philippine Islands. War in
South Africa. Discovery of the
"X" rays by Rontgen.
1897. —
2.000,000 DODiiiATiow ATon ARPA War of
Greece
against
Turkey.
AUBA
8q. Mi.
l.:i()l>2i;
1,127,(19)1
1 414.9:1:1
i:4.fll7
1.617,947
1,I!.'m.9«ii
l.fiMfi.gMI
1,767.51
l,K17..1.i:i
1 .H.'>M,61
1,911,89
2,l)!):t.HJ.9
■2.192,401
2,2:1.5
2,ilH 9(1
2.679. IHI
3.072, :11H
3,826, :i5l
5,2r>H.I)U
5,997, tell
110.700
97.891)
81,801)
146,080
2,050
70,79.5
96.0:(0
77.6.50
9.565
1 ,270
69,180
9.:m5
58.680
103.925
:):).040
4.990
24.780
12,210
77.510
48.720
5,1,8.50
:(0,570
l,5H.:i6n
I6.K10
52,2.50
52,2.50
42,4.50
56,010
42,0.50
.59,475
40,401
56,025
58,915
36,.1.50
264.211
8. .11 5
69,415
41,060
56,650
•l^,215
■19,170
•1,0(K)
,(XIO
100,
POPULATION AND AREA
OF THE SEVERAL
STATES AND TERRITORIES.
7'he dotted lines and fitjnrcs reft
3,000, C
Uacic line^
tare miles.
and figti
2>oi>u
beloi'
1,000, (
300. (
(1(MI,^
CHAPTER XXVIII.
General Review; Progress and Development of Texas
in Population, Resources, Industry, Educa-
tional and Social Life ; Growing In-
fluence in Federal Affairs.
A RETROSPECTIVE view of Texas history discloses Extent and
the extent and importance of the subject. In point ^xarhrsto"
of time, it covers a longer period than that of any
one of the United States. The first authentic Euro-
pean exploration in this territory antedates, by three-quarters
of a century, the beginning of English colonization on the
Atlantic coast of North America. The actual occupation of the
province by the Spaniards began a hundred years before the
American Union fairly entered upon its career of constitutional
government. But the early settlement and development of Early deveiop-
Texas were astonishingly slow and difficult. From 1528 to 1690, ^^^ ^^"^^
it was an unknown and undefined expanse of outlying Spanish
territory attached to the Mexican viceroyalty. From the latter
date until the end of the eighteenth century it was a field for
difficult mission work, precarious military manoeuvres, and alter-
nate filibustering expeditions from Mexico and Louisiana. In
1803, the acquisition of the latter country by the United States
brought the Anglo-Americans face to face with the Spaniards ;
and in 18 10 the beginning of revolutionary movements in Mexico
attracted the attention of adventurous pioneers to the rich but
undeveloped resources of the region between the Sabine and the
Rio Grande. From that time until 1820, successive armed ex-
peditions attempted the conquest of the province, to end succes-
sively in failure and disaster. In 1 82 1 , the independence of Mexico Era of Ameri-
from Spain gave promise of a peaceful and liberal government, and
American colonization under the Austins began to lay the foun-
dations of a new civilization in the Southwest. For the next ten
429
can coloniza-
tion
430
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Character of
early settlers
Simplicity,
hospitality,
and courage
Capacity for
self-govern-
ment
Poverty of
Texas in 1836
years a splendid immigration continued to flow from the United
States into Texas, and the basis of a sturdy and enterprising
commonweahh was slowly but surely laid in the wilderness. It
is a great mistake to suppose, as some have done, that the early
settlers of Texas were a lawless and ignorant mob of desperate
adventurers and bankrupt refugees from their former homes.
That there were among them dangerous and reckless characters
is true ; but that these constituted any considerable or influential
proportion of the population is extravagantly false. Consider-
ing the newness of the country, the hard conditions of its occu-
pancy, and the circumstances attending its first settlement, a
more conservative, peaceable, and energetic community never
peopled any land, than that which built itself up in the wilderness
of Texas, from 1822 to 1835. The character and habits of the
colonists were simple and severe. Their hospitality was ample
but unostentatious ; their code of morals and of social life was
rude and primitive, but it was inflexible and unsparing ; their
privations were many and their dangers incessant, but their
courage was equal to all emergencies, and their constancy and
fortitude, blended with a certain serious dignity of purpose, have
never been surpassed in the annals of colonial development in a
new country. The true spirit and high order of intelligence and
virtue of the Texan colonists are fully demonstrated by their
conduct during the Revolution from 1832 to 1836, and in the
formation and policies of the Republic from 1836 to 1846. A
disorderly baud of freebooters and outlaws could never have
conceived, much less executed, the military campaigns of 1835
and 1836, or the measures of enlightened civil policy proclaimed
l)y the Consultation of 1835 ^"d the Convention of 1836.
The Republic of Texas began its career with comparatively
few citizens, an empty treasury, a burdensome public debt,
general poverty among the people, and an extensive domain
abounding in great but undeveloped resources. Its indepen-
dence was still threatened by Mexico, but its hopes were
brightened by the recognition and friendship of many older and
more powerful nations ; while a consciousness of inherent strength
and capacity inspired its inliabitants with prophetic pride and
patriotic zeal. The real poverty of Texas at that time is at this
GENERAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS.
431
Populaticn
and res urces
from 1744 to
1834
day but faintly realized. No census of the population had ever
been taken, but rouj^h estimates had been made from time to
time during the preceding century. In 1744 the white inhab-
itants did not exceed 1500 ; in 1765 they had decreased to half
that number, and the whole trade and commerce of the province
was about $175,000 annually. In 1806 there were in Texas
about 7000 whites and reduced Indians, of whom one-third lived
in and around San Antonio de Bexar. In 1831 the American
immigration had raised the population to about 20,000.
In 1834, Almonte visited the country for the purpose of in-
specting and reporting on its condition and resources. He
reported a population of 21,000 whites, while he estimated the
total exports at $r, 080, 000, consisting of cotton, grain, and pel-
tries, and the imports at $590,000.
In September, 1836, six months after Texas had achieved Population in
her independence, Mr. Henry M. Morfit was sent by the Presi- '^^^
dent of the United States to investigate the condition of the new
Republic, and he reported as follows : Total estimated popula-
tion, 52,670, — consisting of 30,000 Anglo-Americans, 14,200
Indians, 5000 negroes, and 3470 Mexicans. At the date of the Difficulties of
inauguration of the first president of the Republic, the whole *^^ Republic
country and its people were in a de-
plorable state of prostration and pov- -
erty ; there were no stable industries of
any kind ; transportation was difificult
and trade practically suspended ; the
country was rapidly filling up with a
class of immigrants not so desirable as
the original colonists ; while ambitious
and reckless men, released from the
dangers of war and the incentive of
patriotic devotion to the cause of free-
dom, instigated many wild and adven-
turous schemes. All that the infant governm-ent possessed was
a vast landed domain, valued very slightly, but sufificiently
tempting to arouse the spirit of cupidity and speculation among
the unscrupulous and the improvident. There were practically
no schools, but one newspaper had surxived the Revolution,
Baylor University, VV.ico.
43^
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
and the government itself was without a fixed habitation. The
next ten years were filled with doubts, debts, and difficulties
innumerable, and at times apparently insurmountable ; but the
result, wrought amid many perils and privations, culminated in
the ultimate redemption of the government from all its embar-
rassments, the assured prosperity of a thrifty and increasing
population, and its incorporation as a stable commonwealth
among the States of the American Union.
Annexation Xhc Joiut Rcsolutiou of the Congrcss of the United States
for the annexation of Texas was approved March i, 1845. In
accordance with its terms a State Constitution was framed and
adopted by the Texas Convention, August 27, 1845, was sub-
mitted to a vote of the people, together with the question of
annexation, in the following October, and, by a vote of 4174 for
to 312 against, it was ratified by the people of Texas. On De-
cember 29, 1845, the Constitution thus framed and adopted was
accepted by the Congress of the United States, and from this
last-named date Texas legally became one of the United States
of America. The new State government, however, which was
elected in December, 1845, did not assume its functions until
the following February, 1846. For purposes of practical com-
putation we may adopt January i, 1846, as the beginning-point
in the history of Texas as an American State, so that on January
I, 1896, she closed her first half-century of Statehood.
No ofificial census of the Republic was ever taken, and the
number of its inhabitants can only be estimated by the popular
vote at the successive elections, aided by some attempts that were
Popular dec- niatlc at enumerating the population of various countries. The
tions, 1836 to , , \ . .
,849 vote at the several elections from 1836 to 1849 was as follows :
For first President, September, 1836 5,704
For second President, September, 1838 7,247
For third President, 1841 ii,534
For fourth and last President, 1844 12,689
For first Governor, 1845 9,578
For second Governor, 1847 • 14,767
For third Governor, 1849 21,715
Upon the basis of ten inhabitants for every voter, the elec-
tion of 1845 would show a population of 95,780 ; or, taking the
GENERAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS.
433
Population,
1847
Ladies' Annex of S(jL'TU\vb;sTKKN Lnu'er-
SITY, Georgetown, Texas.
preceding election of 1844 as more nearly representative, the
population at the date of annexation would be 126,890, which is
no doubt a very liberal estimate. It is more probable that the
entire population, including the Indians, did not exceed 100,000.
In 1847 a partial enumeration by counties was made, showing
135,777 inhabitants, including 38,729 slaves. These inhabitants
were for the most part located in Eastern Texas and along the
Trinity, Colorado, and Brazos Rivers
from the coast as far inland as the Old
San Antonio Road, with a considerable
settlement at San Antonio, and a fringe
of floating population along Red River
and the Rio Grande. There was no
city of any size, no trade centre, few
roads of the roughest character, no in-
ternal trade of much value, and a primi-
tive scarcity of all those things that
constitute modern civilization in its most
vigorous attitude. The Mexican War,
which at once broke out in 1846 as the result of annexation, Mexican war
retarded further immigration for a time, and it was not until
after 1848 that the country began to really develop in its popu-
lation and resources.
In 1850 the first census was taken, showing a population of
212,592, of whom 154,034 were white and 58,161 were colored.
The composition of this inhabitancy was cosmopolitan in a very
marked degree, and in that regard it was the prototype of the
character of the Texan citizenship of all the subsequent years to
the present time. Perhaps no other American State has had so
' unique a blending of nationalities and social types. Although Character of
what may be called the staple of the population — that element '^°^^
which gives complexion and a permanent character to social life
and customs — has from the first been derived from the Southern
States of the American Union, there has always been such a
large and influential admixture of immigrants from the North
and East, together with a vigorous and healthy foreign colo-
nization from Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Bohe-
mia, France, and Great Britain, to say nothing of the Spanish
28
First census,
1850
434
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Public debt
and boundary
questions
Greer County
Lase
th
Kapid gro
in population
1850 1890
and Mexican influences that originally underlay all the others,
that the resultant Texan is a composite citizen of a common-
wealth that possesses peculiar excellencies for rapid and liberal
growth.
When the war with Mexico had ended, February 2, 1848,
the way was opened for safe and stable progress in Texas, except
for two vexed and unsettled questions. These were the public
debt and the boundary dispute. The settlement of the two was
more or less inseparable, and the final result was fortunate for
Texas. The debt of the Republic was at last fixed at $1 1,050,-
201.50, which by a process of scaling was adjusted at $5,528,-
195.19, and was finally paid off with $8,497,604.95, the ultimate
liquidation being consummated in i858.'VThe boundary dispute
with the United States was disposed of as p'art of the laiiious""*^
Compromise Measures of September 9, 1850, passed by the
'Congress of the United States, and accepted by Texas on No-..„
vember 25, 1850. By this act Texas surrendered her claim to
New Mexico in consideration of the payment by the United
[States of $10,000,000 in stock, due in fourteen years, and bear-
ing five per cent. interest.sCj'he money thus realized enabled
the State to discharge the old debts of the Republic without im-
poverishing her current revenues for a series of years, as would
otherwise have been inevitable. The adjustment of this trouble-
some issue seemed to forever dispose of all controversies in
regard to the Texas boundaries, but the Greer County case,
involving the location of one part of our northwestern boundary,
arose in later years to vex legislatures, congresses, and courts.
It was finally decided by the Supreme Court of the United States
in 1896 adversely to the contention of Texas, thus taking away
the large territory formerly known as Greer County, /That'
controversy involved the construction of the third article of the~"
3— l^i^^^^^—"-?P^^" ^,"^ '^^ United States of February 2£,
j8^, as to the true location of the " Red River" therein namecHii,
jis constituting part of the limits of the two governments on this
cf)ntlnent^^ ■--'">•--■ •--■ "—^ r-.!^^ ..,, , , „ „„^ .-— «■— ~,„>^.-.-.-,.
The nipidity in the growth of the population of Texas from
1S50 to 1890 is shown by the following totals of the United States
census for the several decades :
GENERAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS. 435
Population, 1850 212,592
Population, i860 604,215
Population, 1870 818,579
Population, 1880 i. 591. 749
Population, 1890 2,235,523
These figures demonstrate that in the decade from 1850 to
i860 the inhabitants increased threefold ; from i860 to 1870,
despite the ravages and impediments of the great Civil War, the
increase was over 33 J^ per cent. ; from 1870 to 1880 the popula-
tion was nearly doubled ; and from 1880 to 1890 the increase
was seventy-five per cent. The rate of increase in thirty-eight
States of the Union during a period of forty years was on an
average 39.53 per cent. The great increase in the popular vote
at the three State elections since 1890 indicates that there have
been large additions to the population in the past six years. Population,
The returns show the following results : 1890 1896
Popular vote at the election of 1892 435,467
Popular vote at the election of 1894 422,716
Popular vote at the election of 1896 539.591
A conservative estimate, based on the usual proportion be-
tween the voters and the entire population, would give Texas at
the present time not less than 3,000,000 of people, being more
than fourteen times her population in 1850.
According to the census of 1890, the then population was
classified as follows :
White 1,741,190
Colored 492,837
Indian 766
Chinese 727
Japanese 3
Total 2,235,523
The occupations of the people have not been classified, nor Occupations
the ratio between rural and urban populations. There are two °^ ^^^ people
cities (Dallas and San Antonio) of more than 50,000 inhabitants,
three others of over 25,000, and perhaps six or seven of over
10,000. Farming and stock-raising are of course the leading
pursuits of the great mass of the people, but manual and skilled
development
^-.5 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
labor is rapidly finding lucrative employment in the larger cities
and towns, where the arts of industrial life are fast developing.
Under the apportionment of 1890, Texas is entitled to thirteen
Representatives in the lower house of the American Congress,
and she has thus fifteen votes in the electoral college.
Political Prior to the Texas Revolution of 1835-36 the territory of the
province was divided into mimicipaUties, each governed by its
local officers, after the manner of Spanish- Mexican institutions ;
and the country was further divided into three political districts,
each ruled by a political chief (ygefe politico), who was in turn
responsible to the governor of the state or to the commandant of
the military province. The system of county governments was
adopted by the provisional government in November, 1835, ^"<^
upon the organization of the Republic in 1836 twenty-three
counties were created. This number was increased from time
to time, until at the date of annexation in 1845 there were thirty-
counties six Organized counties. In 1846 thirty-two new counties were
created, and these local governments have multiplied with the
growth and necessities of the population until, in 1894, there
were two hundred and twenty-six organized counties and twenty-
one unorganized. Some of these are larger in area than several
of the smaller States of the Union, and they are all quite liberal
in dimensions.
Area . ' The present area of Texas, according to the official records
N. ' of the General Land Office of the State, is 260,901 square miles
of land and 3310 square miles of water surface, makiiiL; a total of
1 264,211 square miles, ^bdng about 8.7 per cent, of the entire
" ' I ^rea of the United StatGi5;md Tc rritoritsv" This does not include
-^! tTie rivers and streams, which arc estimated to cover an addi-
)} tional area of 800 square miles.
Timber lands The timber lands of the State cover 35,537,067 acres, the
bodies of heaviest timber being situated in the eastern and south-
eastern part of the State, although there is a liberal supply of
forest growth along all the streams in the prairie region.
Public lands Under the system of jurisdiction existing while Texas was a
l)art of the Mexican federation, the vacant lands within her bor-
ders, except as required for Federal purposes, were owned and
controlled by the state government of Coahuila and Texas. At
GENERAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS.
437
s6^
Land Office of Texas, Austin.
the time of the establishment of Texan independence there was
an immense territory of these pubhc lands, exclusive of such as
had been titled under the Spanish and Mexican government.
It is impossible to determine accurately the amounts and respec-
tive dispositions of titles to lands in Texas under Spanish, Mexi-
can, or Texan jurisdiction, as the records kept are too meagre
and confused. It is roughly estimated that 10,000 000 acics
were titled under Spanish domin ition,
25,000,000 acres during Mexican rule,
and that the Republic owned at the
time of i t_s_orga nization ne arly 150,-
000,000 acres of vac ant pu blic lamK
1 his, 01 course, incUiacd the tcrntoix
of New Mexii'o, wliicli was afterwaids
cedetl to the I'nited States, being
aBout 125,000 square nlile^^^^The
history of the manner in which this
vast domain has been handled and
disposed of by the successive governments of Texas constitutes
a separate and very complex subject of historical research and
narrative, and cannot be pursued further here.
By the terms of the joint resolution for the annexation of Disposition of
Texas, further strengthened by the Compromise Measures of ''"
1850, the State of Texas retained the title to all of her vacant
public domain. This at once gave her a source of wealth and a
means of promoting internal development not enjoyed by any
other State in the Union. The many millions of acres which
she owned in 1845 have been liberally used to establish and
maintain a magnificent system of free public education, including
a great University and a complete system of normal schools ; to
build railroads throughout her borders ; to endow and provide
for the support of her various asylums and charitable institu-
tions ; to erect a State capitol, which is one of the largest and
finest public structures on the Western continent, and to promote
many other measures of necessary and valuable internal im-
provements.
There are now estimated to be about 4,400,000 acres of
unappropriated public lands, which are subject to be acquired
438
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
under the laws regulating homestead donations. This land is
exclusive of the large amount of domain held in trust by the
State for the benefit of public schools, University, and asylums,
and is situated in Western and Northwestern Texas. The lands
belonging to the schools. University, and asylums aggregate
about 30,000,000 acres, and of these the greater part is subject
Products and
pursuits
to purchase or lease by actual settlers at low rates and on easy
terms.
'file extended domain of Texas is such that it combines the
products of the temperate and subtropical zones, abounding in
the cereals, cotton, sugar, every variety of fruit product, and
many things peculiar to Mexico and the lower latitudes. The
early setders were chiefly engaged in pastoral pursuits, although
the sturdy colonists of Austin and his associate cmprcsarios made
considerable progress in farming, cotton and grain being subjects
of export in paying (juantities. The sparse population, how-
GENERAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS. 439
ever, and the difficulties of transportation rendered agriculture
a precarious and irksome occupation, and the facilities for stock-
raising were so favorable and extensive that the great domestic
industry from the beginning was that of cattle- and horse-raising,
the State having always held the lead in those pursuits. Irriga-
tion in the neighborhood of the early Spanish-Mexican settle-
ments promoted a certain degree of small agriculture, but it was
not until the building of railroads and the opening up of the
great black-land prairies of Central, Northern, and Northwestern
Texas that farming assumed its present proportions. The inex-
haustible fertility of the river-bottoms, when brought in commu-
nication with the markets of the seaboard and the oudets by rail
to the North and East, readily responded with marvellous crops
of cotton and corn, w hile the broad acres of rolling plain through- ,
out the middle ana northern parts of the State became the gran- ' .
arics of the Southwest and the greatest cotton-producing country r_^ ^
.Tn'the w orld. '"^ ~ ^JS
After 1850 the growth of these interests was astonishing in Agricuitur^
its rapidity and volume. The following figures for the year 1857
show the progress that was made to that date :
Acres planted in cotton 544,495
Acres planted in wheat 196,878
Acres planted in cane 16,080
Acres planted in corn 1,125,500
Total acres in staples 1,882,953
The crop of 1857-58 was estimated to be 425,000 bales of
cotton, 25,000,000 bushels of corn, 3,750,000 bushels of wheat,
and 11,000 hogsheads of sugar.
A comparison of crops by decades shows the following re-
sults :
Years.
1850
i860
1870
1880
1890
Cotton,
Bales.
58,072
431,463
350,628
805,284
1,471,242
Corn, Bushels.
6,928,876
16,500,702
20,554,538
29,065,172
69,112,150
18S9)
Wheat,
Bushels.
41,729
1,478,345
415,112
2,567.737
4,283,344
440
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Live-stock
statistics
The production in live-stock and wool for the same periods
was as follows :
Cattle, number
Horses and mules, number
Hogs, number
Wool, pounds
1850.
61,013
76,760
629,022
131,917
2,761,736
352.698
1.371,532
1,493.738
1870.
2,933.588
424,504
1,202,445
1,251,328
3,387,927
805,606
1,950.371
6,928,619
Census of 1890 - The ccnsus of 1890 discloses the following facts as to the
agricultural and pastoral products of Texas :
Number of bales of cotton 1,471,242
Pounds of wool, 1889-90 14,917,068
Number of horses on farms 1,026,002
Number of meat cattle on farms 6,201,552
Number of .hogs on farms 2,252,476
Number of sheep on farms, lambs excluded . . 3,454,858
Number of horses on the range 99.838
Number of cattle on the range 2,342,083
Number of sheep on the range 809,329
Cotton crop
Mineralogical
resources
The entire cotton crop for the season of 1894-95 ^^^s 9,901,-
251 bales, of which Texas produced 3, 154,976 bales. The value
of the total crop was estimated at $297,037,530, which would
make the value of the Texas product for that year nearly $100,-
000,000.
The mineralogical resources of Texas have only recently
begun to be explored and developed, and of them no accurate
or extensive information can be given. Enough is practically
known, however, to demonstrate that the mineralogical wealth
of the State is not inferior to its other natural funds for the
support of the vast population that will soon fill its borders.
Coal is found in abundant quantities in various parts of the
State, and is being profitably mined at several places, notably
at Thurber, on the Texas and Pacific Railway, west of Fort
Worth. There are three coal-fields of great extent in Texas,
two of which furnish good qualities of bituminous coal and the
other a superior grade of lignite. The supply, when fully de-
veloped, is ample for all manufacturing and industrial purposes.
GENERAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS.
441
Iron ore has long been known and worked to a limited extent iron ore
in Eastern Texas, but within the last few years a new impetus
has been given to the mining of this valuable product. Experts
pronounce the iron ores of Texas to be in many important re-
spects superior to any in the world, and the only impediment to
their rapid development is the dif^culty encountered in their
reduction, owing to the scarcity of suitable fuel. This want will
be met when further progress is made in the mining of our ex-
tensive coal-fields.
The reports of the State Geological Department show the other miner-
existence in profitable quantities and favorable localities of cop- ^ ^
per, lead, silver, gold, manganese, potters' -clay, kaolin, petro-
leum, gypsum, hydraulic limestones and lime, cements, marbles
and building stones, salt, asphaltum, and jnany refractory ma-
terials valuable in the arts. These are all being used, and their
production increases year by year. Artesian water is obtainable
over a very large area of the State, and the ease with which
flowing wells can be constructed renders the problem of water-
supply in many otherwise arid regions one whose solution will
not be difficult. The mineral resources of the State are as yet
in an experimental period of development, and enough has not
been done or ascertained to enable an accurate table of statistics
on that head.
The Fathers of Texas early realized the necessity for rapid Necessity for
and easy means of transportation and intercourse between the '^^' "^"^ ^
different portions of the extensive territory included within the
limits of the State. These were absolutely indispensable to the
settlement and development of so vast a dominion, both for
populating and policing the great extent of country and for mar-
keting the products of the soil which an industrious citizenship •
would naturally evolve. The absence of streams navigable to
any profitable degree rendered railroads a prime necessity, and
to their construction the ingenuity and providence of the first
legislatures were directed. The newness of the country and the
almost total want of such internal trade as would support great
lines of steam traffic, required substantial inducements to that
character of enterprise, aside from any immediate profits to be
derived from the transportation business.
442
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
First enter- Fortuiiately, Tcxas possessed the means to offer these induce-
pnsesinihat ,^^^.j^[g j^gj- immense tracts of pubHc land furnished a fund for
direction *
munificent subsidies to railroad construction, and most munifi-
cently has that fund been applied to that purpose. In the first
years of the State's existence, and even before annexation, spe-
cial laws were passed looking to the encouragement of railway-
building in Texas, but little of practical progress was made until
1854. In that year the policy of land donations to railroads
took shape in the enactment of a general law for the purpose of
promoting such enterprises. There were at first two policies
proposed. One — which was understood to have for its leading
exponent Governor E. M. Pease — was that the State should
build and own her own railroads, paying for them in public
lands, and then lease them out to competing companies, which
would operate them under government regulation and control,
paying for their use a reasonable hire, and rendering to the
public acceptable service at the lowest practicable rates for trans-
Land grants portation. The other plan was a donation of the lands outright
to the railroad companies for lines of road actually constructed
and put in operation, requiring the companies to survey and
sectionize the public lands, the State and the railroads to receive
the alternate sections, and the companies being required to
alienate their lands within a reasonable term of years. The lat-
ter policy was the one finally adopted. Its advantages were
that it secured a survey of the public lands without cost to the
State, that it made it to the interest of the railroads to settle the
country as rapidly as possible so as to bring all the lands into
the market, and that it promoted the public revenues by tending
to create a constandy increasing taxable wealth in the shaj)e of
• lands held by private ownership.
Act of Jan. 30, In Govcmor Pease's first administration, by the act of Tanu-
1854, in aid of o 1 £
railroads '^''y 30. io54. the first general law for the encouragement of
railroad construction by grants of land was passed. In its gen-
eral provisions this law furnished the model and contained sub-
stantially the same conditions as were embodied in all subsequent
legislation on the same subject, of which there has been a great
deal from time to time. It provided that when any comj^any
had constructed and put in running order twenty-five miles of
GENERAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS.
443
t
railroad, it could have thirty-two sections of public land sur-
veyed for each mile of road so constructed, the land to be sur-
veyed in square sections of six hundred and forty acres each,
and every alternate section was donated to the railroad company,
while the intervening sections were appropriated to the perma-
ent fund of the public free schools of the State. ^"'
RAILROAD SYSTEM
OF TEXAS
Under these liberal inducements the building of railroads Progress in
progressed rapidly until interrupted by the Civil War in 1861.
After the restoration of peace and settled order, a renewed
actixity characterized this with all other departments of domestic
industry, and the results have been most satisfactory. In 1857
there had been incorporated by the State 41 railroad companies,
of which 15 had forfeited their charters, and at tbe breaking
out of the war in 1861 there were about 300 miles of railway
in Texas in detached sections. In 1865 there were 335 miles,
444
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS,
I
Commerce and
Galveston
deep water
improvements
which increased to 583 miles in 1869, and to 711 miles in 1870.
In the ten years that followed, to 1880, construction developed
with astonishing rapidity, so that at the close of the latter year
there were 3293 miles of road. The period between 1880 and
1890 was also most prolific in railroad-building, as in the last-
named year there had been completed a mileage of 8709 miles.
In 1892 this had increased to 8977 miles ; in 1893 (June) it was
9088 miles ; in June, 1894, it was 9153 miles ; and in June,
1895, it had reached 9290 miles. At the close of the year 1895
there had been an increase of 224 miles for that year, being
nearly three times as much increase as that of the next highest
State in the Union, — Ohio with 87 miles of new road in 1895.
In 1892 there were 52 roads operating lines in Texas ; in
1893, 54 railroads ; on June 30, 1894, there were 58 ; and on
June 30, 1895, there were 59. v^Tnder the various laws for do-
nating lands to railroad construction, it is estimated that the
companies have received from the State the magnificent area of
about 35,QOO,,ooo acres, besides many large'^money subsidies and
extensive exemptions from taxation and other public chargesZ
The growth of railroads furnishes a very fair index to the
magnitude of the internal commerce of the State. The foreign
trade is difficult to be estimated, as in the movement of freight
over the railroad systems it is intermingled with inter-State com-
merce, and there is no method for computing such traffic. The
largest seaport in the State is Galveston. There is also a very
considerable trade at Sabine Pass, Velasco, Aransas, Corpus
Christi, Brazos Santiago, and El Paso, besides the land trade
at Laredo and Eagle Pass on the Rio Grande.
The great commercial enterprise in which Texas, in common
with the entire Western country, has been for many years deeply
interested is the obtaining of a safe and commodious harbor on
the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. This has apparently been at
last accomplished at Galveston. It has been done by liberal
appropriations from the United States government, under what
is known as the "jetty system" of engineering. The first work
began in 1870, and the amount of money expended and to be
expended for the purpose of securing deep water aggregates the
478,000.
immense sum of
GENERAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS.
445
The growth of manufacturing industries has been of com-
paratively recent date in Texas. The sparsity of population,
the distance from the great centres of trade and distribution, and
the difficulties and expense of transportation have all been seri-
ous impediments to the development of such enterprises. Yet
there are many flourishing and profitable factories now in opera-
tion, and their number and efficiency are steadily increasing.
Cotton- and woollen mills, iron-foundries, salt-works, coal- and
iron-mines, cement- and lime-works, rope-factories, cotton-seed-
Manufactures
The Great Color ado Dam, Austin.
oil-mills, flouring- and lumber-mills, tanneries and leather goods
factories, and, in fact, every species of manufactory for the con-
version of raw material into finished products, are in successful
and constantly increasing activity throughout the State.
For the two years ending December 31, 1893, there were
organized in Texas 6657 manufactories of all kinds, with a total
capital of $50,261,620, employing 37,763 operatives, handling
$21,927,471 of raw material, and turning out $36,950,864 of
finished products. The increase for the three succeeding years
has been in still greater ratio, although the exact figures are not
now obtainable.
AA^ A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Public schools The devotion of Texas to the cause of popular education is
historic. The unfriendhness of Mexico to free pubUc education
was one of the emphatic grievances alleged in the Declaration
of Texan Independence in 1836. By an act of the legislature
of Coahuila and Texas of May 11, 1829, decree No. 92, the first
law for the establishment of public schools, was enacted. It pro-
vided for a system of schools for "mutual instruction on the
Lancasterian plan" (monitorial schools) at the capital of each
department, and required free instruction for a limited number
of poor children, enforcing compulsory education upon parents
able to pay tuition. On May 2, 1833, we notice a decree grant-
ing four leagues of land to the municipality of Nacogdoches for
public school purposes. These were the initiative acts towards
public free schools, but evidently the Mexican government did
not practically satisfy the demands of the Texas colonists in this
direction, as they made it the subject of specific complaint in
their Revolution three years later.
Beginning of After the Republic was inaugurated, under the presidency of
Lamar, the first general law for the establishment and mainten-
ance of a system of public instruction was passed, which also
contemplated the foundation of two universities. By the act of
January 26, 1839, the Congress of the Republic enacted that each
county should hav^e surveyed and set apart to it three leagues
(13,285 acres) of land, for the purpose of establishing and main-
taining a primary school or academy in the county ; and fifty
leagues of public lands were required to be set apart to the
founding of two universities. By the act of February 5, 1840,
an additional league was granted to each county for the purpose
of being sold to furnish equipment and apparatus for the schools.
The .same act provided for the organization of school districts
and communities and the actual inauguration of the system con-
tem])lated.
After annexation, by the act of January 16, 1850, four leagues
of land were appropriated to the new counties that had been
formed since 'February 16, 1846, so as to put them on an equal
footing with the old counties. On January 31, 1854, $2,000,000
of the bonds received from the United States in payment for the
territory of New Mexico were set apart to the public free schools,
system
GENERAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS.
447
Ahhui-:!. Smi I H.
and the organization of a complete system of free public instruc-
tion was provided for. This fund was afterwards invested in
railroad bonds to encourage railroad construction,
and a great part of it was lost.
The alternate sections of lands surveyed by the
railroads under the laws for railroad promotion were
donated to the schools, and these added immensely
to the landed endowment of the public school system.
In 1856 the fifty leagues of University lands were
authorized to be sold, the proceeds to constitute an
available fund for the founding of the institution.
In 1858 an act was passed to organize the University,
but the approach of the war prevented its organiza-
tion at that time. During the war a large sum of
money belonging to that institution was diverted to
other purposes. In 1866 an act was again passed
contemplating the immediate organization of the University, but
nothing came of it, and it was not until 1883, under the act of
1 88 1, that it was finally opened, with its main branch at Austin
and the medical school at Galveston.
s/ In the mean while, by various legislative and constitu-
tional proA'isions, large quantities of public domain have from
time to time been appropriated to the
public schools and University, amount-
ing in the aggregate to nearly 40,-
000,000 acres.' ,, These lands and the
proceeds of tKe sale and lease of the
same constitute the permanent fund
of the educational system, while the
interest thereon and moneys derived
from other sources are the available
fund.
In addition to the interest on bonds Educational
and land notes and rental from leases,
the State levies an annual ad valorem
school-tax of two mills, devotes one-
fourth of the occupation taxes, and an annual poll-tax of $1
to the available school fund. The entire amount of available
endowment
Thomas D. VVooi kn.
448
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
apportioned school fund for the years 1894-95 was $2,836,-
363.50, and the total receipts by local treasurers, including
balances from the previous year, were $3,962,637.51. The
disbursements for the same year amounted to $3,675,501.62.
Balance on hand, $287,135.89.
The University is governed by a Board of Regents composed
of eight citizens, residents of different sections of the State, who
are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.
The first president of the Board of Regents was the venerable
Ashbel Smith, who died in 1886, and was succeeded by Dr.
Thomas D. Wooten, who still holds that position. To the
intelligent and zealous efforts of these two men— especially of
the latter — the institution owes its growth, vigor, and popularity.
University By an act of the legislature approved April 10, 1883, 1,000,000
acres of the public-debt land were added to the permanent
University fund. Of the various land-grants made to the Univer-
sity there remained unsold 2,020,049 acres on December 31,
1891.
The permanent fund consists of, —
State bonds 1571,340.00
Cash 1,327.21
Total 1572,667.21
The interest on the above sum, rental on leased lands, and
matriculation fees, amounting to $53,831.87 per annum, consti-
tute the available University fund.
Attendance at the University has steadily increased in all the
departments, and during the college year beginning in Septem-
ber, 1896, there were about 450 matriculates in the main branch
at Austin and about 200 in the medical department at Galveston,
The institution now has a president, after the manner of the older
universities of the country, the first selection to that office being
Dr. George T. Winston, late of the University of North Carolina,
appointed in June, 1896.
^°'"'=' As important parts of the educational system of Texas are
schools , , ■'
also two large normal schools at Huntsville and Prairie View, —
the former for whites and the latter for colored teachers, — the
GENERAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS, 449
Agricultural and Mechanical College near Bryan, and the Deaf
and Dumb and Blind Institutes at Austin, the latter being, in
part at least, in the nature of public charities.
There are very many excellent private schools and colleges
in the State, most of them under denominational religious
patronage or control. Some of these date from pioneer days,
Institution for the Blind.
and they are all valuable and potent factors in the intellectual,
moral, and social evolution of Texan civilization.
Side by side with intellectual culture and enterprise, religious Religious
faith and zeal have attended the progress of Texas. In fact, s*""^'^
religion began its ministrations in the wilderness of Mexican
Texas before education was much thought of by the struggling
colonists. The Methodists and Baptists were the pioneers in the
mission field, always excepting those first Catholic missionaries
whose silent sacrifices and heroic courage planted the Cross from
the Sabine to the Rio Grande before the Anglo-American had
set foot west of the Alleghanies. In 1824-25 the first Prot-
estant Church services were held among the settlements of Aus-
tin's colony, and from that time the advance in religious thought
and labor has kept pace with every forward movement in the
development of Texas. The results of these years of prayer and
preaching, as shown in the present condition of church affairs in
the State, may be partially seen in the following table for the
year 1894 :
29
Church
statistics
Taxable
wealth, 1850-
1895
a:0 a complete HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Xuiiiher of church organizations 6,890
Number of ministers 5.605
Number of members 694,070
Number of church edifices ......... 2,532
Vakie of church property 12,958,882
Number of church universities, colleges, and
schools 52
Number of teachers in same 196
Number of pupils in attendance 3.977
Value of property invested in education by
churches 11,001,250
The ta.xable values of property of all kinds in Texas, as shown
by the assessment rolls, for the past five decades were as follows :
1850, $51,814,615 ; i860, $294,315,659; 1870, $170,473,778;
School kor thk Deaf and Dime, .\ustin.
1880, $311,470,736; 1890, $782,111,883. For the five years
following 1890 the assessed values were as follows: 1891,
$856,202,283 ; 1892, $856,528,600 ; 1893, $886,175,395 ; 1894,
$865,120,989 ; 1895, $860,910,567.
These figures show a constantly increasing wealth until within
the last three years, except for the decade ending in 1870, which
was due to the devastating effects of the war and the ra\'ages of
Reconstruction, coupled with the destruction of the property in
slaves which was enumerated prior to 1864,
GENERAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS.
451
Aside from its administration of educational affairs and its Public
strictly governmental functions, the State has been most liberal ^
in providing and maintaining all those public institutions of
charity, benevolence, and humanity the existence of which is so
characteristic a feature of Christian civilization. From the foun-
dation of the State government specific funds were provided for
the establishment of the principal eleemosynary institutions for
the care of the afiflicted and r
destitute members of so-
ciety, and as the increasing
population of the State has
rendered these establish-
ments necessary to be ex-
tended, the liberality of the
people through their legis-
latures has kept pace with
the demands of the occa-
sion. The chief establish-
ments of this kind are as
follows : The three asylums
for the insane, at Austin, San Antonio, and Terrell, with prop-
erty and investment valued at $1,082,969 ; the Blind Asylum,
which is also a school for the instruction of the blind, at Austin,
with property valued at $146,550 ; the Deaf and Dumb Asy-
lums, at Austin, one for whites and the other for negroes, with
property valued at $193,859 ; the Orphan Asylum, at Corsicana,
opened in 1890 ; the House of Correction and Reformatory,
at Gatesville, established in 1888.
The penal system and institutions of the State are on a very
extensive scale, and their development and management consti-
tute one of the most expensive, skilful, and successful depart-
ments of the government, as well as evidencing a high order of
humanity and wisdom. The problem of penitentiary manage-
ment was for a long time the most perplexing the State had to
deal with. The lease system was practised for a while, but was
abandoned in 1883, and now the convicts are employed on State
account or by private contract. There are two State peniten-
tiaries, one located at Huntsville and the other at Rusk. Forces
Main Buildings, Insane Asylum, AusiiiL
Asylums
Penitentiaries
452
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Public build-
ings
State capitol
Relative
growth of
Texas among
the United
States
of convicts are worked in some instances outside the prison walls,
on farms and railroads, sometimes on private contract, and some-
times by the State on its own account, considerable areas of
sugar lands owned by the State having been thus profitably
farmed. Various industries are prosecuted at the prisons, and
the revenues therefrom in the future may prove to be very sub-
stantial. The total valuation of penitentiary property and in-
vestment reaches nearly five millions of dollars.
The various public buildings at the State capital for the use
of the government in its several departments are commodious
and imposing structures, but the new State capitol is so notable
a building that it merits special mention. The old capitol erected
in 1856 was destroyed by accidental fire in November, 1881, and
for a time the offices of the government were kept in a tempo-
rary structure built by the State at the head of Congress Avenue,
in Austin. Very soon active steps were taken to build a new
capitol suitable in dimensions and grandeur to the dignity and
wealth of the State. Three millions of acres of public land had
been appropriated for that purpose, and an arrangement was
finally consummated by which a syndicate of Chicago capitalists
agreed to take the land in exchange for a completed State-house
built on the plans and specifications furnished by the State.
The structure was finally completed and dedicated by a grand
international military drill and display in May, 1888.
Its dimensions are as follows : Length, 566 feet 6 inches, in-
clusive of porticos. Width, 288 feet 10 inches at widest point.
Height, 311 feet from grade-line to top of statue on dome.
It contains 258 rooms, and is second only in size to the capitol
at Washington, and is the seventh largest building in the world.
It is built of red granite from Burnet County, and Texas mate-
rials were mainly used in its construction and finish.
The progress of Texas in the various departments of life and
enterprise that go to constitute the civilization of a common-
wealth, during her fifty years of Statehood as an American State,
has been most satisfactory and encouraging. By comparison
with the achievements of the other communities composing the
Union of States, Texas has every reason to be proud of her career.
She was the sixteenth State admitted by the Congress of the
GENERAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS.
453
X
United States, making with the original thirteen colonial States
twenty-nine in the Union at that date. Between 1845 and
1850 two others were admitted, — Wisconsin and California, —
antl at the taking of the census of 1850 Texas stood twenty-fifth
in popul ation among thr United Stales. In 1S60 she was
twenty-third : in i S^p.. she was niiutceiUh ; in iSSo slie had
readied elexenth ; and in iSyo she stood se\entli, being l)eaten
foT" sixth place by, J\Iassachusetts by only 34S0. ,.' The States
ranking her in population in 1890 were in the order named :
New York, with a population of 5,997,853 ; Pennsylvania,
Company of Texas Ranoers.
5,258,014; Illinois, 3,826,351; Ohio, 3,672,316; Missouri,
2,679,184 ; and Massachusetts, 2,238,943. The recent election
of 1896 clearly indicates by the popular votes of the several
States that Texas has now a greater population than either Mis-
souri or Massachusetts, and the census of 1900 bids fair to place
her fourth or fifth in the list of the most populous States in the
Union.
In proportion to her importance, territorially and otherwise, Attitude of
Texas has not, until recent years, exerted the influence abroad ^^'""' ^^*^°'''
to which she seemed entitled. This lias been due to many and
adequate causes. As has been seen, her real growth as a State
did not fairly begin until 1850. The following decade was
the Civil War
454
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
D. B. Culberson
Texas in the
Southern
Confederacy
Texas in Fed-
eral politics of
recent years
Mills and
Reagan
largely occupied with the great sectional questions leading up
to the War for Secession, and the position of the new State was
such as to somewhat restrain her active and prominent partici-
pation in the prevailing public issues in Federal poli-
' tics. Texas sustained a peculiar relation to the
Union, — having been an independent Republic prior
to annexation, — and her statesmen were puzzled by
tlie situation in which they found themselves.
Notwithstanding this embarrassment, however,
her Senators and Representatives in Congress com-
manded great respect and exerted considerable influ-
ence in the national councils. General Houston
ranked among the ablest men at Washington, and
was sufBciently prominent to have been mentioned
for the presidency in 1856 and in i860. General
Rusk was regarded as an exceptionally strong states-
man by his colleagues in the Senate, and but for his
untimely death no doubt would have become a national char-
acter. A. J. Hamilton and John H. Reagan likewise were dis-
tinguished in the lower house of Congress. The Civil War,
however, put a stop to the further connection of Texas with
P^ederal affairs for many years ; but her ablest men, in both
civil and military life, were among the
recognized leaders of the Southern Con-
federacy in the great conflict from 1861
to 1865, and their services shed lustre
on the State. It was not until 1874 that
Texas resumed her active participation
in the affairs of the Union.
Since that date her statesmen have
won respect and distinction among the
great characters of national public life.
In the Senate, Sam Bell Maxey, Richard
Coke, John H. Reagan, Roger 0. Mills,
and Horace Chilton have wielded a use-
ful influence and been conceded high rank.
Reagan, howe\'er, attained their chief reputation during a long
service in the lower house, — the former as a tariff reformer at
Joseph D. Savers.
Mr. Mills and Mr.
GENERAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS.
455
the head of the Committee on Ways and Means and author of
the "Mills Bill," and the latter in connection with the Inter-
State Commerce Law and Commission.
In the House, David B. Culberson served for twenty
years, retiring in 1897. In the latter years of his ser-
vice he was chairman of the Judiciary Committee of
that body, and enjoyed the reputation of being its
ablest lawyer. After his retirement. President Harri-
son appointed him one of the commission to codify the
penal statutes of the United States. In the same body,
Joseph D. Sayers, as the chairman of the Appropria-
tions Committee, has achieved a permanent and prac-
tical distinction as a wise, prudent, and capable states-
man. In the Fifty-fifth Congress,
Joseph W. Bailey, one of the young-
est members of the House, was the
Democratic candidate for the Speaker-
ship, and as such became the recog-
nized leader of that party, — an honor
phenomenal for so youthful a man in
years and in public life.
In the diplomatic service of the
United States, Texas has been twice
honored with high stations. Under
President Cleveland's first administra-
tion, from 1885 to 1889,
Richard B. Hubbard was
Minister to Japan ; while Alexander W. Terrell was
Minister to Turkey during Cleveland's second term,
from 1893 to 1897. Seth Shepard, a native Texan
and distinguished lawyer of the State, was appointed
by President Cleveland one of the justices of the
Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia upon
the organization of that court in 1893.
Although her situation and environment ha\'e
been such as to preclude her earlier and active
prominence in national affairs, in whatever depart-
ment of aspiration and effort the sons and citizens Seth Sheparp.
A. W. Terrell.
456
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
of Texas have been called upon to display themselves, their
conduct and achievements have reflected credit upon the State
and been consistent with her heroic history and her prophetic
prowess.
QUESTIONS.
What can you say of the importance and extent of Texas history as
compared with that of other portions of the Union ? What was the char-
acter of the early settlement of Texas ? Give an outline of its condition
and progress during the period up to the year 1821. What important era
began in that year, and by whose efforts ? What mistake is often made
in regard to the early American settlers of Texas ? What were their real
character and liabits? What proves the high character and intelligence
of the American colonists in Texas in 1835 and 1836? What was the
condition of the Republic when it began its career ? What was the pop-
ulation of Texas in 1744, 1765, 1806, and 1831, respectively? Who visited
the country in 1834, and what did he find? Who made an investigation
and report of the country in 1836, and what did he report? Describe the
condition of the country and its inhabitants at the date of the inauguration
of the first President of the Repul)lic. What occurred during the next
ten years, and with what results? When and by what popular vote was
annexation to the United States adopted? When did Texas actually
become one of the United States? When did the State government
begin operations? What date maybe taken as the beginning-point in
the State's history? What was the population of Texas from 1836 to
1849, and explain how you arrive at it? Where was most of the popula-
tion located ? What event retarded the growth of the State for several
years after annexation ? When was the first regular census taken, and
what did it show? What can you say of the character of Texas citizens
then and since? What two questions absorbed public attention after the
end of the Mexican War? How were they finally settled ? What famous
boundary dispute remained unsettled until recent times, and how was it
finally disposed of? Give the population of the State for the sexeral
decades from 1850 to 1890, both inclusive. What do these figures demon-
strate? What has been the popular vote at the several general elections
since 1S90, and what does it show ? How was the population classified
by the census of 1890? What can you say of the inu-suits and residences
of the inhabitants? Prior to the Texas Revolution, how was the country
diviiled and governed ? When was the system of county governments
adopted, and h(nv many counties existed at the organization of the
Republic? How many counties were there in 1845, and how many were
GENERAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS. 457
added in 1846 ? How many are there now ? What can you say of their
size ? What is the present area in square miles, and how does it compare
with that of the whole Union ? What proportion of this is in timber lands,
and where are they mostly situated ? Describe the condition and manage-
ment of the public lands under Mexican rule. What proportion of the
lands was disposed of under the Spanish and Mexican system? How
much land did the Republic own at its organization, and how much was
afterwards ceded to the United States ? What became of the public lands
after annexation, and what did this enable Texas to do? Explain the
gradual growth of agricultural and pastoral pursuits. Give the acreage
in cotton, wheat, cane, and corn in 1857. Give the comparative figures
on the production of cotton, wheat, and corn for the several decades
from 1850 to 1890. Give the live-stock statistics for the same periods.
What does the census of 1890 show as to the agricultural and live-stock
products of Texas ? What was the cotton crop of Texas for the season
of 1894-95, and how did it compare with the entire crop of the world for
the same season? What can you say of the mineralogical resources of
the State ? What minerals are found in the State, and in what localities ?
Why were railroads early recognized as a necessity for the development
of the State ? By what means was their construction encouraged by the
government, and give an account of the system or policy of land donations
to railroads ? Give the number of miles and number of railroad lines in
Texas for the years 1857, 1861, 1865, 1870, 1880, 1890, 1892, 1893, 1894,
and 1895, respectively. How much public land has been donated to
railroad construction ? What can you say of the foreign trade of Texas ?
What places are chiefly engaged in foreign trade? What great commer-
cial enterprise on the Gulf coast has enlisted much attention, and explain
what has been done towards developing it ? What can you say of the
growth of manufacturing interests? What number of factories were
organized in Texas for the two years ending in 1893, and with what capital
invested? What has been the historic policy of Texas towards public
education ? Give an account of the early laws and movements in that
direction under Mexican rule. When did the Republic begin a liberal
policy towards free public schools ? Explain the early legislation on the
subject. What laws were passed after annexation for the endowment of
the public schools, and to form a fund for that purpose ? Give an account
of the present endowment of the schools and University. How is the
University governed, and what is its present condition and endowment?
What two men have largely aided in its prosperity and development?
What other institutions belong to the educational system of the State ?
What can you say of the religious growth and institutions of the State ?
Give the statistics of the churches and their property and institutions for
the year 1894. Wliat were the taxable values of property of all kinds in
the State for the five decades ending with 1895? What charitable institu-
tions does the State maintain, where are they located, and what is the
value of the property of each of them ? Give an account of the peniten-
458
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
tiary system of the State and its cost and value. What can you say of the
various public buildings at the capital ? Give a description of the new
State capitol. Explain fully the relative growth of Texas in the Union,
and her present position as to population and resources. Why did not
Texas take a more prominent part in the affairs of the Union prior to
1874? What was the character and influence of her Senators and Repre-
sentatives in Congress before the Civil War ? Give a short account of the
various Texas statesmen who have won distinction in public life in recent
years, and the positions they have held. What has been the uniform
character of Texans in all matters in which they have taken part at home
and abroad ?
Topical Analysis.
1. The relative length, importance, and variety of the events and
periods going to make up Texas history, as compared with other States
in the Union.
2. The slow development of the country prior to the advent of the
American colonists in 1821. Causes for the conditions existing before
and after that date.
3. Difficulties of the Republic in the matter of its public finances,
the poverty of the people, and the want of material resources. The
manner in which these were overcome and the government finally rescued
from ruin and ushered into the Union.
4. The effect of the Mexican War in retarding the development of the
State after annexation.
5. The beginning of progress and prosperity after 1848, the disi:)Osi-
tion of the Public Debt and Boundary ciuestions, and rapid grov\ th of
population.
6. The Land System of Texas and the public policy followed in the
disposition of the lands belonging to the State. Texas, unlike the other
American States, owned a vast public domain, which she was able to
devote to the development of internal improvements and educational and
charitable institutions.
7. The policy of land donations to railroads, and its results in the
growth of such enterprises.
8. The educational endowment of the .State as shown in the large
landed and other funds of the schools and University.
9. The charitable institutions, penitentiaries, public buildings, and
other institutions of public utility.
10. The growth of the agricultural and jxistoral industries, manufac-
tures, mining, and other material resources as exhibited in the statistics
from 1850 to 1890.
11. The present relative position of Texas in the Union, her influence
and prominence in Federal affairs, and her prospective greatness as an
American commonwealth,
GENERAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS.
459
Geography.
The student should trace the various changes in the boundaries of
Texas, from 1836 to 1896, so as to understand the disposition of pubhc
domain from the formation of tlie original territory of the Republic down
to the present area of the State. Then the river and railroad systems
should be accurately considered, and outline maps of them made. The
public lands, their location and disposition should be traced, and the
present location of the unappropriated remnant of the public domain
should be fixed. The physical divisions of the State into agricultural,
timber, and pastoral lands should be traced, the mineralogical resources
should be located, the artesian water district outlined, and the region
susceptible of irrigation pointed out. The names and locations of the
several counties should be carefully studied, and an interesting study can
be made of the present county divisions as compared with the Mexican
municipalities, old land districts, and original counties of the Republic
and at the date of annexation.
Unitkd Staths Battlkshii
460
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Table showing Chief Executives and State Elections of
Texas from 1691 to 1897 — 206 Years.
SPANISH —
Domingo Teran.
Don Ciaspardo de Anaya.
Don Martin de Alarconne.
Marquis de Aguayo.
Fernando de Almazan.
Melchior de Mediavilla.
Juan Antonio Bustillos.
Manuel de Sandoval.
Carlos de Franquis.
Prudencia Basterra.
Justo Boneo.
MEXICAN
Trespalacios 1822
Don Luciano de Garcia . . . 1823
Rafael Gonzales ( Coahuila
and Texas) 1825
169I TO 1822 — 131 YEARS.
Jacinto de Barrios.
Antonio de Martos.
Juan Maria, Baron de Riperda.
Domingo Cabello.
Rafael Pacheco.
Manuel Muiioz.
Juan Bautista el Guazabel.
Antonio Cordero.
Manuel de Salcedo.
Christoval Dominguez.
Antonio Martinez.
1822 TO 1835 — 13 YEARS.
Victor Blanco 1826
Jose Maria Viesca 182S
Jos^ Maria Letona 183 1
Francisco Yidauri 1834
TEXAN — 1835 TO 1846 — II YEARS.
Henry .Smith, Provisional Governor 1835 to 1836
David G. Burnet, President rt^/ /;//'<'/-/;« 1836
Sam Houston, Constitutional President 1836
Mirabeau B. Lamar, President 1838
Sam Houston, President 1841
Anson Jones, President 1844
STATE GOVERNMENT SINCE ANNEXATION— 1846 TO 1S97— 51 YEARS.
J.Pinckney Henderson
George T. Wood . .
P. H. Bell
P. H. Bell
E. M. Pease ....
E. M. Pease
H. R. Runnels . . .
.Sam Houston ....
Edward Clark ....
F. R. Lubbock . . .
Pendleton Murrah . .
A. J. Hamilton (Pro-
visional)
1S49 to
1 85 1 to
1853 to
1855 to
1857 to
1S59 to
I 86 I to
1S63 to
1846
1847
1851
J 853
1855
1857
1859
1861
1861
1863
1865
Pro
James W. Throe
morton . .
E. M. Pease
sional) . . .
E. J. Davis . .
Richard Coke .
R. B. Hubbard
O. M. Roberts
John Ireland .
L. S. Ross .
J. S. Hogg . .
C. A. Culberson
k-
1865 to 1866
1S66 to 1867
1867 to 1870
1870 to 1874
1874 to 1876
1876 to 1879
1879 to 1883
1883 to 1887
1887 to 1891
1891 to 1895
1895 to 1899
GENERAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS. 46 1
General Elections in Texas from 1835 to 1896, Inclusive.
In the Consultation of Texas, November 11, 1835, Henry Smith was
elected Governor and J. W. Robinson Lieutenant-Governor. The vote
in the Consultation was, —
For Governor. — Henry Smith, 31 ; Stephen F. Austin, 22.
First General Election under Republic, in 1836.-/^(9;- Presi-
dent. — Sam Houston, 3585 ; Stephen F. Austin, 551 ; Henry Smith, 144 ;
T. J. Green, 42 ; Scattering, 5 ; against Constitution, 223 ; for Constitu-
tion, 1836, 3199.
Second General Election, 1838. — For President. — 1\I. B. Lamar,
6995 ; Robert M. Wilson, 252.
Third General Election, 1841. — For President. — Sam Houston,
7915 ; David G. Burnet, 3616.
Fourth General Election, 1844; — For President. — Anson Jones,
6443 ; Edward Burleson, 5054.
First State Election, 1845. — For Governor. — J. P. Henderson,
7853 ; J. B. Miller, 1673 ; Scattering, 52.
Second State Election, 1847. — /v?;' Governor. — George T. Wood,
7154; J. B. Miller, 5106; N. H. Darnell, 1276; J. J. Robinson, 379;
Scattering, 852.
Third State Election, 1849. — For Governor. — P. H. Bell, 10,319 ;
George T. Wood, 8764 ; John T. Mills, 2632 ; for Amendment to Consti-
tution, 15,852 ; against Amendment to Constitution, 3139.
Fourth State Election, 1851. — For Govertior. — P. H. Bell,
13.595 ; M. T. Johnson, 5262 ; John A. Greer, 4061 ; B. H. Epperson,
2971 ; T. J. Chambers, 2320 ; Scattering, 100.
Fifth State Election, 1853. — f^(^^' Governor. — E. M. Pease,
13,091 ; W. B. Ochiltree, 9178; George T. Wood, 5983; L. D. Evans,
4677 ; T. J. Chambers, 2449 ; John Dancy, 315.
Sixth State Election, 1855. — For Governor. — E. M. Pease,
26,336 ; D. C. Dickson, 18,968 ; M. T. Johnson, 809 ; George T. Wood,
226.
Seventh State Election, 1857. — For Governor. — H. R. Runnels,
32,552 ; Sam Houston, 28,628.
Eighth State Election, 1859. — For Governor. — Sam Houston,
36,227; H. R. Runnels, 27,500; Scattering, 61.
Ninth State Election, 1861. — For Governor. — F. R. Lubbock,
21,854; Edward Clark, 21,730; T. J. Chambers, 13,759.
Tenth State Election, 1863. — For Governor. — Pendleton Murrah,
17,511 ; T. J. Chambers, 12,455 ; Scattering, 1070.
Eleventh State Election, 1866. — For Governor. — J. W. Throck-
morton, 49,277 ; E. M. Pease, 12,168.
Twelfth State Election, 1869. — For Governor. — E. J. Davis,
39,901 ; A. J. Hamilton, 39,092 ; Hamilton Stuart, 3S0.
462
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Thirteenth State Election, 1873. — For Governor. — Richard
Coke, 85,549 ; E. J. Davis, 42,633.
Fourteenth State Election, 1876. — For Governor. — Richard
Coke, 150,581 ; Wm. Chambers, 47,719.
Fifteenth State Election, 1878. — For Governor. — O. M. Roberts,
158,933 ; W. H. Hamman, 55,002 ; A. B. Norton, 23,402 ; Scattering, 99.
Sixteenth State Election, 1880. — For Governor. — O. M. Roberts,
166, lor ; E. J. Davis, 64,382 ; W. H. Hamman, 33,721.
Seventeenth State Election, 1882. — For Governor. — John Ire-
land, 150,809 ; George W. Jones, 102,501 ; J. B. Robertson, 334.
Eighteenth State Election, 1884. — For Governor. — John Ire-
land, 212,234; George W. Jones, 88,450; A. B. Norton, 25,557.
Nineteenth State Election, 1886. — For Governor. — L. S. Ross,
228,776 ; A. M. Cochran, 65,236 ; E. L. Dohoney, 19,186 ; Scattering, 102.
Twentieth State Election, 188S. — For Governor. — L. S. Ross,
250,338 ; Marion Martin, 98,447.
Twenty-first State Election, 1890. — For Governor. -]. S. Hogg,
262,432 ; W. Flanagan, 77,742 ; E. C. Heath, 2235.
Twenty-second State Election, 1892. — For Governor. — J. S.
Hogg, 190,486 ; George Clark, 133,395 ; T. L. Nugent, 108,483 ; A. J.
Houston. 1322 ; D. M. Prendergast, 1605 ; Scattering, 176.
Twenty-third State Election, 1894. — For Governor. — C. A.
Culberson, 207,167; W. K. Makemson, 54,520; J. B. Schmitz, 5026; T.
L. Nugent, 152,731 ; J. M. Dunn, 2196; .Scattering, 1076.
Twenty-fourth State Election, 1896. — For Governor. — C. A.
Culberson, 295,528 ; Clark. 1876 ; J. C. Kearby, 238,692 ; Scattering, 495.
GENERAL REVIEW OF PROGRESS.
463
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INDEX.
Abbott, Jo, 400, 406.
Abolition party, original secessionists,
302 ; attitude of, towards Texas boun-
dary question, 322, 323 ; fanatical and
lawless conduct of, 348.
Acebedo, Father Antonio, 56.
Aceqiiia, 52.
Acoquash, a Waco chief, 262.
Accjuisition of territory by the United
States, attitude of the North and East
towards, 301, 302.
Actions at law, forms of, abolished, 273.
Ad interim, the government of the Re-
public, 209, 210.
Adaes, mission San Miguel Cuellar de los,
67 ; mission and presidio Pilar de los,
6S, 69 ; the Indian tribe of the, 86.
Adaizan family of Indians, 86.
Adams, G. W., 333.
Adams, John Quincy, an original seces-
sionist, 301, 302.
Administrations : first presidential, of Sam
Houston, 250-258 ; of M. B. Lamar,
263-274 ; second presidential, of Hous-
ton, 279-296 ; of Anson Jones, 301-310 ;
of Governor Henderson, 307, 321-327 ;
of Governors Wood, Bell, and Pease,
334-341 ; principal public questions
under the several, 1847-57, 337~34i ! o^
Governor Runnels, 348-350 ; of Gov-
ernor Houston , 350-354 ; of Governors
Lubbock and l\Iurrah, 363-365 ; of A. J.
Hamilton, 374, 375 ; of J. W. Throck-
morton, 375, 376 ; of E. M. Pease, 376-
379 ; of General J.J. Reynolds, military
governor, 379; of Edmund J. Davis,
379-382 ; of Richard Coke, 389-391 ; of
R. B. Hubbard, 391-393 ; of Gran M.
Roberts, 393-395 ; of John Ireland, 395-
397 ; of L. S. Ross, 400-402 ; of J. S.
Hogg, 402-406 ; of C. A. Culberson,
409-418.
Aes, mission Dolores, among the, 67 ; an
Indian tribe, 85, 86.
African slave-trade, the, proposition to
revive, 350.
Agricultural and Mechanical College, 392,
395-
Agricultural products, 438-440.
Aguayo, Marquis de, governor of Coa-
huila and Te.xas, 68, 69.
Aguayo, mission San Miguel de, 56 ; mis-
sion San Jose de, 69.
Ahumada, San Augustin de, presidio of,
72.
Alabama, volunteers from (1835-36), 202 ;
secedes, 351.
Alamo, the, history of, 77, 78 ; siege and
fall of, 212-218 ; ground-plan and res-
toration of, 213, 217 ; burial of the
heroes of, 218 ; the flag of, 267 ; pur-
chased by the State, 396.
Alarcon, expedition of, 41.
Alarcon, Martin de, governor of Texas,
67 ; founds San Antonio de Bejar, 68.
Alazan, batde of the, 106.
Alcaldes, 28, 155.
Alcantra, battle at the, 268.
Alexander VI., Pope, establishes the
"line of demarcation," 5.
Alexander, Rev. R., 326.
Algonquin family of Indians, 87.
Alguazil, 27.
Alibamu, or Alabamas, an Indian tribe,
90.
Allen, A. C, 256.
Allen, Ebenezer, 279, 309, 335.
Allen, Colonel J. K., 186, 202, 256.
Allen, Richard, 393.
Allen, Sam T., 170, 1S5.
Alliance, the Farmers', 401, 402.
Almazan, General, acting governor of
Texas, 69, 70.
Almonte, Colonel Juan N., visits Texas
and reports population, 156, 431 ; at
battle of San Jacinto, 232, 233.
30 465
466
INDEX.
Allamira, Marquis de, 72, 75.
Amendments : the 13th and 14th, to the
United States Constitution, 372, 373 ;
the 15th, 379; to State constitution, on
prohibition, 400, 401 ; to State constitu-
tion, on railroad regulation, 402 ; reor-
ganizing the judicial system, 402, 403 ;
for a Confederate Soldiers' Home, and
an elective railroad commission, 410.
Alvarez, Senora, her kindness at Goliad,
220.
America, discovery of, and early explora-
tions in, 4-21.
American colonists forbidden in Mexico,
I5^> 159 ■> settlers in Texas, influence of,
on the Revolution, 166, 167 ; party, or
Know-Nothings, 347.
Amichel, the province or land of, 8, 9, 38.
Ampudia, General, 28S.
Anadarkos, the, an Indian tribe, 89, 292.
Anahuac, Colonel Bradburn at, 169, 170;
expedition against Tenorio at, 1S3 ;
attacked by Mexican vessel of war, 184.
Aihi/ysis of 'Fexas history, i.
Ana<]uas, an Indian tribe, 89.
Anderson, Kenneth L., Vice-President,
295, 296.
Anderson, T. S., 350.
Andrade, General, 204.
Anglo-American colonists, influence of,
on the Revolution, 166, 167.
Anian, the fabled Straits of, 38.
Annexation, suggested by Texas, 244 ;
voted for by the people, 246 ; proposed
to the United States, 253, 254 ; political
agitation respecting, in the United
States, 301. 302 ; diplomacy, politics,
and negotiations attending, 303-305 ;
terms of the joint resolutions for, 305,
308, 309 ; accepted by Texas, 305, 306,
307; hnal scene in, 310; the several
steps towards, 432.
Afiiichcria, the, 54.
Apaches, beginning of the wars with the,
54. 55 ; ill Texas, 62 ; battle between St.
Denis and Lipans and, 66; hostility of,
under Sandoval, 71 ; seek refuge in the
missions, 72 ; ethnology of, 87,^88.
Ai)<)daca, viceroy of Mexico, 102, 103, 104.
Aranamas, an Indian tribe, 89.
Archer, Branch T., activity of, in early
revolutionary movements, 169, 170, 176;
president of the Consultation, 198;
Commissioner to the United States, 198,
199 ; returns to Texas, 243.
Archevefjue, L', 63.
"Archive War," the, 283, 284.
Arcoquisac, mission of, 72.
Area of Texas, 436.
Arispe, Ramos, 135.
Arista, General, 281.
Arizona, first explorations in, 40-42.
Armijo, governor of New Mexico, 271.
Arms, the national coat of, of the Repub-
lic, 267.
Army, influence of the, in Spanish coloni-
zation, 25-34, 47-49 ; the " Republican,"
of the "North," invasion of Texas by,
105-107 ; first Texan, organized, 187 ;
organized by the Consultation, 199 ;
disorganization of, by the Matamoros
expedition, 201 ; Mexican, prepares to
invade Texas, 202 ; Texan, movements
of, in the West, under Houston, 202,
203 ; Mexican, reaches San Antonio,
204 ; condition of Texan, at beginning
of campaign of 1836, 210 ; Texan, re-
treats from Gonzales to the Brazos, 224-
226; Mexican, progress of, from Bexar
to New Washington, 224, 226, 227 ; both,
meet at San Jacinto, 229-233 ; Mexican,
retires from Texas, 235 ; disorderly con-
duct of the Texan, 240, 241 ; reckless
and dangerous schemes in the, 251 ; is
disbanded by Houston, 255 ; raised to
repel Mexican invasion (1842-43), 282,
284, 287 ; of United States, Texas troops
in the, during the Mexican War, 331-
2,'iz \ t>f the Confederate States, Texas
troops in the, 365-367.
Arredondo, General, 105, 106, 107, 130.
Arrest of Texans, Santa Anna i; sues
orders for the, 184, 185.
Arroyo Hondo, the, neutral ground -dXowg,
99, 100.
Ashby, H. S. P. ("Stump"), 413.
Asile, Champs d', French colony of, loS.
Asinais, an Indian tribe, 62 ; mission and
presidio among the, 67, 69, 85, 86.
Asylums, the public, 451.
Athapascan family of Indians, 87.
Attakapan family of Indians, 88.
Audiences, royal, in Spanish times, 27.
Augustin, Henry W., 171.
Aury, Don Luis, "Commodore," 107, 108.
Austin, Captain John, 170.
Austin, Mo.ses, 129 ; his colonization en-
terprise, experiences, and death, i 29-131.
Austin, Stephen F., 129 ; succeeds his
father, visits Texas and Mexico, and es-
tablishes first American colony, 131-137 ;
methods of granting lands by, 132, 136 ;
his influence in Mexico, 135 ; limits of
his first colony, 138 ; organization of his
INDEX.
467
government, 13S ; subsequent colonies
of, 139 ; colony of Williams and, 148 ;
powers of, in governing his colonies,
167,168 ; his influence on the legislation
of Coahuila and Texas, 171, 172; presi-
dent of first convention, 172 ; letter of,
to Ramon Musquiz, 173 ; commissioner
to Mexico, experience and captivity
there, 174; returns to Texas, 177; Santa
Anna's object in his imprisonment, 182 ;
chairman of Committee of Safety at San
Felipe, 185 ; his activity and influence,
186 ; elected general of the Texan army
at Gonzales, 187 ; his campaign to Bexar,
187-189 ; commissioner to the Ihiited
States, 190 ; his views of independence,
202 ; speech of, at Louisville, and his
labors in the United States, 204 ; re-
turns to Texas, 243 ; party devoted to,
in early politics, 245 ; defeated for the
- Presidency, 245 ; secretary of state,
246 ; last labors, character, service, and
death, 254.
Austin, the city of, located and capital
moved to, 266, 267 ; government re-
moved from, and "archive war" re-
sults, 283, 284.
Austin, William T., 1S7, 190, 225.
-Ayllon, Lucas Vasquez de, 9.
Ayuntatniento, 28, 29, 155.
Bacon, Rev. Sumner, 326.
Bahia, La (see Goliad), presidio of,
founded, 69 ; removed, 70 ; captured by
Magee's expedition, 105.
Bailev, Joseph W., 402, 406, 416, 455.
Baker, John R., 286.
Baker, Mosely, 184, 226, 227.
Baker & Borden, publish first newspaper
at San Felipe, 197.
BaIl)oa, 6.
Ball, Thomas H., 416.
Ballinger, William P., 391.
Bankruptcy, law for, under the Republic,
274-
Banks : project for establishing a national,
for the Republic, 267 ; constitutional pro-
visions respecting, 317.
Baptist church, the, growth of, 325.
Barr, Robert, 246, 257.
Barradas, General, 158.
Barrett, D. C, 184, 198.
Barrett, (ieneral, 368.
Barrios, governor, 71.
Bassett, B. H., 393.
Bastrop, Baron de, aids Austin, 130 ; land
commissioner, 137.
Bastrop (Mina), numicipality of, 183.
Battle-field of San Jacinto, description of,
228-230.
Battles : at the Bridge of Calderon, 102 ;
of Rosillo, 106 ; of the Alazan, 106 ; of
the Medina, 107 ; of Velasco, 170 ; of
Gonzales, 185, 186 ; of Concepcion, 187,
188 ; at capture of Bexar by the Texans,
190-193 ; of Lipantitlan, 193 ; of San
Patricio, Agua Dulce, and Refugio.
211, 212 ; at the Alamo, 215-218 : at the
Coleto, 218, 219 ; of San Jacinto, 229-
234 ; of Plum Creek, with Indians, 266 ;
of Alcantra, Matamoros, Monterey, and
Saltillo (1839-40), 268, 269; of the Sal-
ado, 2S6 ; of Palo Alto and Resaca de la
Palma, 331 ; of Monterey, 332 ; noted,
of the Civil War ( 1861-65 1, 367 ; of Pal-
niito Ranch, the last of the Civil War,
368.
Bautista, San Juan, mission of, 57, 66.
Baylor, Henry W., :si?i-
Baylor, John R., 354, 365.
Baylor, R. E. B., 321.
Baylor University, 325.
Bays, Rev. Joseph, 325.
Bean, Ellis P., 98, 146, 169.
Beans, the drawing of, by the Mier pris-
oners, 289.
Beard, Spruce M., 337.
Season's Crossing, 225.
Beaujeu, 14, 15.
Bedais, an Indian tribe, 85, 86, 292.
Bee, Barnard E., 242, 257, 259, 269.
Bee, Hamilton P., 291, 333, 367.
Bejar or Bexar, San Antonio de, founded,
68; missions transferred to, 70, 71;
captured by Magee's expedition, 106 ;
political department of, 154, 155; loy-
alty of certain Mexicans at, 183; siege
and capture of (1835), 188-193 ; plan of,
and environs, 189, 191 ; Mexicans enter
(1836), 204; siege of the Alamo at,
212-218.
Belgium recognizes Texan independence,
270.
Bell, Charles K., 406.
Bell, James H., ^48, 365.
Bell, Josiah H., 134.
Bell, P. Hansljorough, in the Mexican
War, 332 ; governor, 335 ; in Congress,
336.
Bernardino, .San. mission of, 57.
Bernardo, San, Bay of. La Salle lands at, 15.
468
INDEX.
Bi.s^elow, Hi)ratio, 109.
Billing;sley, Jesse, 2S6.
IJiloxis, the, an Indian tribe, 91, 292.
" IJiniini," tlie island of, 6.
Bird, James, 286.
Bird's Fort, 291.
Birdsall, John, 257.
Biscay, New, kingdom of, 53.
Blanco, \'ictor, governor, 153, 168.
Blount, Stephen VV., 208.
Boards, of land commissioners, 257 ; mul-
tiplicity of, created in Ireland's adminis-
tration, 396.
Bonaparte, Joseph, king of Spain, loi.
Bonaparte, Napoleon, sells Louisiana to
the United States, 96.
Bonds of tlie United States donated to the
school fund, 338.
Boneo, Justo, governor, 71.
Bonham, James B., at Bexar and the
Alamo, 210, 214, 215, 217.
lionilla, Don Antonio, Brief Compendium
of, 75-
Bonnell, George W., 290.
Bonner, Micajah H., 393.
I'orden, Gail, 176, 197.
Borden, Ciail, Jr., 176.
Borden, John P., 176, 197, 257, 279.
Borden P. P., 176.
liorden, Th(jmas H., 176, 197.
Boundary, between United States and
Sjjain on the Louisiana border, 96-98 ;
troubles in regard to, 67-100 ; settled by
treaty of 1819, 108, 109; of Texas, pro-
visions for fixing, 257, 269 ; attempt to
extend, over Mexican territory, 281 ;
questions of, to be adjusted by Unitecl
States, 307 ; issue of, in politics, 322 ;
its relation to the slavery question, 322,
323 ; agitation and final' settlement of,
337. 338, 434 ; litigation regarding, in
the Greer County case, 416, 417, 434.
" Boundary bill," the (1850), 338.
Bounties, granted to soldiers by the Con-
sultation, 200, 209 ; land, nature of titles,
3''*^, 3 '9. 320.
Bowie, James, 171, 176, 182; at Concep-
cion, 187. 188; at the "Grass fight,"
189 ; sent to relieve San Antonio, 203 ;
at San Antonio, 210; his death in the
Alamo, 216.
Bowie, Kex.in P., 176.
Bowles, a Cherokee chief, 136, 264,
265.
Bowles, John, son of the above, 265.
I'.radburn. John D.. tyrannical acts of, and
his expulsion, 169, 170.
Bradford, Captain, massacre of, with his
men, at Goliad, 220.
Bradley, Thomas H., 170.
Branch, A. M., 365, 375.
Bravo, Nicolas, 104.
Bravo, Rio, 55-57, 66.
"Bravo," the, Mexican vessel, 202.
Brazil, discovery of, 4, 5.
Brazoria, first revolutionary meeting at,
169.
Brazos, political department of the, 155.
Brazos River, early fort and trading posts
on, 109 ; first settlers on, 133 ; Hous-
ton's retreat to the, 226 ; Santa Anna
crosses, 227.
Breese, Captain, at the siege of Bexar,
190-193.
Brenham, Richard F., 271, 290.
Brewster, H. P., 334, 335.
Bridge, Vince's, importance of, at San
Jacinto, 230.
Brigham, Asa, 279.
Briscoe, Andrew, 208.
Brister, Colonel, at the siege of Bexar,
190.
Britain, Great, relations of, to Texas, 254.
270.
Brown, Henry S., 170, 176.
Brown, Reuben R., 211.
Brown, Thomas J., 403.
Brownsville, capture of, by General
Banks's expedition, 366.
" Brutus," the, a Texan war-ship, 235.
Bryan, Guy M., 336, 349.
Bryan, Moses Austin, 233.
Bryan, William, 282.
Bryan, William J., nominated for Presi-
dent, 412, 413.
Bryant, David E., 392.
Bucareli, mission of, 76.
Buchel, August, 332.
Buenaventura, San, mission of, 57.
Buffalo Bayou, in the campaign of 1836,
227, 228.
Bullard, Captain, 107.
Bullock, John W., 171.
Bureau, the Freedmen's, 377 ; immigra-
tion, established, 379.
Burke, R. E.. 416.
Burleson, Edward, 182, 185, 187 ; succeeds
Austin in connnand at Bexar, 190 ; at
San Jacinto, 230 ; in the Ranger service,
255, 264, 265, 266, 286 ; Vice-President,
274 ; defeated for President, 295 ; in the
Mexican War, 332.
Burnet, David G., 140; colony contract
of, 148 ; judge in Coahuila and Texas,
INDEX.
469
156; in the convention of 1S33, 174;
President ad interim, 209 ; visits San
Jacinto and concludes treaty with Santa
Anna, 234, 235 ; his troubles with Santa
Anna's custody, 241 ; Vice-President,
259 ; in the Cherokee War, 265 ; acting-
President, 270 ; his extravagant claims
for Texas, 272 ; defeated for the Presi-
dency, 274 ; secretary of state, 321 ;
United States Senator, 375.
iUirnham's Crossing, 225.
P>urr, Aaron, 100.
Burroughs, James M., 375.
Burton, Isaac \V., 171, 242, 266.
Bustamente, President of Mexico, 15S,
159; tyrannical conduct and decree of,
towards the colonists, 158, 159, 168, 169,
170, 172-174; deposed by Santa Anna,
159, 160.
Cabeza de Vaca, adventures of, in Texas,
39, 40, 61.
Cabi/do, 28.
Cabot, John and Sebastian, 4, 18.
Cabral, Pedro Alvarez de, 5.
Cabrillo, ir, 42.
Caddoan family of Indians, 88, 89.
Caddos, an Indian tribe, 89, 242, 262.
Cadillac, Governor, 65.
Ca/abrcjs, Is/a dt\ early name for Galves-
ton Island, 107.
Calderon, battle at the Bridge of, 102.
Caldwell, C, 376, 378.
Caldwell, John, 176.
Caldwell, Matthew, 208, 266, 286.
Calhoun, John C, favors annexation,
304-
Calleja, loi.
Cameron, Ewan, 286 ; in the Mier expe-
dition, 288, 289.
Cameron, John, 203.
Campaigns: of Texan army (1835), 187-
193 ; of 1836, situation at the beginning
of, 210; progress of, 211-221 ; closing
of, at San lacinto, 224-235 ; political,
the first, in Texas, 244-246 ; iov the Presi-
dency in 1838, 258, 259 ; military, in
Northern Mexico ( 1839-40), 268, 269 ;
political, of 1844, in the United States,
on annexation, 304 ; military, of the Mex-
ican War, 331-334 ; pt>litical, between
Houston and Runnels ( 1859), 35*^ ; mili-
tary, of the Civil War, 365-367 ; politi-
cal, of 1869, between Davis and Ham-
ilton, 379; between Davis and Coke, 381 ;
of 1887, on prohibition, 400, 401 ; of 1892,
between Hogg and Clark, 404, 405 ; of
1894, 409, 410; State and P'ederal, in
1896, 410-414.
Campbell, Isaac, 267.
Canipcachy, name of Lafitte's colony at
Galveston, 108.
Canales, General, in the Mexican revo-
lutionary struggles, 268, 269 ; in Texas,
284, 285.
Canary Islands, colonists from, to Texas,
Candelaria, mission of, 72.
Canoma, a Caddo chief, 89.
Cantino, map of, 6.
Capital, commissioners to locate a per-
manent, 256, 266 ; located at Austin on
the Colorado, 266, 267; removed tempo-
rarily to Houston, 283.
Capitol, the new State, contracted for and
constructed, 395 ; ceremonies of laying
corner-stone and dedication of, 397, 400 ;
description of, 452.
Captivity of Stephen F. Austin, objects
of, 182 ; of Santa Anna, 233, 235, 240,
250.
Carbajal, 169, 184.
Carizos, an Indian tribe, 92.
"Carpet-baggers," 376.
Carroll, Daniel S., 294.
Carson, Samuel P., 209, 240.
Cartier, Jacques, 13.
Casas, Las, the "Universal Protector of
the Indians," 27.
Cash, L. L., 290.
Cassiano, a loyal Mexican, 183.
Castinado, at Gonzales, 185, 186.
Castrillon, General, 204, 215, 232.
Castro, Henri, colony of, 294.
Castro, a Lipan chief, 88, 266.
Catholic church, the, in New Spain, 29-34;
missions, of New Spain, 44 ; missionary
labors of, in New Mexico and Texas,
47~57 ; missions, the first, in Eastern
Texas, 64, 65 ; colonists required to be-
long to, 137 ; citizens required to belong
to, 167 ; early priests of, in Texas, 324 ;
proposition of Count Farnese to make
it the established church of Texas, 324,
325-
Cenis, an Indian tribe, 62 ; missions
founded among the, 67 ; history of the,
86.
Census, of 1847, by counties, 324 ; of 1880,
365 ; of 1890, 406 ; the several, from
1744 to 1890,431-435.
Central National Road, projected, 295.
470
INDEX.
Centralists, a political party in INIexico,
158, 268.
Cerliticates, land, the several kinds uf,
318-320.
Chambers, Thomas J., 156, 176, 205, 335,
Champs d'Asile, French colony at, 108.
Chandler, Captain, in the Snively expe-
dition, 293.
Character of the early colonists, 429,
430.
Charles IV., of Spain, tyranny of, loi.
Charles V., Emperor, 26.
Cherokees, ethnology of the, 89, 90 ;
chiefs of the, in Mexico, 136 ; in the
Fredonian War, 147 ; rights of, guar-
anteed by the Consultation, 197, 199 ;
treaty with (1836), 204; incited to hos-
tility by Mexican agents, 242; war with,
and final expulsion of, 264-266 ; their
rights in Texas, 264.
Che\allie, Major Michel, in the Mexican
War, 332.
Chiefs, Political, under Mexican and
Spanish rule, 154, 155.
Chiliuahua, early history of, 51-57.
Childress, George C, 208.
Chilpanzingo, the Congress of, 102.
Chilton, George W., 375.
Chilton, Horace, 402, 454.
Chiricahua Ajxiches, 87, 88.
Chriesman, Horatio, 138.
Christian or Campbellite church, growth
of, 326.
Christianity, Spanish methods of propa-
gating, 47-53 ; labors of Franciscans and
Jesuits in spreading, 49-57 ; spread and
growth of, in Texas, 323-326.
Christy, W'illiam, 190, 204.
Churches : the Catholic, in New Spain,
29-34 ; the early missionary labors of
the Catholic, in Mexico and Texas,
47-57 ; union t)f State and, under Mexi-
can govenuiient, 167 ; the Catholic, its
labors among the Americans in Texas,
324 ; Catholic, i^roposition to make it
the State church, 324, 325 ; the Protes-
tant, the labor and growth of, in Texas,
325, 326 ; statistics of, 450.
Cii)ola, the fabled land of, with its Seven
Cities, lu, 37, 38, 41, 42.
Cigualan, the land of, 10, 37, 41, 42.
Cities, the Seven, of Cibola or (Juivira,
lo, 37, 40-42.
Citizenship, a new kind of, created by the
141I1 amendment to the United States
Constitution, 372, 373.
Civi/ Law of Spain, relations of, to the
Texas system, 273.
Clark, Edward, 332, 336, 350 ; acting
governor, 353, 354 ; defeated for gov-
ernor, 363.
Clark, George, 393, 404, 405.
Clay, Henry, attitude of, on annexation,
304, 305-
Clergy, members of the, ineligible to the
legislature of the Republic, 316, 317.
Cleveland, Grover, 396, 406, 411, 412.
Coahuila, in early times, 53 ; early mis-
sions in, 53-57 ; Spanish name for, 63 ;
separation of Texas from, determined
upon, 172-174; revolution in, 175.
Coahuila and Texas, State colonization
law of, 135 ; constitution of, adopted,
140 ; united with New Leon, 152 ; sep-
arated into an independent state, 152,
153 ; constitutional provisions in regard
to, 153; constitution of, 153, 168; gov-
ernors of, 153, 154 ; representation in
the Congress of, 156 ; full power of laws
of, established in Texas, 168 ; acts of its
Congress unfriendly to Texas, 172 ; sep-
aration of, decided upon by the colonies,
172-174 ; end of the government of, 175,
176.
Coahuila, villa de, 57.
Coahuiltecan family of Indians, 89.
Coal-fields of Texas, 440.
Coat of arms of the Republic, 267.
Cocke, James D., 290.
Cockrell, J. V., 406.
Coinage question, the, in State and Fed-
eral politics, 405, 409, 410-414.
Coke, Richard, on the Supreme Court,
375 ; elected governor, 381 ; the dramatic
scene of his inauguration, 389 ; United
States Senator, 391, 402, 454 ; death of,
420.
Coleman, Robert M., 185, 208, 255.
Coleto, the battle of the, 218, 219.
Collard, W. E., 403.
College, the Agricultural and INIechanical,
392, 395-
Collingsworth, George M., 186.
CoUinsworth, James B., 208, 240, 242,
246, 257, 258, 259.
Colonial, system, the Spanish, 25-34 ; con-
tracts of the Austins, 130-141 ; contracts
of the later colonies, 145-149, 264 ; con-
tracts declared void (1845), 306.
Colonies: English, in America, 18, 19;
Dutch, 19, 20; characteristics of the
Spanish, in America, 25-34 '. i'^ Texas,
under Spanish rule, 129; foundation of,
INDEX.
471
by the Austins, 130-14 1 ; of Martin de
Leon, 145 ; of Green Dewitt, 145 ; of
Hayden Edwards, 146, 147 ; of Robert
Leftvvich ( Nashville), 147, 148 ; of Power
and Hewitson, 148 ; of McMullen and
McGloin, 148 ; of Austin and Williams,
148 ; of Zavala, Burnet, and Vehlein,
148 ; of Cameron, Beale, Grant, Padillo,
and others, 148 ; condition of, in 1834,
156, 157 ; Bustamente's tyrannical con-
duct towards the, 158-160 ; attitude of
the, leading to the Revolution, 166-177 !
prepare to resist invasion, 183, 184 ;
Peters's colony, 294 ; Mercer's, 294 ;
other later, 294.
Colonists, distribution of lands to the, 136,
137 ; condition of the first, 137 ; under
later contracts, 145-149 ; character of,
in Edwards's colony, 146 ; prosperity of
( 1834 ), 156, 157 ; from the United States,
forbidden in Texas and Mexico, 158,
159 ; political temper of the, leading to
the Revolution, 166 168 ; first revolu-
tionary meetings of the, 169, 170-174 ;
prepare to resist invasion, 183, 184 ;
under later contracts, 294 ; character of
the early, 429, 430.
Colonization, the Spanish system of, 25-
34 ; religion as an element in Spanish,
47-53 ; of Texas, under Spanish rule,
129; by the Austins, 130-139; under
Mexican rule, 136-141 ; under later con-
tractors, 145-149 ; laws of Mexico, 153 ;
decree of April 6, 1830, affecting, 158;
laws of Coahuila and Texas, repealed,
172 ; revival of contracts for, under the
Republic, 294 ; contracts for, declared
void, in 1845, 306.
Colorado River, explored by La Salle, 15,
16 ; explored by I)e Leon, 63 ; first set-
tlers on the, 133 ; Houston's retreat to,
225, 226.
Columbia, meeting at, to call a consultation
of the colonists, 184.
Columbus, Christoj^her, 4, 5.
Comanches, mission of San Saba de-
stroyed by the, 72 ; defeat the Spaniards,
73 ; ethnology of the, 91 ; depredations
of (1839-41), 265, 266 ; attempt to make
treaty with, 291, 292.
Commerce, of Texas {1S34), 157; treaty
of, with England and France, 254 ; con-
dition of, in 1838, 258 ; in 1841, 274.
Coiiiinission to regulate railroads, 402.
Commissioners, to the Ignited States
(1835-36), 19S, 204; to United States,
to secure recognition of independence,
243, 244 ; to select permanent cajiital,
256, 266, 267 ; to run boundary line, 257 ;
to make Indian treaty, 291, 292.
Committees oi safety ( 1835), 183 ; the, of
the Secession Convention, 352-354.
Covunon Law of England, adopted, 272,
273-
Comnmnity property of husband and wife,
317-
Compromise, the Missouri, as affecting
the Texas boundary, 322, 323 ; measures
of 1850, settling Texas debt and bouml-
ary, 337 ; the effect of those measures,
346 ; of the International and Great
Northern Railroad subsidy, 390.
Concepcion, La Purissima, mission of, 67 ;
battle at the, in 1835, 187, 188.
Conchos, the, an Indian tribe, 55.
Confederate States of America, organized,
352 ; Texas senators and congressmen
of the, 365 ; Texas troops in the army
of, 365. 367-
Congress, of Chilpanzingo, 102 ; the Con-
stituent, of Mexico, 152, 153 ; of Coa-
huila and Texas, representation in, 156 ;
the P'irst, of the Republic, 246, 256 ; the
Second and Third, 256 ; the Third,
P^ourth, Fifth, and Sixth, 272-274 ; efforts
of the Sixth, to relieve the finances, 280 ;
foolish act of, in claiming Mexican ter-
ritory, 281 ; passes a " war bill," which
is vetoed, 285 ; time for meeting of,
changed, 285 ; the Seventh, Eighth, and
Ninth, 295, 306 ; special session of the
Ninth, on annexation, 305, 306 ; of the
Lhiited States, first representatives in,
■321; Texas members of (1847-51),
335 ; members of, from 185 1 to 1861,
336, 349 ; passes the compromise meas-
ures of 1S50, settling Texas debt and
boundary, 338 ; action of, affecting
slavery and States'-rights ( 1S54), 346,
347 ; of the Confederate States, Texas
senators and congressmen in, 365 ; of
United States, adopts the 13th and 14th
amendments, 372, 373 ; attempts to re-
construct the St)uthern States, 373, 374,
376 382 ; members of, elected in 1S66,
375 ; Texas members of, refused ad-
mission, 376 ; adopts the 15th amend-
ment, 379; members of (1872-76),
391 ; members of, elected in 1876, 392 ;
members of, from 1878 to 1882, 393,
394 ; from 1SS2 to 1886, 395, 396 ; from
1 886 to 1890, 400 ; from 1890 to 1896,
402, 406 ; members elected in 1896, 416 ;
influence of Texas in, 454-456.
472
INDEX.
Congressional Reconstruction, methods
and results f)f 374, 376-379.
Conrad, Edward, 208.
Co/is/i/iu'fi/ Congress oi Mexico, 152, 153.
Constitutional, convention, the first (1836),
208, 209 ; convention of 1845, 305, 306 ;
provisions (1845), 316, 317; amend-
ments, 13th, 14th, and 15th, adopted by
Congress, 372, 373, 379 ; conventions
of 1866 and 1869, 375, 377-379 ; conven-
tion of 1875, 390-391 ; amendments, on
prohibition, railroad commission, sol-
diers' home, and reorganizing the ju-
dicial system, 400, 401-403, 410.
Constitutions : the Federal, of 1824, 152 ;
of Coahuila and Texas, 153 ; defects
of the Mexican, from an American
stand-point, 167 ; loyalty of the Texans
to that of 1824, 170, 171, 183 ; a State,
adopted by the convention of 1833, 174 ;
of the Republic, adopted, 209 ; the State,
of 1845, 305, 306, 316, 317 ; of 1861, 353 ;
of the United States, 13th and 14th
amendments to, 372, 373 ; State, of 1866,
375 ; of 1869, 377-380'. the 15th amend-
ment to the United States, 379 ; State,
of 1876, 390-392 ; amendments to the
State, 402, 403, 410.
Constitii/ive acXs, 152.
Consultation, movements among the col-
onies for calling a, I S3- 1 85 ; election for,
185 ; postponed, 187 ; delegates of, visit
the army, 187 ; meeting and proceed-
ings of, 197-199.
Coufen/s, table of, vii-xi.
Contracts, colonial, under Spanish laws,
129; under Mexican laws, 136-141 ; of
the Austins, 130-141 ; of later colonies,
145-149 ; for colonies, revived under the
Republic, 294; colonial, declared void,
in 1845, 306.
Conventions : the first, at San F'elipe,
'72, 173; tlie second, at San Felipe,
173. 174; '1 .general, called for March 1,
1S36, 205; the first constitutional (18^6),
proceedings of, 208, 209 ; constitutional,
"f '•'^45, 305. 306; the first political, in
Te.xas, 336, 337 ; the first State Demo-
cratic, in Texas, 348 ; the Secession,
351-353; "f the Southern States at
Montgomery, Alabama, 352 ; State con-
stitutional, of 1866, 375; State con-
stitutional, of 1868-69, 377-379 ; Non-
partisan Tax-payers' (1871), 380; Con-
.slitutional, of 1S75, 390; State Dem-
ocratic (1878), 393; State Democratic
(1892), 404, 405; State Democratic
(1894), 409, 410; State and National
(1896), of all parties, 412-414.
Convicts, to be sent to Texas, under the
decree of 1830, 159.
Cooke, Captain, of the United States
army, 293.
Cooke, James R., 287.
Cooke, Lewis P., 267.
Cooke, William G., 193, 271, 287, 309, 321.
Cooper, S. B. , 406, 416.
Cordero, Governor Antonio, 99, 106.
Cordova, Francisco Hernandez de, 7.
Cordova, the treaty of, between Spain and
Mexico, 104.
Cordova, Vicente, a Mexican agent among
the Indians, 256, 264.
Coronado, expedition of, 10, 11,41,42, 61.
Corporations, attempts to restrain and
regulate, 401, 402, 404.
"Correo," the, captured by the "San
Felipe," 184.
Cortez, Hernando, conquers Mexico, 7 ;
explorations by, 10, 37.
Cortina, Juan, a Mexican bandit, raids by,
into Texas, 349.
Corzine, Shelby, an early district judge,
246.
Cos, General Martin Perfecto de, subdues
Coahuila, 175, 176 ; military governor
of Coahuila and Texas, 183 ; at San
Antonio, 187 ; his defence and defeat at
San Antonio, 189-193 ; prepares for re-
invasion, 202 ; at San Antonio, 204 ;
brings reinforcements to Santa Anna at
San Jacinto, 230 ; is captured, 232.
Cotonames, an Indian tribe, 89.
Cottle, Captain George W., 185.
Cotton, product of, 439, 440.
"Council of the Indies," the, 26-34.
Council, the Executive, formed by the
municipalities, 186; proceedings of, 197,
198 ; of the Provisional Government,
198 ; troubles between Governor Smith
and the, 199,200; favors the Matamoros
expedition, 201.
"Council-house fight," the (1840), 265.
Counties : organized, under the Republic,
257, 274, 436 ; under the State govern-
ment, 324, 436 ; Greer, 338, 416, 417,
434 ; lands donated to, for school pur-
poses, 273, 274, 338, 339.
Courts : the first Supreme, of the Repub-
lic, 246 ; a complete system of, adopted,
and procedure therein, 257, 272, 273 ;
the first Supreme, of the State, 321 ;
the Sui^reme, during the Civil War,
365 ; the Supreme, changed in 1866 and
INDEX.
473
1869, 375, 378 ; the Supreme, under Re-
constructit)n, 376, 377 ; military, in the
Suutli during Recon.structit)n, 377 ; the
Supreme, known as the "Semicolon"
court, 381; the Supreme (1874-80),
391 ; the Supreme, in 1882, 395 ; com-
plete reorganization of, in 1892, 402,
403-
Grain, William H., 396, 400, 406, 420.
Crane, Captain, at the siege of Bexar,
192.
Crane, M. M., 405.
Cranford, J. W., 416.
Crawford, W. C, 208.
Creeks, the, an Indian tribe, 60.
Crime and lawlessness, the suppression of,
390-
Crockett, Davy, at San Antonio and the
Alamo, 210 ; his death in the siege of
the Alamo, 217.
Crockett, John M., lieutenant-governor,
363-
Croix, General, 75.
Crops, agricultural, statistics of, 439, 440.
Crosby, Stephen, 336.
Crowley, Miles, 406.
Cuba, Lopez's expedition to, 350.
Cuellar, San Miguel, de los Adaes, mis-
sion of, 67.
Cuernavaca, the Plan of, 175.
Culberson, Charles A., elected governor,
409 ; his administrations, 410, 415, 416.
Culberson, David B., 392, 393, 395, 400,
406, 455-
" Cushatta trace," the, a pioneer road of
Texas, 91.
Cushattas, the, an Indian tribe, 60, 61 ; in
Magee's expedition, 105 ; rights of,
guaranteed by the Consultation, 167,
199 ; treaty with ( 1836), 204 ; incited to
hostility by Mexican agents, 242.
Custom-houses, established, 168 ; under
the Republic, 257.
D.
Daggett, Ephraim M., n^,.
Daingerfield, William H., 279.
Dallas, George M., 304.
Dancy, John W., 335.
Darden, Stephen H., 365.
Darnell, Nicholas H., 307, 334, 335.
Dashiell, L. T., 415.
Davidson, W^. L., 403.
Davis, Edmund J., 367, 376, 378; elected
governor, 379 ; character and conduct
of his administration, 3S0 ; popular up-
rising against his methods, 380, 381 ;
resists his defeat for governor, but is
compelled to yield, 381, 382 ; candidate
for governor, 394.
Davis, General James, 284, 285.
Davis, Jefferson, 352.
Dawson, Captain Nicholas, massacre of
his command (1842), 286.
"Dawson's Massacre," 286.
De Bray, General X. B., 367.
De Graftenried, R. C, 416.
D' Iberville, 65.
De Leon, Alonzo, expeditions of, to
Texas, 63, 64 ; founds the first mission
among the Tejas Indians, in Eastern
Texas, 64.
De Leon, Martin, the colony of, 145.
De Mezieres, 75.
De Mcjnts, the Sieur, 13.
De Soto, Ferdinand, 10, 40, 61.
De Vaca, Cabeza, Alvar Nuiiez, adven-
tures of, in Texas, 39, 40.
De Witt, Green, 135 ; the colony of, 145.
Debt, the public, in 1836, 250 ; in 1S41,
272 ; provisions for payment of, at an-
nexation, 307, 450 ; final settlement of
(1850), 337, 338, 434 ; reduction of (1874),
390.
Declaration : of grievances against Mex-
ico, 198 ; of Independence voted down
in the Consultation, 198 ; of Indepen-
dence issued at Goliacl, 200 ; of Texan
Independence adopted, 208.
Decree of April 6, 1830, the, against
American colonists, 158, 159 ; provokes
the Revolution in Texas, 159, 160, 168-
173-
Deep water at Galveston, the jetty system
for securing, 444.
Delaware Indians, the, 87, 292.
Delegates, from the Consultation, visit tlie
army, 187 ; from Texas to the Confed-
erate States' convention (1861 ), 352.
Delgado, Captain, 106.
"Demarcation," "the Line of," as fixed
by Pope Alexander VI., 5.
Democratic party, attitude of, towards
annexation, 301-305 ; early allegiance of
Texas to the, 322, 346 ; attitude of, on
the slavery question, 346-348 ; first ap-
pearance of, as an active power in Texas,
347, 348 ; holds its first State convention,
348; defeated in Texas in 1859, 350;
elects the Thirteenth Legislature, 381 ;
elects the entire State ticket in 1873,
381 ; assumes control of the State, 389-
474
INDEX.
391 ; State convention of (1878), 393;
wins tlie national election of 1884, 396;
and of 1892, 406 ; its conventions and
l)latfonTis in 1896, 410-412.
I )enis, Saint, in Texas, 65-67 ; is banished
and escapes, 67 ; drives the Spaniards
tri>in Eastern Texas, 68.
l)ei)artments, the Political, of Mexican
Texas, 154, 155.
Devine, Thomas J., 365, 391, 393.
Dickson, David C, 335, 347.
Dimniitt, Philip, 200.
Dinmiitt's Point, site of old Fort St. Louis,
Diplomatic, relations of the Republic,
253, 254, 270 ; relations between United
States and Mexico, 254 ; negotiations for
peace and annexation, 294, 301-305.
Discovery, general view of, in the Western
Hemisphere, 4, 5 ; by the Spaniards in
America, 5-13; by the French, 13-18;
by the English and Dutch, 18-20 ; by
the Spaniards in the region of Texas,
37-44-
Disfranchisement of Southern white men,
in Reconstruction times, 377.
Distinguished men of early Texas, 176,
.^77;
Districts, the first judicial, 156; judicial,
of the Rei)ublic, 246 ; land, 257 ; judges
of the fust judicial, of the State, 321 ;
I'ederal judicial, 321, 392 ; judicial, of
the Confederacy, 365.
Dolores, the mission of, in New Leon, 57 ;
mission of, among the Aes in Eastern
Texas, 67.
Donations, of lands for military service,
2UO, 209 ; of lands for public education,
273, 274, 378, 391, 392 ; nature of titles
to lands by, 318-320; of lands to build
tiie new State cajiitol, 395.
Donley, Stcjckton P., 375.
Donoho's, an old-time settlement and
trading-post, 226.
Doyle, l'"atiier Henry, an early priest, 324.
Drake, Sir l-'rancis, voyages of, 18.
Dubois, i-'red T., in the political campaign
of 1.S96, 413.
Duelling prohibited, 317.
Dunham, Robert H., 260.
Dunlap, Richard G., 259.
Dutch, the, discoveries and explorations
by, in America. 18-20.
I 'uval, Captain, massacre of his command,
at C.oliad, 220.
Duval, Thomas H., a Federal judge,
392.
E.
Early development of Texas, sU)w and
difficult, 429, 430.
Eastland, William M., 256, 290.
Eberly, Mrs., her exploit in the "archive
war," 283.
Ector, M. D., 367, 391.
Education : conditions of (1834), 157 ; free
pubhc, provided for, by the Republic,
273, 274 ; provisions for, in the Constitu-
tion of 1S45, 317 ; early private enter-
prises for, 327 ; donations of lands to
the cause of, 273, 274, 378, 391, 392, 396 ;
history of the State's benevolence in
providing for, 446-449.
Edwards, Asa M., 171.
Edwards, B. W., brother of the above,
147-
Edwards, Hayden, 135 ; his colony and
its troubles, 146, 147, ^168 ; at Nacog-
doches, 171.
Edwards, Monroe, 170.
Egg, a Cherokee chief, 265.
Eldridge, Joseph C, 291.
Elections : for the General Consultation,
185 ; for a general convention, ordered,
205 ; first regular, of the Republic, 244-
246 ; second general, 258, 259 ; third
general, 274 ; fourth general, 295, 296 ;
on annexation and adoption of the Con-
stitution of 1845, 306, 307 ; first State,
307 ; second State, 334 ; for Congress
(1847-48), 335; for^ Congress (1851-
59). 336, 349 ; State, of 1857 and
1S59, 348, 350 ; State and congressional,
of 1 86 1 and 1S63, 363, 365 ; State, of
1866, 375 ; of 1869, 379 ; oppressive
laws regulating, under Reconstruction,
378, 379 ; State, of 1873, 381 ; of 1876,
390,391 ; of 1878, 393; of 1880, 394; of
1882, 395 ; State and national, of 1884,
396; of 1886 and 1888, 400; of 1890,
402 ; of 1892, 404-406 ; of 1894, 410 ;
State and national, of 1896, 414 ; popu-
lar vote at the several State {1836-96),
432, 433, 435, 461, 462 ; Tabic of, 460-
462.
" Eleven league land grants," the nature
and origin of, 320.
Elguezabal, luan Jos^, governor of Coa-
luiila and Texas, 153, 175.
Elisondo, General, 106, 107.
Ellis, Richard, 208, 246.
El Paso del Norte, early history of, 42 ;
founding of, 55.
ICmancipation of tiie negroes, 372, 374.
INDEX.
475
"Emigrants' Guide," the, an early news-
paper, 197.
Ei)iprcsario, meaning of, 131 ; end of the
system of, 140; powers of an early, 167,
1 68 ; system of contracts by, declared at
an end, 257.
Encinal del Perdido (Coleto), battle of
the, 218, 219.
Enconiiciidas, the system of, 30.
England, Texas secures a commercial
treaty with, 254 ; recognizes Texan in-
dependence, 270 ; Common Law of,
adopted, 272, 273 ; attitude of, towards
annexation, 302, 303.
English, Captain, at the siege of Bexar,
162.
English discoveries and explorations in
America, 18-20 ; Common Law adopted,
272, 273.
Enrique, Juan, 63.
Episcopal church, growth of, in Texas,
326.
l-:])person, B. H., 335, 375.
Erath, George B., 256.
Escaray, Father, 57.
Espada, La, mission of, 71 ; Texan army
at, 187.
Espejo, Antonio de, 11, 42, 61.
Espinosa, Father Felix, 66.
Espiritu Santo, Rio del, early name for
the Mississippi, 8 ; Bay, 63, 64, 68 ; mis-
sion of, 69, 70.
Espriella, governor, 71.
Estell, Rev. Milton, 326.
Estevez, Father Francisco, 57.
Estremadura, New, Spanish name for
Coahuila, 63.
Esty, Robert, 290.
Exchequer currency of the Republic, 280.
Executive Officers : under President Hous-
ton's first administration, 257 ; under
Lamar, 259 ; under Houston's second
term, 279 ; under Anson Jones, 309 ;
under Governor Henderson, 321 ; under
Governor Wood, 334, 335 ; under Gov-
ernor Bell, 335 ; under Governor i'ease,
335. 336 ; under Governor Runnels, 350 ;
under Governors Houston and Clark,
354-
Exemption, homestead, 273, 317 ; legal,
from forced sales, 317.
Expeditions : of Pineda, 7, 8, 37, 61 ; of
Ciaray, 7, 9, 37 ; of De Narvaez, 10,
38, 39 ; of Cortez and the Guzmans, 10,
37. 38, 61 ; of Coronado, 10, 11, 41, 42,
61 ; of La Salle, 13-18 ; of De Leon,
63, 64 ; of St. Denis and Ramon, 65-67 ;
of Parilla, against the Indians, 72-74 ;
Magee's, 105-107; Long's, 109, no;
Perry's, 107, 108 ; the Matamoros, 200,
201, 202, 203 ; to Matamoros, revived,
251 ; filibustering, into Mexico (1839-40),
268, 269; to Santa F^, 271 ; to Mier,
287-290 ; Snively's, 293 ; filibustering,
to Cuba and Nicaragua, 350.
Exploration, general view of, in the
Western Hemisphere, 4 ; Spanish, in
America, 5-13 ; French, 13-18 ; Eng-
lish and Dutch, 18-20 ; early Spanish,
in the region of Texas, 37-44 ; extent
of Spanish, in 1687, 61,62.
Evans, Lemuel D., 335, 336, 347, 378.
Fall of the Alamo, the, 215-218.
Families, the linguistic, of North American
Indians, represented in Texas, 84-93.
Fannin, Colonel J. W., at the battle of
Concepcion, 187, 188 ; favors the Mata-
moros expedition, 201, 203 ; at Goliad,
210; sends relief to Refugio, 211 ; fails
to aid Travis in the Alamo, 215 ; leaves
Goliad and tights the l)attle of the
Coleto, 218, 219; capture and massacre
of his command, at Goliad, 220.
Farias, Gomez, Vice-President of Mexico,
160.
"Farmers' Alliance," the, 401, 402.
Earnest, the Count, proposes to make the
Catholic church the State church of
Texas, 324, 325.
Federal, the, government and constitution
of Mexico (1824), 152; politics, intro-
duced into Texas, 346-348 ; judicial
district, the first, in Texas, 321 ; govern-
ment attempts to rcconsimct the South,
372-3S2 ; judiciary in Texas, 392 ; elec-
tion of 1884, 396 ; election of 1892, 406 ;
politics in 1896, 410-414 ; affairs, the in-
fluence of Texas in, 454-456.
Federalists, the, in Mexico, 158, 268.
Felipinas, Nuevas, or New Philippines.,
early name for Texas, 62.
" Fence-cutting," era of, in Texas, 396.
Ferdinand VII., loi.
Ferdinand and Isabella, 26.,
Ferguson, Isaac, 333.
Fernando, San, villa of, founded, 70.
Ferris, J. W., 393.
Fiat money, 252.
P'ields, a Cherokee chief, 136, 146, 147.
476
INDEX.
Fiftc-eiitli amendment, the, to the United
States Constitution, 379.
l>'ilibusters, on the Sabine frontier, 100 ;
from Texas into Mexico (1839-40), 268,
269, 287-290 ; to Cuba and Nicaragua,
350.
Fihsola, General, 204, 224, 234.
Finances: in 1835-36, 201, 202; of the
RepubHc, at its beginning, 250, 251 ;
Houston's poHcy towards the, 252 ;
condition of ( 1838), 258 ; under Lamar's
administration, 267, 270, 272, 273 ; efforts
of Congress to relieve the, 280, 281 ; in
Houston's second administration, 281,
293, 294 ; at close of Jones's administra-
tion, 306 ; in Pease's administration,
338 ; under Governor Coke, 390 ; under
Governor Roberts, 394 ; under Governor
Hogg, 406 ; under Governor Culberson,
416.
Financial, panic of 1837, 252 ; conditions
(1838), 258; conditions (1839-42), 267,
270, 272, 273 ; policy of President Hous-
ton, 280; results of his policy, 281, 293,
294 ; conditions in 1846, 309 ; policy of
Governor Roberts, 394 ; questions in
Federal politics, 405.
Finley, N. W., 403.
Fisca/cs, 27.
Fisher, H. C, 403.
F'isher, S. Rhoads, 176, 208, 246, 257.
Fisher,. William S., 257, 268, 269, 287,
288.
Fisher and Miller's colony, 294.
Flacco, a Li pan chief, 88.
Flag, the, of the Alamo, 217 ; the national,
of the RepubHc, 267 ; of San Jacinto, 267.
I-'lanagan, J. \V., 379.
I'^iores, (iaspar, 139.
I'Mores, Manuel, a Mexican agent among
the Indians, 242, 264, 265.
Florida, disccnery of, 6 ; the Spaniards in,
65 ; secedes, 351.
Flournoy. George M., 351, 354.
Fly, \V. S.,403.
Foncuberta, Fatiier, in the Texas missions,
64.
Fonseca, bishop of Burgos and "Patri-
arch of the indies," 26, 27.
Fori)es, Jolin, 203, 204.
I'ord, John S.. 333, 349, 354, 366, 368.
I'oreign, relations of the Republic, 253,
254. 258, 270, 302, 303 ; trade, 444.
iMireigners, New Spain ruled by, 30, 31.
lM)rgery of land titles, 268.
Fort IJend, 226, 227.
Forts : iit. Louis, built by La Salle, 15-18,
63, 64, 69; Defiance, at Goliad, estab-
lished by Fannin, 211 ; Bird's, 291 ;
Sumter, fall of, 354.
Foster, L. L., 402.
Fourteenth amendment, the, to the Lhiited
States Constitution, 372, 373.
Fowler, Rev. Littleton, 326.
France, explorations by, in the Western
Hemisphere, 13-18 ; establishes rule in
Louisiana, 65 ; cedes Louisiana to Spain,
72 ; regains Louisiana and sells it to the
United States, 96 ; commercial treaty
with, 254.
Franciscan friars, missionary labors of, 49,
50, 55. 56 ; in Texas, 64-67.
"Franco-Texan Land Company," the, its
fraudulent schemes, 270, 271.
Franklin, Benjamin C, 246.
Franquis, governor, 71.
Frauds, inland titles, 253, 268; attempted
by the "Franco-Texan Land Company,"
270, 271 ; laws to prevent land, 320.
" Fredonian War," the, 146, 147, 168.
Free coinage of silver as a political issue,
405, 412-414.
" Free grass," 396.
Freedmen's Bureau, the, 377.
Freeman, Rev. G. W., 326.
French, discoveries and explorations in
America, 13-18 ; Huguenots, 12 ; claim
to Texas, validity of, 18 ; the, in Loui-
siana, open trade with Texas Indians,
65 ; seize Spanish forts in Eastern Texas,
68; move to west bank of the Sabine,
71; settlements on Red River, 98;
colony under Generals Lallemand and
Rigaud, 108.
Frontier protection, provisions for, 390.
Fucros, meaning of, 30, 167.
Fullenwider, Rev. P. H.,326.
G.
(larhupius, 30.
Gaines, General Edmund P., 97, 243.
(iaines. Captain James, 105, 146, 208.
(jaines, Reuben R.,400, 403.
(jalindo. Bishop, visits Te.xas, 57.
(ialveston, proliably JMalhado Jslaud, 39,
40 ; early history of, 107, iu8 ; building
of the jetties at, to secure deep water,
444.
" Galveston Bay and Texas Land Com-
pany," 148.
Galvez, Jos(5 de, 107.
Gano, General R. M., 367.
Gaona, General, 204, 226, 234.
INDEX.
477
Garay, Francis de, 7, 9, 37.
Garcia, Andres, founds El Paso del Norte,
55-
Garrett, C. C. , 403.
Garrisons established in Texas by Mexico,
159. 169, 170.
Garza, De la, house of, in San Antonio,
190-193.
Gavira, Father Lorenzo, 53.
Geography, the physical, of Texas, xvii.
"Georgia Battalion," the (1836), 202;
massacre of, at Goliad, 220.
Georgia secedes, 351.
Gibbs, Barnett, 396.
Giddings, D. C, 391.
Gilbert, Sir Humphrey, 18.
Gillespie, R. A., in the Mexican War,
333.
Gillett, John S., 333, 335.
Gillette, Rev. Charles, 326. .
Godoy, Manuel, the "Prince of Peace,"
100, lOI.
Goheen, Captain, 185.
Goliad (see La Bahid), 70, 105, 186; dec-
laration of independence at, 200 ; occu-
pied by Fannin, 210, 211 ; massacre at,
220.
Gomez, Stephen, 9.
Gonzales, General, in the Mexican revo-
lutionary struggles, 368, 369.
Gonzales, Rafael, governor, 153.
Gonzales, the town of, founded, 145 ;
municipality of, 183 ; battle at, 1S5, 186 ;
Texan army organized at, 187 ; Gen-
eral Houston retreats from, 218, 224.
G()()dl)read, Joseph, in the "Moderator
and Regulator War," 260, 291.
Goodrich; B. B., 208.
Goribar, Jose Maria, 153, 175.
Gould, Robert S., 361.
Government, the Mexican, character of,
as leading to the Texas Revolution,
166, 169 ; of Cijahuila and Texas, de-
stroyed, 175, 176 ; the provisional, estab-
lished, 198, 199 ; troubles of the pro-
visional, 199, 200 ; of the Republic, ad
interim, 209, 210 ; flight of, from Har-
risburg, 227 ; at \'elasco, 235 ; disor-
derly condition of, following San Jacinto,
240, 241 ; the permanent, of the Repub-
lic, 246, 247 ; difficulties of the first,
350, 251 ; critical condition of, in 1841,
272 ; of the State, inaugurated, 307.
316-318, 321-324 ; of the Confederate
States organized, 352 ; of Texas, during
the Civil War, 363-365 ; absence of, at
the close of the war, 374 ; during Re-
construction, 375-382 ; military, in the
South after the war, 376, 377, 379 ;
popular democratic, restored in Texas
(1874), 389.
Governors of Texas (1821-35), 153, 154;
Table of, from 1690 to 1896, 460-462.
Graham, Malcolm I)., 336, 350, 365.
Granbury, General H. B., 367.
Grande, Rio, early missions on the, 55-57 ;
Presidio del, 66 ; operations on the,
during the Civil War, 367.
Granger, General Gordon, in command in
Texas, 374.
Grant, Colonel, at the siege of Bexar, 190.
Grant, Dr. James, agitates an expedition
to Matamoros, 200, 201, 203 ; campaign
and death of, on the Nueces, 210, 211.
Grant, President U. S., refuses to aid E.J.
Davis, 382.
Grants, of public lands, the several kinds
of, 318-320 ; of lands, to schools, rail-
roads, etc., 339, 340, 378, 391, 392.
"Grass fight," the, 189.
Gray, Peter W., 365, 391.
" Grays," the, from New Orleans, at siege
of Bexar, 160, 193 ; massacre of, at
Goliad, 220.
Grayson, Peter W., 187, 240, 242, 243, 257,
258, 259.
Great Britain, Texas negotiates a treaty
with, 254 ; recognizes Texan indepen-
dence, 270 ; attitude of, towards annex-
ation, 302, 303 ; excites the jealousy of
the United States, 303.
Gregg, General John, 367.
Green, General Thomas, 333, 367.
Green, Thomas Jefferson, 241.
Greenback party, the, 393.
Greer County, litigation as to title to, be-
tween Texas and the United States, 338,
416, 417, 434.
Greer, John A., 309, 334, 335.
Gresham, Walter, 406.
Griffin, General Charles, military governor
of Texas, 376.
Grijalva, Juan de, expeditions of, 7, 37.
Grimes, Jesse, 140, 208.
Grisnold, Bartholomew, 19.
Gri/o, the, meaning of, 103.
Gritton, Edward, 184.
Groce's Ferry, 226.
Grollet, one of La Salle's men, 63.
C round-plan of the Alamo, 213.
Growth of Texas, in population, 432, 434,
435 ; of railroads, 441-444.
Grumbles, John J., 333.
Guadalupe-Hidalgo, the treaty of 333, 334.
478
INDEX.
Ciiiadaliipe, early mission of, 55 ; River,
named by De Leon, 63 ; mission of Our
Lady of, in P-astern Texas, 67, 76.
"Guaranties," tlie "Three," in the Plaji
of Ifitia/a, 103.
Guerena, Father Marcos, 57.
Giicrra, tierra de, meaning of, 47.
Guerrero, Vicente, 104, 158.
"Guide," the "Emigrants'," an early
newspaper, 197.
Guizot, M., friendly to Texas, 303.
" Gulf, West Texas and Pacific Railroad,"
339.
Gutierrez, Bernardo, in the " Republican
Army of the North," or Magee's ex-
pedition. 104-106.
Guzman, Diego de, 37.
Guzman, Nufio de, 37, 38, 61.
H.
Habeas Corpus, the writ of, unknown to
the Mexican Constitution, 167.
Hacienda, meaning of, 136 ; of the Salado,
Mier prisoners at, 288, 289.
Hall, Sims, 197.
Hall, Warren I). C, 170, 176, 187.
Hamilton, A. J., 335, 336, 347, 349; pro-
visional governor, 374, 375 ; in the con-
vention of 1868-69, 378; defeated for
governor, 379 ; opposes E. J. Davis,
380.
Hamilton, General James, 247, 270.
Hamilton, Morgan C, 378 380.
Hancock, George, 380.
Hancock, John, 347, 391, 392, 396.
Hancock, General \\. S., 377.
Handley, Alexander M, 333.
1 lanks, Rev. Thomas, 325.
Hardeman, Bailey, 206, 208, 242.
Hardeman, (JeneVal W. S., 367.
Hardin, A. B., 208.
Hare, .Silas, 400, 402.
La FLirpe attempts to settle in Texas,
68.
" Harriet Lane." the, capture of, ^66.
Harris, John W., 321, 334.
Harris, Robert, 290.
Harrisburg, the seat of government, 210;
l)urned by Santa Anna, 227.
Harrison, General Thomas, 367.
Hawley, R. B., 416.
Hays, Captain John C. ("Jack"), a noted
Ranger, 286 ; in the Mexican War, 332
Head, H. O., 403,
Headrights, the several kinds of, 253,
318, 319.
Hebert, General P. O., 366.
Hemphill, John, 259, 287, 321 ; Lhiited
States Senator, 348 ; delegate to Con-
federate States' convention (1861), 352.
Henderson, J. Pinckney, 240, 241, 246 ;
minister to England, 254 ; in Houston's
cabinet, 257 ; minister to the United
States, 279, 304 ; first governor of Texas,
307 ; his administration, 316-327 ; in the
Mexican War, 332 ; United States Sena-
tor, and death, 349.
Henderson, J. W. ("Smoky"), 335.
Hendricks, Thomas A., 396.
Henry, John L., 400, 403.
Henry, Robert L., 416.
Herbert, C. C, 375.
Herndon, W. S., 391.
Herrera, Jose Joaquin de, 134, 305, 330.
Herrera, General Simon D., 99, 105, 106.
Hewitson, James, and James Power, col-
ony of, 148.
Hidalgo, Father Francisco, 57.
Hidalgo y Costilla, Miguel, the " patriot
priest" of Mexico, his career as the
father of the Mexican revolution, loi,
102.
Highsmith, Samuel, a noted Ranger, 176,
333-
Hill, Benjamin, 335.
Hill, George W., 279, 309.
Hill, William Pinckney, 365.
History of Texas, the extent and impor-
tance of the subject, 429, 430.
Hockley, George W., 230, 257, 279, 303.
Hogg, James S., his work as attorney-
general, 401 ; elected governor, 402 ; his
second campaign and election, 404-406.
Hogg, General Joseph L., 367.
Holland, Bird, 354.
Homestead exemption, adopted, 273 ; in
the Constitution of 1845, 317.
Hondo, the Arroyo, 99, 100.
Hondo River, 63.
Hood, General John B., 367 ; his famous
brigade, 367.
Horton, Albert C, 259, 266, 307, 321.
Horton, Alexander, 171, 182, 202.
Hostility, first acts of, by Mexico, 158,
159 ; feeling of, by Mexico towards pop-
ular meetings in Texas, 173; between
Governor Smith and the Council, 199,
200 ; towards Santa Anna after his cap-
ture, 240, 241 ; Indians aroused to, by
Mexican agents, 242, 250, 264 ; of Mex-
ico towards the United States, 242, 243,
INDEX.
479
254 ; towards President Houston, caused
by his vetoes, 285 ; first act of, in the
Mexican War of 1846-48, 331.
Houston, .Sani, in the Convention of 1833,
174 ; his previous career and advent to
Texas, 176, 177; elected commander at
Nacogdoches, 185 ; his views as to the
siege of Bexar, 189, 190 ; in the Consul-
tation, 198 ; elected commander-in-chief,
199 ; opposed to the Matamoros expedi-
tion, 201 ; his movements in the west,
202, 203 ; leaves the army and negotiates
an Indian treaty, 203, 204 ; views of, on
independence, 202 ; in the Convention
of 1836, 208, 209 ; in supreme command
of the army, 208 ; his beginning of the
campaign, 212 ; retreats to the Colorado
and Brazos, 218, 224; his movements
until the battle of San Jacinto, 225-228 ;
fights and wins that battle, 230-233; is
granted leave of absence, 234 ; protests
against the treatment of Santa Aima,
241 ; first President of the Republic,
245, 246 ; his cabinet, 246 ; policies of
his administration, 252-254 ; his vetoes,
252, 253, 285 ; attitude of, towards an-
nexation, 253, 254, 302-305, 308, 309;
disbands the army, 255 ; members of his
cabinet during his first term, 257 ; rude-
ness of his life at Houston, 258 ; in the
Congress of the Republic, 274 ; elected
President the second time, 274, 275 ; his
second administration, 279-296 ; his ex-
ecutive appointments and cabinets, 279 ;
his policies and their results, 279-281,
293, 294 ; his conduct in regard to the
Mexican invasion, 282, 284, 287 ; his
troubles with the navy, 282, 2S3 ; vetoes
the " war bill," 285 ; establishes a treaty
with the Indians, 291, 292 ; issues an
appeal to foreign powers, 313 ; elected
United States Senator, 321 ; offered
major-generalship in the United States
army, 332 ; his position on the Kansas-
Nebraska bill, and its effect, 347 ; is
defeated for governor, retires from the
Senate, 348, 349 ; his attitude towards
Secession, 351-353 ; is deposed by the
convention, 353 ; his death, 365 ; his
prominence in Federal pt)]itics, 454.
Houston, the town of, founded, 256 ; rude-
ness of life at, in early times, 258 ; tlie
seat of government moved to, in 1842,
283, 284.
Houston and Texas Central Railroad,
built, 339.
Howard, V'olney E., 335.
Hoxey, Asa, 182.
Hubbard, Richard P>., 381 ; acting gov
ernor, 391-393 ; defeated for governoi
in 1878, 393 ; nu'nister to Jai)an, 455.
Hudson, Sir Henry, 19, 20.
Hughes, Thomas P., 352.
Huguenots, the, in South Carolina and
F'lorida, 12, 13.
Humaiia, an early Spanish explorer, 61.
Hunianas, the, an Indian tribe, 55, 62.
Hunt, General Memucan, 240, 241, 253,
255, 257, 259. 274-
Hunter, John Dunn, 146, 147.
Hunter, Sam T., 403.
Hurt, James M., 395, 403.
Husband and wife, property rights of,
under Texas laws, 317.
Huston, Almazan, 171.
Huston, General Felix, 240, 241, 247, 255.
Hutcheson, J. C, 406.
Iberville, D', 65.
Iguala, the Plan of, 103, 104.
Ildefonso, San, the mission of, 57.
Immigration, early, 140, 141 ; bureau of,
created, 379.
Imperial Colonization Law of Mexico,
134, 136, 153.
Independence, of Mexico from Spain,
103, 104 ; first symptoms of sentiment
for, in Texas, 186 ; views of the Consul-
tation in regard to, 198 ; growth of the
sentiment for, 200 ; adoption of the
Declaration of 11836), 208; recognized
by the United States, 244, 253 ; recog-
nized by England, Belgium, and France,
270.
"Independence," the, a Texan war-ship,
235 ; captured by the Mexicans, 255.
Indians, Spanish methods of dealing with,
47-49; "reduced" and "l)rave," 48;
early trouljles with, in Northern INIexico,
53-55 ; the Apaches, beginning of wars
with, 54, 55 ; the Tobosos, Jumanas,
and Tejas, 55, 56; the Tejas, missions
founded among, 64-67 ; the Lipans,
battle with, 66; of Eastern Texas,
missions and presidios among the, 66,
67 ; difficulty of civilizing the tribes of,
in Texas, 67 ; early wars with, 70 ;
Apaches and Comanches, 72 ; raids by,
73, 74 ; history of the several tribes of,
originally dwelling in Texas, 83-93 '•<
American, characteristics of, 83, 84 ;
troubles of Austin's colonists with, 138,
480
INDEX.
139 ; proceedings of the Consultation in
reji;arcl to the Cherokees and allied
bands, 197, 199 ; treaty with the Chero-
kees and others (1836), 204; incited to
hostility by Mexican agents, 242, 250,
256, 264 ; Houston's policy towards,
252, 280 ; raids by, in 1837-38, 255 ; hos-
tility of, in 1839, 264 ; war with the
Cherokees, followed by general raids,
264-266 ; make a treaty and trading
agreement with Houston (1843), 291,
292 ; reservations established for, in
Texas, 341 ; fights with (1857-59), 349',
are finally removed from Texas, 349 ;
protection against, in recent years, 390.
Indies, the extent of, under Spanish rule,
26 ; the Council of the, 26-34,
Indios rcducidos and bravos, 48.
Industrial growth in Texas, 445.
Influence of Texas in Federal affairs, 454-
456.
Ingram, Ira, 200, 246.
Inciuisition, the Holy, in Mexico, 31-34.
lutoidancies, the nature and power of,
33. 34-
Internal provinces, the, under Spanish
and Mexican rule, 33, 34.
International and Great Northern Rail-
road, compromise of the subsidy to, 390.
In/rodiicfion, xiii-xix.
Invasion, Santa Anna's plans for, 182 ;
colonies prepare to resist, 183, 184 ; prep-
arations for, in Mexico, 202 ; Mexican
army of, reaches San Antonio, 204 ; is
defeated and retires after San Jacinto,
224-226 ; rumors of, in Mexico, 242 ; of
Mexico, reckless schemes for, in the
Texan army, 251 ; of Mexico, by Texans,
268, 269, 287-290 ; of Texas, by Vasquez
and Woll, 28T, 282, 285, 286.
" Invincible." the, a Texan war-ship, 235 ;
captured by Mexicans, 255.
lonies, an Indian tribe, 89, 292.
Ireland, Jt)hn, 391 ; governor, 395, 396 ;
his death, 419.
Irion, Robert A., 257.
Irish, the, as colonists in Texas, 148; first
to declare for inde]:)endence from Mex-
ico, 200.
Iron, jiroduct of, in Texas, 441.
"Iron-clad Oath," the, in Reconstruction
times, 377.
lro(|noian family of Indians, 89, 90.
Isabella, Ferdinand and, 26.
Isleta, origin of tjie town (jf, 42, 43, 55, 92.
lUirbide, Agustin de, the career cif, as
emperorof Mexico, 102-104, I34. 135, 152.
J.
Jack, Patrick C, 170, 176.
Jack, William H., 170, 174, 242.
Jackson, Andrew, attitude of, towards
Texas, 242 ; treatment of Santa Anna
by, 250 ; his views on annexation, 301.
Jackson, Charles W., in the "Moderator
and Regulator" war, 290, 291.
Jalisco, the state of, revolts against Santa
Anna, 160.
James, John H., 403.
Jamestown, English colony at, 19.
Jaranamas, an Indian tribe, 89.
Jarman, Asa, 171.
Jealousy of Mexico towards the United I
States, 168, 169.
Jefferson, Thomas, purchases Louisiana,
96 ; sends Philip Nolan to Texas, 98.
Jennings, Thomas J., 326.
Jester, George T., 409.
Jesuits, the, missionary labors of, in Mex-
ico and Texas, 50-55.
Jesus Maria y Jose, mission of, in Eastern
Texas, 65.
Jesus, the Society of, labors of, in Mexico
and Texas, 50-55.
Jetties, system of, at Galveston, to secure
deep water, 444.
Jironza, Governor, 56.
Johns, C. R., 350.
Johnson, Andrew, becomes President, 372 ;
his method of reconstrueti)ig the South-
ern States, 373, 374.
Johnson, Francis W., 140 ; at Anahuac,
170, 176 ; order for the arrest of, from
Santa Anna, 184 ; at the siege of Bexar,
190-193 ; connected with the Matamoros
expedition, 200, 201, 203 ; at San Pa-
tricio, 210 ; escapes the battle at that
place, 211. .
Johnson, Moses, 309.
Johnson, M. T., 333, 335.
Johnson, William H., 352.
Johnston, Albert Sidney, duel of, with
General Felix Huston, 255 ; secretary
of war, 259 ; in the Cherokee War, 265 ;
in the Mexican War, 332 ; in the Civil
War, 367.
Johnston, General Joseph E., 367.
Joint resolutions for annexation of Texas,
3u5-3t>9-
Joliet, 13.
Jones, An.son, 257, 279 ; elected President,
295; ills administratit)n, 301-310; calls
special session of Congress and a con-
vention to consider annexation, 305 ; his
INDEX.
481
attitude on the subject, 308, 309 ; his
tinal address, 310.
Jones, George W., 375, 393, 395.
Jones, James H., 395.
Jones, John B., an early district judge, 321.
Jones, Oliver, 176, 182.
Jones, Thomas L., 290.
Jones, William E., 321.
Jordan, Colonel S. W., 268.
Jose, San, de los Nazonis, mission of, 67 ;
removed to Bexar and called San Juan
Capristano, 71.
Judicial, districts, the first, in Texas, 156 ;
system of the Republic, 246, 272, 273 ;
of the State (1845), 316, 321 ; districts,
Federal, 321, 392 ; officers made elec-
tive, 348 ; districts of the Confederacy,
in Texas, 365 ; system of the State, re-
organized (1890-93), 402, 403.
Judiciary, the first, of the Republic, 246 ;
first, of the State, 321 ; made elective,
348 ; of the Confederacy, in Texas, 365 ;
the Federal , in Texas, 392 ; reorganiza-
tion of the State, 402, 403.
Jumanas, the, an Indian tribe, 55, 62.
Junta de los Rios, mission at, 55.
Jurisprudence, foundations of the Texas
system of, 272, 273.
Jury trial, unknown to the Mexican con-
stitution, 167.
K.
Kansas-Nebraska bill, the, 346 ; position
t)f Sam Houston on, 347.
Karankawan family of Indians, 60.
Karankawas, ethnology of the, 60 ; on
Galveston Island, 107, 108 ; troubles of
the colonists with the, 138, 139.
Karnes, Henry W., 187, 255, 256.
Kaufman, David S. , 309, 321, 335, 336.
Kearby, Jerome C. , 411, 413.
Kechais or Keechies, an Indian tribe, 89,
292.
Keene, Edmund, attempts a colony in
Texas, 129.
Kemper, Major, in Magee's expedition,
105, 106.
Kendall, George W., with the Santa F6
expedition, 271.
Kerisas or Carizos, an Indian tribe, 62.
Kerr, James, 145, 208.
Key, \V. M., 403.
Kickapoo Indians, 87.
Kilgore, C. B., 400, 406.
Kimball, H. S., 208.
King, General VV. H., 367.
King, Captain, death of, near Refugio, 211,
212.
King, Captain, massacre of, with his men,
at Goliad, 220.
Kingdoms, the early, of New Spain or
Mexico, 33.
Kinney, Henry L., 332.
Kiowan family of Indians, 60.
Kiowas, ethnology of the, 60; raids by
( 1840), 266.
Kleberg, R. J., 416.
Know-Nothing, or A)ncrican, party, origin
and purposes of the, 346-348 ; its appear-
ance and following in Texas, 347, 348.
Koasati or Cushatta, an Indian tribe, 90,
" Ku-Klux Klan," the, origin and pur-
poses of, 377.
Kuykendall, Abner, 176.
L'Archeveque, one of La Salle's men, 63.
La Bahia ( see 6"o//()'(^/), presidio of, founded
at old Fort St. Louis, 69 ; removed, 70 ;
captured by Magee's expedition, 105 ;
captured by the Texans in 1835, 186 ;
occupied by Fannin, 211 ; massacre of
Texans at, 220.
L'Espada, mission of, 71 ; Texan army at
(1835), 187.
La Harpe, attempts of, to settle in Texas,
68.
La Salle, discoveries and adventures of,
13-18 ; names and fate of his com-
panions, 17, 18; survivors of his colony
captured by the Spaniards, 63, 64.
Labdr, meaning of, 136.
Lacy, William Y., 171.
Lafitte, Jean, the career of, 108-110.
Laguna, Viceroy of Mexico, 62.
Lallemand, General, attempts to found a
French colony in Texas, 108.
Lamar, Mirabeau B., at San Jacinto, 229,
230 ; secretary of war, 234, 240 ; his at-
titude towards Santa Anna, 234, 235,
240 ; troubles over his appointment to
command the army, 241 ; elected Vice-
President, 246 ; elected President, 259 ;
his cabinet, 259 ; his policies and the
general character of his achninistration,
263, 264 ; his war on the Cherokees,
264, 265 ; sickness forces his retirement,
270 ; authorizes the Santa F^e expe-
dition, 271 ; his services to the cause of
public education, 273, 274 ; general re-
31
482
INDEX.
suits of his administration, 274 ; in the
Mexican War, 332.
Land, distribution of, under Mexican col-
onial system, 136, 137 ; Spanish and
Mexican measurements of, 136; lawless
acts of legislature of Coahuila and Texas
disposing of, 175 ; acts of the Consul-
tation in regard to, 199 ; granted to
soldiers of the Revolution, 200, 209 ;
scrip for, worthlessness of, 250, 251 ;
system, confusion and fraud in, 252, 253 ;
office, a general, established, 253, 257,
317 ; districts, 257 ; scrip, issued, 257 ;
boards, organized, 257 ; forgery of titles
to, 268 ; a travelling board to examine
titles to, 268 ; donations of, to public
education, 273, 274, 338, 339, 378, 391 ;
public, retained by the State at annex-
ation, 307, 437 ; laws for the disposition
of public, 318-320, 437, 438 ; donated to
railroads, 339, 340, 442-444 ; disposition
of, by the Rcco7istructioH Convention
(1868-69), 378, 379 ; donated to edu-
cation by the Constitution of 1876, 391,
392 ; donated to build newcapitol, 395;
donated to the University, 396 ; impor-
tance and value of the public, to Texas,
436-438 ; use of, for support of the edu-
cational system, 446-450.
Land Company, " (ialveston Bay and
Texas," 148 ; " F'ranco-Texan," 270,
271.
Landrum, Captain, at the siege of Bexar,
162.
Lane, Walter P., 333, 367.
Lang, W.W., 393-
Language, as the basis of classification of
Indian tribes, 84.
Lanhani, S. W. T., 396, 400, 409, 416.
Larios, Father Juan, an early missionary
l>riest, 56.
Larios, governor, 71.
Las Casas, the " Universal Protector of
the Indians," 27.
Latimer, Albert H., 208, 376.
Lavaca River, named by La Salle, 15.
Lawlessness and crime, suppression of,
39<3.
Laws : early, of New Spain, 29-34 ; col-
onization, of Mexico, 1-54-137 ; of Coa-
huila and 'I\xas, take effect in Texas,
140 ; the sexeral, affecting colonization
in Mexico and Texas. 153 ; of April 6,
1830, against colonists from the United
States, 158. 159, 168-170; of Coahuila
and Texas, unfriendly to the colonies,
171. 172; of the Consultation and pro-
visional govefnment, 19S-205 ; of the
First and Second Congresses. 256, 257 ;
of the Third, Fourth, and F"ifth Con-
gresses, 272-274 ; the Common, of Eng-
land, adopted, 272,273; of the Sixth,
Seventh, and Eighth Congresses, 295 ;
of homestead, exemptions, and marital
property, duelling, divorce, slavery, etc.
(1845), 317; for disposition of public
lands, 318-320, 339, 340 ; conscript
(1861-65), 364; election, under Re-
construction, 378, 379; passed to restrain
and regulate corporations, railroads and
"trusts," 401, 404 ; against prize-fights,
410 ; passed by the Twenty-fifth Legis-
lature, 415, 416.
League, as a land measure, 136.
Lee, Colonel Robert E., service of, on the
Rio Grande, 349.
Lee, William D. , 309.
Leftwich, Robert, 135 ; his colony, 147,
148.
Legislatures : of Coahuila and Texas, rep-
resentation in, 156 ; of Coahuila and
Texas, acts of, unfriendly to Texas,
171, 172 ; lawless disposition of lands
by, 174, 175 ; end of the, in Coahuila
and Texas, 175, 176 ; organization of,
under the Constitution of 1845, 316, 317 ;
labors of the First, 318-321, 324 ; from
1847 to 1857, 337 ; of 1861, recognizes
the Secession Convention, 351-353 ; of
1866, 375, 376 ; the Twelfth, and its cor-
rupt acts, 380, 390 ; the Thirteenth, 381 ;
the Fourteenth, 390 ; the Fifteenth, 391,
393 ; the Twenty-fifth, 415, 416 ; 7 able
of the Speakers of (1846-97), 463.
Leon, Alonzo de, expeditions of, to Texas,
63, 64 ; establishes missions among the
Tejas Indians, 64.
Leon, New, the state of, 152.
Leon, Ponce de, 6, 7.
Leona Vicario (Saltillol, 152.
Letona, Jos^ Maria, governor, 153, 171.
Lewis, G. K., 333.
Lewis, Mark B., 283.
Liberty, the municipality of, established
and dissolved, 169.
Lightfoot, Henry W., 403.
Lincoln, Abraham, effect of his election
in the South, 351 ; assassination of, 372.
Lindsey, Livingston, 375-377.
Linn, John J., 185, 208.
Linnvilie, raided by Indians 'i84o\ 266.
Lipan Indians, early battle with, 66;
ethnology of the, 87. 88 ; in Magee's
expedition, 105 ; aid the Rangers, 266.
INDEX.
483
Lipantitlan, the battle of, 193.
Lipscomb, Abner, 321, 348.
Live stock, statistics of, 440.
"Lively," the, a steamer, 133.
Llewellyn, Captain, at the siege of Bexar,
192.
Loan, a public, provided for by the Con-
sultation, 199 ; securfed in the United
States, 204 ; authorized in Congress,
257 ; from the United States Bank,
268 ; law for, repealed, 280.
Long, Dr. James, the expedition of, 109,
no.
Long, J. B., 402.
Lopez, Nicolas, an early missionary priest,
56 ; Father, president of the Texas mis-
sions, 75.
Lopez's expedition to Cuba, 350.
Loreto, Santa Maria de, de la Bahia, or
La Bahia, presidio of, 69, 70.
Louis, St., Fort, built by La Salle, 15,
16-18, 63, 64, 69.
Louisiana, named by La Salle, 14 ; occu-
pied by the F^rench, 65 ; ceded to Spain,
72 ; retroceded to France and sold to
the United States, 96 ; colonists in Texas
required to come from, 137 ; secedes,
351-
Love, James, 321.
Loyalty of Texas to the Constitution of
1824, 170, 171, 183 ; of certain Texas
Mexicans, 183.
Lubbock, F'rank R., 257, 279, 348, 350 ;
his administration as governor, 363, 364 ;
in the Confederate service, 364.
Luis, San, early name for Galveston Island,
107
Lynch's Ferry, 229.
M.
Macomb, David B., 187.
Madero, 169.
Magee, Augustus W., expedition by, to
Texas, 105, 106.
Magellan, 9.
Mahan, Patrick, 290.
Mails, early provisions for, 197 ; under the
Republic, 257.
Makemson, VV. K., 410.
Malhado Island, 39.
Manchola, Don Rafael, 173.
Manufactures, statistics of, 445.
Manzanet, Father, an early missionary
priest, 57 ; visits Texas and founds mis-
sions, 63-65.
Maps : of the physiography of Texas,
xviii ; the world in the fifteenth century,
2 ; of 1520, of Gulf of Mexico, 8 ; Ri-
bero's (1529), 12 ; of the routes of the
early navigators, 19 ; of Cabeza de
Vaca's route acro.ss Texas, 39 ; of the
north Mexican states in the sixteenth
and seventeenth centuries, 43 ; of the
ground-plan of an old mission, 51 ; of
Coahuila in the seventeenth and eigh-
teenth centuries, 56 ; showing ciianges
of territory in the eighteenth century,
73 ; of Texas in the eighteenth century,
76 ; of the Indian tribes of Texas, 85 ;
of territorial changes ( 1800-03), 97 ; of
the "Neutral Ground," 99; Austin's,
of Texas, 140 ; of Spanish Texas, 149 ;
of the political departments, 154 ; of
the original municipalities, 155 ; of San
Antonio de Bexar and its environs, 189 ;
of the siege of Bexar, 191 ; of the Alamo
mission, 213 ; of the routes of the Texan
and Mexican armies to San Jacinto, 225 ;
of the region near San Jacinto, 228 ; of
the battle-field of San Jacinto, 231 ; of
territorial changes after annexation, 308 ;
of campaigns of the Mexican War, 332,
333 ; of territory acquired by the Mexi-
can War, 334 ; of territorial changes
(1845-53), 340; of the river system of
Texas, 438 ; of the railroad system,
443;
Margil, Father, an early missionary priest,
66.
Marital property rights in Texas, 317.
Marquette, 13.
Martin, Captain Albert, 185, 214.
Martin, Cristobal, 11.
Martin, Marion, 395, 406, 410.
Martin, Wylie, 226, 227.
Martinez, Governor Antonio, relations of,
with the Austins, 130, 131 ; the last
Spanish governor of Texas, 153.
Martos, governor, 74.
Mason, Charles, 279, 309.
Mason, C. L., 335.
Masons, the first Grand Lodge of, in
Texas, 326.
Massacre, at the Alamo, 212-218; at Go-
liad, 220; of Dawson and his men, 286.
Matagorda Bay, La Salle lands at, 15.
Matamoros, agitation of an expedition to,
200-203 ; revival of the s< lieme for an
expedition to, 251 ; battle at (1839), 268 ;
evacuated in the Mexican \^^ar, 331.
Mateo. Fort San, 13.
Maverick, Samuel A., 20S.
484
INDEX.
Maxey, Sam Bell, 367 ; elected United
States Senator, 391, 402, 454 ; his death,
418.
Maxey, Thomas S., 392.
Mayfield, Allison, 413.
Measurements of land, Spanish and Mex-
ican system of, 136.
Mediavilla, Melchor de, governor of Texas,
70, 71.
Medina River, named by De Leon, 63 ;
battle of the, 107.
Meetings, the first revolutionary, 169-174 ;
to prepare resistance against Mexico,
183, 1S4 ; for calling a general consulta-
tion, 184 ; for conciliating Mexico, 184 ;
at Columbia, 184 ; in favor of indepen-
dence, 20©.
Mejia, General, 171.
Memorials of the Texans to the Mexican
government, 172-174.
Menard, M. B., 208.
Mendoza, Antonio de, viceroy of New
Spain, 27 ; orders expedition to explore
the north, 40, 41.
Menefee, Thomas, 176.
Menefee, William, 176, 208, 266, 267.
Menendez, Pedro de, 12, 13.
Mercer, Charles Fenton, colony contract
of, 294.
Mescalero Apaches, 87, 88.
Mexico, early government of, by Spain,
26-34 ; geographical and political divi-
sions of, under Spanish rule, 2,2,, 34, 43,
44 ; early Catholic missions in, 49-55 ;
condition of, under Spain, 100 ; early
loyalty of, to Spain, loi ; revolution in
(1810-21), 101-104 ; political parties in,
104 ; independence of, 103, 104 ; coloniza-
tion laws of, 134-137, 153 ; Constituent
Congress of, 152 ; adopts a republican
government, 152; begins unfriendly
acts towards Texas, 157 ; progress of
revolutions in (1824-35), 157-160 ; tyr-
anny of, towards Texas, 158-160 ; de-
feats the Spanish invasion, 158 ; attitude
of Texas colonists towards, leading
to the Revolution, 166-168 ; further acts
of tyranny by, 168-177 ; jealousy of,
towards the United States, 168, 169 ;
memorials of Texas to the government
of, 172-174 ; resents popular meetings in
Texas, 173 ; Santa Anna becomes dic-
tator of, and subdues all the states ex-
cept Te.xas, 175, 176 ; prepares for inva-
sion of Texas, 183, 202 ; is defeated in
campaign t)f 1835, 187-193 ; is defeated
in campaign of 1836, 224-236 ; conduct
of, after San Jacinto, 242 ; hostility of,
to the United States, 242, 243, 254 ;
reckless schemes for invasion of, by
Texans, 251 ; depredations of, on Amer-
ican commerce, 254 ; diplomatic rela-
tions of, 254 ; revolutionary movements
in (1839-40), 268, 269; filibustering ex-
peditions ifrom Texas into, 268, 269, 271,
287-290 ; attempts of Texas to claim
territory of, followed by invasions of
Vasquez and Woll, 281, 282, 285, 2S6 ;
Mier expedition to, 287-290 ; agrees to
an armistice, which Texas rejects, 303 ;
finally offers peace if annexation is aban-
doned, 305 ; revolution in, leads to war
with United States, 330 ; progress and
results of the war, 330-334 ; City of,
captured, 333 ; treaty between United
States and, 2,t,2>, 334.
Mexico, New, first explorations in, 40-42 ;
missions and Indian wars in, 55 ; re-
conquered by Vargas, 55 ; claimed by
Texas, 269, 270, 281 ; expedition to
(1841), 271, 281 ; relations of, to Texas
boundary question, 322, 323 ; occupied
by United States troops, 323 ; Texas
transfers, to United States, 338 ; military
operations in, during the Civil War, 366.
Mezieres, De, 75.
Mier expedition, the, 287-290 ; prisoners
of, released, 295.
Mier y Teran, General, 169.
Miguel, San, de Aguayo, 56 ; San, Cuellar
de los Adaes, 67, 68.
Milam, Ben R., 176, 186; at the siege of
Bexar, 190, 192.
Military, power, as an element in Spanish
colonization, 25-34, 47-49 ; evils of, in
Mexico, 167 ; occupation of Texas, at-
tempted in 1831, 169 ; service, bounties
for, 200, 209 ; situation at beginning of
campaign of 1836, 210; operations of
that campaign, 215-221, 224-229 ; roads,
projected to Red River and Santa Fe,
270 ; operations attending Mexican in-
vasion (1842), 282, 284, 287, 288 ; opera-
tions of the Mexican VVar, 331-333 ;
service of Texans in the Civil War, 365-
367 ; power, use of, in the South during
Rcconstructio7i, 373, 374, 376, 379.
Militia, organization of (1835), 185 ; called
out to repel Mexican invasion (1842-43),
282, 284, 287.
Millard, Henry, 198, 230, 241.
Miller, James B., 173, 176, 183, 185, 279,
307, 334-
Miller, James F., 396,
INDEX.
485
Miller, Major, spared with his men at the
(ioliad massacre, 220.
Miller, W. D., 334.
Mills, John T., 321, 335.
Mills, R()ji:er Q., 391-393, 396, 400, 402,
454, 455-
Mina (Bastrop), municipality of, 183.
Mina, Xavier, expedition of, 102, 107, 108.
Mineralogical products of Texas, 440, 441.
Ministers of the gospel, ineligible to the
legislature under Constitution of 1845,
316, 317-
Missionaries, early Catholic, their methods
and labors, 48-57 ; Franciscan and
Jesuit, 49-51 ; work of, on the R.'o
Grande and in Coahuila and Texas, 55,
57 ; visit Texas and found missions, 63-
65 ; failure of, in Texas, 76, 77 ; Prot-
estant, in Texas, 324-326.
Missions : the Catholic, of New Spain, 44 ;
history and operation of, in New Spain
and Mexico, 47-57 ; methods of their
organization and work, 47-53 ; plan of
building them, 51, 52 ; early, on the Rio
Grande, 55, 56 ; in Coahuila, Chihuahua,
and Texas, 53-57 ; the first, founded in
Eastern Texas, 64, 65 ; temporarily
abandoned. 65 ; revived and extended
by Ramon, 66, 67 ; names of, in Eastern
Texas, 67, 71 ; troubles of, with the
military, 67 ; San Antonio de Valero,
68 ; San Jos^ de Aguayo, 69 ; La Bahia,
69, 70; mutations of, in Texas, 68-71 ;
Ildefonso, San Saba, San Javier, Cande-
laria, and Arcoquisac, 72; western,
abandoned, 74 ; eastern, abandoned, 77 ;
failure of the system, 76, 77 ; the Alamo,
siege and fall of, 212-218; of Refugio,
battle at, 212 ; end of the old, 324.
Mississippi River, the discovery of, 8.
Mississippi, the .State of, secedes, 351.
Dlissonri Compromise , the, relations of,
to Texas, 322, 323.
Mitchell, Major, with Fannin at Goliad,
2 TO.
Mobile sends aid to theTe.xas Revolution,
201.
Mode of life among the early colonists and
under the Republic, 258.
"Moderators" and "Regulators," war
between, in East Texas, 290, 291.
Molano, 268.
Monclova, early name of, 57 ; dispute be-
tween Saltillo and, as to the capital,
175-
Money, paper, under the Republic, 252,
270, 272, 280, 393 ; coinage of gold and
silver as, a political issue, 405, 409, 410-
414.
Monks, early missionary labors of the,
47-57-
Monopolies in New Spain, 30-34.
Monterey, battle at (1839), 268; battle at
(1846), 332.
" Montezuma," the, a Mexican war-ship,
202.
Monts, the Sieur de, 13.
Moore, Commodore, of the Te.xan navy,
his troubles with President Sam Hous-
ton, 282, 283.
Moore, George F., 365, 375, 391, 393.
Moore, John H., 140, 185, 186, 187, 255,
266, 286.
Moore, John W., 208.
Moore, L. W., 400.
Moqui Indians, discovery of the land of
the, 10, 41.
Morelos, Jose Maria, a Mexican patriot,
102.
Morfi, Father Juan Augustin, an early mis-
sionary priest, 75.
Morfitt, Henry M., visits Texas and reports
on its condition, 244, 431.
Morgan, James, 282.
Morgan, S. H., 365.
Morley, William, 208.
Morrell, Rev. Z. L., 325.
Morrill, Amos, 376, 392.
Morris, Captain Robert C, at the siege of
Bexar, 190-193 ; in the army, 202, 210;
killed at Agua Dulce, 211.
Morton, E. W., 395.
Muldoon, Father, an early priest among
the colonists, 324.
Municipalities, early, in Texas, 155, 156,
436 ; population of, in 1834, 156 ; organize
committees of safety, 183 ; movement
among, for calling a consultation, 183-
185 ; form an executive council, 186.
Murrah, Pendleton, governor, 363-365.
Muskhogean family of Indians, 60.
Muskhogees, a tribe of Indians, 90.
Musquiz, Ramon, Austin's letter to, 173.
"Mustangs," the, a military company,
massacre of, at Goliad, 220.
" Mystery," the " Northern," 38.
McAdoo, J. D., 381.
McCall, John D., 409.
McConib, David B., 187.
McCormick, A. P., 378, 392.
McCown, Jerome B., T)})2>-
McCuUoch, Ben, in the Rangers, 266 ; in
tile Mexican War, 332, 2,2)2) > J" the Civil
War, 367.
486
INDEX.
McCulloch, Henry E., in the Rangers, 286 ;
in the Mexican War, 333 ; in the Civil
War, 366.
McFarland, Thomas S., 171.
McGloin, Patrick, and John McMullen,
colony of, 148.
McKinley, William, 412.
McKinney, Collin, 176, 208.
McKinney, Thomas F., 197.
McKinstry, George B., 169, 170, 176.
McLean, W. P., 391, 402.
McLeod, General Hugh, 265, 271.
McMullen, John, and Patrick McGloin,
colony of, 148.
N.
Nabadaches, an Indian tribe, 89.
Nacogdoches, early mission near, 67, 72 ;
mission at, 76 ; an Indian tribe, 89 ; first
American settlements at, 138 ; political
departmentxif, 155 ; revolutionary meet-
ing at, 171 ; prepares for revolution, 185.
Nadadores, missions at, 56.
Napoleon Bonaparte, sells Louisiana to
the United States, 96.
Narvaez, Panfilo de, conquers Cuba, 6 ;
his expedition in the Gulf of Mexico,
shipwreck, etc., 10, 38, 39.
Nashville, the, colony, 147, 148.
Nassonite Indians, missions among the,
67, 71 ; French settlement among the, 68.
Natchitoches, French fort of, moved to
west bank of the Sabine, 71.
National colonization law of Mexico, 135,
153-
National railroad, project for buildmg a,
through Texas, 339.
National seal, flag and coat of arms of the
Republic, 367.
Navarro, Jos6 Antonio, 183 ; house of, in
the siege of Bexar, 191-193 ; in the Con-
vention of 1836, 208 ; in the Santa F^
expedition, 271 ; released and sent to
negotiate peace, 305.
Navy, the Texan, during the Revolution,
235, 236; losses of, in 1837, 255; ap-
propriation for, 257 ; enlarged and sent
to Yucatan, 270 ; recalled and ordered
sold, 2S2, 283 ; General Houston's
troubles with, 282, 283.
Nazonis, mission San Jose de los, 67, 71 ;
or Nassonites, an Indian tribe, 68, 86.
Neches River, visited by La Salle, 16, 17 ;
missions founded on and near the, 66,
67 ; mutations of the missions on the,
68-71.
Negrete, a Mexican statesman, 104.
Negro, the, attitude of the Republican
party towards, in 1865, 374.
Neill, Colonel, at San Antonio (1836),
203.
Neill, H. H., 403.
"Neutral Ground," the, established on
the Sabine, 68-100 ; effect of, on Ed-
wards's colony, 146.
New Biscay, 53.
New England, attitude of, towards Seces-
sion, territorial extension, etc., 301, 302.
New Estremadura, 63.
New Mexico, first explorations in, 40-42 ;
missions and Indian wars in, 55 ; re-
conquered by Vargas, 55 ; claimed by
Texas, 269, 270, 281 ; expedition to
(1841), 271, 281; relations of, to Texas
boundary question, 322, 323 ; United
States troops occupy, 323, 337 ; Texas
finally transfers her claim to, to the
United States, 338, 434 ; military oper-
ations in, during the Civil War, 366.
New Orleans, founded, 65 ; ceded to
Spain, 72 ; "Grays," the, a volunteer
company that aided Texas in the Revo-
lution, 190-193 ; aid from, to Texas,
201.
New Philippines, 62, 63.
New Santander, 63.
New Spain, named, 7 ; extent of, 27, 28 ;
character of the government of, 29-34 ;
geographical and political divisions of,
23, 34 ; early Catholic missions in, meth-
ods, organization, and labors of, 47-57.
New states, may be formed out of Texas
territory, 307, 308 ; effect of this on the
Missouri Compromise line, 322, 323.
New Washington, 227, 229.
New Year's Creek 133.
Newspapers : the first, in Texas, 109 ; the
"Telegraph" and " Emigrants' Guide,"
197 ; conclition of, in 1840, 274.
Nicaragua, Walker's expedition to, 350.
Nicollet, a Cherokee chief, 136.
Nizza, Marcos de, expedition of, to " Ci-
bola," 40, 41.
Nolan, Philip, 98.
Nombre, de Dios, 56 ; de Jesus Peyotes,
57.
Non-interference, the doctrine of, in re-
gard to slavery, 346, 347.
Noonan, George H., 406.
Normal schools, "Sam Houston" and
" Prairie View," 365, 448, 449.
" North," the " Republican Army of ihe,"
or Magee's expedition, 105-107.
INDEX.
487
North, the, attitude of, towards annex-
ation, 301-305 ; the growing bitterness
between South and, 346-348 ; the law-
less attitude of, towards the South, 348,
349-
Norton, A. B., 393.
Norton, M. P., 321.
Notes, treasury, of the Republic, 252, 257,
267, 26S, 272, 280, 294.
Nueces River, named, 63 ; United States
troops cross the (1846), 331.
Nueva Felipinas, or New Philippines, 62.
Nugent, Thomas L., 405, 406, 410, 411.
Nunez, Alvar, Cabeza de Vaca, 39, 40, 61.
Oajaca, the state of, revolts against Santa
Anna, 160.
Oath, Governor Houston refuses to take,
of allegiance to Secession, 353 ; the
" Iron-clad," in Reconstruction times,
377- , . ^
Occupation, of Texas by the Spaniards,
63-70 ; of New Mexico by United States
troops, 323 ; of the people of Texas,
435, 436.
Ochiltree, Thomas P., 396.
Ochiltree, William B., 309, 321, 335, 352.
O' Conor, Hugo, governor of Texas, 74.
Odin, Bishop. 324.
O'Donoju, Don Juan, the last viceroy of
Mexico, 104,
Office, General Land, established^ 253,
257, 317-
Officers, distinguished, from Texas, in the
Confederate army, 365 367 ; of the State,
removed by military order (1867), 376.
Ogden, James M., 290.
Ogden, Wesley, 381.
Oldham, Williamson S., 352, 365.
Olivares, Father Antonio, an early mis-
sionary priest, 57, 68.
Oiiate, Juan de, 11, 42 ; enters Texas, 61.
Ordinances, of the Consultation and pro-
visional government, 198-205 ; of Seces-
sion, adoi^ted, 352 ; other, of the Se-
cession Convention, 353, 354.
Oregon, 301, 304.
Orleans, New, founded, 65 ; ceded to
Spain, 72.
Orobio, governor, 71.
Otermin, 43, 55.
Owen, Robert Dale, attempts a colony in
Texas, 129.
P.
Pacific Railroad, the land "reservation"
of the, 339.
Pajalates, an Indian tribe, 89.
Palmas, Rio de las, 9, 38.
Palmito Ranch, battle at, the last of the
Civil War, 368.
Palo Alto, battle of, 331.
Panic, the, following the Alamo and Go-
liad massacres, 218, 224.
Panuco River, discovered and named,
7-
Paper money, 252, 270, 272, 280, 393.
Paredes, Father Alonzo, his account of
Texas 1 1686), 62.
Paredes, President ad interim of Mexico,
330.
Parilla, Diego Ortiz, expedition by, aganist
the Indians, 72, 73.
Parmer, Martin, 146.
Parras, Mexico, 53, 54.
Parties, political, in Mexico, 104, 157-160 ;
two, in Texas, on the subject of revoUi-
tion, 182, 183 ; the Austin and Wharton,
in early politics, 245 ; struggles of, in
Mexico (1839-40), 268; the Houston
and anti-Houston, 2-]g ; attitude of ])olit-
ical, in the United States, on annexa-
tion, 301-305 ; attitude of, on slavery,
Secession, etc., in Texas, 346-348 ; the
Republican, theories of, in regard to
Secession and Reconstruction, 372-374 ;
the Greenback, 393 ; State Democratic,
divided ( 1892), 404, 405 ; the Populist,
405, 411 ; conventions and platforms of
the several, in 1896, 410-414.
Paschal, Thomas M., 406.
Patacales, an Indian tribe, 89.
Patrick, James B., 176, 1S2.
Pay-hay-yuc-co, a Comanche chief, 292.
Paz, tierra de, or " land of peace," 48.
Peace, "the land of" {tierra de paz), 48 ;
party in favor of (1833), 182 ; concluded
between Santa Anna and Burnet, 234,
235 ; concluded between Mexico and the
United States, 2)^2)^ 334.
Pease, Elisha M., 257 ; his administrations
as governor, 335, 336 ; candidate for
goveriMDr, 375 ; appointed provisional
governor, 379 ; resigns, 379 ; in the
"Tax-payers' Convention," 380.
Pecos River, early name of, 56.
Pedraza, Gomez, 158-160.
Peebles, Robert R., 176.
Peel, Sir Robert, friendly to Texas, 303.
Penalo-sa, 61, 62,
488
INDEX.
Penasco, Father Francisco, an early mis-
sionary priest, 57.
Pendleton, George C, 402, 406.
Penitentiaries, 451, 452.
Perdido, Encinal del (Coleto), battle at
the, 218, 219.
Perez, Colonel, 109.
Permanent, government of the Republic
established, 246, 247 ; capital, commis-
sioners to locate, 256, 266, 267 ; capital,
located, and government moved to, 266,
267.
Perote, the castle of, prisoners confined in
the, 289, 290 ; prisoners of, released,
295-
Perry, Captain Henry, m Magee's expedi-
tion, 106, 107 ; visits Galveston and
makes a fatal expedition to Mexico, 107,
108.
Peters, W. S., colony of, 294.
Petition, the right of, denied by Mexican
government, 174, 175.
Pettes or Pettus, Captain, massacred with
his men at Goliad, 220.
i'helps. Dr., 241.
I'liilip II., king of Spain, 26.
Pliilippines, New, early name for Texas,
62, 63.
Piiysical geography of Texas, xvii.
Physiography of Texas, map of, xvii.
Piedras, Colonel, a Mexican officer, ex-
periences of, in Texas, 169-17 1.
Pilar de los Adaes, mission and presidio
of, 68, 69.
Pilgrim, Rev. Thomas, 325.
I'ilslniry, Timothy, 321, 335.
I'ineda, Alonzo Alvarez de, 7, 8; map by
( 1520), 37 ; visits the Texas coast, 61.
Pinzon, Vicente Yafiez, 4, 6.
I 'ills, John I) , 335.
i'izarro, 10.
I'lacido, a Tonkawa chief, 92.
Plan, ground, of the Alamo, 213 ; of San
.Antonio de I'exar, 189, 191.
J'lau, meaning of, in Mexican revolutions,
103 ; of Ignala, 103, 104 ; of Toluca,
i6(j ; of Cuernavaca, 175.
Platforms of the several political parties
(1896), 411^414.
Pleasants, H. C., 403.
Hum Creek, l)attle of, an Indian fight, 266.
I'of, (jef)rge VV., 257.
I'oHic, the State, under E. J. Davis's
adiuiiiistration, 380 ; protection by
Rangers, 390.
Political, affairs in Mexico (1823-35), 152-
160; departments of Texas, 154, 155;
chiefs, 154, 155 ; parties in Mexico
(1824-35), 157-160 ; influences contribut-
ing to the Revolution, 166, 167 ; cam-
paign, the first, in the Republic, 244-246 ;
campaign of 1838, 258, 259 ; agitation in
the United States regarding annexation,
301-305 ; tone and temper of New Eng-
land, 301, 302 ; affairs in Texas in 1845,
322 ; conventions, the first, in Texas,
336, 337; affairs (1847-57), 337-341 ;
issues in the United States (1854-57),
346-348 ; campaigns of 1857 and 1859,
347-350 ; events leading to the Civil
War, 350-353 ; theories of the Republi-
can party, respecting Secession and Re-
construction, 372-374 ; events in Texas
(1865-74), 374-382; events (1S74-86),
389-397; questions (1890-94), 400-406;
divisions of early Texas, 436 ; cam-
paigns and conventions of 1896, 410-
414 ; influence of Texas in Federal
affairs, 454-456.
Politics, early, in Texas, 244 ; in the United
States, on the annexation of Te.xas, 301-
305 ; in Texas in 1845, 322 ; from 1S47
to 1857, 337-341 ; Federal, i.ssues of,
introduced in Texas, 346-348 ; the coin-
age question in, 405, 410-414.
Polk, James K., elected President on the
annexation issue, 304.
Population of Texas, in 1834, 156 ; charac-
ter of, as influencing the Revolution, 166,
167 ; in 1847, 324 ; from 1744 to 1850,
431-433 ; from 1850 to 1897, 433-435 ;
classification of, 431, 435.
Populist party, the, 405, 411, 413.
Portilia, I.ieutenant, at Goliad, 220.
Ports of Texas closed by the decree of
April 6, 1830, 159, 169.
Portugal, discoveries by, in America,
5.
Postal facilities in early times, 197 ; under
the Republic, 257.
Potter, Robert, 208, 209, 234, 235, 242.
Poverty of the early colonists, 201 ; of the
Republic, 250, 430, 431.
Power, James, and James Hewitson, col-
ony of, 148.
Pre-emption certificates and titles to land,
320, 321.
Presbyterian church, growth of, in Texas,
326.
President, the domestic fife of the, under
the first administration, 258.
Presidential Rcconstnictiou, 373-376 ; elec-
tion of 1884, 396 ; election of 1892, 406 ;
election of 1896, 410, 414.
INDEX.
489
Presidio, meaning of, 52 ; del Rio Grande,
66 ; de los Tejas, 69, 70 ; in Eastern
Texas abandoned, 75.
Price, Captain John T., in the Mexican
War, 331-333-
Priests and preachers, ineligible to the
legislature, 3.16, 317 ; early labors of,
324-326.
"Priests' House," the, in the siege of
Bexar, 191-193.
Prisoners, of the Mier expedition, fate of,
288-290 ; of the Santa Fe expedition,
fate of, 290.
Prize-fights, law against, passed, 410.
Products, agricultural and mineral, 438-
441.
Progress of Texas, Review of, 429-436.
Prohibition, constitutional amendment for,
defeated, 400, 40T.
Proiiunciamctiio, meaning of, 103.
Pronunciation, key to, xi.
Property, pulilic, ceded to United States,
307 ; of husband and wife, 317 ; of
United States surrendered to Texas, 352.
Protection of the frontier, 390.
Protestant churches, labors of, in Texas,
324-326.
Provinces, the Internal, of Mexico or
New Spain, 33, 34.
Provisional government, of Coahuila and
Texas, 152, 153 ; of Texas, established,
proceedings and troubles of, 198-200 ;
of Texas, at the close of the Civil War,
374, 375-
Proviso, the Wilmot, effect of, upon Texas,
323-
Public asylums, 451.
Public buildings, at the capital, 452.
Public debt, 250, 258, 272 ; provision for,
at annexation, 307, 434 ; final .settlement
of that of the Republic, 337 ; reduction
of (1874), 390.
Public free schools, provisions for, 273,
274, 446-449-
Public lands, 257 ; donated to public
schools, 273, 274 ; retained by Texas at
annexation, 307 ; constitutional {provi-
sions respecting, 317, 378, 379, 391, 392 ;
laws for disposition of, 318, 319, 339,
340, 378, 391, 392 ; donated to build a
new capitol, 395 ; donated to the Ihii-
ver.sity, 396 ; donated to railroads, 339,
340, 441-444 ; the importance and value
of, to Texas, 436-438.
Public property of the Republic, ceded to
the United States, 307 ; of the Ihiited
States surrendered to Texas in 1861, 352.
Public questions, following annexation,
322 ; from 1847 to 1857, 337-341-
Puebla, the state of, revolts against Santa
Anna, 160.
Pieblo, meaning of, 52.
Pueblo Indians, the, first discovery of, 10,
41 ; in Texas, 92.
Purissima, La, Concepcion, mission of,
67.
Questions, public, following annexation,
322 ; political and public, from 1847 to
1857, 337-341-
Quincy, Josiah, an original secessionist,
302.
Quintana, a minister under Iturbide, 134.
Quivira, the fabled I'and of, 10, 37, 41, 42,
61, 62.
R.
Railroads, first enterprises for buitding,
339 ; donation of lands for constructing,
339, 34°, 442, 443 ', corrujit subsidies to,
380, 381, 390 ; regulation of, by the
State, by law and a commission, 401,
402, 404 ; map of the Texas system of,
443 ; the growth of, in Texas, 441-444.
Rainey, Anson, 403.
Rains, J. S., 393.
Raleigh, Sir Walter, 18.
Ramon, Captain Diego, relations of, with
St. Denis, 66.
Ramon, Domingo, expedition of, with St.
Denis, 66, 67.
Randolph, C. H., 350.
Rangers, provision for, by the Consulta-
tion, 199 ; capture of ships by the, at
Copano, 242 ; in Houston's first admin-
istration, 252 ; service by, against In-
dians, 255, 257, 266, m, 341 , 349, 350 ; in
the Cherokee War, 264, 265 ; assist in re-
pelling the Mexican invasion, 286 ; ser-
vice of, in the Mexican War, 331-333 ;
service of, against Cortina, 349 ; during
the Civil W^ar, 367 ; in recent times, for
frontier and ]iolice protection, 390.
Ravago, F"elip« de, 74.
Raymond, Charles H., 279.
Raymond, James H., 316, 321, 335.
Reagan, John H., in Congress, 336, 349 ;
delegate to convention of Confederate
States, 352 ; Postmaster-General of the
Confederacy, 364 ; in Congress, 392, 393,
395 ; United States Senator, 402, 454 ;
490
INDEX.
railroad commissioner, 402 ; candidate
for governor, 409.
Rebellion among Indians and Mexicans in
Eastern Texas, 256.
Reconstniction of the Southern States, the
Republican theory of, 372, 373; presi-
dential and congressional, methods of,
376-379 ; of Texas, 374-382.
Rector, John H., 392.
Red River, early settlement on, 68 ; French
settlements ou, 68 ; location of, in the
Greer County litigation, 416, 417, 434.
"Red Rovers," the, massacre of, at Go-
liad, 220.
Reed, Rev, Isaac, 325.
Reeves, Reuben A., 365, 391.
Refugio, mission of, the last founded in
Texas, 76 ; battle at the mission of, 211,
212.
Regidorcs, meaning of, 28.
Regulation, of freiglit and passenger rates
on railroads, first law for, 340, 341 ; laws
passed for, 401, 404.
"Regulators" and "Moderators," war
between, in Eastern Texas, 290, 291.
Reiley, James, 279, 309.
Religion, as an element in Spanish coloni-
zation, 47-53; spread of, by Protestant
missionaries in Texas, 324-326 ; growth
and statistics of, 449, 450.
Ri'Partbniattos, meaning of, 30.
Representatives, in Congress, the first,
321 ; from 1S47-51, 335'; from 1851-61,
336 ; in the Confederate Congress, 365 ;
in 1S66, 375; from 1872 76, 391 ; from
1876-78, 392; 1878-82, 393, 394; 1882-
86, 395, 396 ; 1886-90, 400 ; in 1890, 402 ;
1892-^8, 406.
Republic, the, of Texas, constitution of,
adopted, 209 ; independence of, estab-
lished at San Jacinto, 234, 235 ; first
regular election in, 244-246 ; politics in,
244, 245 ; difficulties of the first govern-
ment of, 250, 251, 430, 431 ; laws' passed
by first three Congresses t)f, 256, 257 ;
mode of life under, 258; capital of, lo-
cated at Austin, 266, 267 ; national seal,
flag, and coat of arms of, 267 ; annexed
to the United States, 302-309 ; terms of
the annexation of, 307 ; last scene in the
life of, 310.
"Republic of the Rio Grande," attempt
to establish the, 268, 269.
" Republican Army of the North," the, or
Magee's ex|)edition, 105-107.
Republican, government, established in
Mexico, 152, 153; party in Mexico, 158.
Republican party in the United States,
its theories in regard to Secession and
Reconstruction, 372-374 ; its attitude
towards the negro, 374 ; odium of, in the
South, in 1866, 376 ; its platforms and
conventions in 1896, 410, 412, 413.
Resaca de la Palma, battle of, 331.
Reservations, Indian, in Texas, 341.
Resolutions, joint, of Congress, for an-
nexation of Texas, 305-309 ; of 1858, for
a convention gf Southern States, 348,
349-
Retreat of the Texan army from Gonzales
to the Brazos, 224-226.
Review, a general, of Texas progress,
429-436.
Revised Statutes of 1879, 393-
Revolution, rise, progress, and results of,
in Mexico ( 1810-22), 101-104 ; methods
of a, in Spanish America, 103 ; progress
of, in Mexico (1824-35), 157-160; events
leading to the Texas, 166-177 ; first
popular meetings preparatory to, 169-
174 ; agitation preceding, 182-184 ; first
battle of, 185, 186 ; progress of, 197-205,
210-221, 224-236 ; ends in victory at San
Jacinto, 234-236; in Mexico (1839-40),
268, 269 ; in Mexico (1845), 330.
Rice, Captain James O., 265.
Rigaud, General, attempts French colony
in Texas, 108.
Rio Grande, the, early missions on, 55-
57 ; Presidio del, 66 ; military operations
along, during the Civil War, 367 ; "the
republic of the," 268, 269.
Ripperda, Baron de, 74.
River system, the, of Texas, map of,
438.
Rivera, General, visits Texas, 70.
Roads, military, projected (1841), 270;
the "Central National," 295.
Roberts, Charles, 290.
Roberts, Jacob, 333.
Roberts, Oran M., district judge, 321 ;
elected to the Supreme Court, 348 ;
president of the Secession Conven-
tion, 351-353 ; chief-justice, 365 ; United
States Senator, 375 ; chief-justice, 391 ;
governor, 393 ; his administrations, 394,
395-
Robertson, General Felix, 367.
Roi)ertson, General Jerome B., 367.
Roberts(jn, Sawnie, 397.
Robertson, Sterling C., his colony, 147,
148, 176, 183, 208.
Robinson, James W., 198, 246.
Robinson, Joel VV., 233.
INDEX.
491
Rodriguez, ex parte, case of, in the
election of 1873, 381.
Rogers, CM., 405.
Rogers, William P., 351.
Rosario, mission of, 76.
Rosillo, battle of the, 106.
Ross, Lawrence Sullivan, 367 ; governor,
400, 401.
Ross, Major, in Magee's expedition, 105,
106.
Ross, Colonel Reuben, 268.
Ross, Shapley P., 333.
Rowe, Joseph, 259.
Rowen, William, 290.
Royal audiences, in Spanish times, 27.
Royall, R. R., 186.
Rubi, Marquis de, 74.
Ruby, G. T., 378.
Rueg, Henry, 185.
" Runaway Scrape," the, 218, 224.
Runnels, Hardin R., 336 ; governor, 348-
350 ; campaign between him and Sam
Houston (1859), 350.
Rusk, Thomas, J., 189, 202, 208, 209 ;
joins the army, 226 ; at the battle of San
Jacinto, 233, 234 ; succeeds to the com-
mand of the army, 234 ; resigns, 341 ;
secretary of war, 246 ; in the Rangers,
256 ; chief-justice of the Supreme Court,
259 ; in the Cherokee War, 265 ; presi-
dent of the Convention of 1845, 316 ;
United States Senator, 321 ; offered
major-generalship in Mexican War, 332 ;
his suicide, 348 ; his influence in the
Senate, 454.
Russell, William I., 140, 170.
Ruter, Rev. Martin, 326.
S.
Sabin, Chauncey B., 392.
Sabine River, Spanish settlements on the,
66, 67 ; mutations of the missions on
the, 68-71 ; the French transfer Natchi-
toches to the west bank of the, 71 ;
troubles between United States and
Spain along the, 97-100 ; the " neutral
ground" established between Arroyo
Hondo and the, 98-100.
Safety, committees of, appointed by the
municipalities, 183.
Saint Denis, expedition of, to Texas and
Mexico, 65, 66 ; establishes missions in
Eastern Texas, 66, 67 ; is banished and
escapes, 67 ; drives the Spaniards from
Eastern Texas, 68.
Salado, early name for the Pecos River,
56.
Salado, Hacienda of the, Mier prisoners
at the, 288, 290.
Salado, the battle of the, 286.
Salaries, official, under the Republic, 280.
Salcedo, Manuel de, 105, 106.
Saltillo, 53 ; capital of Coahuilaand Texas,
152 ; dispute between Monclova and, as
to the capital, 175; battle of (1840),
269.
San Antonio de Bexar, founded, 68 ; mis-
sions from Eastern Texas transferred
to, 70, 71 ; captured by Magee's expe-
dition, 106 ; loyalty to Texas of certain
Mexicans at, 183 ; Mexican force occu-
pies, 184 ; General Cos in command at,
187 ; besieged and captured by the
Texans, 188-193 ; map of, and its envi-
rons, 189, 191 ; Santa Anna reaches, with
army of invasion (1836), 204; military
situation at, in the beginning of cam-
paign of 1836, 210 ; siege and fall of the
Alamo at, 212 218 ; the " Council House
fight" at, 265, 266; captured by \'as-
quez, 281, 282 ; captured by Woll, 285,
286.
San Antonio de Valero, mission of, 68.
San Antonio River, missions on the, 69,
70, 71.
San Augustine, Florida, founded, 12.
San Augustine de Ahumada. in Eastern
Texas, 72.
San Bernardino, mission of, 57.
San Bernardo Bay, La Salle lands at, 15.
San Buenaventura, mission of, 57.
San Felipe de Austin, founded, 138 ; first
convention at, 172, 173 ; second con-
vention at, 173, 174 ; meeting at, to call
a general consultation, 183, 184 ; con-
ciliatory meeting at, 184 ; meeting and
proceedings of the Consultation at, 197-
199 ; is burned (1836), 226.
" San Felipe," the, captures " El Correo,"
184.
San Fernando, villa de, founded, 70.
San P'rancisco de los Tejas, first Texas
mission, founded, 64 ; revived, 67 ; re-
moved to San Antonio River, and called
San Francisco de IJ JCspada, 71.
San Francisco Solano, mission of, 68.
San Ildefonso, mi.ssion of, 57, 72.
San Jacinto, the battle of, 228-234 ; the
flag of, 267.
San Javier, mission of, 72.
San Jos(5 de los Nazonis, mission of, in
Eastern Texas, 67 ; removed to San
492
INDEX.
Antonio River, and called San Juan
Capristano, 71.
San Juan 15autista, mission of, 57, 66.
San Juan Capristano, mission of, 71.
San Luis, early name for Galveston Island,
107.
San Marcos River, missions on the, 72.
San Miguel, de Aguayo, 56 ; Cuellar de
los Adaes, 67.
San Patricio, battle at, 211.
San Saba, mission of, 72.
San Salvador, mission of, in New Leon,
57-
Sandoval, governorship of, 71.
Santa Anna, Antonio Lopez de, the rise
of, 104, 134 ; in the revolution of 1828-33,
158-160 ; the hero of Tampico. 158 ;
usurps the government and declares a
dictatorship, 160 ; loyalty of Texans to,
170, 171 ; conduct of, towards S. F.
Austin, 174 ; declares the Plan of Ciierna-
vaca, and subjugates Mexican states, 175,
176; his ol)ject in imprisoning Austin,
182 ; his plans for invading Texas, 183 ;
orders arrest of Texans, 184, 185 ; pre-
pares army of invasion, 202 ; reaches San
Antonio, 204 ; his siege and capture of
the Alamo, 212-218; orders Goliad
massacre, 220 ; his plans for conquest
of Texas, 224 ; his march from San An-
tonio to New Washington, 226, 227 ; is
defeated at San Jacinto, 230-233 ; cap-
tured, 233, 234 ; signs treaties of peace,
235 ; controversy and trouble as to his
treatment, 235, 240, 241 ; released from
captivity, 250 ; again in power, threatens
Texas, 281 ; orders execution of the
Mier prisoners, 289 ; his altitude towards
annexation, 303, 305.
Santa Fe, tlie town of, founded, 11, 42;
road to, projected, 270 ; the expedition
to ( 1841), 271 ; the prisoners of the ex-
I)edition to, 260, 265 ; the territory of,
322, 323.
Santa Maria, mission of, 65.
Santander, New, or Tamaulipas, 63.
Santander, Rio, 9.
Santiago, mission of, 57.
Santo, Kspiritu, Rio del, early name of
the Mississippi, 8 ; Bay, 63, 64 ; mission
of, 69, 70.
Sauccdo, Jose Antonio, political chief, his
troubles with F.dwards's colony, 146,
147, 168; first political chief, 154.'
Sayers, Joseph I)., 393. 396, 400, 406, 416,
455.
"Scalawags," meaning of the term, 376.
Schleicher, Gustav, 392, 393.
Schools, in 1834, 157 ; free public, provi-
sions for, 273, 274 ; in the Constitution
of 1845, 317 ; early private, 327 ; United
States bonds donated to, 338 ; lands
donated to, 338-340 ; provisions for, in
Constitution of 1869, 378, 379 ; in Consti-
tution of 1876, 391 ; normal, established,
395, 448, 449 ; growth and endowment
of, 446-449.
Scott, General VVinfield, his campaign in
Mexico, 333.
"Scrape," the "Runaway," 218, 224.
Scrip, land, worthlessness of, 250, 251 ;
land, issued and agents appointed to
sell it, 257.
Scurry, Richardson, 336, 367.
Scurry, William R., 332, 367. ■
Seal, the national, of the Republic,
267.
Secession, original attitude of New Eng-
land towards, 302 ; of the Southern
States, 351, 352 ; convention called in
Texas, 351 ; proceedings of the conven-
tion for, 351-353 ; convention deposes
Governor Sam Houston, 353 ; the vote-
on, in the convention, 352 ; adopted by
popular vote, 352 ; Republican party's
theories as to the effect of, 372, 373.
Seguin, Don Erasmo, 131, 174, 183.
Seguin, Colonel John N-. 218, 268, 269.
" .Semicolon Court," the, 381.
Seminoles, an Indian tribe, 90.
Senators from Texas, United States, 321,
348, 349, 352, 375, 379, 391, 402; Con-
federate States, 365.
Separate property of husband and wife
under Texas laws, 317.
Separation of Texas from Coahuila de-
manded, 172-174.
.Sesma, General, 202, 204, 224, 225, 227.
Settlers, the character of the early, 429,
430.
"Seven Cities," the, fable of, 72.
"Seven Years' War," in Europe, relations
of, to Texas, 72.
Sexton, Frank B., 365.
Shackleford, Caj^tain or Doctor, at the
(loliad massacre, 220.
Shaw, James B., 279, 309, 321, 335.
Shelby County, "War of the Regulators
and Moderators" in, 290, 291.
Shepard, Seth, 455.
Shepherd, J. L., 290.
Shepherd, William I\L, 257.
Sheridan, General P. H., in command of
military department of Texas, 376.
INDEX.
493
Sherman, General Sidney, at San Jacinto,
229, 230 ; projects the first Texas rail-
road, 339.
Shoshonean family of Indians, 91.
Shuford, A. P., 352.
Siege, of San Antonio ( 1835), 18S-193 ; of
the Alamo, 212-218 ; of Mier, 288.
Silver, the free coinage of, as a political
issue, 405, 409-414.
Simkins, E. J., 403.
Sims, Bartlett, 176.
Siouan family of Indians, 91.
Sitio, meaning of, as a land measurement,
136.
Slave-trade, the, proposition to revive,
350.
Slavery, prohibited by the colonization
laws of Mexico, 137 ; agitation of the
question of, as relating to the annexation
of Texas, 301, 302 ; provision respecting,
in annexation resolutions, 307, 308 ; pro-
visions regarding, in Constitution of
1845, 317 ; as affecting the boundary
question, 322, 323 ; attitude of political
parties on, 346-348 ; lawless agitation
against, in the North, 348, 349 ; prohibited
by the thirteenth amendment, 372.
Slayden, J. W., 416.
Slidell, John, United States minister to
Mexico, 330.
Smith, Ashbel, 309, 447.
Smith, Ben Fort, 185, 186, 203.
Smith, Erastus ("Deaf"), 189, 227, 230.
Smith, Geiieral E. Kirby, 367.
Smith, George W., 336, 375.
Smith, Henry, 140, 176 ; provisional gov-
ernor, and his trouble with the Council,
198-200 ; opposed to the Matamoros ex-
pedition, 201 ; candidate for President,
245, 246 ; secretary of the treasury, 246.
Smith, Captain Thomas I., 283.
Smythe, George W., 208, 335.
Snively, Colonel Jacob, expedition of, 293.
Social life under the Republic, 258.
"Society of Jesus," missionary labors of
the, 50-57-
Solano, San Francisco, mission of, 68.
Solis, Juan Diego de, 6.
Somervell, General Alexander, 187, 241,
282, 287, 288.
Sosa, an early Spanish explorer, 61.
Soto, Ferdinand de, 10, 40, 41.
South, the, attitude of, towards annexa-
tion, 301-305 ; attitude of, on slavery
and States'-rights, 346-348 ; growing
hostility between the North and, 346 ; is
alarmed by the lawless attitude of the
North, 348, 349 ; the States of, secede
and form the Confederate States, leading
to Civil War, 351-354 ; the Reconstruc-
tion of, presidential and congressional,
372-374 ; arbitrary use of military power
in, to force Recoustruction, 373-379.
South Carolina .secedes, 351.
Sovereignty, the doctrine of squatter, 346,
347 ; State, 346-348, 372, 373-.
Spain, discoveries and explorations by, in
America, 5-13 ; her methods of coloniza-
tion and government in her colonies,
25-34 ; her mode of Christianizing the
Indians, 47-49 ; the Catholic church of,
its early labors in Mexico and Texas,
49-57 ; extent of her occupation of
Texas in 1687, 61, 62 ; occupies Texas,
63-70 ; seizes Florida, 65 ; acquires
Louisiana, 72 ; retrocedes Louisiana, 96 ;
troubles between the United States and,
as to boundary, 97-100 ; relations of, to
Mexico, 100, loi ; independence of
Mexico from, 103, 104 ; treaty between
United States and (1819), 108, 109 ; col-
onization laws of, 129 ; is finally defeated
and driven from Mexico, 158 ; the Civil
Law of, in Texas, 273.
Spain, New, named, 7 ; extent of, 27, 28 ;
character of the government of, 29-34 ;
geographical and political divisions of,
33, 34 ; missionary work of the Catholic
church in, 47-57.
Spanish, discoveries in America, 5-13 ;
colonial system, characteristics of, 25-
34 ; explorations in region of Texas,
37-44 ; methods of Christianizing the
Indians, 47-49 ; missions in Mexico and
Texas, 49-57 ; system of colonizing, de-
fects of, 48, 49 ; occupation of Texas,
61-70 ; troops retire to Bexar from the
Sabine, 68 ; protest against the French
crossing the Sabine, 71 ; settlements in
Texas at end of eighteenth century, 75-
79 ; hostility and depredations towards
the United States, 100 ; rule in Mexico,
effects of, 100; victory over the "Re-
publican Army of the North," 107 ;
mode of granting lands to colonists, T29 ;
land measurements, 136 ; invasion of
Mexico defeated (1829), 158 ; Civil Lau\
273-
.Speakers of the Texas legislatures (1S46-
97), Table of, 463.
Squatter sovereignty, the doctrine of, 346,
347.
St. Louis, Fort, built by La Salle, 15 ;
visited by De Leon, 63, 64 ; presidio and
494
INDEX.
mission founded at, 69 ; removed from,
70.
Standard, the national, of the Repubhc,
267.
Stapp, Ehjah, 208.
Slate, of Coahuila and Texas, 152, 153 ;
colonization law of (1825), 153; col-
onization law of, repealed, 172 ; Texas
determines to separate from, 172-174;
lawless acts of the legislature of, towards
Texas, 174, 175 ; the government of,
ends, 175, 176: of Texas, is annexed to
the United States, 305-308 ; police,
under E. J. Davis, 380 ; capitol, new,
built and dedicated, 395, 397, 400.
State, union 6i Church and, 167.
States, new, may be formed out of Texas,
307, 308 ; eflfect of this on A/issouri
Comprotnise line, 322, 323 ; the Southern,
attitude of, on slavery and States'-rights,
346-348 ; Secession of the Southern, 372-
374-
States'-rights, the doctrine of, 346-348.
Statistics, of population, 431-435 ; of polit-
ical electi(Mi's, 460-462 ; agricultural and
mineralogical, 438-441 ; of public lands,
437. 43^ ; t>f railroads, 441-444 ; of
manufactures, 445 ; of educational insti-
tutions, 446-449 ; of churches, 450 ; of
taxaljle wtalth, 450.
Statutes, the Revised, of 1879, 393-
Stayton, John \V., 395, 400, 403.
Steele, (ieneral VVilliam, 367.
Ste|)hens, Ale.'iander, 352.
Stephens, I. \V., 403.
Stephens, J. H., 416.
Stephenson, Rev. Henry, 325.
Sterne, Adolphus, 176, 190.
Stevenson, Adlai K., 406.
Stewart, Charles, 395, 400.
Stewart, Charles B., 170, 208.
Storkdale, Fletcher S., 363.
Storey, L. J., 394.
Storming, the, (jf Bexar, 190-193; of the
Alamo, 215-217.
"Straits -
Su)rir('s/i,)„s (o Teachers, v., vi.
Sumter. I'ort, fall of, 35.^.
Superintendent of public education cre-
ated, 379.
Suppression of lawlessness and crime
39*^.
Supreme Court, the first, of the Republic,
246 ; the first, of the State, 321 ; during
the Civil War, 365 ; changed in 1866,
375 ; changed again in 1869, 378 ; under
Reconstruction, 376, 377 ; in the "Semi-
colon case," 381 ; from 1874 to 1880,
391 ; in 1882, 395 ; in later years, 403.
Swisher, James G., 208.
Swisher, John M., 335.
Sylvester, James A., captures Santa Anna,
233-
System, the Spanish colonial, 25-34 ; of
missionary labor in New Spain, 47-57 ;
defects of the Spanish, 48, 49 ; the land,
condition of (1837), 252 ; legal and judi-
cial, founded, 272, 273 ; the land, pecu-
liarities of, 318, 319 ; of public free
schools, 339 ; the judicial, reorganized,
402, 403 ; the river, map of, 438 ; the
railroad, map of, 443.
T.
Tables: of the governors (1690-1897),
460; of elections (1835-96), 461, 462;
of legislatures and the Speaker in each
(1846-97), 463.
Tachies, an Indian tribe, 89.
Tacomas, an Indian tribe, 89.
Tamaquez, an Indian tribe, 89.
Tamaulipas, or New Santander, the State
of, 63.
Taiioan family of Indians, 92.
Tarleton, B. D., 403.
Tarrant, E. H., 292, 334.
Tawakana, or Tehuacana, an Indian tribe,
89 ; in Magee's expedition, 105 ; treaty
with, 292.
Taxable wealth, statistics of, 395, 450.
Taxation, levied on colonists by custom-
houses, 168, 169 ; system of, under the
provisional government, 201 ; under the
Republic, 257 ; exorbitant, under Recon-
stritctiott, 380 ; reduction of, 390.
Taxpayers' Convention, in 1871, 380.
Taylor, Captain, 107.
Taylor, Robert H., 2,2>2)< 381.
Taylor, General Zachary, in the Mexican
War, 330-332.
Teachers, Su^je^estions to, v., vi.
Teguas, an Indian tribe, 92.
Tehuacanas, or Tawakanas, an Indian
tribe, 89, 105, 292.
Tejanos, an Indian tribe, 89.
Tejas, the tribe of the, 38 ; Coronado
meets with them, 42 ; the land of the,
INDEX.
495
early account of, 55, 56, 62 ; name of
V^e.vas derived from, 62 ; visited by De
Leon, 64 ; missions founded among tiie,
64-67 ; accompany St. Denis on his ex-
pedition to the Rio Grande, 66 ; mission
and ]iresidio of, abandoned, and trans-
ferred to Bexar, 70, 71 ; further mention
of, 85, 86.
"Telegraph," the, an early newspaper,
197.
Teller, Henry M., 413.
Tenorio, driven out of Texas, 1S3 ; sent
to arrest Texans, 184.
Teran, Don Domingo, governor of Coa-
huila and Texas, his expedition, 64, 65.
Teran, General Mier y, 169.
Terrell, Alexander \V., 455.
Terrell, George W., 279, 292, 301.
Territory, the North and East opposed to
tiie acquisition of, by the United States,
301, 302 ; added by the Mexican War,
334-
Terry, B. F., 366.
Terry's Rangers, 367.
Texas, origin of the name, 62.
"Texas," the United States battle-ship,
417, 418.
Texas and New Orleans Railroad, the
building of the, 339.
Texas and Pacific Railroad, land and other
subsidies to, 380, 381.
Thirteenth amendment, the, to United
States Constitution, 372, 373.
Thomas, David, 209, 240.
Thomas, Isaac D., 171.
Thompson, J. W. N., 290.
Thomson, Alexander, 147, 325.
"Three Hundred," the "Original," the
first settlers in Austin's colony, 13S.
Throckmorton, James W., governor, 375;
removed by military order, 376 ; in Con-
gress, 392, 395 ; candidate for governor,
393 ; his death, 418.
Thruston, Albert S., 257.
Tierra de guerra and tierra de paz,
meaning of, 47, 48.
Tiguez, an Indian tribe, 92.
Timber lands, 436.
Titles, land, confusion and frauds in
(1836-37), 252, 253; forgery of land,
268 ; the Texas system of land, 318-320.
Tlaxcaltecs, in Coahuila, 53 ; brought as
colonists to Be.xar, 70.
. Tobosos, an Indian tribe, 55.
1 Ti)ledo, General, 106, 107.
Tolsa, General, 204.
Toluca, the/>/tf;/ of, 160.
Tonkawan family of Indians, 92.
Tonkawas, the ethnology of the, 92.
Topolovampo, attempted .Spanish colony
at, 10.
Tordesillas, the Convcntio>i of, 5.
Torrey, James N., 290.
Torrey, Thomas, 291.
Towash, an Indian tribe, 89, 292.
Trade, in 1834, 157 ; relations with Eng-
land and France, 254; in 1840-41, 274;
present state of foreign, 444.
Trading-posts with the Indians, established
in 1843, 292, 293.
Travis, William B., imprisoned at Ana-
huac, 170 ; favors war, 182 ; commands
the expedition against Tenorio, 183 ;
order for his arrest, 184, 185 ; in the
army, 202 ; sent to San Antonio, 203 ;
at Bexar, 210 ; his heroic defence and
death in the Alamo, 212-217.
Treasury notes of the Republic, issuance
and worthlessness of, 252, 257, 267, 268,
272, 280, 294.
Treaties : of Cordova, 104 ; of 1819, be-
tween Spain and the United States, 108,
109 ; with the Cherokees, 204 ; with
Santa Anna at San Jacinto and V'elasco,
234, 235 ; commercial, with England and
France, 254 ; with the Indians (1843),
291, 292 ; of annexation, rejected by the
United States Senate, 304 ; of Guada-
lupe-Hidalgo, with Mexico, 2,2,^^, 334.
Trespalacios, Colonel, 109, 153.
Trial by jury, unknown to the Mexican
law, 167.
Tribes, Indian, classification, character,
and history of, in Texas, S3-93.
Trinity River, visited by De Leon and
missions founded near, 64, 65 ; early
trading-posts on, 109 ; first settlers on,
138.
Troops, Mexican, sent to Texas, to en-
force tyranny, 168-170 ; Mexican, occupy
San Antonio, 184-186 ; volunteer, from
j the United States, to aid the Texas
Revolution, 190 ; disposition of the
Texas, at the beginning of the campaign
of 1836, 210 ; movements of the Mexican
and Texas, in that campaign, 224-235 ;
LTnited States, work of, on the Texas
border, 242 ; called for, to repel Mex-
ican invasion (1842-43), 2S2, 284, 287;
United States, occupy New ISlexico,
323 ; Texas, in the Mexican War, 331-
333 ■) Texas, in the Civil War, 365-367 ;
State, for frontier and police protection,
390-
496
INDEX.
Truitt, Alfred M., 333.
"Trusts," laws and attempts to suppress,
401.
Tumlinson, Captain, in the Rangers, 266.
Turner, E. B., Federal judge, 392.
Twiggs, General David E., surrenders
Federal property to Texas, 352.
"Twin Sisters," the, cannon presented to
Texas in 1S36, 227.
Two-thirds rule in Democratic conven-
tions, abolished in Texas, 409.
Tyler, President John, attitude of, towards
annexation, 303, 304.
Tyranny, Mexican, beginning of, towards
Texas, 158, 159; continued acts of, lead
to the Revolution, 168-177.
U.
Ugartachea, Colonel Domingo, at Velasco,
169 ; at San Antonio, 184, 185 ; sent for
reinforcements, 187.
Union, the Mexican, formed, 152, 153 ; of
church and state, 167 ; Texas annexed
to the American, 305-308 ; Southern
States secede from the, 351-353; Civil
War of, against the Confederacy, 363-
368 ; troops from Texas in the army of
the, 366, 367 ; theories of the Republi-
can party in regard to the, 372, 373.
Union Democrats, 347, 348 ; men in 1866,
attitude of, 376.
United States, acquire Louisiana, 96 ; in-
cursions from the, into Texas, 98 ;
troubles between Spain and, as to
boundary, 98-100 ; treaty between Spain
and ( 1819), 108, 109 ; first colonists from,
to Texas, 130-140; Mexican decree
against colonists from, 158, 159 ; influ-
ence of immigration from, on the Texas
Revolution, 166, 167 ; jealousy of Mexico
towards, 168, 169 ; offer to buy Texas,
168, 169 ; first volunteers from, to Texas,
190, 202, 235 ; aid from, to the Revolu-
tion, 201 ; volunteers from, killed at
Goliad, 220 ; attitude of, during the
Texas Revolution, 242, 243 ; prevent
Indian uprising in Texas, 243 ; recognize
Texan independence, 243, 244, 253 ; an-
nexation of Texas to the, voted and
proposed by Texas, 246, 253, 254 ; polit-
ical agitation in the, on annexation, 301-
305 ; annexation to, accomplished, 305-
308 ; slavery agitation in the, as aiTecting
the Texas boundary, 322, 323 ; troops of
the, occupy New Mexico, 323 ; war of
the, u'ith Mexico, 330-334 ; treaty be-
tween Mexico and, 2):;,^^, 334 ; war be-
tween the Confederate States and the,
363-368 ; thirteenth and fourteenth
amendments to the Constitution of, 372,
373 ; courts of the, in Texas, 321, 392 ;
win the Greer County suit, 416, 417 ; rel-
ative position of Texas in the, 452, 453 ;
influence of Texas in the politics of the,
454-456.
University, the State, provided for in 1S39,
273, 274 ; Baylor, 325 ; the State, first
act for establishing, 350 ; provided for
in Constitution of 1876, 391, 392 ; located
and inaugurated, 395, 397 ; lands do-
nated to, 396 ; formal opening of, 397 ;
endowment and growth of, 448.
Upson, Columbus, 394.
Urdinola, Captain, 53.
Urrea, General Jose, sent to Matamoros,
202 ; marches to San Patricio, 204 ; de-
feats the Texans at Agua Dulce and
Refugio, 211, 212 ; at the battle of the
Coleto, 218, 219 ; his movements in the
subsequent campaign, 224, 226, 227 ; is
ordered to retire to Victoria, 234.
V.
Vaca, Cabeza de, Alvar Nufiez, adventures
of, in Texas, 39, 40.
Valdivia, in Chili, 10.
Valero, San Antonio de, mission of, 68.
Van Buren, Martin, views of, on annexa-
tion, 304.
Van Dorn, General Earl, 366.
Van Zandt, Isaac, 279, 304, 334.
Vara\ a land measure, 136.
Vasquez, General Rafael, captures San
Antonio, 281, 282.
Vehlein, Joseph, colony of, 148.
Velasco, battle at (1832), 170.
Venados, an Indian tribe, 89.
Veramendi, Juan Martin, 171 ; the house
of, in the siege of Bexar, 190-193.
Verazzani, 13.
Vespucius, Americus, 4.
Vetoes, of President Sam Houston, 252,
253 ; of Governor Culberson, 415.
Viceroys, the powers of the, 27, 28 ; con-
dition of Mexico under the, 100 ; the
last of the, 104.
Victoria, Guadalupe, first President of
Mexico, 157, 158.
Victoria, the town of, founded, 145 ; raided
by Indians (1840), 266,
INDEX.
497
Vidauri y Villasenor, Francisco, governor,
153-
Viesca, Augustin, the last governor of
Coahuila and Texas, 153, 154, 175.
Viesca, Jose Maria, governor, 153.
ViNa, the meaning of, 52.
Villafafie, 12.
Vince's bridge, importance of, at San
Jacinto, 230.
Viscaino, Sebastian, 11, 42.
Volunteers, from the United States, to aid
Texas Revolution, 190, 202, 235 ; from
the United States, massacred at Goliad,
220 ; called for, to repel Mexican inva-
sion ( 1842-43), 282, 284, 287.
Vote, on the Secession Ordinance, 352 ; of
allegiance to the Confederacy, 353 ; in
the several State elections (1836-96),
432, 435, 461, 462.
W.
Wacos, an Indian tribe, 89 ; treaty with,
291.
Waggener, Leslie, 419, 420.
Walker, Moses B., 381.
Walker, Captain Samuel H., in the Mex-
ican War, 331-333-
Walker's expedition to Nicaragua, 350.
Wallace, J. W. E., 186, 210.
Wallace, William A. A., 333.
W^1!lace, W^ J., 286.
W'aller, Edwin, 208, 267, 334, 354.
" War," the " land of," meaning of, 47.
War : with Indians in Northern Mexico,
beginning of, 53-55 ; with Indians in
Texas, 71 ; the "Seven Years," in Eu-
rope, 72 ; the Fredonian, 146, 147, 168 ;
|iarty in favor of ( 1S33-34), 182 ; begin-
ning of the, for independence, 185, 186 ;
progress of, 1S7, 190, 193, 210, 215-221 ;
successful end of, at San Jacinto, 224-
235 ; with the Cherokees, 264, 265 ;
general Indian (1839-41), 265, 266; in
Northern Mexico (1839-40), 268, 269;
with Mexico, threatened (1842), 282, 284,
287; the "archive," 283, 284; against
Mexico, bill for, passed and vetoed by
Houston, 285; between the "Regula-
tors" and "Moderators," 290, 291 ; the
Mexican (1846-48), 330-334 ; causes and
events leading to the Civil, 346 354 ;
service of Texas troops in the Civil,
365-367 ; disorderly state of the country
at the close of the Civil, 374.
Ward, Matthew, 349.
Ward, Thomas William, 279, 309, 321,
335-
Ward, Major William, commands the
"Georgia Battalion," .202; at Goliad,
210; sent to relieve Refugio, his battle
there, 211, 212 ; massacred with his men
at Goliad, 220.
Washington, New, Santa Anna at, 227,
229.
Washington, on the Brazos, old fort at,
109 ; constitutional convention at (1836),
208, 209 ; capital moved to, 287.
Watrous, John C, 259, 321, 392.
Watson, Thomas E., 413.
Waul, General Thomas N., 336, 349, 352,
367.
Wealth, the taxable, of Texas, increase in,
395, 450.
Webb, James, 335.
Wellborn, Olin, 393, 395.
West, Charles S., 354, 393, 395, 397.
West, Claiborne, 176, 208.
Westover, Captain, at Lipantitlan, 193.
Whaling, Henry, 290.
Wharton, John A., 176, 182, 198, 233, 242,
245, 255-
Wharton, General John A., in tlie Civil
War, 367.
Wharton, William H., 140; commissioner
to Mexico, 173 ; president of the second
convention, 173 ; in favor of war, 182 ;
in the army, 187 ; commissioner to the
United States, 190 ; his views in regard
to independence, 198, 199 ; returns to
Texas, 243; political activity of, 245;
minister to the United States, 247, 253,
257 ; captured by the Mexicans, 255 ; his
death, 255.
Wheeler, Royall T., 321, 348, 365.
Wheeler, T. B., 400.
Whig party, the, attitude of, towards
annexation, 301-305 ; its attitude on
slavery, 346 ; its destruction, 346, 347.
White, F. M., 350.
White, Jesse, 176.
White, John P., 391, 395.
Whitfield, General, 367 ; his legion, 367.
Whitney, William C, 412.
Wichitas, an Indian tribe, 89.
Wife, property rights of the, under Texas
laws, 317.
Wigfall, Louis T., 349, 352, 365, 367.
Wilcox, John A., 365.
Wilkinson, General James, 97, 99, 135.
Williams, F. A., 403.
Williams, Lemuel H., 352.
32
.^
<^'
498
INDEX.
Williams, Samuel M., 138 ; colony of Aus-
tin and, 148 ; commissioner to Mexico,
303-
Williamson, Robert M., 140, 170, 176, 182,
184, 1S5, 246.
Willie, Asa H., 375, 391, 395.
Willie, James, 336.
Wills, the statute of, adopted, 257.
Willson, Sam A., 393, 395.
U'i/inot proviso, the, effect of, on slavery
and the Texas boundary question, 323,
346.
Wilson, Rev. Hugh, 326.
Wing, Martin Carroll, 290.
Winkler, (ieneral C. M., 367, 391.
Winston, (leorge T., 420.
Wintuissen, governor, 71.
Witt, Preston, 333.
Woll, General, 204, 225, 227 ; captures
San Antonio, 285, 286 ; is defeated at
the battle of the Salado, 286.
Wood, George T., in the Mexican W^ar,
332 ; governor, 334, 335.
Wooten, Thomas I)., 447.
Wright, Arvin, 378.
Wright, George W., 352.
Wright, W. B., 365.
Wyalt, Colonel, in the Texas Revolution,
2U2.
Yoakum, C. H., 406.
Young, W. C, 366.
Ysleta, origin of the town of, 42, 43, 55.
Yucatan, Texan navy sent to aid revolu-
tion in, 270.
Z.
Zacatecas, the State of, revolts against
Santa Anna, 160, 175.
Zambrano, a Mexican patriot loyal to
Texas, 183 ; order for the arrest of, 184.
"Zambrano Row," the, in the siege of
Bexar, 191-193.
Zapata, Colonel, 26S.
Zavala, Lorenzo de, colony of, 148 ; in
Mexico, 158; comes to Texas, 184;
efforts to arrest, 184 ; issues an address,
184, 1 85 ; in the convention of 1S36, 208 ;
Vice-President of the provisional govern-
ment, 209 ; in the army, 226, 233 ; his
death, 246.
Zavaleta, Juan de, an early missionary
priest, 56.
Zuni Indians, discovery of the land of the,
10, 41.
Zuniga, Espiritu Santo de, mission of (see
La Bahia), 69, 70.
(