':,>^ .//;;/'^\. .c^"..-;:'";:.^ ./^•;'''•;^'^>. y c°'-^4'>o /\c;^/\ co'.^a;<>o o^^\c;^.\ c°'.i^'^>o . »5°. ,0-" ,^^ >. • -^"^ -^^ ... <' * * ' A •^^ ■ '^ .^^ y^/m^' k' "^ i,"^ 3.0 -r. ^'% l^^^' .:>i^r. ^K >' (? CONTENTS. THE STATE OK TEXAS. Genkkai. Poi.iticai, History: The Name " Texas " 9 Topography 9 Discovery 13 Texas Unknown Until Recently 13 Catholic Missions 17 New Civilization 18 Philip Nolan 18 Political Changes 21 The "Pirate of the Gulf" 25 Political Changes, continued 26 The Au>tins 29 Austin's Colony 31 The Euipresario 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 53 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 Location of the Capital 71 Recognition of Texas by Foreign Powers.. 73 Lamar's and Houston's Administrations. . 73 Mexican War 74 "Moderators" 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 County 103 General Reflections 104 Governors of Texas, List 105 Biographical Notices 106 Education 129 Other State Institutions 142 Religion 146 The Press 147 Railroads 147 Mineral Resources 149 Agriculture 187 Climate 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 COA'TEA'TS. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Adams, J. R.. Akard, B. W.. Albright, F. E Albrifi-ht. G. P Alford, Ed L. . Armstrong-, Eltnon Armstrong-, O. W. Arnold, Price Atwell, L. H Ayres, B. P Bailey, B. R Bailey, O. L Baker, J. A Barthold, Charles. Beall, E. J Bean, F. G Bell, A. E Bell, R. E Benbrook, J. M. . . Bidwell, B. G Billington, J. A.. Bissell, F. E Boaz, Richard Boaz, W. J Boaz, Z Boicourt, G. W.... Brantly, F. M Brewer. W. P Brownfield. J. C. Bryce, William... Burbridge, T. B... Burchill, Mrs. Burgess, J. W Burgess. L. C Burke, F. M. . . M ..426 ..354 .397 ..534 ..583 ..456 . .638 ..617 . .399 ..271 Caffee, J. H 614 Calloway, Hiram 507 Campbell, Wm. C 605 Capps, E. D 468 Carder, J. W 632 Carnahan, J. B 648 Carr, Wm. H 476 Carter, A. M 300 Cate, James 545 Cella, John C 629 Chambers, Rufus 48'i Chew, William 463 Childers, J. A 603 Chiles, F. W 628 Christian, L. W 589 Clark, S. P S51 Clements, J. T 356 Clingman. Adam, Coleman. D. R... Collins, T. B Cooper, J. D Couts, J. R Cravens, M. H. . . Darrah. R. K 279 Davis, W. W 575 Davis, Wm. H 361 Daws, S.O 4.=;2 Dillon, M 334 Drake, C. C 382 Durringer, W. A 333 Eagle. Mrs. E. A 587 Earl, Archibald 522 Earle, Jefferson 474 East. Joel 487 Eastman, J. H 5.=;9 Edwards, C. O 631 Elliott, J. A 310 Elliott, -T. M 509 Elliott, Wm. F 272 Elliston, Frank 500 Erwin. J. A 550 Essex. W.S 269 Enle.ss, E. A 424 Evans. E. S 639 Evans, Samuel 536 F Farmer. Jane 539 Field. J. H 254 Finger. Mrs. C 374 Fowler, Jcseph 580 Furman.H. M 593 Hard, J. J Harding, Enoch Haj-disty, Charles Hardisty, Johi Harris, W. D. Harrison, Join Harrison, Stua Harrison, Wm Harrison, Wm. M Hartnett, C. D.. Hartnett, D. D.. Hartnett, T. D.. Hays, S. W Henderson, J. M Henderson, J. F Hendricks, H. G Henry, B. C... Higbee. C. H.. Hightower. A. Hill, A. L Hood, R. R Hovenkamp, J. Hudson. H. M.. Hudson, J. D... Huffman, P. A. Huffman, W. A Humphreys, D. Hunter, L. H. . . Hurley, M. C. . . I Hutcheson, I. L I Hutchins, J. A. Ingram. J. C. Jarvis, J. J Johnson, G. W. Jones, Jesse.. . . Jones, L. W. . . . .526 .285 .510 .511 .368 .319 .524 .376 .319 .435 .323 .412 .613 .506 .391 .329 .581 / .286/ .546 .472 .656 .303 .465 .494 .345 .327 .447 .630 .263 .268 .636 Gantt, J. T Gause, G. L Gibson. T. L Goforth. J. L Gosney, T. J Grammer. R. B . Grant, G.W Green, A. A., Jr.. Green, A.M .479 .601 .624 .305 .505 .306 .567 .604 .375 Keller, E. K Kelly, J. W Kennedy, O. Kindel, R. ^ .337 .310 .312 .656 H Hackler, Troy 491 Hammack. J. W 308 Haney, N. B 454 Harcourt, J. T 297 Landers, J. H Lanham, S. W. T Lassiter, N. H. . . . Lattiraore. O. S . Levy, George P. Lewis, J. R Lilley, Charles H Linch, Calvin.. . Long, J. F Lowe, A. T Lusk, CD .503 .408 .599 .654 427 .420 .336 .606 .641 .493 CONTENTS. M Richards, J. M 283 Williams, H. W ..611 Richy, B. L 440 Witten, Thomas ..398 Maddox, J. H Roark, J. A 316 Wolfenberger, J. H ..449 Maddox, R. E 466 Woody, John ..445 Maddox, W. T 362 Robertson, L. P 280 Woody, William ..568 Magers, S Robinson, W. A 651 Wray, J. W ..403 Marlow, G. L 519 Wright, J. I ..640 Marshall, W. S *.392 Rogers, W. B 324 Wright, L. F ..323 Matlock, A. Iv Roy, J. C Wynne, R. M . .557 McConnell, H. B Rudd, Edward 294 Wythe, T. A ..436 McFall, W. C 620 McGehee. C. W 409 s Y McLean, J. B 426 Meeks, M. L, 372 Sandidge, J. Q 249 Yates, Sanford ..266 Melear, Z. T 588- Sawyer, B. F 332 Yeary, David ..461 Middleton, A.K 293 Scott, J. C 378 Young, J. B ..607 Milburn, Eliza J. .. 646 Scoit, J. J 414 Miller, Henry 353 Shaw, T. J 475 Z Miller, WmB 455 Silliman,C. H 274 Mims, Shadrach 298 Simmons, J. F 255 Zuru, J. F Mitchell, C. G 490 Simmons, J. H 586 Mitchell. J. H Mock, J. L 486 652 Simmons, W. E Sisk, Carey N 388 647 lEEUSTRATIONS. Montgomery, J. T... Morison, R. E 441 - 525 Slater, J. T Smith, H. T 60^ . Albright, F. E ..396 Murphy. W. T N Nichols, J. T Norwood, W. L Nugent, Joseph 496 464 480 517 Smith. J. P Spoont-s, M. A Stanley, F. B Starr, A. F Steinfeldt. H Stephens, I. W Stephens, J. T Stephenson, N Switzer, D. S 615 371 35> 433 411 389 543 621 385 Armstrong, B Austin, Stephen F.. Bell, R. E Carter, A. M Church of Alamo Church of the Concepcion. Church of San Juan Davis, W. W Drake, C. C Furman, H. M .. 29 ..470 ..301 .. 50 '.'. 17 ..574 ..383 ..592 O O-Gwin, J. W 394 P T Higbee, C. H ..287 Houston, Sam .. 55 347 Tarkington, B. C 405 Huffman, P. A ..342 Peacock, J. A Petit, J. C 629 499 Tate, W. E Thomas, H. E 432 311 Huffman, Mrs. P. A Huffman, W. A ..343 ..326 Peun, G. S 657 Thompson, H. J 585 Pickard. G. N 459 Thornton, W. A 627 Kennedy, Oliver S ..313 Pickard T. J 643 Tolliver, Joseph 307 Nugent, Joseph 596 Trigg, D. C Tucker, William B Turner, W. R V Vaughn, S 561 366 442 354 Nugent, Christina Petit, J. C Ruins near San Jose, etc.. Sandidge, J. Q Santa Anna before Genei Houston Scott, J. J ..498 Poe, Hence 481 . . 17 359 al Putman, J. J 626 .'.'416 Q VoUentine, I. P 352 Scott, Priscilla ..417 Silliman, C. H ..275 Quayle, A. M Spoonts, M. A ..370 R Wallace, F. R 256 Stanley, F. B ...3.50 Ward, W. H 431 State Capitol .. 71 Randle, E. B 393 Watson, J. A 649 Stephens, J. T ..542 Rea, W. M 349 Watson, J. H 252 Turner, W. R . 443 Reed, J. N 552 Wheeler. W. B 281 Ward, W. H ..430 Reutz, J. A 391 White, H. E 520 Wilcox, Frank ..528 Reynolds, J. G 578 Wilcox, Frank 529 Wilcox, Katie . .528 Rice, J. M 571 Willburn.E. CD 597 Wynne, R. M ..556 HISTORY OF TEXAS, THE State of Texas lias had a career so reuiarkalile that its study eneliants the reader like the bewitching s-tories and legends of England, or of any great European country. It is with pleasure, tliere- fore, that the antlior compiles the following brief account, giving the sni)stance of the best passages in the history of the Lone Star State: THE NAME "TEXAS." According to the various authorities, there are several origins to tiie name Texa-s. 1, S| anish, tejas (ruof-tiles), becau^e the inhab- itants had roofed houses; 2, old Spanish or Celtiberian, denoting a plain; 3, an Indian word signifying friend; 4, another Indian word meaning paradise, or a beautiful land; 5, a common termination of several tribal names in Indian, as Tlaxcaltecas, ChloluteL-as, Cuitlachtecas, Zacatecas, etc. TorotiRAniT. 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 274,366 square miles, equal to about 8.7 per cent, of the entire area of the U niteil States and Territories. It is m iich the largest State in the Union, being six times laiger than New York and seven times as large as Ohio, and 100,000 s-quare miles larger than all the Eastern and Mnidle States, including Delaware and Maryland. Compa'-ed to the contitries of Europe, it has 34,000 sqtiare miles more than the Austrian Empire, 62,000 more than the German Em]iire. and nearly 70,000 square miles more than France. It is located in the extreme southern part of the United States, between the 26tli and 36th parallels of north latitude and the 94th and 106th meridians of longitude. The distance between the extreme northern and southern points ie nearly 750 miles, an 1 about 800 miles from east to west. It is bounded on the east by the State of Louisi- ana, west by the Republic of Mexico and the Territory of JSew Mexico, north by the States of Colorado and Arkansas and the Imlian 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 west- ern Texas, though the dividing lines are not well defined. The topography, like many other charac- teristics of the Stafe, is but little underitood, except in a general way. The country lying east of the 96th degree of longitude and north of the 30ih parallel of latitude, and known as "East Texas," is characterized by a long range of hills running in an irregular line from northeast to south- west, and containing large deposits of brown hematite 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 thus described by Prof. Longhridge, of the United States Census Bureau: " The coast of Texas presents features dif- ferent from those of any other State, for while in many other States the mainland coast is greatly cut up into large bays, extending masy miles inland, it is here bordered by an almost continuous chain of islands and pen- insulas (tlie latter having the same trend as the islands). The (lulf border of this chain is a very regular line southwest from the mouth of the Sabine river or lake to near Cor- pus Christi, whicii occupies the highest point on the entire coast, and thence turns with a regular curve south and sliglitly 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 robing 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 noithwest. The watercourses and ravines are usually fringed with a growth of hack- berry, ash, elm, cottnuwood, 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 mcnntains of Mexico, JSew Mexico and Colorado. In the extreme northwest, bordering Kansas on the south and New ilexico on the west, is the elevated table land formerly known as the Llano Es- tacado, or Staked Plains. It is now desig- nated as the Panhandle of Texas, and is desiined to be one of the best agricultural and stock-raising sections of tiie State. On a line north of Austin atid San Antonio, and running in a southwesterly direction, there is alow range of hills that mark a change in the topography of the country. ^Ve^tward it is more broken anil the e'evations more abrupt. The valleys are broad and the lands vei-y fertile. The water 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 Brazos, which drains an area of about i35,000 square miles, and is navigable as far up as Columbia (about forty miles) at all times. It has its source in the northwestern part of the State, at the foot of the Staked Plains, and flows in an easterly direction to Baylor county, thence southeasterly to Brazoria county, wiiere 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, liobertson, 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 2/?U miles in extent, charged with mineral 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 gloiun; nor is thei'e any cypress BISTOHY OF TEXAS. to increase that effect on tlie iiiiiid. Where the land is of comparatively lecent formation, the growth is of willow and cottonwood, with occasional sycamores. The Brazos never oveiflows its banks. The water in primeval times was slightly redder than was tliat of the Upper Mississippi, re- sembling that of Ked river. From the cen- ter botli 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 ie of course violent and darkened with mud. The Red river is next in importance and forms the boundary line between Texas and tlie 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 the Texas side. The Colorado river rises in Dawson county, the highest point reached by any of its prongs, and flows in a southeasterly direction, I emptying into Matagorda Bay, on the Gulf of Mexico. The Concho, San Saba, and Llano rivers form its tributaries. It is over 900 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 Cham- bers county. It is about 550 miles long and drains an area of about 17,000 square miles. The Sabine river forms the eastern boun- dary of the State from the thirty-second j parallel of latitnde to the Gulf of Mexico, j and is navigable for about iJOO miles. It has i its source in Hunt county, 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. Tiie San Antonio river has its source in Bexar county and flows southeasterly to Re- fugio county, where it unites with tlie Gua- dalupe river about twelve miles north of San Antonio bay, into which it empties. Its principal tributaries are the Medina and Salado rivers, in 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.'hich 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 Canjeron county, where it empties into the Gulf of Mexico. It is navigable for small steamers for about 450 miles from the Gulf, and drains an ai'ea 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 Tec-OS river rises in New Mexico, on the cast slope of the Kocky mountains, flows tlirongli Texas in a southeasterly dirt'ction to a point near Painted Cave Spring, in Crockett c-oiinty, where it empties into the Rio Grande. It drains an area of ahont G.OOO square miles. The Neelies river has its source in Van Zandt county and runs in a southeasterly di- rection parallel witli the Trinity river, empty- ing into Sabine lake on the Gulf of Mexico. The Angelina river, which rises in Jiusk county, forms its principal tributary, and, to- gether with the Neclies, 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 Denipsy, 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 within twelve miles of its month, 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 brancii of the Colorado, constituting atiother mouth for that stream. The bed of the creek is of equal depth and width with tlie 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. Tlius vas an island formed with a coast line of twenty-five miles. It is now called Bay prairie. There are a large number of small inland lakes scattered throughout the State. Sal)ine lake, lying between Texas and Louisiana, is the largest of these and is about eighteen miles lung by nine broad. It is fed by tiie Neches and Sabine rivers and discharges into the Gulf of Mexico. All of tlio principal rivers of the State flow in a soutlie.isterly direction and empty into the Gulf of Mexico, except the Rei 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 running. 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 minerals and brackish to the taste. The streams in eastern Texas also contain large numbers of fish of the varieties com- mon to sluggish waters. Some of the smaller streams in that section, hovever, are fed from the springs and lake^ of pure, clear water found among the sand hills The bays along and near the Gulf coast are; Trinity, Lavaca, Matagorda, San Anto- nio, Espiritu Sinto, Copano, Aransas, Nue- ces, Corpus Christi, Alazan, and Laguna del Mad re. The soil of Texas and its products, timber growth, mineral resources, etc., are treated on subsequent pages. The figures in the following table denqte the elevation above sea level, in feet, of points named: Galveston 40 Imiiancila 2(5 Brownsville 43 HISTORY OF TEXAS. 18 Palestine 495 Corsicana 4-i8 Denison 767 Austin 513 San Antonio (376 Fort E.vell 200 Fort Cl:a(lljruine 2 L20 Jacksboro 1,133 rienri.tta 915 Fort C-iicho 1,888 Fort Stockton 3,050 El Paso 3,370 Fort Davis 4,918 Eagle Pa-s 800 Fort Elliutt 2,500 Silver Falls 3,800 Midland 2,779 DISCOVEKY OF THE REGION. Robert Cavalier de la Salle, the noted Frtnch explorer of the Mississippi valley, etc., came down the Mississippi river in 1083, and returned to France. In 1685, hav- ing obtained royal letters patent, and pro- vided with four vessels, he set sail to discover the month of the great Father of Waters, but, drifting too far west, he landed in Texas, supposing Matagorda bay to be the point he was looking for. After exploring the country he conceived the bold project of traversing th3 country northward to the Illinois river, a distance of 2,000 miles. Selecting a few of his friends, he started, but on March 20, 1687, fell a victim to the treachery of his own men. He was slain by a musket ball tired by Duhaut, who had became 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 impossible to identify tiie ex- act point. It "was several days' journey west of the Cenis Indians," whose dwellings at that 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 liis manners, a tone of lofty self-reliance, which, though it commanded the obedience of his followers, did not gain their good will. On the otlier hand, his capacity for huge de- signs has had few parallels. He lias been called the Columbus of his age; and had his success been equal to his ability, this distinc- tion might justly Jiave been awarded liiin. 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." TliXAS COMPARATIVELY UNKNOWN UNTIL EE- 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 Eng- landers have encountered all the hardships and hazards of the western desert, the Rocky mountains and hostile Indians, to find a home at tlie mouth of the ColuniLiia river, this most inviting region, lying just at their doors, has been altogether overlooked. HIST0H7 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 be:uity, exceeding even our be^t Western lands in productiveness, with a cli- mate perfectly salubrious and of a tempera- ture at all seasons of the year most delightful. The admirers of this new country, speaking from actual knowledge and a personal in- spection, are not content, in their descriptions of it, to make use of ordinary terms of com- mendation. They hesitate not to call it a splendid country, an enchanting spot. It would seem as if enchantment had indeed thrown its spell over their minds, for with very few exceptions all who return from this fairy laud are perfect enthusiasts in their ad- miration of it. Whatever qualifications to its excellence the most cautious of them are disposed to make, have reference to those in- conveniences which unavoidably pertain to every country in the incipient stage of its •settlement. " So apparently extravagant have been the representations of the natural beauty and resources of this country, that many persons are incredulous and attribute them to the schemes of interested contractors, eager to allure the unwary emigrant by deceptive statements. Such a motive, if it really actu- ates the conduct of any one, cannot be too severely condemned. A design more crimi- nal and disgraceful cannot be, and ought not to be, lightly insinuated against respectable men. What design more cruel than that of deliberately seducing, not the confiding emi- grant alone, but also with him his wife and children, to become the certain victims of privation, disappointment and ultimate ruin in the wilderness! The character and re- spectability of the witnesses above referred to at once repel an insinuation so atrocious. " While listening for the tirst time to the favorable reports of Texas, it must be con- fessed a suspicion is very apt to arise in the mind that so much imputed excellence, if it really existed, could nut have so long been concealed from the view of the world, and we are prone to ask, how has it happened that a territory, possessing sucii uncommon advan- tage of climate and soil, has not been explored and appropriated before? To this very natural inquiry a satisfactory answer is at hand. " Two causes seem to have operated to pre- vent the earlier settlement of the province of Texas and to retard the development of its resources. In the first place the jealous pol- icy of the old Spanish government uniformly discouraged all attempts to penetrate into the country. It was the policy of the gov- ernment that completely locked up Texas and all the Spanish-American possessions, and excluded even visitors and travelers. It was a favorite saying of the Spanish captain gen eral of the internal provinces, Don Nemisio Salcedo, that he would stop the birds from flying over the boundary line between Texas and the United States it it were in his power! This rigid policy prevented any one from at- tempting to explore the country by land, for perpetual imprisonment was the inevitable result of detection and capture. " In the second place, the Carancahua In- dians, who inhabited the coast, were repre- sented to be of a character uncommonly ferocious. They were popularly believed to be cannibals; and many tales of most fright- ful import were told of them,— such as, if true, it must be acknowledged, were suf- ficiently appalling to check the enterprise and damp the ardor of the most eager adven- turer. These represcntatiunsof the character of the Carancahuas,tli(>nt;h in a measure true, were greatly exaggerated; and it is believed HISTORY OF TEXAS. l)y many that tliey were eitlier faln-icated, or at least countenanced, by the Spanish authori- ties, to prevent intercourse witli the province, wiiich it was not easy to guard by a military for' e. "Thus, the whole of this country remained for ages unknown to the world ; and ir.stead of being converted into an abode of industrious :in(l liappy t'reemeii, as it mij^lit have been, it was doomed by tiie seltisliness of men to continue a howling wilderness. JSTo maps, charts or gengraphical notices were ever al- lowed by the Spaniards to betaken of it. The map compiled by Colonel Austin and pub- lished by Tanner, is the lirst and correct geo- graphical intbrination of the country that has ever been publi^ied. The persons who were engaged iu the expeditions under Generals Bei-nardo, Gutierrez and Toledo, in 1812-'13, knew iiuthing of Texas except along 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 long this expensive and valuable land would have remained unknown ana unsettled had not the bold enterprise and perseverance of the Austins torn away the veil that hid it from the view of the world and redeemed it from the wilderness, by the settlement of a flourishing colony of North Americans on the Brazos and Colorado rivers. AVith the settlement of this colony a new era has dawned upon Texas. The natural riches of this beautiful province have begun to be unfolded, and its charms displayed to the eyes of admiring adventurers. A new island, as it were, has been discovered in these latter days at our very doors, apija>-ently fresh from the hands of its Maker, and adapted, beyond most lands, both to delitxht the senses and enrich the pockets of those who are disposed to accept of its bounties. Without any 1 stance from the govern- ment or fostering care of any sort, but simply under a permission to enter, some thousands of industrious farmers and mechanics, with their families, have already located them- selves here. Their numbers are rapidly in- creasing, and there cannot be a doubt that in a few years Texas will become one of the mobt populous of the Mexican States." Said DeMarbois early in the present cen- tury: "Texas is one of the finest countries in the world, and yet the Europeans, eao-er as they have been to make conquests in America, have seemed almost to the present day ignor- ant of its existence. " With reference to the political aspects of the country in 1833, Mrs. Holley said: " It is not ditlicult to determine what in all likelihood will be the future destiny of Texas. Should the Mexican government adopt a cor- rect policy, it will form a valuable and cfhc'ent State of the Mexican confederation; for under a judicious system of administration it would not be the interest of the inhabitants to dis- solve the prese.it connection, and they could feel no motive to do so. "It is very possible, however, that an un- wise course of administration might provoke a separation ; and what might be the result of such a separation I shn com- pelled to flee back toward the United States with only about forty men, and, after several repulses of the more numerous band of Mex- icans, were finally compelled either to sur- render or be put to death — which latter HISTORY OF TEXAS. 26 alternative they indeed chose, Perry blowing out liis own brains with a pistol! Commodore Aury continued to prey upon the Spanish trade, with some success, making his headquarters for about two inoiitlis in Matagorda bay, and tlien lie went to Florida. THE " PIRATE OF THE GULF." At this time .Jean Lafitte, a noted character from France, was established at the little is- land of Barrataria, about sixty miles west of the delta of the Mississippi, engaj^ed as a smuggler and probably as pirate. He was joined by a crowd of roughs, and the goods tiiey seized found ready sale iu New Orleans. Governor Claiborne, of Louisiana, seeing the demoralizing effect of this " trade" upon his favorite city — for many large houses there were in collusion with the marauders — issued a proclamation ordering these free- booters to disperse; but as this had no effect, lie placed a i- vard of |500 on the head of Lafitte, whica the latter treated with such contempt as to offer thirty times the amount lor the governor's head. Claiborne then tried force, and ai^ain was unsuccessful. La- fitte surrounded the troops sent against him, and dismissed them loaded with presents. This state of affairs being reported to Pres- ident Madison, Commodore Patterson, of the United States Navy, was ordered to destroy this hornet's nest, and in June, 1814, he ar- rived before Barratai'a with gunboats and the schooner Caroline. The pirates, in seven tine armed cruisers and a felucca, inanned by nearly a thousand men, at first made a show of resistance; but, finally abandoning their vessels, they made for the land and dis- persed among the swamps. Patterson then took the suri'endcred vessels and all the spoils of Barrataria to New Orleans. Latitte, the " Pirate of the rtunity of obtain- ing an escort, and the business of the Qolonj requiring his presence in the metropolis, he resolved at all hazards to proceed on his journey. They traveled the first day unmolested, but on the morning of the second day, feeling somewhat indisposed, Mr. Austin undertook to prepare some coffee. There were no ac- commodations on the road, and it was neces- sary to carry provisions on a pack-horse, and cook by the wayside. His companions warned him that if Indians were near tliey would be attracted by the smoke. He flattered him- self, however, that by selecting a sheltered place and making 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 headache, he in- sisted that he must have it at all risks. They were upon an open plain, and could see many miles around. At the moment no living creature was in view but tliemselves. The men in company went to seek the horses, which had been hopple 1 the night be- fore and let loose to feed. The colonel re- tired to a little ravine to enjoy his coffee. 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, liaising his head, with the coffee yet untasted, he beheld in the distance fifty mounted Com- anches, with their spears glittering in the morning sun, dashing toward liiin at full speed. As the colunm advanced it divided, according to the practice previously described, into two semi-circles, and in an instant he was surrounded. Quicker than thought he sprang to his loaded rifle, but 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- BISTORT OF TEX At ble, was greedily seized. Austin's presence of mind, liowever, did not fois.ake him. He calmly meditated fi)r a moment what ourse to pursue. Arsi ra ij; great composure, he went up to the chief, and, addressing him in Spanisli and the few Indian words he knew, declared himself to be an American, and de- manded whether their nation was at war with the Americans. "No," was the reply. "Do you like the Americans?" "Yes; they are our friends." " AViiere do you get your spear- heads, your blankets," etc., naming all their foreign articles one by one. "Get them from our friends, the Americans." ""Well, do you think if you were passing througli their nation, as I am passing through yours, thfiy would rob you as you have robbed me?" The chief reflected a little and replie 1, " No; it would not be right." The chief then com- manded his men to restore all the articles 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 trumpeter:^, 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 off, and were seen no more. A little circumstance connected with the above affair is worth mentioning. A Spanish grammar, which the colonel carried 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 spread abroad tiiat the colonel had beo'i killed by the Comanches. This report reached the ears of his anxious mother and sister in Missouri, and it was many months before they learned that he had survived the dreary pilgrimage. Mr. Austin reached the capital in safety, April 2y, 1822, but on account of constant changes in the government and the belief that a new law would at length have to be adopted, it was not until the next January that liis 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, ranking as lieutenant-colonel. He could make war on the Indian tribes in his vicinity who molested his colony, could in- troduce supplies by the harbor of Galveston, etc. He was to render an account of his acts to the governor of Texas, and be subject to him. Basti-op was empowered to survey the lands and give title. The name San Felipe de Austin was given to the capital of the new colony. "When Austin arrived at the settlement he found it alm')st 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 stipulated 300 families had arrived, and they then began a prosperous career. Although, however, Austin was exact in his adininislration of justice and extravagantly benevolent to tlie needy, there were many in BISTORT OF TEXAS. the colony disposed to complain and make trouble, la the United States and Europe the impression began to prevail that Austin's early colonists were in great part fucritives from justice; but he maintained, with every show of fact and reason, that his colony was as moral as any community in the States. The limits of the county were undetineii by the law, and the immigrants were allowed to settle at vai-ious distances from the center ac- cording to their own free will. In response to Austin's petition, the go\ernment al- lowed him to introduce 500 more families to locate upon the unoccupied 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 you like that part of the country?" Newcomer. — •' I like the country much; but I wouldn't live in such a community if you would give it all to me." Austin. — " Why, didn't they treat yon 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 there. I went to a log cabin, where I found only a lady at home. I asked her who lived there. She said, ' Me and the old man.' 1 told her I had ccune to take the census. She told me to take it. I said to her, 'Have you 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 iind Bud, and , oh, yes! I'd like to forgot I Joe, he's gone so much.' These being duly noted, with ages, I asked, 'Have yon no girls?' 'No, sir,' replied she, emphatically; 'boys is trouble enough; but arter a wiiile they kin take care of themselves; but gals is always trouble, and never kin take care of themselve-.' General, those p^-ople are too rough to live with." Austin.—" Well, Mr. — -, those ai-e ex- actly the people we want for the piom-ers on our frontier. They are hardy, honest and brave. They are not your kid-glove sort. As the settlement becomes denser, they w ill rtrike farther out upon the borders. I wish we ha i more of them." The following anecdote, in reg:trd to mem- bers of the colony, illustrates the universal tendency of retaliatory measures to increas • in gravity far beyond reason. In February, 1841, a pig belonging to Mr. Bullock, an Austin landlord, found his way into the stable of M. de Saligny, the French charge, and ae some of the corn. For this offense a servant of the Frenchman slew the little animal, and in return for this the irate landlord horse- whi])ped the servant. Thereupon Saligny complained, and Bullock was arrested and bound over to the next term of court. After- ward the landlord ordered the envoy off 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 from President Houston subsequently healed the breach and brought the testy Frenchman back. Occasions as trifling as this have, in the history of man, been the initial point of a .-cries of acts which terminated in war. "The character of ' Leathci--stocking."'' says Mrs. Holley, '-is not uncommon in Te.xas. HISTORY OF TEXAS Many pert:on8 emiiloy an imiividiial in the business of hiintinf:; in all its branclies, and thus are (constantly supplied with provisions of every descri[)tion, even to ei^g^, which are fl^•ni^hed by the inuiieiise numbers of wild fowl. These hunters are very profitable to their employers, and much cherished in the family, and often become spoiled by famili- arity and induio-once. A roughness of man- ners and a rue brooked in other servants. Tliey area sort of privileged char- acter. Indians and Mexicans are considered the bust qualitiel for this important ofHce. But it sometimes happens that a white man from the States, who has become somewhat decivilized (to coin a word), is substituted. The dress of these hunters is usually of deer- skin; hence the appropriate name 'Leather- stocking.'" THE KMrRKSARIO SYSTEM. After the Mexican provinces had declared themselves free and sovereign, and suliject only to federation, a national colonization law was adopted August 18, 1824, one provision of which auth.irized the legi^latures of the different Slates to form colonization laws for the occupancy of the public domains within their respective territories, on terms that were not at variance with the federal consti- tntion. Accordingly, the newly-formed State of Coahuila and Texas, having organized its government, tlie legislature, on March 21r, 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 timo,' at the expense of the immigrants themselves. The particulars of the system were as follows, in brief: The empresario first presented a memorial 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 introduce. To alford ami)le 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-; l)ut after the establishment of the settlement and the com- pletion of the allotments of the colonists, ai.d the assignment of the "piemiiim laiid " to the empresario, all the surplus lau'l reverttd to the State. The distribution of the allot- ments was under the control of a commis- sioner appointed by the State, but he had power to make an assignment without the approval of the contractor. If the contractor failed to introduce the stipulated number of familes within the term of six years, he lost his rights and privileges in pro- portion to the deficiency, and the contract was totally annulled if he havl not succeeded in settling 100 families. The premium graiitt'd to a contractor was five square leagues of graz- ing land and five lahores of tillage land for each himdred families; but he could not ac- quire a premium on more than 8U0 families. (A square league was a tract of 5,000 varas square, and contained 4,428 acres. A labar was 1,000 varas square, and contained 177 acres. Twenty-five lahores were equal to one sitio, and five sitlos composed one liaclemht ) Every family whose sole occupation was farming received 177 acres (one labor) of ag- ricultural land, and if it engaged in stock- raising also a grazing tract sufficient to com plete a square hagiie was added. Those families whose sole occupation was cattle- raising received each a square league, less one labor (177 acres). An unmarried man received one-fourtli of the abovf quantity The State government alone could increase the HISTORY OF TEXAS. quantities in proportion to tlie size of a family and the industry and activity of the colonists. Eleven square leagues was the limit of land tliat could be owned by the same hands as prescribed by the national colonization law. For each square Icaufue, or sitio, as it was denominated, the colonist paid an emption sum of $30 to tiie State, $2.50 for each labor not irritable, and $3.50 lor each that was irri- gable; but these payments were notdemander] until after tiie expiration of six years from the time of settlement, and then uidy in three installments at long intervals. Contractors and the military were exempt from this tax. Thus the terms otl'ured settlers were very liberal, except that they required them to be of the Catholic faith and gave preference to Mexicans. However, after the promulgation of the above laws an increasi-d tide of immi- gration set in from the United States, and little or no regard was paid to the religious cliaracter of the law. In a few years liea'-ly the whole of Texas was jiaix-eled out to em- presarios, though none fulfilled their contracts except Austin. Settlers, however, continued to come in and im[)rove the Ian 1, manly from the United Stales, with the inevitable result, as almost any one might hue seen, of turning eventually the province of Texas into a member of the American Union. The population increa-ed from 3,500 in 1821 to about 20,000 in 1S30. EFFECT OF TUE NEW IMMIGRATION OX TIIE GOVERNMENT. I'y this time it began to become a|)p'irent that the old regime of government to wliich the Spaniards and Mexicins were accustomed, was obsolete, or •' tiehiud the times." The new people in Texus were of broader gauge than the "old fogies" could imagine, and I would not brook the everlisting series of revolutions and couiitei--revolutious iu which the Mexicans delighted. But before we pro- ceed with the causes of the Jinal revolution, let us glance at further details in reference to the condition of the people in Texas and Goahuila. Prior to 1824 Texas had no political con- nection with Coahuila. The latter was a richer and more populous country, and temp- tations greater there to a corrupt ruler. Op- pression was exercised thereon a much larger scale than in Texas. The commandant gen- eral ruled as it suited him, and while possess- ing even superior power to the viceroy, there was no check whatever upon his authority, except the presence of his legal adviser, the auditor de guerra, who generally dil nothing more than approve and support his opinions. Great distance from the seat of the general government rendered local goveriimerjt more independent and irresponsible, and corrupt rulers an almost unlimiced opportunity to ex- ploit the interests of the peoj)le. Every enormity was practice 1 that enmity or covet- onsness suggested. Under a le-s oppressive government the province of Coahuila, with its fertile soil, its genial clima'^e and exhilar- ating atmosphere, would have been all that man could desire; but the incubus of com- mercial and agricultural monopoly pressed heavily on the land. The prince merchants smothered development. Xo factories or invention stimulated industry. Primitive and crude methods continued their old and monotonous way along with no hope of change. Wine and brandy were a'lout the only ex- ports. But the inliabitants of Coahuila were almost exclusively pastoral and agricultural. Here were to be found simplicity and insensi- bility to intrigue, untiring industry and pa- tience under severe labor, the endurance of niSTOHY OF TEXAS. privations without innrmnr, and a deep-rooted love of liberty. Both the social and political morals of this rural population were of a higher standard than those of the inhabitants of the manufacturing and mining districts of New Spain. We need not follow here the political fortunes of Ooalniila, which were unimportant compared with those of Texas, TIIK LABOR SYSTEM. While the jealous tears oF the State gov- ernnient 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. Tiie slave laws of 1827 and the prohibitory one of 1829 respecting foreign merchants, caused great offense. By decree of September 15, 1«27. the constituent con- gress manifested its intention to acquire the gradual emancipation of slaves already in- troduced. Town councils were ordered' to keep a list of all slaves in their respective municipalities designating name, age, sex, etc. Slaves whose owners had no apparent heirs were to become free immediately on the •Jecease 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 chmge his master could do so, provided the ne>v owner indemnified the former 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 direct blow was struck at their prosperity. Without slave-labor the colonization of Texas would have been retarded many years, a« nearly all the colonies were established by men of means froni 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 reclainied some small portions only of uncultivated wastes. No capitalist of that day, going to Texas, would have engaged in a venture which would reduce him and his family to the condition of lal)orers. 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, lie bound himself to his master by a written contract on enter- ing his service, and immediately became his debtor for money advanced, sometimes to the amount of a year's wages. The law did not permit an advance of more money than that. Barely did the account with his employer .^how a balance in his fkvor. If he gave offense, committed a fault or failed in the fullillment of his duties, coutiuement, 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, and therefore ever a bondman, with but little more liberty than a slave. His wages varied from one to three rentes per day, providing for himself; and as his working days were reduced 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 (his system it was nut difficult for tlie Anglo- Americans to evade the law pro- hibiting 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. Aru;nments were brought to bear upon the Mexican govern- ment, inducing it to make an exception in favor of Texa*, under the law providing for the immediate manuniiision of slaves. RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL INTOLKBANCE. In legislation, as might have been expected, there was a curious n)i\tureof wise measures with unwise, the latter gtowing out of the old prejudices, and but a dim foresight of modern requirements. The restrictions on the sovereignty of the people laid down in the constitution, the intolerance of any re- ligion but the Roman Catholic, and the ex- cessive power vested in the chief of the de- partment of Texas, were incompatible with free republican institutions. In strong con- trast with the liberality manifested in the State colonization law was the persecution to which resident Spaniards were sul)jected. Ey a law, passed June 23, 1827, they were ex- cluded from all civil and ecclesiastical offices until Spain should acknowledge the inde- pendence of Mexico; and, in Novemberof the sitme year, all Spaniards, except those domi- ciled in the State thirty years, were banished; travelers of that nationality could not remain more than three days in any town, except in ca^e of sickness or other recognized impedi- ment; those who remained were required to present themselves monthly to the local au- thorities, and were forbidden to carry arms, except those customarily worn for personal defense; and a strict surveillance was kept over their conduct. During the invasion of Spanish foices in 1829, Coahuila and Texas displayed its patriotism by exacting a heavy forced loan from the resident Spaniards, 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. Oidy in the town of Saltillo was there a fixed appropriation for the main- tenance of a common 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 higher 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 reading, writing, arithmetic, the dogmas of the Catholic religion and Ackerinan's cat- echisms of arts and sciences, the teachers' salary being 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 colony a few private schools were established, and, in 1829, the first Protestant Sunday-school in Texas was opened, at San Felipe de Austin, by T. J. Pilgrim, of the Baptist Church. It was soon interrupted, HISTORY OF TEXAS. liowever, wlioii fi;irs were excited by a lititja- tion that the public would reeoi^nize it as a violation of the colon izatiuii law. In regard to religion, the Texas colonists at this earl3' date had neither the opportunity nor inclination to practice it. A traveler tliere in 1831 says: "The people of this country seem to have forgotten that there is such a c()Miiit:uulnient a,s ' Kenieraber the Sab- i)ath day to keep it holy.' This day is gen- erally spent in visiting, driving stock and breaking mustangs." Having furnished the required certiticate of his Catholic faith, the Anglo- American eased his conscience by re- fraining from any practical expression of it. In other respects than these already men- tioned, as causing dissatisfaction between the State and tiie colonists, the government showed itself otherwise favorably dis])osed to- ward them. Hitherto they were left unmo- lested in the management of their internal aifairs. In 1827 and 1828 parties were au- thorized to sink artesian wells, develop coal mines, navigate the Rio Grande by steam, etc. THE FINAL REVOLUTION. 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. ''Ilayden Edwards, in 1825, after much trouble succeeded in obtaining from the Coa- iiuila and Texas government a contract to settle 800 families on lands surroundinir Nacogdoches. lieturning to the United States he sjiared n(j pains in endeavoring to fulfill his contract, at the same time inducing his bi'Other, Major Uei'jamin W. Edwards, to go to Texas and ail him in establishing liis colony. Fuote says that the latter visited Austin and had a long conversation with him on the subject of Texas colonization; that tiiese 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 practicable; but tiiat they also agreed that the colonies would have yet to suffer a great deal before they would- be strong enough to throw off the yoke.' It is difficult, however, to be- lieve that Austin exjiressed 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 difliculties to contend with that had never troubled Austin. Portions of the lands conceded to iiim 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 inhabitants, and certain of the villainous class, formerly of the 'neutral grounds,' had taken up auds. These latter, without re^ardinj Edwards with any particular aversion, were wholly averse to subordination; w'hile the Mexicans, jealous of his authority and angry at an American being placed over them, showed marked symptoms of unfriendliness. There were, moreover, among them many turbulent and bad characters, and not a few fugitives from justice. The result was that, HISTORY OF TEXAS. as Edwards' iiniiiijxraiits arrived, the colonj was quickly divided into two hostile factions. Edwards did what he could to preserve order and maintain his anthority, but several meas- ures adopted by him were far from politic. The second article of his contract provided that all possessions found in Nacogdoches and its vicinity, supported by the correspond- ing titles, sliould be respected; and that in case any of the ancient possessors should claim preservatii)n 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 most valuable lands, and old title-deeds were diligently searched for or manufactured. " In order to ascertain tiie extent of the.-e chiiiiis. Edwards, in November, 1825, calbd upon all persons holding such land titles to produce them, in order that their legality might be decided upon according to law. In this there was no harm; but he gave further notice that the lands of tliose who failed to present their titles would be sold, and that claimants whose title were just would have to pay for any improvements that had been made on the lands by the present occupants. This caused indignation to the Mexicans and gave great offense to the authorities, who could but regard his notitication in respect to the sale of lands as an assumption of power that had never been given liim. '> By the sixth article of the contract Ed- wards was authorized to raise the national militia within his colony, and was appointed its chief until further disposition should be made. Accurdingly he gave notice for the election of militia officers to take place on December 15 of the same year. At the same time he prop ised thac the penple should elect an alcalde. With the election of this 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 colonists, and Samuel Norris, devoted to Mexican interests, by their opponents. The election decided in favor of the former, who took possz-ssion of the archives and entered upon the duties of the office. But Sepiilveda, the out-going alcalde, and his party disputed many of the votes as having been cast by settlers outside the limits of Edwards' grant, though under the alcalde's jurisdiction. Accordingly they represented the matter to Saucedo, the political chief at 8an Antonio. Already offended with Ed- wards, by reason 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 arms if any opposition was offered. ] No resistance was made, however, and on the : exhibition of Norris' commission Chaplin surrendered up the archives of the office to I him. "And now commenced a system of petty tyranny and invidious distinctions which ex- asperated the colonists. Americans, who j had wrought improvements on their lands, [ were ousted from them to give place to Mexi- cans, the favorites of Sepulveda and the alcalde. A band of ' regulators' was formed, under the command of James Gaines, the brother-in-law of Norris; and, backed by these ruffians and the official support of Saucedo, the Mexican party, domineered as y liked. Moreover, accusations aga tht Edwards were made to the political chief, who did not conceal his hostility to the em- presario." Hayden Edwards and his brother continued their endeavors to save their fortunes and people, but the Cherokee Indians, who had UISTORT OF TEXAS. becofiie tlii'ir allies, ubaiidoued them, the Mexican frnverninent grew more violent, and even Austin opposed a ly effort at resolution at that time, and tlie Edvvardses in a few weeks altogether (HiJed. Austin's colony coutiimcd to prosper. Austin himself, making himself a favorite of t,he government, was even promoted in his political powers. O.her colonies also pros- pered to some extent. Alter the annulment of Edwards' contract, his territory was di- vided between David G. Burnett and Jo-eph Veldein, and immigrants continued to flow into that portion of Texas. Dewitt, although his lirs^t settlers were temporarily driven off" by Indians, had laid out the town of Gonzat- lez in 1825, naming it after Rafael Gonzalez, a temjiorary governor of the State, and dur- ing 1>!27-'2S he succeeded in introducing considerable numbers of colonists. In De Leon's grant the town of Victoria was founded, and La Bahia del Espiritu Santo had deviloped 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 had also sprung up. However, the experience which the Mexi- can government had 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 evp.n aided them in the abolition of slavery. But when he was overthrown, in December, 1829, and Bustamante seized the helm of government, the sleeping tiger of Mexican suspicion and belligerency arose and showed his tcetli. And at tnis time it required bnt little foresight to see tiiat tiie increasing American element within the domain of Texas would ere long attempt to '• slip the leasli;" for even the government of the United States, and more especially the ex- piessions of many leading men within the Union, were indicative of a general move on our part to take a band in the separation of Texas from Mexico; but before the dual storm a preliminary gust made its appearance in the form of Texan independence as a sover eign republic. As Bancroft says: "It was therefore natural that Mex'co should entertain fears as to the future obedi- ence of the Texan colonists, and it was equally natural that the latter would not tamely sub- mit to the imposition of fetters siniilar to those which the fathers of most of them had helped to break. Yet in its shorisightedne>s the government, under the despotic adminis- tration of Bustamante, thought to obviate a probable but not unavoidable contingency by adopting the very measures which were most calculated to provoke a spirit of antagonism." Lucas Alainan, the minister of relations under the new government, lias the credit (discredit) of inspiritig the Mexican legisla- ture to make the fatal mistake of attempting to curb the designs of the United States by the exercise of oppressive measures against the Texan colonists. On February 8, 1880, 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 which 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 tliat the orders providing that no more thm the number of families designated in a contract should settle BIHTORT OP TEXAS. on the corresponding grant, and that colonies near the boundary line should be composed of settlers, not natives, of the United States, had been without effect; 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- tying the formalities of the colonization laws. To preserve Texas to Mexico, he insisted that the Mexican population in Texas should be increased by making that country a penal settlement, the critninals transported thither to be emp'oycd in the cultivation of the soil; that foreign culonists differing from Ameri- can interests, habits and language should be introduced; that a coasting trade be estab- lished between Texas and other parts of the republic, which would tend to nationalize the department; that the colonization law of August, 1824, be suspended as far as con- cerns Texas, and the settlement of tliat de- partment be placed under the direction of the general government; and that a commis- sioner be appointed to examine and report upon the condition of affairs in the Texan colonies, etc. The congress sympathized with Alaman's views so far as to prohibit the citizens of nations bordering on Mexico from colonizing any of her States or territories immediately adjacent to them; to suspend forthwith all colonization contracts not yet fulfilled, and such as were in conflict with this law; to allow no foreigner, under any pretext what- ever, to enter the northern frontier unless provided with a passport from the Mexican consular a'gent at the place of his previous residence; and to make no further change with reference to slave laws. Along with the immediate execiiti.jn of this law, parsed with the special and exelu- eivt) object of preventing the farther immi- gration of people fiom the United States, was the annulment of the exemption of the United States settlers alieady in Texas from taxes, which had been promised for the first six years of their residence tiiere. But it must be confessed that smuggling lad been practiced to some extent by some of the colonists under that provision for exemption. Also, along with the execution of tliis odious law the government sent a large military force into Texas, under the (.■ominand of Manuel Mier y Teran, commandant general of the eastern provinces, and he was also authorized to establish inland and maritime custom-houses. A military despotism was nati.rally inaugurated at an early period. The only colonies recognized were those of Austin, Dewitt and Martin de Leon; all other concessions were suspended until their contracts could be examined and their fulfill- ment verified. Titles were denied to a great number of settlers already domiciled, and in- coming immigrants from the United States were ordered to quit the country immediately upon their arrival. A number of military posts were established, manned by couvicts and other bad characters. A series of out- rages was directly begun. Military juris- diction was substituted for that of the local authorities in many place*; settlers were dis- possessed of their lands and property, many of them were imprisoned, and no redress could be obtained for thefts and robberies committed by the troops. During the year 1831 the loc:d anthorities and also the freque itly changing ahninistra- tion were at odds with each other, one party almost constantly colliding with another, and these in so rapid succession that the true interests of the masses were lost sight of. Outrages increased as the military oSicers were angered by resistance or lack of respect, HISTORY OF TEXAS. nntil even the settlers in the Austin colony began to arise in arms. A spirit of rebellion began to spread like a prairie fire before a wind. One John Anstin, not a relative of Stephen F., was an alcalde at Brazoria and a brave and influential citizen. On June 10, 1832, he joined the insurgents, and with about a hun- dred men demanded the release of certain prisoners at Anahuae, was refused, and some shots were tired. Bradburn, the Me.xican ofli cer, agreed to release the men if Austin with his force would retire six miles away. Austin did this, but Bradburn iiroke faith, opened lire upon the insurgents remaining in Ana- huae and drove them from the place. In January, this year (1832), Santa Anna at Vera Cruz pronounced against the govern- ment of Bustamante, and the usual war followed, a la Me.xican. The colonists, being enraged by the hitter's administration, a number of them met at Turtle bayou and drew up a list of their grievances, June 13, and passed resolutions adopting Santa Anna's plan and pledged their support to the consti- tution and tlie leaders who were then fighting in defense of civil liberty. The tirst skirTnish, June 13, 1832, resulted in the insurgents taking the fort at Velasco from the brave Ugartechea. Meanwhile, John Austin's men around Analuiac successfully cut off supplies and communication. Pied- ras, commanding at Nacogdoches, hastened hitherward to aid the Mexicans, but before arriving fell into the hands of the insurgents, and was coverted to their cause. By his as- sistance Travis and other prisoners were re- leased. Piedras appointed another man to succeed Bradburn at Anahuae andstartedback to Nacogdoches; but as soon as lie turned his back the garrison at Anahuae mutinied in favor of Santa Anna. Bradburn was per- suaded by some of the utlicers to re-assume command, but ho immediately found so many of the men committed to Santa Anna that he quit in disgust and went to New Orleans:, ac- companied by only one man, as guide. On his journey he escape 1 molestation by saying that he was going to the United States to seek for aid in driving the Mexicans out of Texas. Considering Santa Anna's future caicr, it is interesting to notice the pi-aise given that treacherous Mexican by S. F. Austin at thi> time. Said he, in an address delivered on tin- day of jubilee, July 25, 1832: ''Fellow Citizens, and Soldiers of the S'in- fa Anna Voliuiieer Compamj: I have not the words duly to express my giateful feelings and unfeigned thanks for the kind welcome with which you have honored my return to this colony. In all my acts, as far as they hivu been connected with the advancementof Texas, I have been governed by the most sincere de- sire to promote its prosperity and the perman- ent happiness of its citizens. My leading motto has been and is. Fidelity to the constitution of our adopted country. The same has been and is the governing principle of the inhabit- ants of this colony. I thank my fellow citi- zens for their approbation; it is the highest reward that can be offered to me for my humble services as their public agent. "I accord with you in the opinion that the present is an important epoch in the political march of our adopted and beloved country. With institutions founded on the broad basis of representative democracy, the general government of Mexico has, for the last two years, been administered, in many particulars, on principles which more properly belong to a military despotism than to a free republic. A great and glorious regeneration is taking place; the free democracy of the nation, the people, have asserted their rights under the HISTORY OF TEXAS. banner of that dii'tino-ui^lie 1 patriot and leader, General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. The cause of constitutional demo- cratic liberty is about to triumph throughout 'he whole of this vast republic. "Borne down, in this remote section of the nation, by mili'ary oppres-ion, and by the most shameful violations of the rights of the State of Coahuila and Te.xas, you believed that all the guarantees of the constitution and laws were disregarded and trampled upon. Patience itself was exhausie 1. ind you had recourse to arms, thus espousing that cause of the constitution and of the p ople which is so bravely advocated by General Santa Anna. In doing this, you have not for one moment lost sight of your duty as Mexican citizens, but have defended the true dignity of the national flag, which had been insulted by the violators of the cotistitution. In the course you have taken you will be sustained by Colonel Mejia, who has come to Texas mth fleet and forces under the order of Gen- eral Santa Anna, to protect the rights of the nation and of the State; and you will receive the support and approbation of General Santa Anna himself, of General Montezumi and of all liberal and enlightened Mexicans. In such a cause you have nothing to fear. It is jUst, and I will give it my hearty co-operation so far as my feeble services can avail." In the Southern United States the opinion began to prevail that the colonists in Texjts were attempting to sepaiate from Mexico and annex themselves to the [Jnion. On this account, Montezuma., commuiding at Tam- pico, and having declared in favor of Santa Anna, sent a force into Texas to reduce the insurgents. His colonel, Mejia, on entering Texas, first had an amicable conference with the leader of the Bustamante party, so as to prevent interruption, and proceeded to tin- mouth of tlie Brazos, taking with him Stephen F. Austin, who was on his retui'n from the State legislature. Consulting John Austin, the latter professed perfect loyalty and said that the insurgents had no intention to sepa- rate from Mexico; they were only rebelling against certain tyrannical acts of some of the officers. Mejia went on to Galveston, where he was similarly received, and he returned to Tampico. He actually advocated the cause of the insurgents, and the seed he had sown in Texas, in so doing, bore rapidly. Piedras, at Nacogdoches, being opposed 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 Bradburn party was so complete. A troop of about seventy men was stationed at San Antonio, scarcely a suflicient number to keep the Indians in check in that vicinity. Peace was restored. Tiiis victory of the Texan colonists would have been far more costly, if not indeed impossible of attainment, had there been no revolution going on beyond the Rio Grande. SEPARATION OF TEXAS FROM 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-"3I:) began to consider that the time for the separation had come, for their rapidly growing interests' were not suSiciently recogniz 'd by the gen- eral government. Their representation in Congress was proportionally in the minority, and they were neglected in the more eiger eflbrts to conserve the interests of Coahuila. The geographical position of the latter ex- cluded it from maritime trade, and its com- U I STORY OF TEXAS. merce was altogetlier internal, while Texas posset^sed great natural advantHge; for the developmeiitof an extensive commercial busi- ness with foreign countries. Also, in climate and industrial pursuits, the contrast was equally marked, and the productions were dissimilar. Pastoral and mining occupations prevailed in Coaliuila, 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 Jvantage 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 subject of their as- pirations, namely, a greater recognition of their material interests and of more local government. In October of this year a pre- liminary convention of delegates from differ- ent municipalities was held at San Felipe, and some discussiet the Stones of the Alamo Speak, that their Immolation be not forgot- ten; on the south front, Be They Enrolled with Lsonidas in the Host of the Mighty Dead; and on tlie east. Theimopylfe had her Messenger of Defeat; but the Alamo had None. The following names are inscribed upon the nortli and south fronts: M. Autry, R. Allen, M. Andress, Ay res, Anderson, W. Blazeby, J. B. Bowman, Baker, S. C. Blair, Blair, Brown, Bowin, Balentine, J. J. Baugh, Burnell, Butler, J. Baker, Burns, Bailey, J. Beard, Bailess, Bourn, R. Cunningham, J. Clark, J. Cane, Cluud, S. Crawford, Gary, W. Cummings, R. Crossan, Cockran, G. W. Cuttle, J. Dust, J. Dillard, A. Dickinson, C. De.^palier, L. Davell, J. C. Day, J. Dickens, Dc vault. W. Diarduff, J. E.ving, T. R. Evans, D. Floyd, J. Flanders, W. Fishbaugh, For.yth, G. Fuga, J. C. Goodrich, C. Grimes, J. George, J. Gaston, J. C. Garrett, Gwyn, J. F. Garwin, Gillmore, HISTORY OF TEXAS. Pelone, C. Parker, N. Pollard, G. Paggan, S. Pobinson, Eeddenson, K Rough, Rusk, Robbins. W. Smith, Sears, C. Smith, Stockton, Stewart, A. Smith, J. C. Smith, Hiitchason, S. Hollo way, Harrison, Ilie!^kell, J. Hayes, Horreil, Harris, Hawkins, J. Holland, ^Y. Hersie, Ingram, Juhu, J. Jones, L. Johnson, C. B. Jamison, W. Jolinson, T. Jackson, D. Jackson, Jackson, G. Kemble, A. Kent, W. Ki,>g, Kenncy, J. Kenny, Lewis, W. Linn. Sewaii, A. Smith, Simpson, R. Star, Starn, K. Sutherland, W. Summers, J. Summei'line Tlioinpson, Tomlinson, E. Ta^-lor, G. Taylor, J. THylor, ) W. Taylor, Thornton, Thomas, Lanio, W. Lightfoot, G. W. Lynn, Lewis, W. Mills, Miclieson, E. T. Mitchell, E. Melton, McGregor, T. Miller, J. Mc(.^oy, E. Morton, R. Mussulman Miilsop, E. B. Moore, W. Marshall, Moore, R. McKenny, McCaferty, J. McGee, G. W. Main, M. Querry, G. Nelson, Nelson, J. J^oland, Nelson, Bros., VVm. I.ightfoot, J. Lonly, J. M. Thruston, Valentine, Williambon, Walsh, W. Wells, R. White, T. Waters, J. AVhite, J. Wilson, Wm. G. Nelson, C. O.tiner, L. J. Wilson, Warner, D. Wilson, Washington, C. Wright, J. Wasliington, Warnall, D. Wilson, A. Wolf. It is greatly to be regretted that a com- plete and correct list of the names of those who fell at the Alamo, with some biographi- cal account of each, is not at hand. Scanning tlie above list of imperfect names will often remind the reader that 'Full many a gem of purest ray serene, Tlie dark, uufalliomed caves of ocean bear; Full many a flower is born lo blusb unseen And waste its sweetness on tbe desert air." OOLIAD MASSAORB. Santa Anna, in the meantime, had ordered Urrea to proceed along the Texan coast, and that general reached San Patricio on the 28th of February, entirely unknown to Texans. Some narrow escapes were made by Colonel F. W. Johnson and others, but a party under Major Morris and Dr. Grant were captured and they fell victims to the Mexican murder- ers,— for they were nothing less. Colonel Fannin had been ordered to prepare for a descent on Matamoras, but hearing of the ad- vance of Urrea, he re-entered Goliad, where he had been in command sotne time. Hav- ing been requested to send some reinforce- menisto Captain King, his force was thereby depleted by 112 men. King and his men, after a skirmish or two, by some means got separated from another portion of his force, HISTORY OF TEXA.a aiui were cnptui-cd and killed. Faiuiin, in (Joliad, on the llUh of Marcli, was rein- forced by tlie l\venty-eio;l,tli Cavalry. lie then prep;ired for a retreat; but just at nightfall a large force of tlie enemy was dis- covered in the neiglil)orIiood, when he re- mounted his cannon ami prepared for defense. The following account of the disastrous battle of Colita, which followed, is copied from au able his'orian of Texas: "The morning of the 17th was foggy, and as no enemy ap- peared to be in sight Fannin concluded to make good his retreat. After reaching a point about eight miles away from Goliad, they halted to permit the oxen to graze. They then resumed their march, and were within two miles of Colita creek when a company of Mexican cavalry was discovered in front of them, issuing from a point of timber. Urrea had taken advantage of the fog to get around and in front of Fannin's force. Horton's cavalry had gone in advance to make arrangements for crossing the stream, and could not get back to their com- panions. Two charges of Urrea's cavalry were gallantly repulsed by Fannin's artillery, which did great damage to the Mexicans. The fight was kept up till nightfall, when the enemy retired out of range and the Tex- ans prepared for a renewal of the tight in the morning. Their condition was indeed crit- ical. Fourteen of their number had been killed, and sixty others, including Fannin, were wounded. Urrea received during the night heavy reinforcements. With no ade- (|uate protection, in an open prairie, without water, surrounded by an enemy five times their number, what could they do but sur- render as prisoners of war? A white flag was raised and the following terms of surrender agreed upon: That the Texans should be treated as prisoners of war accoraing to the usages of civilized nations; that private prop- erty should be respected and restored, but side arras of tiie officers should be given up; the men should be senttoCopano, and thence in eight days to the United States, or as soon as vessels could be procured to take them; the officers should be paroled and returned to the United States in like manner. After surrendering in good faith and rely- ing upon the honor, in this case at least, of the Mexican general, the prisoners were look- ing forward to a speedy release, and on Palm Sunday, the 27th, they were expecting to be forwarded to their homes. But alas! vain hope! the treacherous scoundrel to whom they surrendered had broken his military word and was about to place his name in the same category as the Caligulas and Neros and other fiends in human shape. Without warning and under the pretense of starting them homeward, the privates were marched out in four companies, strongly guarded, from the old mission at Goliad, where they had been sent, and where the men of Ward's force were also confined, and who, too, met the same fate as Fannin's men. They were taken in different directions, and within sound of the officers, whose fate had also been decided upon, they were brutally slaugh- tered! A few, by feigning death and lying still till dark, escaped. The officers and the wounded, who were still in the fort, were then taken out, and all of them met the same fate as the privates, Fannin being the last to suf- fer death. That Santa Anna, at the close of the victorious revolution, should have been permitted to escape the fate of those brave patriots, has been a hard pill for most Tex- ans to swallow. Ten years later, when he was in command of the Mexican ariny op- pooing General Scott, and when he was again captured, it was difficult for the Amer- '^am (S^ud'/c O-J/. HISTORY OF TEXAS. ican soldiers to kt'< p tlieir Imi tU off the bloodthirsty brute, and he had to be ^ti-onirly guarded to save liiiii from the vengeance of many a grizzled Texan. Nut content with these butcheries, S.iata Anna, thinking that the conquest of Texas was complete, gave or- ders to his subordinates to shoot all prison- ers, he himself making preparations to retire to the capital. But when he heard tliat a considt'rable army under Houston was still in the field, he, at the solicitation of Almonte and Filisola, concluded to remain and com- plete his work. SAN JACINTO. General Houston had been re-elected com- mander-in-chief of the army, and had ajone to Gotizales, with the intention of re-orgnniz- ing the forcts, in which he had great diffi- culty, for the fate of Travis and Fannin and their men caused a great panic wheti the news became known. Besides, 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 liead. A number of desertions also occurred, and the alarm was, indeed, widespread. Then came some move- ments on the part of General Flouston that caused great criticism of his actions. Thei-e was not a very considei-ableccdiality between the commander and the newly inaugurated president, and in an order to tlie former from the latter these words wei'e added: "The enemy are laughing you to scorn. You must tight them. You must retreat no Inrther- The country expects you to tight. 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 critics at their respective seats of govern ujent, yet the names of Houston, Lee and Grant live on; but where ai'e they, who were they, who sought to teach those gre it soldiers? The battle of San Jacinto was the response of the great Texan to his otficial, not to say officious superior. And the best report of that decisive battle is contained in the ofiicial report of the commander, who, liy that one blow to Mexico, secured the independence of Texas, the an- nexation of our great State to the greatest nation on earth, and finally led to the acqui- sition of the vast interior region stretching from the Rio Grande to the Pacific ocean: "Headqdartkks of the Aemv, ) "San Jacinto, April 25, 1836. j " To His Excellency, T>. G. Borxktt, I'l'dfideiit of the Republio of Texas: '■'•Sir: — 1 regret extremely that my situa- tion since the battle of the 2lst has been such as to prevent my rendeiing you my official report of the same previous to this time. "I have the honor to inform you that on the evening of the 18th instant, after a forced march of fifty-five miles, which was effected in two days and a half, the army- arrived op- posite Harrisburg. That evening a courier of the enemy was taken, from wiiom 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 was ordered to be in readiness to march early on the next morning. The main body effected a crossing over Buffalo bayou, below Harrisburg, 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 niglit, making but one halt on the piairie for a short time, 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 HISTORY OF TEXAS. we received iiifoi-m:iti(»n tliat General Santa Anna was at Ne-v Wasliiii^toii, and would that day take up the line of march fi^r Ana- hiiac, crossing at Lynch's Ferry. The Texan army halted witliiii a half mile of the ferry, in sotne timber, and were engaijed in slangh- leriiig beeves, when the army of {Santa Anna was discovered to be in battle array, haviny Colonel Mirabeau B. Lamar (whose gallant and daring conduct on the previous day had attracted the admiration of his comrades, and called him to the station), placed on our ex- tresne right, complete 1 our line. Our cavalry was despatched to the front of the enemy's left, for the purpose of attracting their notice, whilst an extensive island of timber afforded us an opportunity of concentrating our forces and displaying from that point, agreeably to the previous design of the troops. Every evolution was performed with alacrity, the whole advancing rapidly in line, and through an open prairie, without any protection what- ever for our men. The artillery advanced and took station within 200 yards of the enemy's breastwork, and commenced an effective fire with grape and canister. "Colonel Sher.nau, with his regiment, hav- ing commenced the action upon our left wing, the whole line, at the center and on the right, advancing in double-quick time, rung the war cry, ' Remember the Alamo! ' received the ene- my's tire, and advanced within point-blank shot before a piece was discharged from our lines. Our lines advanced without a halt until they were in possession of the woodland and the enemy's breastwork, the right wing of Burle- son's and the left of Millard's taking pofses- sion of the breastwork, on;- artillery having gallantly charged up within seventy yards of the enemy's cannon, when it was taken by our troops. The conflict lasted ahout eighteen minutes from the time of close action until we were in poisesbion of the enemy's encamp- I ment, taking one piece of caimou (loaded), four stand of colors, all their camp equipage, stores and baggage. Our cavalry had charged and routed that of the enemy upon the right, and given pursuit to the fugitives, which did not cease until they arrived at the bridge which I have mentioned before. Captain Karnes, always among the foremost in danger, commanded the pursuers. The conflict in the breastwork lasted but a few moments; many of the troops encountered hand to hand, and, not having the advantage of bayonets on our side, our riflemen used th^ pieces as war clubs, breaking many of them off' at the breech. The rout commenced at half-past four, and the pursuit by the main army continued until twilight. A guard was then left in charge of the enemy's encampment, and our army re- turned with their killed and wounded. In the battle our loss was two killed and twenty-three wounded, six of whom mortally. The enemy's loss was 630 killed, among whom were one general officer, four colonels, two lieutenant- colonels, five captains, twelve lieutenants: wounded, 208, of whom five were colonels, three lieutenant-colonels, two second lieuten- ant-colonels, seven captains, one cadet; pris- oners, 730; President-General Santa Anna, General Cos, four colonels (aids to General Santa Anna), and the colonel of the Guerrero battalion, are included in the number. General Santa Anna was not taken until the 22d, an^"! General Cos on yc-terday. very few having escaped. About 600 muskets, 300 sal)res and 200 pistols have been collected since the ac- tion; several hundred mules and horses were taken, and nearly §12.000 in specie. For sev- eral days previous to the action our troops were engaged in forced marches, e.xposed to excessive rains, and the additional inconveni- ence of extremely bad roads, ill supplied with rations and clothing; yet, amid every dilfi- HISTORY OF TEXAS. culty, they bore up with cheerfuhiess nnd forti- tude ami j)crforiiied their marches witli sj.irit and alacrity. Tliere was no murmnrinj^f. "Previous to and during the action my staff evinced every disposition to be n.-^etul, and were actively engaged in their diilie-. In the conflict I am assured they demeaneil themselves in such a manner as proved them wortliy memhers of the army of San Jacinto. Colonel T. J. Rusk, Secretary of War, was on the field. For weeks his services had been highly beneficial to the army; in battle he was on the left wing, where Colonel Sher- man's command iirst encountered and drove the enemy; he bore himself gallantly, and continued his efforts and activity, remaining with the pursuers until resistance ceased. "I have the honor of transmitting here- with a list of all the officers and men who were engaged in the action, which I respect- fully request may be published, as an act of justice to the individuals. For the command- ing general to attempt discrimination as to the conduct of those who commanded in the action, or those who were commanded, would be impossible. Our success in the action is conclusive proof of their daring intre])idity and conrage; every officer and man proved himself worthy of the ca\ise in which he bat- tled, while the triumph received a luster from the humanity which characterized their con- duct after victory, and richly entitles them to the admiration and gratitude of their general. Nor should we withhold the tribute of our grateful thanks from that Being who rules the destinies of nations, and has in the time of greatest need enabled us to arrest a power- ful invader while devastating our country. " I have the honor to be, with high con- sideration, your obedient servant, " Sam LIocston, " Coiiiiiiander-in- Chief.'''' Tlie condition in which Santa Anna \va? when captnrid was in accordam-e with the actions of all liloodthir-ty cowards when en- traj.pt'd by those they have wronged. Hi- had torn from his bo