-^y- ,.x ^^- 0^ ''>^..- \ %.^ ^'% '''/- ,^^ nX^^- •XN^^^ f^ ..\ .X^^' <>- .\ .^°- %.<^'' ■^^^'\. ■'■■I- ^ '^0'^ •o-^ °'<- ^x^'^' ^'% ■;^'%.. S .-0, .\^^ ^ ^^ ^°' -- '. -^v. ^,> -^J- ,s\ .#^% ■^^. ^^• %.^'*' ,xx>- HISTORY OF TEXAS T()'"ibTHHH Win I A BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE CITIES OF . HOUSTON AND GALVESTC CONTAINING A CONCISE UlSrOlO' OF IHE SIATH. WITH PORTRAITS AND BIOClfAh OF PROMINENT CITIZENS OF THE ABOVE NAMED CITIES. AND PERSONAL HISTORIES OF MANY OF THE EARLY SETTLERS AND LEADINO FAMILIES ■• Rio<;rapliv is the onlv true histnn ."— FMF HSOX. CHICAGO : I THE LEWIS PIlBLISHlNd; COMPANY, %oS ° oz. ^^/ CONTENTS. THE STATE OK TEZSIAS. Ci'.NKKAi. Politic A 1. Histokn': Tlie Name "Texa^" '» Topography 9 Discoverv. - 13 Texas Unkiio\Yn Until Recently 13 Catholic Missions 17 New Civilization 18 Philip Nolan 18 Political Changes 21 The "Pirate of the (iulf " 25 Political Changes, contiiuied 26 The All-tins 2>J Austin's Colony 31 The Enipresario System 34 Influence of the New Immigration 35 The Labor System- 36 Political and Religious Intolerance 37 Education 37 Religion 38 Final Revolution 38 Separation of Texas from Coahuila 43 Battle of San Antonio 48 The Alamo 50 The Goliad Massacre 5i San Jacinto 55 The Independence Convention 59 The Declaration of Independence 60 Flag of the Lone Star 63 Foreign Relations 63 Early Legislation . . 64 A Rebellion 69 Indians 70 Santa Fe Expedition 71 Loc.it ion of the Capital 71 Recognition of Texas by Foreign Powers.. 73 Lamar's and Houston's Administrations.. 73 Mexiean War 74 " Modera:'tors " and "Regulators" 75 The War Cloud 76 Texas Annexed to the United States 78 To Arms 78 Events after the War 81 Indian Colonization 83 Current of Events 85 The "Cart War" 86 Political Parties 86 Signs of the Coming Storm 87 The Storm Begun 91 After the War 94 Reconstruction Period 95 New Constitutions, Etc 102 Greer Cou n ty 103 General Reflections 104 Governors of Texas, List 105 Biographical Notices 106 Ein-CATiON 129 Other State Institi/tions 142 Religion 146 The Press 147 r atlkoads 147 Mineral Resoi'kces 149 Agriculture 187 Clim.\te 199 Public Lands 201 The Counties 206 Cities and Principal Towns 210 Miscellaneous 222 "Indian Depredations in Texas" — Wilbar- ger's Book 222 The Fort Parker Massacre 222 Cynthia Ann Parker 231 A Comanche Princess 238 Game Animals 241 Fearful Encounter with a Bear 241 Yellow Fever 242 Dawson and Sims 242 Texas Veteran Association 243 Suffrage 243 Exemptions from Taxation 243 Exemptions from Forced Sale 244 Texas at the World's Fair 244 Ci^XVENTS. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. A Adams, C. B o32 Aiken, Joe 687 Albrecht, C 512 Alexander, W. D 511 Allen, Alexander 6S7 •••Allen, A. C 257 -, Allen, J. K 260 Allen, Sam 639 t Allen, S. L 297 Allen, W. T 691 Aliens, of Houston 638 V Allien, L. F 455 ■ Alltmont, Nathan 559 Angle, D. M 531 »Ansell, W. C 407 I Archer, J. E 529 HArends. J. F 286 V Ashe. vS. S 379 Atchison, D. D 716 Atkins, Joseph 701 Atkins, Joe 654 Avers, David 628 v-Vyers, D. T 629 1? Bagby, T. M 469 Baker, George F 443 Baker, \Vm. R 423 Baldinger, Andrew 320 Baldinger, H. A 312 ^ Baldinger, W. H 288 Baldwin, J. C 516 Ball, Albert 334 li.-ill, George 354 Ballew, Marv A 673 Barnes, B. F' 721 Barr. M. A 729 Barziza Family, The 347 Baumann, Peter 398 Beissner, C, L .650 Beissner, Henrv .609 Bender, C.,Sr.." 563 Benn, Thos 645 Benni.son, Walter -618 Bente. Charles 573 Bentinck, H. W 710 Berger, Henrv 672 Bergstrom, H . O 615 Bertallot, Mrs. Eniilie 519 Biehler, C. L 420 Binz, Jacob 386 1 Blagge, Benj 311 ; Blagge, Hamilton 308 [Blagge, H. W 309 Blake, Familv, The 4,50 Blake, J. H." '. .-...450 Blake, T. VV ...450 / Blau, August 549 ,( Bleike, Frederick 275 Boehl, George 683 Bollfrass, Christian 396 ' Bolton, J. H . 699 Borden Family, The 699 Bostick, Levi 533 i. ijothman, August 483 VBovles, J. M 585 w^Bovles, T. J 375 Bradv, J. T 377 I Branch, Wm. B 317 *Brashear, I. W 470 I Brewster, Robert 577 Bright, J. H 527 Bringhurst, G. H .567 Brinkhdfl', Carl 622 k Briscoe. Andrew 368 Bristol, Wm. H 673 : Brock, F. A 670 ^ Brown, A. B 409 'Browne, J. T 384 ] Brvan. .lohn L 558 'vBryan, L. A 272 Burke, A. J ,387 Burke. F. S 569 (Burnett, J. H 613 , Burnett, Wm 479 '/Burroughs, J. J 603 Burton, Charles A 268 Butler, G. W 679 Buttelmann, Henry 65!) C Cahill, Michael 708 vCalvit, Alex 284 Campbell, Clark 728 Carville, P. H 327 Chimene, E. J 533 ,, Chubb, John 325 iChubb, Thomas 331 Clifford, C. G 662 I Cluff, P. P 653 ".Collins, F. M .586 Collins, Peter 616 Collins, T. J 497 j^Collins, Thomas 305 I Colman. Isaac 482 j Converse, James 396 Cushman, J. A., Sr 373 D 1 Daniel, J. W 349 • Davidson, J. H 610 Davie, J. P 489 VDe Chaumes, H. M 515 Denson, W. B 685 Derrick, J 614 \. Dickey, George E 509 Dirks, Albert 630 Dirks, Henrv 631 Dirks Familv, The 631 V'I^611, G. W ...400 ) \Dolsou, Benj 60S i\Dooley, H. H 518 I Drew, Edmund 681 fVDrouet, Adolph 421 L IJrouet, Sebastian 692 j\l)utnble, George 322 ! Durr, Leon 414 \t, Eckhardt, Wm. R 500 ' Edgar, T. H 619 VEllis, G. W 582 i EUmers, Henrv 608 ! Elsbury, T. E.' 455 F Falkeuhagen, J 606 Fields, L. W 665 Finlav, G. P 350 Fisher, H. F 303 Flake, Ferdinand 416 Wlrioeck, Peter P 521 Vr rVlv, A. W 273 ,1'ontaine. S. T 352 y.Forester, John 429 If Furdtran, Charles 712 j\Forsg-ard, G. A 335 ^Foster, J. E 447 J}.-Fowler, Charles , 502 \fox. Henry S 365 Frederick, W. J 528 vl'^reund, Henry 572 Fulton, R. L 538 Funk. George 557 Gabel, Peter 356 Gengler, Peter 537 Gibbert, Frederick 607 Gilbert, T. D 411 Gillespie, J. J ". 566 ^Gohlman. S. L 47H Grav, Peter W 599 Gregory, Wm. E 697 ■ Gwyn. Charles L 477 H jHakenjos, C 664 Hamilton, B. O 293 Hammer, M 643 Hanscom, S. S. . . 664 Hansen, H. F 640 ffarrington, J. A 620 Harris, .Jonathan 578 Harris, J. R 452 Hasselmever, C. F 326 ^ Heard, T.' J 277 Heiman, A. . . . 626 c<).v7/:.yy\s. Heinian, J. J 626 Heiman, Ottelia 626 Heitmann, F. \V 561 Hehner, J E 646 Henck, Henry .^ 400 \ Hermann, (i. H . . .' 390 Herndon, A. C 617 yjlerndon, J. H 601 /Herj.hberg-er, L. C 2')1 Hewes, S. D 571 Hey en, Henrv 642 Hicks, T. B.! c76 vHinrichsen, (i. E 484 Hitclicock, L. M 4')4 Holmes, C. D .6K1 House, T. W .?13 ■{Howe, M. G 550 V-'Hucl-son, P. W ,584 ^Hug-hes, S. F 406 ^urd, James G 625 \Hntcliing-s, J. H 301 Hiitcliins, Wm. J 276 J Jackson, T. W 661 Jennett, R. C 622 Johnson, A. J 694 Johnson, R. D 651 Jones, Anson 249 Jones, Mrs. Anson 633 Jones, W. J 722 JfTJordan, Christian 344 Jordan, M. M 647 Jnnenian, F. L 493 Jnnemann. C 69fi K Kahla, William 702 Kankel, Henrv 684 Kendall, Wm.'E 457 Kennedy, D. E 444 Kennedy, John 444 I Kiam, Ed 278 Kimley, Michael 321 V Kirkland, Steplien 304 Kleinecke. H. F 649 Kleinecke, Theodore 312 v Koch, Joseph 513 Kuhlman, John ,=^08 Kuhnel, Robert 416 L ' Eabadie, N. U 338 Lafitte Grove 729 Eang, J. H .593 Larkin, E. P 270 Larrabee, R 413 Eatham, L. J ' 570 Leask, Henrv 398 Le Clere, I. S 674 ^'Leonard, C. H 29* Lobenstein, J ^ 428 |,Lordan. Jerry 401 Lucas, James S 556 Enfkin, A. P 473 (VtvUth, Lawson . y'M'' A'pine, W. K. t'O'IoA-.han, vS. M.. M |- Macatce, W. E 487 M.-iUv, F. W 596 M.u-chand, F. A 607 A;.irchand. Ferdinand '. . .328 >1 i-tin, Thos .594 yT*.! ,,t-r.-ion. J R 425 M.):the\vs, H. F 264 323 479 ••;.,vven. A 467 Kinney, A. W .581 M..-.;lv. John 404 Mct^on. Wni 621 I Mvier. John 420 I Moll.'r, Robert 6f.O I Mei:ard. J. M. O 675 i Menard, M. R 281 Menard, Medard 673 Mentzel, A 689 Metzffer, Jacob 494 Meyer, G. A 641 Moore. \V. J 714 Morin, A. C .=^10 Morlev, David 684 Morrii, J. R 393 XMorwitz, Herman 419 Moser, John H 3.30 Mo.ser, P. H .309 Miiller, Antone 427 Murrav. R. (i 671 X Napier, \V. S 574 JSIelson, John 606 Nichols, E. B 668 Nichols, E. B. McK 669 Nichols, F. McC 667 Nichols, J. C 552 Nitze, E. H 567 Noble, C. W 491 Noble. J. B 491 Noble Family, The 491 Niise, Lawrence 422 VO'Brien. Jnlin 290 \OIdenbury:, Wm 290 \<)tt, Charles S 404 Peetz, J. J 70.5 Perl, M 376 Pichard, A. V .'.55 \f'ierson, A. L ' 598 V^i'lot, Eujrene 505 !' .!k, W. A .'=53 y-'.ol, William 292 i'.jvieig-h, T. A 715 f'ri-nderg-ast, Patrick 706 Price, J. S .501 Priest, Aupfust 530 Pricster. Simon 501 Pructt. J. H Ouick. Ednnind 711 (luick. John ,399 R J-Railton, Robert 413 Ray, Edward 689 Read, R. H 719 f Rcybaud, Editha 319 V'ReVder, Geortje A 402 Rich, L. M..". .391 Richard.son, A. S .523 Richardson, Stephen 523 Richardson, W. R 523 Richardsons, The 523 Uiesel, H. W 720 VKie>ner, B. A 389 RiSg-, John 403 K-^oberts, Charles 408 Rodefeld, Henrv 422 Roemer, C. G..' 623 Rohde. Fritz 588 5 Rosenbery, Henry 287 Sam, Samel 359 vSchadt, William 655 Schmidt, Christoplier .679 Schmidt, F. D 428 Schmidt, F. W 676 Schmidt. Henrv 526 Schmidt, Louis 678 Schmidt, (J. B 666 Schneider. Geor^ce 624 Schneider, Henrv 683 J Schwander, F, L 520 i Sealv, John 713 Sei.xas, E, E 692 Selkirk, Willam 656 Setteyast, Wm. J. & J. J 564 Seureau, Andre 508 f Shannon, A. M 498 Shearn, Charles 345 //Shepherd, B. A 342 Sherman, Sidney 245 [.Sherwood c C. L 487 SJierwood, J. P 485 J/Sielin},^ E. H 307 (Simpson, B. C 464 Smallev. B. A <)95 Smith, D. C 589 Smith, F. W 361 Sneed. J. H 647 Southwick. S. B 676 Southwick, Stephen 677 Sprong-. C. H 267 .Stabe, Henry 285 Stewart, Amasa 698 J Stewart, Charles 4<9 /Stewart, W. H 282 Street. G. C 514 Stuart, D. F 367 jStuart. Hamilton 703 Stubenrauch, Max 555 CONl'/iXl'S. Stude, Henry 472 VSweeney , C C 318 Sweeney, G. W 318 Sweeney, T. H 318 T /racquard, Jacqiie.s bUb yCTavlor, H. D 474 TeUefson, O. C 271 Thompson, J. W ()56 iTiernan, B 407 Ti.leback, Cliarles 682 Treaccar. F. W 289 Tryon, W. A 502 SI'ryon, W. M o92 \' Van Liew. J. M 718 Van Liew. J. R 71)7 A'ordenbauMien, Wm 356 "iV.iwinkle. Wni 2''3 \\ Wag-ley, W. C , 554 Nj Waties. J. R 476 Waul, T. N 265 Weber, David 60S Werner. Geo. P 718 Werner, Wni 2% Westerlage, J. H 709 Westlieinier, Sid 548 Weyer, J. H , . . . JV'eiss, J. F vlVeiss, J. J White, J.W .... Williams, S. M.. %Wilson, Georg-e. Wilson, J. N.'.... 690 522 598 466 329 405 659 Wilson, J. S 504 Wilson, J. T. D 381 Wilson, Robert 4H7 tWinkler. C. F 580 Wittig, Ernest 402 Woessner, Charles 560 Wood, Jas. W 648 Woollam. Charles 496 Worthani, J. C 649 Wren, P. S 643 Yard, Georjjt N 720 Yard, N. B 610 fiowni^, Gnstav 310 (Youns-. H. P 270 ILLUSTRATION; -Allen. A. C Allen, Mrs. C. M. Allen, J. K ^Allen, S. L 297 ^Austin, Stephen F 29 ^ Baker, George F 443 ^Bradv, John T 377 'Brown, A. B 409 ■Church of Alamo SO Church of the Concepcion .... 17 Church of San Juan 17 -Davie, J. P 489 iFloeck, Peter P 521 -Gengler. Peter 537 Herndon, A. C 601~ Herndon, J. B 601 Herndon. J. H 601 House. T.W 31.y ^Houston, Sam 55 ^Joiies, Anson 249 -I'Cendall. W. E 4.57 -Lufkin. A. P 473 %Iasterson, J. R 425 'Menard, Michel B 281 *Iorris. J. R 393 -Pillot, Eugene 505 'Ruins near San Jose, etc 17 Santa Anna before General Houston 58 tehearn, Charles 345 ^Sherman, Sidney 245 ^rnith. F. W 361 ■"State Capitol 71 ^Williams, S. M 329 H V rpTji T'HE State of Texas ha* had a career so reniarkalile that its study enchants tlie reader like the bewitching i-tories and legends of England, or of any great Enropean country. It is witii ph'a^iire. there- fore, that the antlior compiles tlie t'(.)ilo\ving brief account, giving the snlistance of the best passages in liie iiiptory of the Lone Star State: THE NAME "TEXAS." According to. tlie various aiithoi-ities, there are several origins to the name Texa-*. 1, Spanish, tejas (roof-tiles), becan.-e the inhal>- itants had roofed houses; 2, old S]iaiii,-li or Geltiberian, denoting a vilain; 3, an Indian Word signifying friend; 4, another Indian word meaning paradise, or a beautilul land; 5, a eonunon termination of several tribal names in Indian, as Tlaxcaltecas, Chlolutecas, Ciiitlaehtecas, Zacatecas, etc. TOroGRAniT. Texas has an area of 271,856 square miles of land, and 2,510 square miles of water sur- fa' e, the latter consisting of lakes and bays, making a total of 274,306 square nnles, equal to about 8.7 per cent, of the entire area of the Uniteii States and Territories. It is much tl)e hirgest State in the Union, being six times laiger than New York and seven times as large US ( )liio, and 100,000 square miles 1-irger than ail the EaRtern and Miiidle States, including Delaware and Mai'yland. Compa'ed to the countries of Europe, it lias 34,000 square miles more than the Austrian Empire. 62,000 more than the German Eni]iire, and nearly 70,000 square miles more than France. It is located in tlie extreme southern part of the United States, between the 2Cth and 3i;th parallels of north latitude and the U4th and 106th meridians of longitude. The distance between the extreme northern and southern points is nearly 750 miles, anJ about 800 miles from east to west. It is bounded on tlie east by the State of Louisi- ana, west by the Republic of Mexico ami the Territory of IS'ew Mexico, north by the States iif Colorado and Arkansas and the Indian Territory, and on the south by the Gulf of Mexico. General custom has divided the State geographically into five parts, namely,: Central, northern, southern, eastern and we.~t- ern Texas, though the di\-idine- lines are not well defined. The toiiiigraphy, like many otlier charac- teristics of the State, is but little under=tood, except in a general way. The country lying east of the 96th degree of longitude and north of the 30th parallel of latitude, and known as "East Texas," is characterized by a long range of iiills rnnnincf in an irregular line from northeast tfj south- west, and containing large deposits of brown iiematite iron ore. It is also marked by a heavy growth of timber, consisting princi- pally of forests of pine, oak and hickory. HISTORY OP TEXAS. The Gulf Coast is tlius described by Prof. Longhridge, of the United States Census Bureau: " The coast of Texas presents features dif- ferent from tliose of any other State, for wliile in many otiier States the mainland coast is greatly cut np into large bays, extending many miles inland, it is here bordered by an almost continuous chain of islands and pin- insulas (the latter having the same trend as the islands). The Gulf border of this chain is a very regular line southwest from the mouth of the Saljine river or lake to near Cor- pus Christi, whicii occupies the highest point on the entire coast, and thence turns witii a regular curve south and slij^htly southeast to Mexico." The territory east of the timber region and north of the Gulf Coast, as above outlined, is a vast open plain composed of gently i-ol.ing prairies and gradual elevations. It is cov- ered with a luxuriant growth of native grasses and dotted by an occasional mott of timber, and extends to the Red river on the north and the mountain ranges of the west and noithvvest. The watei'-conrses and ravines aie nynally fringed with a growth of hank- berrv, ash, elm, Cottonwood, pecan, walnut and the various oaks. We-t and northwest lie the hills and moun- tain ranges of the State, which are continua- tions of the mountains of Mexico, JNew Mexico and Colorado. In the extreme northwest, bordering Kansas on the south and New Mexico on tiie west, is the elevated table land formerly known as the Llano Es- tacado, or Staked Plains. It is now desig- nated as the Paidiandle of Texas, and is desiined to be one of the best agricultural and stock-raising sections of the State. On a line noith of Austin and San Antonio, and running in a southwesterly direction, there is alow range of liills that mark a change in the topogi'upliy of the country. We.-tward it is more broken and the e'evations more abrn])t. The valleys are broad and the lands very fertile. The M'ater surface of Texas is estimated at 2,510 square miles. Of this number, 800 square miles are accredited to the rivers and smaller streams which drain the State. The balance consists of bays which lie along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, and small inland lakes. Chief among the rivers of the State is the Bi-azos, which drains an area of about 85,000 square miles, and is navigable as far up as Columbia (about forty miles) at all tinaes. It has its source in the northwestern part of the State, at the foot of the Staked Plains, and ilows in an easterly direction to Baylor county, thence southeasterly to Brazoria countv, where it empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Follow- ing its bends it is about 900 miles long. The Navasota river, which has its source in Lime- stone county, is its principal tributary, and drains portions of Leon, Robertson, Madison, Brazos and Grimes counties. The westernmost branch of the Brazos has its source in an extensive salt region, — not Mr. Jefferson's "Salt mountain," of which so much was said and sung at the time of the Louisiana purchase, — but a vast plain of 100 or 200 miles in extent, charged with niineial salt and covered in patches with nitre. The salt is washed out of this basin only by fresh- ets, through Salt branch, into the Brazos. The shores of the Brazos are not flat, though never bold, but undulating and grace- ful. The trees of larger growth are some- times covered with Spanish moss, as on the shores of the Mississippi; but these bearded nondescripts are not so frequent as to give the sensation of gloom; nor is there any cypress HItiTOliY OF 'TEXAS. to increase that effect on the mind. Wliere tile land is of comparatively recent formation, the growth is of willow and cottonw^ood, with occasional sycamores. The Brazos never overflows its banks. The water in primeval times was slightly redder than was that of the Upper Mississippi, re- sembling that of Red river. From the cen- ter both shores show to advantage. There is no caving-in or cut-offs, and in early days no dead timber — scarcely a snag. The surface of the gently-flowing water is generally calm and beautiful, but in floods it is of course violent and darkened with mnd. The Red river is next in importance and forms the boundary line between Texas and the Indian Territory and Arkansas. It has its source in the Panhandle of Texas, formerly known as the Llano Estacado, and flows east- ward through Arkansas and Louisiana, empty- ing into the Mississippi river. It drains about 29,000 square miles in Texas. The Big and Little Wichita rivers are among its principal tributaries on tlie Texas side. The Colorado river rises in Dawson county, the highest point reached by any of its prongs, and flows in a southeasterly direction, emptying into Matagorda Bay, on the Gulf of Mexico. The Concho, San Saba, and Llano rivers form its tributaries. It is over 'JOO miles long and drains a territory estimated at 25,000 square miles. The Trinity river has its source in Archer and Denton counties, the two forks converg- ing in Dallas county and flowing in a south- easterly direction to Trinity bay, in Cliaiii- bers county. It is about 550 miles long and drains an area of about 17.000 square miles. The Sabine river forms the eastei-n boun- dary of the State from the thii'ty-secuud parallel of latitude to the Gulf (d' Mexico, aud is navigable for about 300 miks. It has its source in Hunt c(_)Uiity, in the northeast- ern part of the State, and drains about 17,000 square miles in Texas, emptying into Sabine lake near the Gulf of Mexico. The Nueces river has its starting point in Edwards county and flows southeasterly into La Salle county, thence east into Live Oak county, and from thence south, emptying into Corpus Christi bay on the Gulf of Mexico. Together with its tributaries, the Leona, Frio, and Atascosa rivers, it drains an area estimated at about 16,000 square miles. The San Antonio river has its source in Bexar county and flows southeasterly to Re- fugio county, wdiere it unites with the Gua- dalupe river about twelve miles north of San Antonio bay, into which it empties. Its principal tributaries are the Medina and Salado rivers, ia Bexar county, and the Ci- bolo river, in Karnes county. The Guadalupe river rises in Kerr county and flows in an easterly direction to Gonzales county, thence in a southeasterly direction to the point of junction with the San Antonio river, about twelve miles from its mouth on San Antonio bay. The San Marcos river, v.diicli has its source near San Marcos, in Hays county, forms its principal tributary. The Rio Grande forms the western boun- dary line of Texas and also the boundary line between the United States and Mexico. It has its source in the southwestern part of Colorado and flows generally in a southeast- erly direction to Clarksville, in Cameron C(junty, where it empties into the Gulf of Mexico. It is navigable for small steamers for about 450 miles from the Gulf, and drains an area on the Texas side estimated at about 18,000 square miles. During the greater part of the year it is fordable above the in- fluence of tide water. HISTORY OF TEXAS. The Fecos river rises in New Mexico, on the east slope of the Kocky mountains, flows tliroiigh Texas in a southeasterly direction to a point near Painted Cave Spring, in Crockett county, where it emj)ties into the Rio Grande. It diains an area of about 6.000 square miles. Tiie Neches river has its source in Van Zandt eountj' and runs in a southeasierly di- rection parallel with the Trinity river, euipty- ing into Sabine lake on the Gulf of Mexico. The Angelina river, which rises in Rusk county, forms its principal tributary, and, to- gether with tlie Neches, drains a large scope of country between the Trinity and Sabine rivers. The Sulphur Fork runs nearly parallel with Red river in an easterly direction, passing out of the State at Sulphur Station and empty- ing into the Red river at Deinpsy, Louisiana, it drains a large part of the northeastern counties of the State. On Caney creek there was originally an immense cane-brake one to three miles wide and seventy miles long. It was on both sides of the creek, extending from near its source to witliin twelve miles of its mouth, and scarcely a tree was to be found within that ocean of cane. It was called the Great Prai- rie Canebrake, and the stream originally Canebrake creek. There are many unequivocal evidences that this creek was once a branch of the Colorado, constituting another mouth for that stream. The bed of the creek is of equal depth and width with the river, and the appearance of the banks, the nature of the adjacent soil, etc., are the same in both. A strongly con- firmatory evidence is the abrupt termination of the deep, wide bed of the Caney within less than 200 yards of the river, in an allu- vial bottom nearly ten miles in width. Thus was an island formed with a coast line of tvventy-tive miles. It is now called Bay prairie. There are a large numlier of small inlami lakes scattered throughout the State. Sabine lake, lying between Texas and Louisiana, is the largest of these and is about eighteen miles long by nine broad. It is fed by the Neches and Sabine rivers and discharges into the Gulf of Mexico. All of the principal rivers of the St'ite flow in a southeasterly direction and empty into the Gulf of Mexico, except the Re 1 river, which flows east into the Mississippi river. As a general rule the streams east of the Brazos river are sluggish and muddy; those on the west side clear and swift runnincr. Many of the streams in western and north- ern Texas contain pure, clear water suitable for domestic purposes, and abounding in tine fish. Some of the streams, however, are de- ceptive. The water is inviting to the eye, but is strongly impregnated with minei-als and brackish to the taste. The streams in eastern Texas also contain large numbers of tish of the varieties com- mon to sluggish waters. Some of the smaller streams in that section, hoivever, are fed from the springs and lakes of pure, clear water found among the sand hills. The bays along and near the Gulf coast are: Trinity, Lavaca, Matagorda, San Anto- nio, Espiritn Smto, Copano, Aransas, Nue- ces, Corpus Christi, Alazan, and Laguna del Mad re. Tlie soil of Texas and its products, timber growth, mineral resources, etc., are treated on subsequent pages. The tigures in the ftjllowing table denote the elevation above sea level, in feet, of paints named: Galveston 40 Indianola 2(') Brownsville 43 HISTORY OF TEXAS. Palestine 405 Corficanii Denisiin 4+8 767 Austin .... San Anti inio 013 (;7t) Furt E.vell -^oo 2 120 Jacksboro 1,133 915 Fort C' riiclio 1,8S8 Fort Stockiou 3,050 El Paso 3,370 4,918 800 Fort Elliott 2,500 Silwr Falls Midland 3,800 2,779 DISCOVERY OF THE REGION. Robert Cavalier de la Salle, the noted Frt'iicli explorer of the Mississippi valley, etc., cauie down tlie Misfissippi river in l(j^3, and returned to France. In 1685, hav- ing obtained royal letters patent, and pro- vided with four vessels, he set sail to discover the mouth of the great Fstlier of Waters, but, drifting too far west, he landed in Texas, supposing Matagorda bay to be tiie point he was looking for. After exploring the country l]e conceived the bold project of traversing ths country northward to the Illinois river, a distance of 2,000 miles. Selecting a few of iiis friends, he started, but on March 20, 1687, fell a victim to the ti-eacliery of his own men. lie vvas slain by a musket ball tired by Duliaut, w])0 liad become jealous and dissatisfied with him and others in the party. This unjustifiable deed was com- mitted somewhere in the region of the Bra- zos river: it is inj possible to identify the ex- act point. It "was several days' journey west of the Cenis Indians," whose dwellings at tliat time were on tlie Trinity river. La Salle was " saturnine in temperament, reserved in his communications, asking coun- sel of none. There was a certain hardness in his manners, a tone of lofty self-reliance, which, though it commanded tlie ohedience of his followers, did not gain their good will. On tlie other liand, his capacity for huge de- signs has had few parallels. lie has been called the Columbus of his age; and had his success been equal to his ability, tiiis distinc- tion might justly have been awarded him. Cool and intrepid, never for a moment yield- ing to despair, he bore the burden of his calamities manfully, and his hopes expired only with his latest breath." TEXAS COMPAEATIVELY UNKNOWN UNTIL RE- CENTLY. Mary Austin Holley, a resident of Texas, in 1833 penned the following, to the effect that Texas, in its merits, was not really dis- covered until a comparatively late date: " Texas, until within the last few years, has been literally a terra incognita. That such a region existed has indeed been known, but in respect to its geography and natural resources, clouds and darkness have rested upon it. This is the more remarkable, lying, as it does, contiguous to two enlightened nations, — the United States on the one side and Mexico on the other, both by land and sea. While Britons, impelled by a daring spirit of enter- piise, have penetrated to the ice-bound region of Melville's Island, and our own New Ei]g- landers have encountered all the hardships and hazai-.ls of the wtistein desert, the Rocky mountains and jiostile Indians, to find a home at the moutli of the Colum Ida river, tliis most inviting region, l}ing just at their doors, has been altogether overlooked. HISTOHT OF TEXAS. " Quite unexpectedly, as it were, a report has readied the public ear that the country lying west of the Sabine river is a tract of surpassing beauty, exceeding even our be'Thns, the whole of this country remainetl for ayes unknown to the worhl; and instead of being converted into an al)"de of industrious and liap|)y freemen, as it mi^lit have been, it was doome 1 by tiie selfishness (jf men to continue a howling wihlerness. No maps, charts or eenirranhical notices were ever al- lowed by the Spaniards to lie taken of it. The map compiled by Colonel Ati.^tin and pub- lished by Tannei', is tlie first and correct geo- graphical iuforuiation of tlie country tiiat has ever been publidied. The persons who were engaged in the ex])editions under Generals Bernaiilo, Gutiei'rez and Toledo, in 1812-'13, knew nothing of Texas except alon;^ and near the road they traveled, for they were too much occupied by the war, during the short time they had possession, to explore the country. It is uncertain how h>ng this expensive and valuable land wtmld have remained unknown anu unsetth.d iiad not the bold enterprise and perseverance of the Austins torn away the veil that hid it frcun the view of the world and redeemed it i\x c 3 C 3 C CO t/3 o I. 3 JZ u BISTORT OF TEXAS. the life of a North Ainei'ier.n after itiaki no- him prisoner, witliout briiijrinLr him before the council for trial, the offemlers are pun- ished with death. Xot so with the Mexicans, who are considered as enemies and treated as such. This hatred is uiutual, and fully reciprocated by tiie Mexicans. IJence the origin of the epithet expres.-incr odium, so general in all parts of Mexico; to den'ite the greatest degi-ee of de^-rad.ition, they call a person a ' Comanche.' " The principal Anglo-Saxon settlements at tlie beginning of the |u-est iit century were San Antonio de Bejar, with about 'ISM) iidiab- itants; La IJahiadelE-piritu Santo, now Goliad, about 1,400; and Nacogdociies, with 500. Nacogdoches was tirt^t settled by Anglo- Americans in 1822-'23. when many of tlie emigrants who left the United States with the view of joining Austin's colony stopped at this place. Here and there in Te.xas a small Catholic mission existed, around which \vere a few miserable Indian proselytes. Tlie little trade carried on was effected with Mexico, by way of Monterey and Munclova, and with New Orleans through Natchitoches; the lat- ter, however, was contraband. In 1>506 Texas was allowed a port, namely, at I!ahia de San Ijcrnai'do. The (exchange for mercliau- dise consisted in spi cie, horses and mules. Most of the inhabitants were of a roving disposition, cultivated to a stbl greater de- gree by the nature of their calling, which was the chase after horses and bulfalo; Imt in 1806 the governor, Antdiiio ConleiO, en- deavored to check this thriftless and Indian- like moie of life by encouraging agriculture, and this he did by restricting buffalo hunts to certain seasons and ohliging every family to cultivate a certain amount of land. Thei'e were a few wealthy Spanish residents at the j centei's of population, who exhibited some of ^ the refinements of modern life, as they had come from the regal cities of Spain or from the vice-regal court. Though most of the in- habitants of San Antonio dwelt in miserable houses, with mud walls and thatched roofs, the upper class enlivened social intercourse with diimer parties and dances, at which re- linement of manners was noticeable. This place, indeed, was probably the most pleasant in Texas at that time. CATHOLIC MISSIONS. The early Spanish (Catholic) missions within the present boundaries of Texas, were established by Franciscan monks, under the auspices of the Spanish government, and were called presidios. They consisted of a chajiel for worship, the cells for the monks, the dwell- ings for the inhabitants, and a fort for de- fense. The mission was of course under the control of the ecclesiastical power, and the military force was nnder an officer of the army, who in most matters was under the control of the priest. A complete list of these missions is as follows: In 1690 the mission of San Francisco was established on the Lavaca river at Fort St. Louis, by the Spanish under Captain Alonzo de Leon. In the same year the mission of San Juan Bautista was founded on the Rio Grande river. In 1714 Captain Ramon established the mission of San Bernard, also the mission of Adaes, among the Indians of that name fifteen miles wes-t of Natchitoches. In 1715 was established the mission of Dolores, west of the Sabiiie, among the Or- quisaco Indians. In the same year, one among the Nacogdoches Indians, near the site of the present town of that name; also HISTORY OF TEXAS. another among the Aes Indians, near the site of the present town of San Auu;nstine. Tlie niis&ion and fortress of San Antonio de Valero was soon after tiiis estal:>lislied on tlie San Pedro river, near the site of the present city of San Antonio. In 1721 a post and mission was located at the crossing of the Neclies, and another on the bay of San Bei-nard, called Our Lady of the Loretto. In the same year the mission of La I5ahia(the bay) was established at the lower urossinu; of the San Antonio river. In 1730 the church of San Fernando, in the present city of San Antonio, was founded. In 1731 was establisheii, not far from the same place, the mission La Purisinia Con- cepcion de Aeuna. All the buildings are yet standing. Under the old Mexican regime Texas was a province controlled by a "commandant," w!io resided at Chihuahua, and whose powers in this control were indep'ndent of the vice- roy. Each province was ruled by a military and political governor, who by his delegated powers had cognizaace of «^11 causes, being di pendent as regards military matters upon the commandant general. Ir? tinaiicial atfrtirs he was suiiject to tlie intendant at San Luis Potosi, with recourse to the supreme council of finance at the city of Mexico. Of course, in those times of sparse settlement and prior government, it was generally ditfii'ult, and often almost impossible, for one to transact any business with either the «xe>;iitive or ju- dicial department of the government, so re- mote were the seats of government and ditH- cult and dangerous the methods of travel. The same difficulties were encountered in ec- clesiastical matters, under the Roman Catho- lic regime. A NEW CIVILIZATION. During the first decade of this century the germs of another and a better civilization be- gan to become manifest in the province of Texas. The Anglo-American race was push- ing westward and southward. Bold, restless men, impelled by the fascination of wild ad- venture, Bo(ine-like made their' way into new- regions, regardless of danger and hardships. Rough, hardy men were indeed a necessity to go in advance of a more settled and refined community, and at this pei'iod the wave be- gan to move, rough side foremost. Tlie Mex- ican government did not like the inttux of foreigners, especially of Americans, anil passed laws to imprison tliem if found on their territory; but, while this law was in- dei;d sometimes executed, it seemed to serve only as an incentive to the daring spirits who were on the crest of the west-bound wave. Like large, rough boys at school, when the master defied them or laid down any rule which they thought nnreasonalde, they glo- ried in taking advantage of such an oppor- tuidty to show how bravely and successfully they could det'y the uni'easonable regulatio is. The contraband trade carried on with New Orleans, and connived at by the Spanish au- thorities, 0{)eneJ a gateway to these intrudei'.s. PHILIP NOLAN. The most conspicuous of the adventurers just referred to was Philip Xolan. encraged in trade between Natchez and Sai Antonio as early as 1785. In the Texas Almanac foi- 1868 is published the most extended account of Philip Nolan tint we have seen. We con- dense from it as follows: Philip Nolan, of Irish oritrin and a citizen of the United States, residinfin Xatchez, Mis HISTORY OP TEXAS. sissippi, obtained a passport IVoia the liaroii de Carondelet, governor of Louisi.ma, July 17, 1797, to go to Texas, for the purpose of buying horses for tiie Louisiana regiment tlien being organized at New Orleans. He rejiaiied to San Antonio de Bejar, whei'e he made the acquaintance of the governor of Texas, Dori Manuel Muiloz, and, through the kind offices of the latter, entered into a correspondence with General Pedro de Nava, tlien command- ing the Spanish provinces, with headquarters at the city of f'liihualiua. A permit was granted to Nolan to obtain the horses desired, luith in tiie province of Texas and that of New Santander (now Tamaulipas), Mexico; and about the end of July, 1798, he took with him 1,297 head, which he kept for a while on the jiasture grounds of theTi-inity river. Soon aftei'ward he returned to Natchez. The viceroy of Mexico, Marquis de ISranci- forte, February 12, 1798, transmitted a com niunication from the governor of Louisiana, Don Manuel Gayoso tie Lemos, successor of the Baron Carondelet, to (Tcneral Nava, re- questing him, as of great importance to the service, to arrest any foreigners that might go into the Spanish provinces, because he was aware that some Aniei-icans intended to vi.sit the country for the purpose of becoming friendly with the Lillians and bringing al)out a revolution. He desired Nolan to be closely watched. At that time the movements of the English and the Americans had created some suspicions, and it was thought that even the FreuL-h designed to invade l^oui^iana. On the first of June, 17'.l9, ihe governor of Louisiana recommended to l>o;! Fcilro Nava that no American .--honld be pei'mitttd to reconnoitre tie' tei-i-itoi-y ; thar he knew that some strangers had gone into Texas, and that the most dangerous was Philip Nolan, who, through deception, had obtained a pass- port \\\ni\ his predecessor, Baron rivate letter, mentions that two commissioners were sent to the Uiuted States Government to offer Texas to the Union, but the commissioners failed to reach their desti- nation. During the very next year (1812), how- ever, an expedition organized by a young officer in the Uiuted States Army, in con- junction with a Mexican refugee, almost succeeded in annihilating the royalist pnwer in Texas. Tiiis Mexican refugee, liy the way, was a great charactei'. It was ileiaiardo Gutierrez de Lara, a wealthy resident of Mexico, who had joined himself to the cause of the revolutionists, and was commis^ioned by them to visit Washington to obtain aid and sympathy, but hia credentials were not recognized iiy our Government. Jieino- a fervent patriot, however, he went to New- Orleans and began to organize an ex]iedition for tiie invasion of Texas, which scheme was facilitated by his former commercial relations with that city. Augustus Magee, who had been stationed (m the JSIatchitoches to break np gangs of outlaws on the neutral ground, eidisted some of these same outlaws and ]iro- ceeiled to New Orleans, where he elleeted an alliance with Gutieirez, giving him the nomi- nal command, so that the . ^Mexicans would believe the invasion was headed by i.nie ot their own countrymen. During the summer the inva-ion actually took place, with great success and little lo.-s of blood. l!y autumn there were 800 men, with Mngee as colonel, though actually the commander-in-chief. (TO\ernor Salee\ernor (Jlai- borne, by which it was linally agreed that the governor would not further moliist him if he would espouse the cause of the United States; and, sure enough, at the battle of New Orleans, he rendereil such signal service that President Madison pardoned him of his former offences against our govern m-nit. During the next two years Lahtte's move- ments were not conspicuous; but bis fol- lowers, to the number of about 1.000, joined a politico-piratical government at Galveston island, who, for security, swore allegiance to the Mexican government. In con.--i(|uence Galveston became naturally the asylum of refugees from justice and desperadoes of every nationality. Their depredations on the gulf were carried on to such an extent that Spanish commerce was aliiKjst swept from the sea, and even the vessels of other nations suffered at their hands. The United States would have broken up this nest also had it not lieen for the ojiposition of the Spanish minister, Onis. The l)oundary (question liad not yet been settleil, and it was feared that if our government i-.-ed the buccaneers from Galveston by armed force it would re- tain possession of the island. Thus for years the "Pirate of the Gulf" remained un- molested. On the site where the city of Galveston now stands he erected a fort and built himself a house, around wliieli numer- ous other edifices sprung up, forming a UIST0R7 OF TEXAS. busy settlement, wliich he named Cainpeachy. Octolier 'J, 1819, this point was declared a port of entry by the republic of Texas, wliich had lately been proclaimed as such bj the letders of another expixlition into the conn- try, and Lafitte was made governor of the place. This cnrious man eoon afterward hancred a refngee from jnstice, in satisfaction of the United States authorities, and soon after that again indorsed another man — one of his own party — for committing the crime of seizing jjroperty fiom a suliject of our Government; and for the latter the Govern- ment sent an expedition against him, to break np the Galveston establishment, fear- less of war with the Mexican government. Aware of the determitiation of the Govern- ment at Washington, Lafitte destroyed his fortifications, paid oif his men, and sailed away forever from the shores of Texas. He ever maintained that lie made war only on Spanish vessels. According to one account, he gave a sketch of himself in the following terms: At eighteen years of age he was a merchant at Santo Domingo. Having become rich, he wound up his affairs, bouglit a ship and freighted her with a valuable cargo, including a large amount of specie. He set sail for Europe, with his wife, was captured when a week out at sea, by a Spanish man-of-war, and robbed of everything he possessed. The Spanish captain had the inhumanity to set him and the crew ashore on a barren sand key, with provisions for a few days only. They were taken off by an American schooner and landed at New Orleans, where his wife died a few days afterward from fever, con- tracted from hardship and exposure. In des- peration, he joined some daring fellows, and they declared eternal vengeance against Spain. "For fifteen years," said he, "I have carried on a war against Spain. So long as 1 live I am at war against Sp-iin, but with no other nation. I am at peace with all the world ex- cept Spain. Altlioiigh they call me a pirate, I am not guilty of attacking any vessel of the English or French." The above sounds very much like a piece of fiction, wiiich atiy pirate might conjure up to justify his nefarious career. Lafitte is de- scribed as a stout, rather gentlemanly person- age, about five feet and ten inches in height, dressed very simply in a foraging cap and blue frock of a most villainous fit; his com- plexion, like that of most Creoles, olive; his countenance full, mild and rather impressive; his eyes small and black, which fiashed in animated conversation like those of an ugly customer. His demeanor was courteous. He was educated and gifted with considerable talent for conversation. He continued to cruise on the Spanish main for several years. Occasionally he visited Sisal and the island of Margarita, near the mouth of the Orinoco, and finally died at Dilam, in Yucatan, and was buried there. POLITICAL CUANGES CONTINUKD. After the fall of Napoleon, two refugees from France, Generals Lallemand and Ri- ganlt, concluded to try Texas as a place of residence, although they received no reply to their request for a permission to do so from the Spanish court. In March, 1818, Lalle- mand, with 120 settlers, sailed from New Orleans, landed at Galveston bay and selected a spot on the Trinity river about twelve miles above its mouth, and began to fortify the post. These colonists issued a proclamation that they had settled there to remain, earn- ino- their livelihood by the peaceable pursuits of agriculture and the chase, and would de- HISTORY OF TEXAS. fend themselves by force, if necessary, aci;;iinst any invading party; but professional soldiers iiialve poor atrrienltnrists. Tlie lirst season ilieir crops were meager on account of the dnjutii, and they maintained themselves for a time by the products of the cluise. Wiiile iluis weakened, a force was sent against them Mexico, wliich they could not resist, and . . liemand returned to the United States, while the rest of the colonists scattered, a i^rieat part of them pruhaidy to Barrataria, at tliattime controlled l>y the notorious Lafitte. Old interniitioiial (questions beino; now re- vived as to the ovvnersliip of theFloridas and the boundaries of the Louisiana Territory, • lany prupositions and counter propositions were made and refused, with the final result, February 22, 1819, in the form of a treaty signed by the Sparish minister Onis, and the American Secretary of State, by which the Floridas were ceded to the United States and Texas permitted to remain in the hands of Spain. The boundary line between the United States and the Spanish possessions was defined as follows: Beginning at the mouth of the Sabine river, continue north along the western bank of that river to lati- tude 32°; thence by a line due north to the degi'ee of latitude where it strikes Red river; then following the course of that river, west- ward to longitude 23° west from Washing- ion; crossing said river, run by a line due north to the Arkansas, following the south- evn bank of that river to its source in latitude 42° north, and theuce by that parallel to the I'acitic. The kino- of Spain, however, faileil to ratify the treaty within the six m )nths prescril)ed, and when he did ratify it, (Jctober 21, 1S20, the controversy was renewed, tlie United States being strcingly disinclined to recognize the late convention. From tlie tirst tlie treaty had caused wide-spreid dis .afisf:u!tion, ami a strong party maintained that vahiable terri- tory had been given away by tho American government for a very inferior one, while a fundamental principle of tlie United States was violated in ceding a.vay territory of any kind under any circumstaiu-es; but after a year or two of discussion the United States Congress advised the President to ratify the treaty, and accordingly, February 2S, 1821, John Qiiincy Adams informed the Spanish envoy that President Monroe had accepted the ratification. In natural connection with the foregoing, the angry feeling, aroused by the treaty, was exhibited in a practical manner at Natchez, Mississippi, by another atteni[)t to oi-ganize an expedition for the purpose of revolution- izing Texas. James Long was appointed leader of the enterprise, and in June he started with great enthusiasm for Nacogdo- ches, accompanied by about seventy-five men, which number was rapidly increased. Soon after arriving at that jibice he could muster over 300 men, among them iH'iiuii-do Gutier- rez and Samuel Davenport. He immedi ately proceeded to establish a civil govern- ment, under the control of a supi'eme council, of which he was chosen pre?ident. June 23 this council declared the provinci' of Texas a free and independent repulilic, and it pro- ceeded to enact laws for the government of the same and providing for revenue by the sale of public lands. Various agjiicies were established, at different points, for mercan- tile and governmental bii.^iuc.-..-. For aid. Long left Cook in command at Nacogdoches while he histened on to Gal- veston to enlist the sympathy and assistance of Laiicte, who at that time was in the height of his glory there; but the wily Fre ichman told liiin that it ever had beeu useless to re- BI8T0BT OP TEXAS. sist Mexico by land without a much larger force tlian had ever been coHected for the piirpose. On the way to Galveston Lojig heard through Indian channels that a Mexi- can force, 700 strong, under Colonel I^nacio Perez, was rapidly on his track, at Cochattee, and at once sent orders to Cook immediately to concentrate his outlying detachments at that place. Of all the expeditions to Texas, not one experienced a more speedy collapse or swifter ruin than that of Long's. The posts or "agencies" spoken of were suddenly destroyed and the occupants killed or dis- persed. Long retired to New Orleans, where he made the acquaintance of the Mexican pa- triots, Milam and Trespalacios. The next spring, 1821, still another "expedition " was formed against the Mexican government in Texas, with these men as leaders; but they, too, were soon squelched. The next year, 1822, Long was killed in a private en- counter. Of course, at this time the condition was deplorable, as the outlook for permanent peace was absolutely fori>idding. After the expulsion of Long in 1819, every intruder who had settled in the country was driven off, his buildings destroyed and his cattle driven away. Tiie populated districts alto- getiier contained no more than 4,000 civil- ized beings. Agriculture was almost entirely neglected, and provisions were so scarce, even in San Antonio, as to be a subject of fre- quent report by Governor Martinez to the commandant general at Saltillo. The north- eastern borders became the asylum of crimi- nals and the abode of bands of armed despe- radoes engaged in smuggling. Lafitte's piratical establishment had its emissaries about the country, who drove Africans through the land with impunity to New Oileans, wiiere they were sold; and savage Indians, like the Comancbes, were hovering around almost every white settlement. This was the darkest hour that Texas ever saw. A panoramic review of the two decades just treated is thus presented by H. H. Ban- croft, the great Pacific coast historian: "If the reader will glance back at the his- tory of Texas, he will find that no advance in the colonization of that fertile country was made during the period of Spanish dom- ination. The reason of this, apart from the exclusion of foreigners, lay mainly in the aversion of the Spanish Creoles to agriculture, and the dangers to which settlers were ex- posed. Enterprise in ' New Spain' was chiefly directed to the development of mines, while the cultivation of the soil was performed for the most part by the passive Indians. In Texas, an essentially agricultural province, the conditions were reversed. There were no mines to be developed, nor were there peaceable natives who could be made to till the ground. It therefore offered no induce- ments to Spanish-Americans to migrate from safe and settled districts to a remote region, where a few ill-garrisoned presidios could offer little or no protection to the cultivator against the stealthy attacks of hostile Indians. Thus the colonization of Texas was confined to the establishment of a few settlers in the immediate vicinity of these military posts. Only two of these, San Antonio de Bejar and La Bahia del Espiritu Santo, developed into towns of any considerable importance. Later attempts of Spain to colonize the country at the beginning of the present century met with no success. The undertaking projected by the Spanish government and placed under the direction of General Grimarest failed of accomplishment on account of the breaking out of hostilities between Spain and England; li/e^de// (^///Vei Q4^//.^/m. HISTORT OF TEXAS. nor did other tettlers who were introduced into Texas about tliis time effect any expan- sion of tlie community. It remained for peaceai)le immigrants from tlie United States to accomplish a work of projjress which Spain had proved liei-self ineomp'.-tent to perform, and wliicli had Iteen beyond achievement by force of arms on tlie part of adventurers. "I have ali-eady related how anxious Spain was to people T< xas immediately after the purcliase of Louisiana by the United States, and si) protect herself against encroachments by occupancy of the country. Her inten- tions, howevei', were frustrated by the dread- ful wars, in which she soon became engaged, and the revolutiotis which broke out in her colonies. In the emergencies to which she was reduced she relaxed her exclusive policy, and official proclamations were publislied in- viting colonists of all clashes and nationalities to settle in her American dominions. The treaty of amity of February 22, 1819, having cuiitiriiied her in the possession of Texas, Spain telt herself in a position to remove the exclusion of Anglo-Americans as colonists in her tei'ritory, which hitherto had been insisted on in all colonization schemes. At the same time the royalist power seemed to be firmly 1 established in Mexico, the revolution hav- ing been well nigh suppressed and the pacif- ication of the country almost consummated. It was reasonable, therefore, to suppose that the Spanisli government would give satisfac- tory assurances to Anglo-Americans who mirt progress, and there learned for the tiist time that under the change in political affairs he would have to ohtain from the Mexican congress a confirm- ation of the ijrant conceded to liis fatlier by the Spanish L'ovei-nment, and receive special instructions relative to the distribution of land and other details connected with the grant. This was a sore disapointment. lie would have to travel 1,200 miles by land on roads infested by banditti ani.l deserters, and he was ill prejiared for such a journey. Neverthe- less, in ragged clothes and a blanket, he dis- guised himself as a poor traveler going to iMexico to petition for compensation for serv- ices in the I'evolution, and unflinchingly started out on the long an^l perilous journey. Wilde on his way to the city of Mexico, with but two persons in company, arriving at San Anlonio, he (Austin) was told that it was dangerous to proct'ed without an escort, for a wai- p:irty of Comanches was abroad, killiucr every uupi-otected pei'son who came in their way; that some individuals liad been murdered by them the day before; and that he, with so much baggage, being a valuable prize, could not piis-inly hope to escape. Finding, however, no opp 'rtunity of obtain- ing an escort, and the business of llie colony I requiring his presence in the metropolis, he resolved at all h.izards to proceed on his journey. They traveleil the first day unmolested, but on the morning of the second day, feeling sonu'what indi-posi'd, Mr. Austin undertook to pre[!,-ii-e some colfi'(\ There were no ac- coniniodations on the road, and it was neces- sary to carry provi»ions on a pick horse, and cook by the wayside. II is comp luions wai'ued \\\n\ that if Inilians were near they woidd be attracted by the smoke. He fialtcred him- self, however, that by seie-tiug a sheltered place and makini,' little smoke, it would be impossible for them to discern it. Besides, his craving for the coffee was so great, he being afflicted with a bad headac^ie, he in- sisted that he must ha\e it at all risks. They were upon an open ]il.iin,and ciuld see many miles around. At the niome it no liviuf creature was in view but themseive-i. The men in compuiy went to seek the horses, which had been hopple 1 the night lie- fore and let loose to teed. The colonel re- tired to a little ravine to enjoy his coiTee. It was boiled, and in the act of putting the re- freshing beverage to his anxious lips, he heard a sound like the trampling of many horses. Raising his head, with the colfee yet untasted, he beheld in the distance fifty mounted Uoin- anches, with their spears glittering in tlie mornino- sun, dashing;' tcnvard hiui at fiill siieed. As the coin inn advanced it divided, according to the practice pi'eviously described, into two semi-circles, aiuJ in an instant he was surrounded. (Quicker than thought he sprancr to his loade 1 rifle, luit as his hand grasped it he felt that resistance by one against a host was vain. The plunder commenced. Every article of the little encampment, with the saddle- bags, which be stood upon to protect if possi- HI STOUT OF TEXAS. ble, was greedily seized. Aui^tin's presence of mind, liowever, did not forsake him. He calmly meditaterl for a moment what cuiirse to pursue. AfSi ra i.? great composure, he went lip to the chief, and, addressing him in Spanish and the few Indian words he knew, declared himself to be an American, and de- manded wlietlier their nation was at war with the Americans. "No," was the reply. "Do you like the Americans?" "Yes; they are our friends." " Where do you get your spear- heads, your blankets," etc., naming all their foreign articles one by one. "Get them i'rom our friends, the Americans." "Well, do you think if you were passing throngh their nation, as I am passing through yonrs, they would rob you as you have robbed me'i" The chief reflected a little and replied, " No; it would not be right." The chief then com- manded his men to restore all the a/tic'es taken. Every article came back with the same dispatch with which it had disappeared, except the saddlebags. These, which con- tained all his money, were indispensable to the further prosecution of his journey. No one could tell anything of the saddlebags. Almost in despair of ever seeing them again, he observed in a thicket, at a little distance, a squaw, one of the trumpeters, kicking and belaboring her horse to make him move off, while the sagacious beast would not stir a step from the troop. The colonel instantly pursued the female robber, and found his saddlebags neatly concealed under the saddle- blanket and herself. The whole squadron then moved oflP, and were seen no more. A little circumstance connected with the above affair is worth mentioning. A Spanish grammar, which the colonel cacrie 1 suspended at the saddle-bow, that he might study it as he rode along, was missing. This book was afterward found among the Indians by some traders, and as it had the owner's name on it a report spi-ea^l abroad that the colonel had beei killed by the Comanches. This report ro:iched the eai-s of his anxious mother and sister in Missouri, and it was many months before they learned that he had survived the dreary pilgrimage. Mr. Au-tin reached the capital in safety, April 2'J, 1822, but on account of constant chimires in the government and the belief that a new law would at length have to be ado|»ted, it was not until the next January that his claim was recognized. But even then, before he left the capital, another change in the government was made, and he had to wait about three months longer for new arrangements. On his return to Mon- terey he had to get further instructions from the commandant general and the provincial "deputation." He was informed that he had full powers for the administration of justice in his colony, he, in the military aspect, I'auking as lieutenant-colonel. He could make war on the Indian tribes in his vieinitv who molested his colony, could in- troduce supplies by the harbor of Galveston, etc. He was to vender an account of his acts to the governor of Texas, and be subject to him. Bastrop was empowered to survey the lands and give title. The name San Felipe de Austin was given to the capital of the naw colony. When Austin arrived at the settlement he found it aim ist abandoned, in consequence of his long detention in Mexico, but the news of his return and the success of his undertaking attracted settlers in such numbers that by 1824 the stiimlateil 300 families had arrived, and they then began a prosperous career. Altlioiio-I), however, Austin was exact in his administration of justice and extravagantly benevolent to tiie needy, there were many in HISTORY OF TEXAS. 83 the colony disposed to complain and make trouble. In the United States and Knrnpo tlie impression began to prevail that Austin's early colonists were in oi-i-at part fnij;itives from justice; but he maintained, with every show of fact and reason, that his cnldiiy was as moral as any community in the States. The limits of the county were uruieiined by the law, and the immig-raiits were allowed to settle at various distances from the center ac- cording to their own free will. In response to Austin's jietition, the goverinnent al- lowed him to introdue;' 50IJ more families to locate upon the unocriipied lands lying be- tween the tracts already occupied by his colonists. Mr. Austin at one time sent a newcomer to Texas from San Felipe to the Colorado to take the census of the families in that part of his colony. The duty being performed, the messenger returned, and the following con- versation occurred: Austin. — "Well, Mr. , how do yon like that part of the country?" Newconiei'. — "I like the country much; but I wouldn't li\'o in such a community if you would give it all to me."' Austin. — " Why, didn't they treat you well?" Newcomer. — "Yes, indeed; never was bet- ter treated." Austin. — "Tell me about it." Newcomer. — "Well, general, to give you a sample of the people living up theie. I went to a log cabin, wdiere I found only a lady at home. I asked her who live 1 there. She said, 'Me and the old man.' 1 told her I hail Come to take the census. She told me to take it. I said to her, 'Have yon any children?' She replied, 'Yes; lots on 'em.' 'Please give their names, madam.' ' Well, thar's Isaiah, and Bill, and Tom, and Jake, and Ed, and John and Bud, and , oh, yes! I'd like to forgot Joe, he's gone so miieh." These being duly noted, with ages, la'^kel, 'Have you no gilds?' ' No, sir,' repliel she, em[ihatieally ; 'boys is troidde enough; but arter a while they kin take care of themselves; but gals I- always trouble, and laner kin take eare of themselves. ' General, tliose p-'0])le are too rough to live uitli." Austin. — " AVell, Mr. , those are ex- actly the people we want for the pioneers on our frontier. They are hardy, h(Uiet-t and l>rave. They are not your kid-glove so; t. i\> the settlement becomes denser, they « ill .-trike farther out upon the boi-ders. I wish we ha 1 ujore of tliem.'' The following anecdote, in regard to me:n- hers of the colony, illustrates the ur,i\-er.-al tendency of retaliatory mea-ures to increas ■ in gravity far beyond reason. In rebruaiy. 18-tl, a pig belonging to Mr. Ihilloek, an Austin landlord, found his way into tin,' stable of M. de Saligny, the French eliarge, aiie a ser\ant of the Frenchman slew the little animal, and in return for this the irate l.mdh'i-d horse- whipped tlie servant. Thereupoti Saligny complained, and Bullock was arrested and bound over to the next term of court. After- ward the landlord ordered the envoy oil' his premises. These indignities to French honor were not to be passed unnoticed by, and the Texas government, failing to give satisfac- tion, the French minister abandoned his post. A conciliatory letter fr(.m l're>ide:it lliniston sub.-eijuently healed the bre.-ieli and brought the testy Frenchman baek. ()ei'asion8 as trirting as this have, in the history of tnan, been the initial j)oint of a .-er;e.> oi acts which terminated in war. '•The charaeter of' Leather-sti.ieking." " says Mrs. Holley, '-is not uucoinmon in Te.xas. IlIhTOllY OF TEXAS. Many persons employ an imlividual in the business of huiitincr in all its branches, and tliiis are constantly sufiplied with provisions of every description, even to egg"^, wloeh are furnished by the iniaiense numbers of wild fowl. These hunters are very profitable to their employers, and much cherished in the family, and often l)eoome spoiled by fucome somewhat decivilized (to coin a word), is substituted. The dress of these hunters is usnally of deer- skin; hence the appropriate name 'Leather- stocking.'" TUE EMPKKSARIO SYSTEM. After the Mexican province^ ha'l declared tliemscives fi'ee and sovereign, an 1 sniiject only to federation, a natioiial colonization law was adopted August 18, 1824, one ]iro\ision of which authorized the legi^latures of the different States to form colonization laws for the occupancy of the public domains within their respective territories, on terms that were not at variance with the fedeiai consti- tution. Accordingly, the newly -formed State of Coahuila and Texas, having organized its government, the legislature, on March 24, 1825, decreed such a law, one provision of which required, in order to people the land by the colony system, a certain number of families to be introduced within a given time, at tlie expense of the immigrants themselves. The particulars of the system were as follows, in brief: The empresario first presented a memoj'ial to the State Government asking for permission to colonize certain waste lands which were designated, as well as the number of families he proposed to inti'oduce. To atibrd ample choice to settlers, the tract designated and usually conceded by the gov- ernment was greatly in excess of the appro- priation to be finally made-; but after the establishment of the settlement and the com- pletion of the allotments of the colonists, ar.d the assignment of the "pi'emium land" to the empresario, all the surplus land re\'erttd to the State. The distribution of the allot- ments was under the control of a commis- sioner appointed by the State, l)ut he had power to make an assignment without the approval of the contractor. If the contractor failed to introduce the stipulated number of I'amiles within the term of six years, he lost his rights and privileges in pro- portion to the deficiency, and tjie contract was totally annulled if he had not succeeded in settling 100 families. Tiie premium giantcd to a contractor was five square leagues of graz- ing land and five laljores of tillage land fV)r each hundred families; bnt he could not ac- quire a premium on more than 800 families. (A square league was a tract of 5,000 x'ara? square, and contained 4,428 acres. A labor was 1,000 varas square, and contained 177 acres. Twenty-five laborcs were equal to one sltlo, and five sitios composed one hacienda ) Every family whose sole occupation was farming received 177 acres (one lahoi) of au-. ricultural land, and :f it engaged in stock- raising also a grazing tract sutficient to com plete a square league was added. Those families whose sole occup-ition was cattle raising received each a square league, less one labor (177 acres). An unmarried man received one-fourth of the above quantitv. The State government alone could increase the HISTORY OF TEXAS. i]nantitie? in proportion to tiie size ot'a faiiiilv and the industry and activity of the colonists. Eleven square leagues was the limit of land that coidd be owned by the same hands as prescribed hy the national colonization law. For each square leat;ue, or sitio, as it was denominated, the colonist ]iaid an emption sum of $30 to the State, S2,.10 for e:ich A/A"/- not irritable, and $3.50 tor each that was irri- gable; but tlie.-e jiaynients were not dema'uleil until after the exidration of six years from the time of settlrment, ami tlicn unly in three installments at long intervals. Couirai-tors and the military were exempt from this tax. Thus the terms oH'cred settlers wei-e very liberal, except that tiitiy required them to be of the Caiholic faith and gave prefei'ence to Mexicans. However, after the promuli;ation of the above laws an increased tide of imuii- gration set in fi'om the United States, and little or no rei^ard was paid to the religious character of tiie law. In a few years iicM''ly the whole of Texa-; was ])arceled out to em- presarios, though none fulfilled their conti-acts except Austin. Settlers, howevei', continued to come in and improve the lau I, manly from the United States, with the iuevital)le result, as aluiost any otie mii;'ht liave .•■een, of turning eventually the province of Texas into a nieuiber of the American LTnion. The population increased from 3,50lJ in 1821 to about 20,000 in 1830. EFFECT OF THE NEW IMMIORATfON ON TUE GOVERNMENT. 1-iy this time it began to become apparent that the old regime tif governmeut to which the Spaniards and Mexicms w&vn accusioiried, was obsolete, or " btdiind, the times." The new people iu Texas were of broader gau^e than the "old fou;ies " could iuiHiziue, and would not broiilc th" e\-ei'l istino- series of revolutions and connlev-revuliitions in which the Mexicans delighted. P.at before we pro- ceed with the causes of the .nnal revolution, let us glance at further rt his npinions. (xreat distance from the seat of the general government rendered loc d government more independent and ii'iespoiisilile, and corrupt rulers an almost nnlimiced opportunity to ex- ploit the interests of the peopkv Evei-y enormity was practici' I that enmity or covet- ousness suggested. Under a le-s oppressive government the province of C'oaliuila, with its fertile soil, its genial climate and exhilar- ating atmosphere, w<.iuld have beju all that man conM desire: but the incubus of com- mercial and agricultural monopoly presseil heavily on the land. Tlie prince merchants smothered development. Xo factories or invention stimulated industry. Primitive and crude methods continuei.l their C)ld and monotonous way along with lui h(jpe of (diaiige. Wine and brandy were about the luily ex- ports. Dut the inhabitants of Goahuila were almost exclusicely j)istord and .■igidcuitural. Here were to be found simplicity and insensi- bility to intrigue, untiring' industry and pa- tience under severe laljor, the endurance of HISTORY OF TEXAS. privations without tnurmur, and a deep-rooted love of liberty. Both the social ;md political morals of this rural population were of a higher standard than those of the inhabitants of the maiinfacturing and mining districts of New Spain. We need not follow here the political fortunes of CJoahnila, which were unimportant compared with those of Texas. TUK LABOR SrSTEM. While the jealous fears of the State gov- ernment that its liberal policy had overshot the mark became move and more confirmed, certain legislative acts, which it was expected would be corrective of past mistakes and pre- ventive of foreshadowed trouble, irritated the settlers. The slave laws of 1827 and the prohibitory one of 1829 respecting foreign merchants, caused greit offense. By decree of Septetnbcr 15, 1827, the constituent con- gress manifested its intention to acquire the HTadnal eniaucir)atiou of slaves already in- troduced. Town councils were ordered to keep a list of all slaves in their re^pective municipalities designating name, age, eex, etc. Sla\es whose owners hail no apparent heirs wei'e to become free immediately on the decease of their masters ; and on each change of ownership, even in the case of heirs im- mediately succeeding, one-tenth of the num- ber of slaves inherited was to be manumitted, the individuals being determined by lot. By another decree it was provided that any slave who wished to climge his master con Id do so, provided the new owner indemnified the toriner one for the cost of the slave according to the bill of sale. Although the colonists kept themselves aloof and were indifferent to Mexican legis- lation so long as their own immediate inter- ests were not attacked, their anger rose when a di:ect blow was struck at their prosperity. "Without ."lave-labor the colonization of Texas Would have been retarded many years, as nearly all the colonies were established by men of means from the old South, and knew no other way of managing business than by slave labor. The immigrants would have been limited exclusively to the class of labor- ing farmers who, by their own hands, would have reclaimed some small portions only of uncultivated wastes. No capitalist of that day, going to Texas, would have engaged in a ventnrc which would reduce him and his family to the condition of laborers. But the labor system of Mexico, long established, was not affected by this legislation in regard to African slaves. It was indeed far less ex- pensive than that of African slavery. The peon, or Mexican laborer, was in perpetual servitude, practically, although he did not bear the name of slave. He bound himself to his master by a written contract on enter- ing his service, and immediately became his debtor for money advanced, sometimes to tlie amount of a year's wages. The law did not permit an advance of more nujney than that. Rarely did the account with his employiu- .-how a balance in his favor. If he gavf offense, committed a fault or failed in the fullillment of his duties, confinenient, shackles or the lash could be meted out to him; and should he desert his master's service he could be reclaimed through the alcalde, who had authority to compel him to return and punish him; in short, he was never out of debt, aird therefore ever a bondman, with but little more liberty than a slave. His wages varied from one to three reales per day, providing for himself; and as his woi'king days were rebice'i by the numerous church holidays observed in Mexico to about 200, the average cost of a peon was about §50 a year. HISTORY OF TEXAS. Under this system it was not ditiii'ult for tlw Anglo-Americans to evade t!ie law pro- liibiting the further importation of slaves; and under the appellation of indentured ser- vants they continued to introduce them into Texas. The negroes were apprenticed for a term of ninety-nine years. Arguments were brought to bear upon the Me.xiean govern- ment, inducing it to make an exception in favor of Texas, under the law providing for tlie immediate manumission of slaves. KKLIGtOUS AND POI.ITICAL INTOLKR ANOE. In legislation, as might have been expected, there was acui'ious mixtiirc of wise measures witli unwise, the latter growing- out of the old prejudices, and but a dim foresight of modern requirements. The restrictions on the sovereignty of the jieople laid down in tlie constitution, tlie intolerance of any re- ligion but the Roman Catholic, and the ex- cessive tjower vested in the chief of the de- partment of Texas, were incompatible with free republicau institutions. In strong con- trast with the lilierality manifested in the State colonization law was the persecution to wliicli resident Spaniards were subjected. Ly a law, passed June 23, 1827, they were ex- cluded from all civil and ecclesiastical office^ until Spain should acknowledge the inde- pendence of Mexico; and, in Novemberof the same year, all Spaniards, e.xcept those domi- ciled in tlie State thirty years, were bainslied; travelers of that nationality could not remain more than three days in any town, e.xcept in case of sickness or other recognized impedi- ment; those who remained were required to piisent tliemselves monthly to the local au- thorities, and were forbidden to carry ai'i]is_ except those cus'omarily worn for pei'sonal defense; and a strict surveillance was kept over their conduct. During the invasion of Spanish forces in 1829. Coahuila and Texas displayed its patriotism by exacting a heavy forced loan from the resident S])aniards, while the property still remaining in the State of those who had fled to other countries was confiscated. Unmarried Spaniards and wid- owers without children were called upon for one-third of their capital; those who were married and without children, and widowers with only one child, for one-fifth; and those of both classes with more than one child, for one-eighth. EDUCATION in Coahuila and Texas was at an extremely low ebb. Only in the town of Saltillo was there a fixed appropriation for the main- tenance of a com moil schoolmaster, and that was a scanty one. The education of the chil- dren of servants to write was prevented, on the fear that on growing up they would want hio-her position than that of servitude. In 1820, the Congress endeavored to remedy this evil by enacting a law to establish schools of mutual instruction on the Lancasterian system, but the law did not establish the schools. In these schools were to be taught reailiug, writing, arithmetic, the dogmas of the Catholic religion and Ackerman's cat- echisms of arts and sciences, the teachei-s' salary lieing fixed at $800 a year. The next year another law was adopted, to establish primary schools on a similar plan, with a sim- ilar result. The people were indifferent to educational progress. Among the settlements of Austin's c(dony a few private schools were established, and, in 1829, the first Protestant Sunday-school in Texas was opened, at San Felipu de .\u-tin, by T. J. Pilgrim, of the Baptist Church. It was soon interrupted, 3H BISTORT OP TEXAS. liowever, wlieii fears wore excited liy a litiga- tion that the piil>i;e won Id i^eeognize it as a violation of the colonization law. In regard to religion, the Texas colonists at this early date had neither tlie opportunity nor inclination t^ practice it. A traveler there in 1831 says: "The people of this country seem to have forgotten that there is sucli a commandment as ' Remember the Sab- bath day to keep it holy.' This day is gen- erally spent in visiting, driving stock and breaking mustangs." Having furnished the required certificate of his Catholic faith, the Anglo-American eased his co^iscience by re- fraining from any practical expression of it. In other respects than these already men- tioned, as causing dissatisfaction between the State and the colonists, the government showed itself otherwise favorably disposed to- ward them. Hitherto they were left unmo- lested in the management of their internal affairs. In 1827 and 1828 parties were au- thorized to sink artesian wells, develop coal mines, navigate the Rio Grande by steam, etc. THE FINAL EEVOLUTION. The first indication of the approaching crisis which resulted in the revolution for in- dependence, was in 1826, when the Anglo- American element of the population began to resist oppression. The entering wedge is thus very carefully described in Bancroft's history. " Hayden Edwards, in 1825, after much trouble succeeded in obtaiiung from the Coa- huila and Texas government a contract to settle 800 families on lands sui'rounding Nacogdoches. Returning to the United States he sjiared no pains in endeavoring to fulfill his contract, at the same time inducing his brother, Major I'enjamin W. Edwards, to go to Texas and aid liim in establishing his colony. Eoote says that the latter visited Austin and had a long conversation with him on the subject of Texas colonization; that these two agreed that 'the firm establishment in this favored country of the institutions of civil and religious freedom, and the redemp- tion of a region from foreign rule which rightfully belonged to the United States, and of which they had been notoriously bereaved by fraudulent negotiations, was desirable and praeticible; but that they also agreeil that the colonies would have yet to suffer a great deal before they would lie strong enough to throw off the yoke.' It is difficult, however, to be- lieve that Austin exjjressed any idea that fraud had been practiced on the United States. " In October, 1825, Hayden Edwnrds re- turned to Texas and took up his residence at Nacogdoches. He soon discovered that he had difficulties to contend with that had never troubled Austin. Portions of the lands conceded to him were already occupied by Mexican settlers, some of whom had been driven from their homes after the destruction of Long's expedition, and had recently re- turned. Nacogdoches had again about 100 iuhabitants, and certain of the villainous class, formerly of the 'neutral grounds,' had taken up lands. These latter, without regarding Edwards with any particular aversion, were wholly averse to subordination; while the Mexicans, jealous of his authority and angry at an American being placed over them, showed marked symptoms of unfriendliness. Thei'e were, moreover, among them many turbulent and bad characters, and not a few i fugitives from justice. The result was that, HISTORY OF TEXAS. as Edwards' iinniiiria-it? ai-rived, tlie oolony was quickly di\i(lt'il into two hostile i'^irtions. Edwards did what he could to preserve order and maintain his authority, hut several meas- ures adopted hy him were tar from ]iolitie. The second article of liis contract provided that all possessions found in Nacogdoches and its vicinity', supported by the correspond- ing titles, should be respected; and that in case any of the ancient possessors should claim preservation of their rights, it was the empre.-ario's duty to comply therewith. This afforded a wide loop-hole through which to thrust in claims to the mo.^t valuable lands, and old title-deeds were diligently searched for or manufactured. " In order to ascertain the extent of these claims. Kdwarils, in November, 1825, calh (1 upon all persons holding such land titles to f)roduce them, in orsed that the |'e 'pie should elect an alcalde. With the election of tliis magistrate the more serious troubles began. Each party had its candidate for the office. Chaplin, Edwards' son-in law, was put for- ward by the American colon i^^ts, and Samuel Norris, devoted to Mexican interests, by their o|)j:)oiients. The election decided in favor of the former, who took poss-'ssion of the archives and entered upon the duties of the oflice. But Sepulveda, the out-going alcalde, and his party dispute] many of the votes as having been cast by settlers outside the limits of Edwards' gi-ant, though under the alcalde's jurisdiction. Accordingly they represented the matter to Saucedo, the political chief at j San Antonio. Already offended with Ed- wards, by reas(]n of a report sent in by the latter giving an account of his official acts, and which was not deemed sufficiently re- spectful, Sauce lo decided in favor of Norris, and instructed Sepulveda to install him by force of arni.s if any opposition was offered. No resistance wms made, however, and on the exhibition of Norris' commission Chaplin surrendei'ed up the archives of the office to him. "And now commenced a system of petty tyranny and invidious distinctions which ex- asperated the colonists. Aajericans, who had wrought improvements on their lands. Were ousted from them to give place to Mexi- cans, the favoi-ites of Sepulveda and the alcalde. A band of ' regulators' was formed, under th" command of James Gaines, the brother-ill law of is'orris; and, backed by these ruffians and the official support of Saucedo, the Mexican party domineered as they liked. Moreover, accusations against Edwards were made to the political chief, who did not conceal his hostility to the em- presai io." Ilayden E'l wards and his brother continued their endeavors to save their fortunes and people, but the Cherokee Indians, w'ho bad UltiTORT OF TEXAS. become tliuir allies, abandoned them, the Mexican governnient grew more violent, and even Austin opposed a ly effort at re'iilufioii at that time, and the Edwardses iu a few weeks altogether failed. Austin's colony continued to prosper. Austin hiniself, making himself a favorite of t,iie government, was even promoted in his political powers. Ohur colonies also pros- peieil to some extent. Alter the annulment of Edwards' contract, his territory was di- vided between David G. Burnett and Joseph Veblein, and immigrants continued to flow into that portion of Texas. Dewitt, although his first settlers were temporarily driven off' by Indiiins, had laid out tlie town of Gonzat- lez in 1825, naming it afiei' Rafael Gonzalez, a temporary governor of the State, and dur- ing 1827-'28 he succeeded in introducing considerable numbers of colonists. In De Leon's grant the town of Yictoria was founded, and La Bahia del Espiritu Santo had devtloped into a town of such apprecia- ble dimensions that in 1829 it was raised to the rank of a villa, and the high-sounding title of Goliad given to it. Filisola, in an endeavor to wrench an anagram out of Hi- dalgo's name, spelled the name Golhiad. On the Brazos a flourishing settlement called Brazoria bad also sprung up. However, the experience which the Mexi- can government liad with the Fredonians (Edwards' colonists) caused them to be more watchful of the movements of American im- migrants. Under the liberal and non-ag- gressive policy of Guerrero the colonists were left pretty much to themselves, and he evfin aided them in the abolition of slavei'y. But when he was overthrown, in December, 1829, and Bustamante seized the helm of government, the sleeping tip-er of Mexican suspicion and lielligerency aruse and showed his teeth. And at this time it required but little foresiglit to see that the increasing Amei'ican element within the domain of Ti'xas woidd ere long attempt to '■ slip the leash;" for even the government of the LTnited Stages, and more es]iecially the ex- pressions of many leading men within the Union, were indicative of a general move on our piirt to take a band in the separation of Texas from Mexico; but before the tinal storm a preliminary gust made its appearance in the form of Te.\an independence as a sover cign republic. As Bancroft says: ''It was therel'ore natural that Mexico should entertain fears as to the future obedi- ence of the Texan colonists, and it was equally natural that the latter woidd not tamtly sub- mit to the imposition <.if fetters similar to those which the fathers of niost of them had helped to break. Yet in its sliortsightedne^s the government, under the despotic adminis- tration of Bustamanie, thought to obviate a probable but nut unavoidable contingency by adopting the very measures which were most calculated to provoke a spirit of antagonism." Lucas Alaman, the minister of relations under the new government, lias the credit (discredit) of inspiring the Mexican legisla- ture to make the fatal mistake of attempting to curb the designs of the United States by the exei-cise of oppressive measures against the Texan colonists. On February 8, 1830, he laid a memorial before Congress, in which with just reason he calls attention to the danger that Texas was exposed to of being absorbed by the northern republic, and to the carelessness wliich the government of the State of Coahuila and Texas had shown in its neglect to see that the colonization laws were properly carried out. He said that the orders provi. ling that no more thin the number of families designated in a contract should settle HIHTOHT OF TEXAS. on the corresponding grant, and that ccilonies near the boundary line should be composed of settlers, not natives, of the United States, had been without eifect; and he expatiated on the fact that a large number of intruders had taken possession of lands, especially near the frontier, without any pretension of satis- fying the formalities of the colonization laws. To preserve Texas to Mexico, he insisted that the Mexican po])ulosed to Santa Anna, was ousted by the Mexicans. By the end of August not a Mexican soldier remained in the Texan colonies, the victory over the I)i-adbnrn party was so complete. A troop of about seventy men was htatioued at San .Vntouio, scarcely a sufficient number to keep the Indians iu check in that vicinity. Peace was restored. This victory of the Texan colonists would have been far moi-e costly, if not indeed impossible of attainment, had there been no revolution going on beyond the Rio Grande. SErAEATlON OF TEXAS FKOM COAHUILA. On the formation of these two districts into one State, there was a proviso in the de- cree that when Texas possessed the necessary elements for a separate State, notice should be given Congress for its resolution on the matter. The Texans now (1832-"34) began to consider that the time for the separation had come, for their rapidly growing interests were not sufficiently recogniz-;d by the gen- eral government. Their representation in Congress was proportionally in the minority, and they were neglected in the more eager efforts to conserve the interests of Coahuila. The geographical position of the latter ex- cluded it from maritime trade, and its com- HISTORY OF TEXAS. merce was altogetlier internal, while Texas posset^sed great natural advantages for tlie development of an extensive comuiercial busi- ness with foreign countries. Also, in climate and industrial pursuits, the contrast was equally marked, and the productions were dissimilar. Pastoral and mining oc'cupations prevailed in (Joahuila, while Texas was essen- tially an agricultural country, and cotton, sugar and the cereals were cultivated with most flattering prospects. Texas also labored under the dita^lvantage of being much more remote from the higher courts, which gave the wealthier classes an undue advantage in litigation; and even in criminal cases justice was not so prompt or exact. Directly after the Mexican troops were all withdrawn from Texas in 1832, the colonists began to take measures to address the na- tional government on the sulg'ect of their as- pirations, namely, a greater recognition of their material interests and of more local government. In Octolier of this year a pre- liminary convention of delegates from differ- ent municipalities was liehl at iSan Felipe, and some discussion took place concerning the formation of a State constitution; but as sufficient notice had not been given and the attendance was slim, the convention adjourned without taking action. Their discussion, however, brought the matter seriously before the public, and wlieii the second convention assembled, April 1, 1833, it was prepared to accomplish the work assigned to it. At this convention were Stephen F. Austin, Branch T. Archer, David G. Burnett, Sam Houston, J. B. Miller and William II. Whar- ton, the last mentioned being the president of that body, A committee was appointed to draft a form of State constitution, and an- other committee was appointed to draw up a memorial petitioning the general government to grant a separation of Texas from Coahuila. Sam Iloustiin was app.ointed cliairinan ot the first, and David G.* Burnett of the -econd. The constitution drafted was thoroiighly republican in form, modeled on that of tlie United States. After much discussion it was concluded that banking should not be provided for by that constitution, and that the document should maintain absolute si- lence with reference to religious liberty. Such was the blighting power of Catholic influ- ence. The commii-sioners appointed to convey the petiiir>n for separation to the city of Mexico wei'c Stephen F. Austin, William II. Wharton and J. B. Miller; but Au.-tin was the only member wlio actually went there; and on arrival he found that city the scene of virulent party faction and political confu- sion. Affairs in Mexico liad been undergo- ing the customary vicissitudes and revul- sions. No more stability of principle was observable in Santa Anna than in Busta- mante. Both used the constitution of 1824: to push themselves into power, and then bmh cast it to the winds. By the end of 1832 tiiese two generals, after much bloodshed. came to terms, and agreed to unite in sup- port of the said constitution. March 30, 1883, Santa Anna was declared duly elected president of the Republic of Mexico, and Gomez Faiias, vice-president; and from this time on Santa Anna's course was remarkable for subtle intrigue for selfish purposes. He never appeared, however, as the principal actor, but always used other parties as cat's-paws for his own advance- ment. Dictatorial power was his highest ambition. Farias was the known champion of reform, and Santa Anna absented himseli from the capital to intrigue with bishops and religious orders, leaving his colleague at the HISTORY OF TEXAH. seat of powej- to inaiiotirate his new meas- ures, which lie (Santa Anna) knew would foment discord and io(U)und to the discomtit- ure of tlie instigator and ultimately to his own advaiicenieut. In less than three weeks after his inaucrur- ation as president, Santa Anna surrendered the office in orilei- to march with a military force airainst an insnrgent army near Tlal- pam, uiulur Duran. The petty complications that were soon l>rought upon the scene are too tedious to I'ehite here, and it was during litis state of affairs that Austin visited the capital, as mentioned above. The latter im- mediately laid his jietitioii liefore Congress, lint its attention was not sei'iously directed to it on account of the turbulent matters before them. Austin grew restless, and in October began to hasten matters. Urging immediate action before Farias, and saying that if some answer was not soon given the Texans would take their affairs into their own hands, the vice-president took offense, considering that Austin's expression was a threat. Austin, seeing the prospective delay, wrote to the city council of S.m Antonio, recommending that it obtain the concurrence of all other corporations in Texas in a scheme for sejiar- ation from Coahuila, with the hope that, un- der the provision of the general law of May 7, 1824:, a local government could be success- ftilly organize 1, even though the general gov- eminent should refuse its consent. The result of Austin's visit, after the war had been closed, was a respectful and honest effort to improve the legal facilities of the Texans, but it was believed by the convention assembled for the purpose that the time had not yet arrived for the erection of Texas into an independent State. But Austin, on his return trip to San Antonio, was arrested at Saltillo, by order of Farias, on account of the letter he had written to the S m Antonio council, and on .iCC ount of the hasty lano-uage used at the interview at tin; same time. lie was sent back to ^fcxico, and was in prison eight months, awaiting trial, with no opjior- tiinity, much fe-sed to have the kind- est fre.iugs toWrird the Texans, and he author- ized Austin to tell his people th;vt he was their friend, an 1 that he desired their pros [lerily; that he would do all he could tn prw- mnte it, and that in the new constitution he would use his i:iilueuce to have couditioii^ therein to give Texas a s]]e'ial orij.iMiz itiou, suited to tlieir elucation and habits. But Santa Anna could be no:hiug but tre.ichfrous, as the treatment of the people in that portion of the State occu])ied by his troojis hut ill ac- cord with his professions of go id will. Citi- zens were arrested, money forced from tliosi; who fell into the hands of the despot's min- ions, au'i communities strippe 1 of t.ieir arm-, the soldiers compelling families to sripport them, the attempt to disarm all citizens being a principal feature of tlie [)lanof suiijugation. Captai?! Castena do was sent to Go:iZides to seize a small cannon which had lieen given to the corporation for p"otecti(ju agai ist Indian-;. The citizens were unwilling to [)art with their gun, and prepared to resist the demand of Castenado, who had 150 soldiers to baekhim. A company was oi-ganized, which cipirged tlie Mexicans and put them to flight in disorder. The news of this conflict i-oused a warlike spirit in the Texans. A company was raifod to capture the Mexican garrison at; Goliad. Captain George Collingsworth led the party, and almost without firing a gun the exultant Texans made prisoners of the whole force, about twenty-five, including Colonel Sandoval, besides obtaining 300 stand of arms and mil- itary stores to the am iiint of §10,000. The Alexican fort at Li[iautitlan was also captui-eJ shortly after. Not only had Austin returned, Imt the noted Benjamin \l. Milam had escape I from Monterey and returiie I and joiue i the pati-ioi forces. Austiu, who was a born coranuinder, HISTORY OF TEXAS. was put in iinme liate coinmsiiid of the Texan forces on liis arrival at Gonzales, which was on the 11th of Octoher. The consnltation met October 16, 1835, but there being only thirty one nxeml)ers present an adjournment was made until Nov- ember 1. November 5 a preamljle and set of resolutions were adopted, in whicli the dec- laration was made that although they repu- diated Santa Anna and his despotic govern- ment, they yet clunj^ to the Constitntion of Mexico of 1824. On November 12 an ordi- nance was passed for the creation of a provis- ional governuieiit, with an executive council, to be composed of one member from each municipality. Henry Smith was made Gov- ernor, and James W. Robinson Lieutenant- Governor. Sam Houston, who, it will be noticed, had figured some little in Texas his- tory since 1832, was selected to command the army to be raised. General Cos, with 500 soldiers, landed at l*ass Gavallo,in September, 183eO,aiHl marched immediately to San Antonio, when he super- seded General Ugartechea. Austin, afttT reaching Gonzales, and effecting a reorganiza- tion of the volunteers, started for San An- tonio. He reached the Mission La Espada, nine miles below the city, on the 20th. On the 27th, after resting his men, he detachel the companies of Fannin and Bowie, ninety- two men, to ascen'l the river and if practic- able select a more suitable camping ground. Pannin spent that night in a bend of the San Antonio river, near the Conception mission. The point was well chosen, but the Mexicans looked UDon it as simply a trap to secure their game from, which was all they had to do. It was a natural fortification, but General Cos thouo-ht he had a sure thing of it; so he marched out ia tlie mornin>5 and male aii at- tack. The Mexicans surrounded their sup- posed prey, and the battle liegan. The Tex- ans with their dea'llv rifles plucked off all the gunners from the enemy's battery, as they came within range. A charge was made, or attempted, three separate times, but they were hurled back in confusion by the Texans, who remained masters of the field. Sixteen dead bodies were found near the abandoned cannon, which had been discharged but five times; so true was the aim of the riflemen that the Mexican gunners were shot before they could fii'e, in most cases. Tiiis was the first battle of the Revolution, and the loss of tlie Texans was one man — Richard Andrews. The Mexican loss was about sixtj', as every- one of the patriots who fired took aim and usually brought down his man. Austin, in October, moved up about half a mile, on the Alamo ditch, near the old mill, and next day tu within one mile east of the city. He had nearly 1,000 men, l)ut they were ill provided with ai'ms and ammunition of war, and with- out cannon. He was poorly pre|)ared to at- tack a larger force than his own in a strongly fortified city. He, however, ^ent to Gonzales for the cannon at that ])hn-e. Then came a number of skirmishes with the enemy and the capture of 300 horses by Kowie. The ex- ecutive or general council, in view of the lack of funds wherewith to provide the supplies, etc., so much needed at that time, sent Messrs. Austin, Archer and AVharton as Commission- ers to the United States, in order to ne- gotiate a loan of $1,000,000 in bonds of §^1,000 each, and the commander-in-chief was authorized to accept tlie services of 5,000 vol- unteers arui 1,200 regulars. Provision was also made for a navy. BATTLE OF SAN ANTONIO. The army encamped before San I\ ntonio was uiuler General Edward Rurleson Many HISTOBY OF TEXAS. lA the men had gone honi'% altlioiigli others were arriving daily; stid, (udy about half the original force rciidnoi. Tliere iKi<] heen al)Out 1,400 meii in llie camp'A at one time; 600 was the imniber on tlie Ist of l)e- eemlier, while Cos liad a uiuidi hii'ger force in the ("itj, and was e.\])ectiiig oOO more. Tlio.'-e additional tronps aii-ived in lime to take pai't in the defen.^e of the city. The dcfen-es hail I'Ceii put in or'ier and tlio old fortress of the Alamo on the east side of the river had been rejiaired and fortilied with cannon. The main plaza had l);'cn foriiiied and the stri-ets j barricaded, while tlie adobe house- in t!ie narrow streets afforded shelter for tlie i\[exi- can soldiers. Many of Burleson's ofncers, in consideration of these facts, were in favor of abandoning the siege. On the 2d of Decnm- her it was deciiled to nialve the attack. The force was paraded and a strong address v.as made by Colonel William II. Jack. A call was tlii.'n made volunteers, and 450 men, in- cluding the Xew (Orleans Grays, rebponded, the latter under the command of Major li.V. Noii'is. It was decided to make the attack next morning, although many considered ihe project as a hopeless on.e. But three citizens arrived in camp from the city and gave such encouraging news that the next moi-ning Colonel Milam suirge>ie i to Burleson to make the attempt wdule the enthusiasm jvas at its height. He agreed, and Alilam steiip-d in front of Burleson's tent and gave a l(.)uil ami I'inging huznuh^ which, together uiih Ids m;;gnetisni, arousel the whole camp. He .-aid he was giving into San Antonio, an 1 wanted volunteers to follow him. A ready respo}i>e was m ide, and the little binJ. f'oi-m- ing into two secdons and a.'comj) m eJ by two lield pieces, entered the town bv dilfereiit directions. A de.-ci-iplion of th s fa nous battle has so olten been yivcn that its ut, tails are almost like lionschold words to all Texans. The result was siifHi/.ient almost to place it in the category of one of the "decisive liattles of the world," for the result of a battle is what makes it great. Hundreds of battles have been fought where thousands on each side have been slain, and yet the result has been Till. This .sirge ami capture of the strongly protecteil city of San iVntoino de i'exar was all important to Texas. It gave the Mexicans to understand that not in num- bers alone consists the strength of an army. Here was a force of undiscijilined tVcr tiers- men, poorly armed and equipped, only a few hundred in nnuiber, attacdvitig a well organ- ized army of regular soldi rs, advancing into their very nddst and forcing them to sur- render. Tiie difference in apparent strength of the two forces and the result would appear ridiculous were it not so serious a niat:er. The S]iectacle of a general suidi as Cos .-eenied to be, surrendering to a few Texans, was a scene to he remembered iiy those who tool< part in the siege. But it is the ohi story ot the Anglii-Saxon again>t the licld. He is rarely ever the uniler dog in the fight at the finish. But, during the time the lighting men were doing such S]ilendid woi-k, the p(di- ticians were quarreling; nor are we lacking in a more " modern instance " or two, on both sides of Mason and Dixon's line. Goi'ernor Smith vetoed some matters that tlie council had voted, and the council promptly deposed him and placed Lieutenant-Governor Robin- son i-n the executive chair. Smith ludd the archives and clainu'd to be go\er!ior still, and there were consc([nently two governors at once; but that state of alfairs is not uncom- mon in these days. Much other legisla'ive matter of some interest at the time wa- 'rans- acted, but it is not now of supreme import- HISTORY OF TEXAS. aiice. The main historic facts is what the compiler wishes to eiupliasize in these pages. Several declarations of independence were adopted in different sections of the embryo State, bnt an election was held for delegates to a convention which met on the 1st of March, 1836, and on the second day a com- mittee was appointed to draft a declaration of independence, which was done, and it was iinanimoui-ly passed, Sam Houston offering the resolution that the report of the commit- tee be adopted. Ivicliard Ellis, for whom Ellis county was named, was president of the convention. A constitution was also framed which was adopted Marcli 17, and a govern- ment ad interim inaugurated: David G. Burnett, President; Lorenzo de Zavala, Vice- president, and Sam Houston, Commander-in- Chief of the army in the field. Zacatecas, and tiie district over which Gov- ernor Garcia still hail nominal sway, the re- maining portion of old Mexico wherein the Republicans held out the longest, at last fell, Santa Anna having gained a complete vic- tory over the fijrces of the governor. Tijis swept away the last vestige of the liepnblican party in Mexico. Yet Texas was not only holding her own, bnt gaining strength with every day; so Santa Anna determined to sub- jugate this State. He proposed to send two columns into the pi-ovince, General Urrea be- ing ordered to Matamoras to take one di\i- sion along the coast to Goliad and Victoria, wliile the president himself, with the main division, would take tlie province by way of Presidio, thence to San Antonio and San Fe- lipe. THE AI.AMO. In January, 1836, Santa Anna reached Saltilio, and Guerrero by the loth of Febru- ary. From the latter place he wrote to Sefior Tornel, Minister of War, giving that official an outline of his plans in reference to Te.vas, which were ''to drive from the prov- ince all who had taken part in the revolu- tion, together M'ith all the foreigners wlio lived near the sea-coast, or the borders of the United States; to remove far into the interior tliose who had not taken part in the revolu- tion; to vacate all lands and grants of lands owned by non-residents; to remove from Texas all who had come to the province and were not entei'ed as colonists under Mexican rules; to divide among the officers and sol- diers of the army the best lands, provided they would occupy them; to permit no Anglo-American to settle in Texas; to sell the remaining vacant lands at $1 per acre, allowing those speaking the French language to purchase 5,000,000 acres, those speakino- English the same, and those speaking Spanish without limit; to satisfy the claims of civilized Indians; to make the Texans pay the expense of the war; and to liberate and to declare free the negroes introduced into the colony." And further, to cut off from Texas the hope of aid from the United States, the Minister of War, Tornel, issued a general order to all commanders to treat all foreigners (volunteers from tlie United States) as outlaws, to show no quarter, and slay them when taken as prisoners, — in short, to take no prisoners alive. Colmel Ti-avis, with 145 men, who was in the vicinity of San An- tonio, on the appi'oach of the in\'ading army, retired to the fortress of the Alanjo, on the east side of the river. And just here a description of this famous fortre-s, tlie Alamo, and its armament, will be in place; and altb.nigli it has oflen been de- scribe'l, yet the memories surrounding it, glorious thougli sad, eauootbe kept too liesh in the mindj of all who love supreme hero- HISroUY OF TEXAS. ism, — the Spartan lieroisin as shown by Travis and liis little hand. '-The main chapel is 75x62 feot, walls ol' solid masoniy, four feet thick and tw-enty-two and a half feet high, roofless at the time of the siege. It fronts to the west toward the city, one- half mile distant. From the noi'thwest cor- ner a wall extended fifty feet to the convent building. The convent was a two-sti)ry building, with a flat roof, 186x18 feet. From the northeast corner of the chapel a wall extended 186 feet north, thence 102 feet west to the convent, inclosing the convent yard. From the southwest corner of tlie chapel a strongly built stockade extended 75 feet to a building called the prison. The prison was one-story, 115 x 17 fVet, and joined a part of the south wall of the main Alamo plaza, of which the convent formed a part of the east wall; and some low buildinofs, used as a barracks, formed a part of the west wall. The main plaza, inclosed with walls, was 154x54 yards. The different enclos- ures occupied between two and three acres, — ample ace-omodations for 1,000 men. The outer walls were two and a half feet thick and eight feet high, though as they were planned against the Indians the fortress was destitute of salient and dominant points in case of a bombardment. A ditch, used for irrigation, passed immediately in the rear of the church; another ti inched tlie northwest angle of the main square. The armament was as follows: three heavy guns, planted upon the walls of the church, — one pointing north, toward the old mill ; one west, toward the city; and one south, toward the village of Lavalleta. Two guns protected the stockade between the church and the prison; two pro- tected the prison, and an eighteen-pounder was planted at the southwest angle of the main square; a twelve-pound cannon pro- ti'cte 1 the center of the west wall, and an eight |Miunder was planted on the northwest angle; two guns were plaiUel on the north wall of the plaza, — in all, biurleen in posi- tion. Over the (.•hurcli fhntfd the ihig of the provisional governinent of Texas, the Mexi- can tri-eolor, with the numerals 18:i-l, in place of the eagle in the white stripe." Tlie siege bi'gan on the ;Jod of February, and so stubbornly did Travis and his men re- sist the furious onslaughts of the Mexicans that not until Sunday, March 0, did the fail of the Alamo occur, an account of which, briefly told, will here be given: Tiic 'dexi- cans advanced to the attack at ahout four o'clock in the morning, but the Texans were ready, and poured upon the advancing col- umns a shower of grape and musket a ,d rifle balls. Santa Anna was watching' the opera- tions from behind a building alxjut -jt)!) yards south of the church. Twice the assailants reeled and fell back in dismay, liallied again by the hrave Coslrellon (who fell at San Ja cinto), according to Filis.ila, the columns of the western and eastern attacks meeting with some difficulty in i-eaching the tops of tlie small houses forming the wall of the fort, did, by a simultaneous movement to the rio-lit and to the left, swing northward until the three colums formed one dense mass, which under the guidance of their ofHcers finally succeeded in effecting an entrance into the enclosed yard. About the same time the column on the south made a breach in the wall and captured one of the guns. This gun, the eighteen-pounder, was immeiliately turned upon the convent, to which some of the Mexicans had retreated. The cannonade on the center of the west wall was still manned by the Texans, and did feartnl execution upon the Mexicans who had ventured into the yard. niHTOHr OF TEXAS. But the feeble garrison e(jul(l notion:; bold out ayai'ist siu-h overwhelming niiiubers. Tiavis tell early in the action, shot with a rifle bull in the head. After being shot he had jiiitlicient strength to kill a Mexican who at- tenipltd to spear him. The bodies of most of the Te.xans were found in the buildings, where hand-to-hand fights took place. The body of Crockett, however, was in the yard, with a number of dead Mexicans lying near hiiM. Bo vie was slain in his bed, anil it is said that lie killeil three Mexicans witii his pi-tiils before they i-eached him after break- ing in the door. The church was the last place entered by the foe. It had been agreed that when resistance seemed useless, and suspecting their fate, any surviving Texan should b!ow up the magazine. Major Evans, it is said, was performing this sad dnty when he was killed in time to prevent the explo- sion. Several Texans appealed to their in- huii'an eai)tors for quarters, but they were cut down without mercy. The butchery -was complete; not a Texan soldier was spared! Two ladies and a negro servant wore the only occunants who remained to tell the tale of the Alamo. Lieutenant Dickinson attetnpted to escape with a child on his back, but their bodies fell, riddled with bullets. 180 bodies of the Texans were collected together and partially buried. The Mexicans lost twice that number. TOE ALAMO MONUltENT. At the entrance to the State house at Aus- tin, a tine monument has been erected in memory of tlie extraordinary hei'oism of the Texans who fell in tlie battle and massacre of March 6, 1836. On the four sides of the pedestal are the names of Travis, Crockett, Bowie and Bonham. On the north front of the shaft is the following inscription: To the God of the Fearless and Free is Dedicated this Altar, made from tlie ruins of the Alamo; on the west front. Blood of Heroes Ilatli Stained me: Let the Stones of the Alamo Speak, that their Immolation be not forgot- ten; on the south front, Be They Enrolled with Leonidas in the Host of the Mighty Dead; and on t!:e east. Thermo|)yl£e had her Messenger of Defeat; but the Alamo had None. The following natnes are inscribed upon the nortli and south fronts: M. An try, R. Allen, M. Andress, Ayi'es, Anderson, W. Blazeby, J. B. Bowman, Baker, S. C. Blair, Blair, Brown, Bo win, ■Balentine, J. J. Baugh, Bnrnell, Butler, J. Baker, Burns, Bailey, J. Beard, Bailess, Bourn, It. Cunningham, J. Clark, J. Cane, Cloud, S. Crawford, Gary, W. Cummings, K. Crossan, Cocki'an, G. W. Cottle, J. Dust, J. Dillard, A. Dickinson, C. De-palier, L. DavcU, J. C. Day, J. Dickens, Do vault. W. Diardnff, J. Evi iiig, T. K. Evans, D. Floyd, J. Flanders, "W. Fishbangh, Forsyth, G. Fuga, J. C. Gooijrich, C. Grimes, J. George, J. Gaston, J. C. Garrett, Gwyn, J. F. Garwin, Gill more. UISTORT OF TEXAS. Pelone, Sewall, Wm. Lij^-iilfoot, Wm. G. Nelson, 0. Parker, A. Smith, J. Lonly^ C. Ostiner, N. Pollard, Simpson, J. M. Tliruston, L. J. Wilson, G- Paggan, S. Robinson, R. Star, Valentine, Warner, Starn, Williamson, D. Wilson, Redileiisoii, K. Sntlierland, Walsh, Washington, N. Rough, Rusk, W. Summers, AV. Wells, C. Wright, J. Summeiline, R. White, J. Washington, RoLbins, Thoniuson, T. Waters, Warnall, W. Smith, 1 Tomlinson, J. White, D. Wilson, Sea rs, E. Taylor, ) J. Wilson, A. Wolf. C. Smith, G. Taylor, \ !!ro£., It is greatly to he regretted that a com- Stockton, J. Tavh.r, •■ ' / jileie and correct list of the names of those Stewiirt, W. Taylor, who IVil at the Alamo, with some biograplii- A. Siiiith, ThurnttronLdy iruarded to save liim from tlie veiii'.'aiice of many a grizzled Texan. Nut conttnt with these butclieries. S.iiita Anna, tliinkiiiLi; tiat the cotiqneBt of Texas was eoinplete, gave or- ders to his snbiirifiiiates to shoot ail prison- ers, he himself making preparations to retii'o to the capital. Bnt when lie iieard that a considerable army iimler Houston was still in the field, he, at the solicitation of Almonte and Filisola, concluded to remain and com- plete his work. 8AN JACINTO. General Houston had heon re-elected com- mander-in-chief of the army, and had g^ine to Gonzales, with the intention of re-urganiz- ing the forcts, in which he had gieat diiti- culty, for the fate of Travis and Fannin and their men caused a great panic when the news became known. Uesides, thirty-two of the citizen soldiers of Gonzales, who had en- tered the Alamo the night before the battle, were slain, leaving a dozen or more families of that town without a head. A number of desertions also occurred, and the alarm was, indeed, widespread. Then came some move- ments on the part of General Houston that causeil great criticism of his actidus. There was not a \'ery considerable co'vliality between the commander and the newly inaugurated president, and. in an order to the former from the latter these words were added: "The enemy are laughing you to scorn. You must tight them. You must retreat no fui-ther- The country expects you to light. The salva- tion of the country depends on your doing 80." The Confederate as well as the Federal generals during the late war, had their ciitics at their respective seats of guvernment, yet the na^nesof Houston, Lee and (irant live on; but w liL-i'e ai'e tlii^y, who were they, who sought to teach those greit soMiers? The battle of San Jacinto was the response of the great Texan to his oIliL-ial, not to say officious supei-ior. And the best report of that decisive battle is cont:an>'(l in the otlieial report of the commander, who, by that one blow to Mexico, secured the independence of Texas, the an- nexation of our great State to the greatest nation on earth, and tinally led to the acqui- sition of the vast iiifei'ior region stretching from the Kio Grande to the Facitic ocean: " IInADyUARrKUS OF THE AkJIY, 1 ■'San Jacinto, April 25, 183tj. J " To Wis Excc'lh-ncij, D. G. Burnktt, J'/rKiiIciit iif the Rt'2)uhUc of Texas. • ^'- Sir: — 1 iTgiet extremely that my situa- tion since the b:ittie of the 21st has been such as to prevent my rendering you my official report of the same previous to this time. "1 have the lion')r to inform you that on the evening of the 18th instant, after a forced march of tifty-tive miles, which was effected in two days and a half, the army arrived op- posite Ilarrisburg. That evening a courier of the enemy was taken, from whom I learned that General Santa Anna, with one division of his choice troops, had marched in the di- rection of Lynch's Ferry, on the San Jacinto, burning Harrisburg as he passed down. The army w'as ordered to be in readiness to march early on the next morning. The main body effected a crossing over Buffalo bayou, below Uarrisbui'g, on the morning of the 19th, hav- ing left the baggage, the sick, and a sufficient camp guard in the rear. We continued the march throughout the night, making but one halt on the piairie for a short tiine, and with- out refreshment. At daylight we resumed the line of march, and in a short distance our scouts encountered those of the enemy, and HISTOBT OF TEXAS. we received information that General Santa Anna was at JSTew Wasliiiii^ton, and would tliat day take up the line of march for Ana- hiiac, crossing at Lynch's Ferry. The Texan army halted witldn a half mile of the ferry, in some timber, and were engaujed in slangh- tering beeves, when the army of Santa Anna >Tas discovered to be in battle array, having !ieen encamped at Clopper's Point, eight miles below. "Disposition was immediately made of our forces, and preparations for his recep- tion. He took a position with his infantry and artillery in the center, occupying an isl- and of timber, his cavalry covering the left flank. Tlie artillery, consisting of one double- fortified medium brass twelve-pounder, then opened on our encampment. The infantry in column advanced with the design of charging our lines, but were repulsed with a discharge of grape and canister from our artillery, con- sisting of two six-pounders. The enemy had occupied a piece of timber within rifle shot of the left wing of our army, from which an occasional interchange of small arms took place between the troops, until the enemy withdrew to a position on the bank of the San Jacinto, about three-quarters of a mile from our encampment, and comnaenced forti. tication. A short time before sunset our mounted men, about eighty-five in number, under the special comniand of Colonel Sher- man, marched out for the purpose of reeon- noitering the enemy. Whilst advancing they received a volley from the left of the enemy's infantry, and after a short renconter with their cavalry, in which ours acted extremely well, and performed some feats of daring chivalry, the}' retired in good order, having had two men severely wounded and several horses killed. In the meantime the infantry under the command of Liuutenant-L'olonel Millard, and Colonel Bxirlesoti's regiment, with the artillery, had marched out for the purpose of covering the retreat of the cav- alry, if necessai-y. "All these fell back in good order to our encampment about sunset, and remaii:cd with- out any ostensible action until tiie 21st, at half-past three o'clock, taking tlie first refresh- ments which they had enjoyed for two days. The enemy ifi the meantime extended the riglit flank of their infantry so as to occupy the extreme point of a skirt of timber on the bank of tlie San Jacinto, and secured their left by a fortilication about fi\-e feet high, constructed of packs and baggage, leaving an opening in the center of their breastwork, in Vihich theii' artillery was placed, their cavalry on their left wing. About nine o'clock on the morn- ing of the 21st, the enemy were reinforced by 500 choice tri.'ops, under the command of General Cos, increasing their effective foi-ce to upward of 1,500 men, whilst our aggre- gate force for the field numbered 783. At half- past three o'clock in the evening I or- dered the officers of the Texan army to parade their respective commands, having in the meantime ordei'cd the bridge on the only road communicating with Brazos, distant eight miles from our encampment, to be destroyed, thus cutting off any possibility of escape. Our troops paraded wdth alacrity and spirit, and were anxious for the contest. Their con- scious disparity in number seemed oidy to increase their entliusiasm and confidence, and heightened their anxiety for the conflict. Our situation afforded me an opportunity of mak- ing the arrangements for the attack, without exposing our designs to the enemy. The flrst regiment, commanded by Colonel Burleson, was assigned the center. The sec- (uid regiment, under the command of Colonel Sherman, formed the left wing of the army. HISTOBT OP TEXAS. 57 'J'lie artillery, iinilei- t^ptcial cuiniiiaiid of ('i)lonel George AV. Hockley, Iiispee.tor-Gen- cral, was placed on the right of the first reiji- inciit; and tour companies of infantry, under tlie coiinnand of Lieuteiiant-Cohmel Henry ^fiUard, sustained the artillery upon the right. ' )iir cavalry, sixty-