A School History of Texas: From Its Discovery in 1685 to 1893. For the Use of Schools, Academies, Convents, Seminaries, and all Institutions of Learning, Part 1

Author: Mrs Mary Mitchel Brown, John Henry Brown , Texas
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Published by the author
Number of Pages: 333


USA > Texas > A School History of Texas: From Its Discovery in 1685 to 1893. For the Use of Schools, Academies, Convents, Seminaries, and all Institutions of Learning > Part 1


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27


Google


This is a digital copy of a book that was preserved for generations on library shelves before it was carefully scanned by Google as part of a project to make the world's books discoverable online.


It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books are our gateways to the past, representing a wealth of history, culture and knowledge that's often difficult to discover.


Marks, notations and other marginalia present in the original volume will appear in this file - a reminder of this book's long journey from the publisher to a library and finally to you.


Usage guidelines


Google is proud to partner with libraries to digitize public domain materials and make them widely accessible. Public domain books belong to the public and we are merely their custodians. Nevertheless, this work is expensive, so in order to keep providing this resource, we have taken steps to prevent abuse by commercial parties, including placing technical restrictions on automated querying.


We also ask that you:


+ Make non-commercial use of the files We designed Google Book Search for use by individuals, and we request that you use these files for personal, non-commercial purposes.


+ Refrain from automated querying Do not send automated queries of any sort to Google's system: If you are conducting research on machine translation, optical character recognition or other areas where access to a large amount of text is helpful, please contact us. We encourage the use of public domain materials for these purposes and may be able to help.


+ Maintain attribution The Google "watermark" you see on each file is essential for informing people about this project and helping them find additional materials through Google Book Search. Please do not remove it.


+ Keep it legal Whatever your use, remember that you are responsible for ensuring that what you are doing is legal. Do not assume that just because we believe a book is in the public domain for users in the United States, that the work is also in the public domain for users in other countries. Whether a book is still in copyright varies from country to country, and we can't offer guidance on whether any specific use of any specific book is allowed. Please do not assume that a book's appearance in Google Book Search means it can be used in any manner anywhere in the world. Copyright infringement liability can be quite severe.


About Google Book Search


Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web at http://books.google.com/


A 403871 BROWN'S SCHOOL HISTORY


THL


OF TEXAS


18 17


ARTES


SCIENTIA


LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN


TUEBOR


TRUN CUS PENINSULAM AND NAM


CIRCUMSPICE


THE GIFT OF


Miss Edna C. Spaulding


Dallas,


-


г


ʻ


:


ーシ


١


.


SAM HOUSTON.


£


A SCHOOL HISTORY OF TEXAS


FROM ITS DISCOVERY IN 1685 TO 1893


FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS, ACADEMIES, CONVENTS, SEMINARIES, AND ALL INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING


PREPARED FROM THE GENERAL HISTORY OF JOHN HENRY BROWN BY MRS. MARY M. BROWN


DALLAS, TEXAS PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR 1894


COPYRIGHT, 1894, BY MARY M. BROWN


Press of J. J. Little & Co. Astor Place, New York


.


12-2-1-36


CONTENTS.


INTRODUCTION


. 11


PAGE


CHAPTER I.


INDIANS OF TEXAS


·


. 13


CHAPTER II.


CLAIMS TO RIGHT OF POSSESSION OF TEXAS BY SPAIN-SPANISH ADVENTURERS-FRENCH EXPEDITION BY LA SALLE-FATE OF THE SAME-CARANCAHUAS ACCUSED . ·


. 16


CHAPTER III.


JEALOUSY OF SPANIARDS AROUSED-VISIT OF DE LEON TO TEXAS -DISCOVERIES OF DE LEON, WHO PROJECTS MISSIONS-ARRIVAL OF TERAN WITH PRIESTS FOR MISSIONS-ABANDONMENT OF MIS- SIONS . 21


CHAPTER IV.


FRENCH EXPEDITIONS RENEWED


. 23


CHAPTER V.


PRIESTS RESTORED TO THEIR CHURCHES-COLONISTS FROM CANARY ISLANDS-MEXICO ECONOMIZES-REDUCES NUMBER OF SOLDIERS FOR PROTECTION OF MISSIONS AND SETTLERS . 28


CHAPTER VI.


APPOINTMENT OF SANDOVAL AS GOVERNOR-HIS SUCCESSOR


. . 31


CHAPTER VII.


MISSION RUINS AT SAN ANTONIO


. 33


CHAPTER VIII. PHILIP NOLAN'S EXPEDITION TO TEXAS-HIS PURSUIT AND DEATH BY SPANIARDS-IMPRISONMENT AND DEATH OF HIS MEN-EVI- DENCE OF HIS BETRAYAL .


.. 1 (1 ) E. D.


. 86


6


Contents.


CHAPTER IX.


PAGE


PIKE'S EXPEDITION-HIS REPORT OF THE COUNTRY-TROUBLE ABOUT BOUNDARIES-RE-GARRISONING TEXAS FORTS WITH SPANIARDS TO WATCH THE FRENCH-A WAR AVERTED .


. . 39


CHAPTER X.


BEGINNING OF THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION AGAINST SPAIN-THE GA- CHUPIN WAR-THE MAGEE, GUTIEREZ, AND LARA EXPEDITION . 42


CHAPTER XI.


BATTLE OF THE SALADO-SURRENDER OF SAN ANTONIO TO KEMPER -MURDER OF SALCEDO, HERRERA, AND OTHERS BY DELGADO, CAPTAIN ROSS IN COMMAND-GENERAL ELISONDO APPEARS- BATTLE-ELISONDO DEFEATED . 45 .


CHAPTER XII.


ARRIVAL OF TOLEDO-BATTLE OF THE MEDINA-BETRAYAL AND


FATAL RESULTS .


·


.


.


48


CHAPTER XIII.


GALVESTON-HERRERA TAKES POSSESSION-MINA'S EXPEDITION-


DEATH OF PERRY'S COMMAND-PERRY'S DEATH BY HIS OWN


HAND-LA FITTE


.


50


CHAPTER XIV. LA FITTE THE PIRATE (continued)-HE IS DRIVEN FROM GALVESTON 53


CHAPTER XV.


LONG'S FIRST EXPEDITION .


.


. 56


CHAPTER XVI.


LONG'S SECOND EXPEDITION INTO TEXAS, TAKEN PRISONER, RELEASED,


AND ASSASSINATED


.


57


CHAPTER XVII.


FIRST AMERICAN COLONIZATION IN TEXAS-MOSES AUSTIN-STEPHEN


F. AUSTIN


60


7


Contents.


CHAPTER XVIII.


PAGE


COLONIZATION (continued)-FIRST ARRIVAL OF A VESSEL WITH SUP- PLIES-AUSTIN ARRIVES WITH FAMILIES BY LAND-CARANCAHUA INDIANS-FIGHT WITH THE INDIANS-OTHER SETTLERS . 63


CHAPTER XIX.


STEPHEN F. AUSTIN'S SUCCESS IN MEXICO AND HIS RETURN-OTHER APPLICANTS FOR GRANTS . ·


·


65


CHAPTER XX.


THE COLONIES OF DE LEON, DE WITT, AND EDWARDS


.


.


69


.


CHAPTER XXI.


HADEN EDWARDS' COLONY (continued)-FREDONIAN WAR-COLONY


BROKEN UP .


·


.


72


CHAPTER XXII.


NACOGDOCHES-GROWTH OF COLONIES-PROCLAMATION OF THE CON- STITUTION OF COAHUILA AND TEXAS-SETTLEMENT OF THE COAST LEAGUES-LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF COLONIES-RELIGION OF COLO- NISTS-EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES . ·


76


CHAPTER XXIII.


BRADBURN AT ANAHUAC-ARREST OF COLONISTS-TURTLE BAYOU RESOLUTIONS-VELASCO ·


78


CHAPTER XXIV.


VISIT FROM PIEDRAS TO ANAHUAC-BATTLE OF VELASCO, JUNE 26, 1832-BRADBURN DISMISSED .


. 83


CHAPTER XXV.


BUSTAMENTE'S OVERTHROW IN MEXICO BY SANTA ANNA-FIGHT AT NACOGDOCHES


86


CHAPTER XXVI.


FIRST CONVENTION (continued)-MEXICAN OPPOSITION


. 90


CHAPTER XXVII.


SECOND CONVENTION-OPPOSITION TO SAME BY MEXICAN AUTHORITIES -AUSTIN'S ARREST AND IMPRISONMENT IN MEXICO


8


Contents.


CHAPTER XXVIII.


PAGE THE PARKERS-DE LEON'S AND OTHER COLONIES-CASUALTIES 96


CHAPTER XXIX.


ESTABLISHMENT OF COURTS-SANTA ANNA SENDS ALMONTE INTO TEXAS-OBJECTS OF HIS VISIT-REPORT TO SANTA ANNA .


99


CHAPTER XXX.


THE ELECTION OF 1835-MEETING OF THE LEGISLATURE AT MON- CLOVA, IN COAHUILA-SALE OF LANDS-DISARMING THE LOCAL MILITIA-INDIAN TROUBLES-ORDER TO ARREST TEXAS CITIZENS 103


CHAPTER XXXI.


DISARMING THE PEOPLE-ORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY-BATTLE OF


CONCEPCION-THE CONSULTATION OF 1835


·


108


CHAPTER XXXII.


THE GENERAL CONSULTATION-STORMING OF SAN ANTONIO-AUSTIN


LEAVES THE ARMY


.


·


.


114


CHAPTER XXXIII.


THE GRASS FIGHT-STORMING OF SAN ANTONIO-DEATH OF MILAM 117


CHAPTER XXXIV.


- POWERS OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNOR-POWERS OF THE COUNCIL -JOHNSON AND GRANT-ACTS OF THE PROVISIONAL COUNCIL . 121 CHAPTER XXXV.


SIEGE AND FALL OF THE ALAMO


.


127


·


·


CHAPTER XXXVI.


FANNIN AT VELASCO-KILLING OF JOHNSON'S MEN-FATE OF GRANT


AND HIS MEN-DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE


.


.


·


133


CHAPTER XXXVII.


FANNIN'S ORDER TO RETREAT-KING'S MASSACRE-WARD'S FATE-


FANNIN'S BATTLE AT ENCINAL DEL PERDIDO-SURRENDER


.


137


CHAPTER XXXVIII.


SHOOTING OF FANNIN AND HIS MEN-RESPONSIBILITY DENIED


143


9


Contents.


CHAPTER XXXIX.


PAGE


HOUSTON'S RETREAT-ORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY-PANIC .


.


145


CHAPTER XL.


THE BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO


.


.


147


CHAPTER XLI.


BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO (concluded)


.


151


.


CHAPTER XLII.


RESULTS OF THE BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO


. 155


CHAPTER XLIII.


THE ARMY


160


CHAPTER XLIV.


ORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT UNDER THE REPUBLIC


.


. 163


CHAPTER XLV.


INDIANS


169


CHAPTER XLVI.


LAMAR'S ADMINISTRATION .


.


. 172


CHAPTER XLVII.


REPUBLIC OF THE RIO GRANDE


178


.


CHAPTER XLVIII.


NORTH-EAST BOUNDARY LINE BETWEEN TEXAS AND THE UNITED


STATES · 188 .


CHAPTER XLIX.


HOUSTON'S SECOND ADMINISTRATION


.


.


. 189


CHAPTER L.


BATTLE OF SALADO-DEATH OF CORDOVA-THE DAWSON MASSACRE 194


CHAPTER LI.


THE SOMERVELL CAMPAIGN-UNITED STATES ANXIOUS FOR PEACE


BETWEEN TEXAS AND MEXICO


.


. 200


.


10


Contents.


CHAPTER LII.


THE MIER EXPEDITION


.


PAGE


.


205


CHAPTER LIII.


MIER PRISONERS DRAWING THE BEANS AT SALADO MASSACRE


. 209


CHAPTER LIV.


SNIVELY EXPEDITION, APRIL, 1843-FOREIGN IMMIGRATION


.


. 213


CHAPTER LV.


PEACE WITH MEXICO URGED-QUESTION OF ANNEXATION-WAR


WITH THE REGULATORS AND MODERATORS


·


218


CHAPTER LVI.


ELECTION OF PRESIDENT-ANNEXATION-STATE GOVERNMENT .


.


224


CHAPTER LVII.


WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO


. 227


CHAPTER LVIII.


CLAIM TO SANTA FE REVIVED .


.


. 231


.


RESERVE INDIANS


CHAPTER LIX.


236


CHAPTER LX.


THE CIVIL WAR BETWEEN THE STATES


·


. 238


BANKS' INVASION


CHAPTER LXI.


.


243


CHAPTER LXII.


DAVIS'S ADMINISTRATION-COKE'S ADMINISTRATIONS


246


CHAPTER LXIII.


HUBBARD'S ADMINISTRATION


·


251


CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF TEXAS


·


257


TEXAS FLAGS


.


·


307


GOVERNORS AND PRESIDENTS OF TEXAS


309


PRONUNCIATIONS


311


INDEX


.


313


INTRODUCTION.


THIS "School History of Texas" claims the advantage of superior opportunities for arriving at truth. Without preju- dice or partiality, the writer has been able to turn a strong light upon portions of the history hitherto obscure, by which results may be traced to their real causes.


A list of disconnected events, with even correct dates, cannot awaken enthusiasm in the learner, nor can the mere recital of entertaining and heroic incidents satisfy the searcher after truth. It is sincerely hoped and confidently believed that this work will not be found wanting in either particular. It has been compiled with scrupulous care from the manuscript of my "General History of Texas," and is offered with these assurances to the institutions of learning throughout the State.


JOHN HENRY BROWN.


.


A SCHOOL HISTORY OF TEXAS.


CHAPTER I.


INDIANS OF TEXAS.


THERE was very little of the territory of Texas not occupied by different tribes of Indians, most of them having villages, from which they roamed in hunting or thieving expeditions, or in making war upon each other; while some, nat- urally inclined to peace, cultivated their grounds, manufactured their own clothing, and, with some forms of government, en- joyed many of the comforts of civilized life. No satis- factory conclusion as to the PLACIDO, CHIEF OF THE TONCAHUAS. origin of these Indians has been reached. They seemed as indigenous to the soil as the forests and canebrakes among which they roamed. While they were all Indians, there were characteristic differences between the different tribes, which the white settlers were not long in discovering.


The Carancahuas occupied the coast country. They were foot Indians; but, with light canoes, penetrated the


14


A School History of Texas.


shallow bays and rivers in hunting excursions for sea-fowl and fish. They were no man's friend. They disappeared before 1850.


The Toncahuas roamed over the country of the Guada- lupe, Navidad, and Lavaca rivers. They were ever the friends of the Texans. Placido, their last chief, was, with a number of his warriors, associated with General Edward Burleson, Colonel John H. Moore, and others in various expeditions against the Comanches, whom the Toncahuas feared and hated.


The Comanches and Kiowas were the most numerous and vindictive of all the Indian tribes within the limits of Texas. From their villages in the mountains and around the sources of the streams they extended their expeditions from the Gulf to the region of Santa Fe, and as far east as the Trinity. Mounted on their fleet horses, their attacks were sudden and their escape almost certain. They kept no treaty which their avarice, or their vindictiveness, prompted them to violate.


The Lipans were Mexican Indians, many of them speak- ing the Spanish language. They fought with Mexico in the republican ranks during their revolution. For several years, from about 1836 to 1843, they were in alliance with Texas as scouts. After the latter date, returning to Mexico, they became implacable enemies to Texas, and so continued as long as the border remained open to their incursions.


The Apaches were from the regions of New Mexico and Arizona, and were ever fierce and warlike.


The Caddos were from Louisiana, and embraced the bands, under different names, who had considerable villages from the Sabine and Red River to the Trinity. They had farms, which were well stocked, and in many respects gave evidence of continued peace and superior civilization. They were faithful friends of the French in Louisiana.


While the Wacos, like the Caddos, had cultivated fields,


15


A School History of Texas.


and horses, and built themselves comfortable houses, they were less friendly and. less reliable. They gave the early white settlers no little trouble in forays and hostilities. Their chief villages were on the Brazos and upper Trinity.


The Tehuacanos were on the northeast of the Wacos ; their neighbors were the Pawnees and Anadacos.


The Keechis, in the east, were a weird, juggling, crafty, low race, held in contempt and hatred by all. They were early much reduced in numbers.


The Wichitas, a fierce and numerous tribe, inhabited the Red River and Upper Cross Timber country and the Wichita Mountains.


The home of the Pueblo Indians of Texas has, for many centuries, been in the country around their town YSLETA, on the Rio Grande. They are credited with being the builders of cities whose ruins have excited the interest of explorers through California and New Mexico, as with others who built in Mexico in the sixth century, along the route from their original homes in Asia, stopping for long periods at different points and building for those who came after and drove them onward. After the Spanish conquest the Pueblos readily adopted the religion which the Roman Catholic priests in- troduced, and accepted the peaceful occupation of shep- herds, when Coronado introduced sheep among them in 1540. Ysleta is said to be the most ancient town of North America, and still preserves the original style of architecture. The Pueblos are but little changed by their citizenship in the United States. Their chieftaincy is hereditary, and their records have been preserved for centuries.


The Alabamas, Cooshatties, and Muscogees, inoffensive Indians, in receding from Alabama, found refuge in the de- serted villages of a tribe of Caddos, southeast of the Trinity. They have never been sent to the " Reserves " or to the Indian Territory, with remnants of numerous tribes, but have re- mained in peaceable relations with the white inhabitants of


16


A School History of Texas.


that region, where they have made substantial advances in civilized life.


The Aranamas and the Anaquas were in the southwest, in and around Goliad. They disappeared before the Ameri- can settlers occupied the country to any extent.


QUESTIONS .- What territory of Texas was occupied by Indians ? How did they support themselves ? Were all inclined to thieving and making war upon each other ? How were they supported ? Did they have any forms of government ? What is known of their origin ? Were there characteristic differences between the tribes ? What tribe occupied the coast country ? Did they have horses ? What was their mode of travel on hunting expeditions ? Were they friendly Indians ? When did they disappear ? What territory did the Toncahuas occupy ? How did they feel towards the Texans ? Who was their last chief ? With whom were they associated in expeditions against the Comanches ? What tribes were the most numerous and vindictive ? Through what regions did they extend their expeditions ? What was their mode of travel ? What was their method of attack ? Did they keep their treaties ? Where were the Lipans from ? What language did they speak ? How did they assist Mexico ? What was their first attitude towards Texas ? What was it after 1843 ? Where were the Apaches from ? What was their character ? Who were the Caddos ? What territory did they occupy ? What was their character ? Were they faithful to the whites ? How did the Wacos compare with the Caddos ? Where were their chief villages ? Where were the Tehuan- canos ? Who were their neighbors ? Where were the Keechis ? What was their character ? What of their numbers ? What was the character of the Wichitas ? What country did they inhabit ? Where is the home of the Pueblo Indians ? With what have they been credited ? How did the Spanish conquest affect them religiously ? What occupation did they adopt ? What is said of Ysleta ? What can be said of them now ? What was the character of the Alabamas, Cooshatties, and Muscogees ? Where did they find refuge ? What of them now ? What can you tell of the Aranamas and Anaquas ?


CHAPTER II.


CLAIMS TO RIGHT OF POSSESSION OF TEXAS BY SPAIN- SPANISH ADVENTURERS-FRENCH EXPEDITION BY LA SALLE-FATE OF THE SAME-CARANCAHUAS ACCUSED .*


THE right of possession of Texas was claimed by Spain, France, and, later, by the United States. Spain claimed Texas


* RULES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW ESTABLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENTS OF EUROPE, IN REGARD TO THEIR AMERICAN DISCOVERIES.


Rule 1st. " When any European nation takes possession of any extent of sea-coast, that possession is understood as extending into the interior country to the sources of the rivers emptying within thet const, to all their branches


17


A School, History of Texas.


by right of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus in 1492, under the auspices of Ferdinand and Isabella ; sec- ond, by the conquest of Mexico by Cortez in 1521, under Charles V. of Spain ; third, by royal order from Philip II. of Spain, prohibiting all foreigners from entering the Gulf of Mexico, or any of the territories lying around it, under pain of extermination ; and, fourth, by four voyages entering the Gulf of Mexico, under royal auspices, within the years 1512 and 1538. Spain made no attempt to occupy Texas with a colony before France. An occasional Spanish adventurer visited some of the Indian villages. Four men, survivors of an expedition fitted out from the West Indies in 1528, under Pamphilio de Narvaez, and landing in Tampa Bay, in their six years' roving with different tribes of Indians, passed through Texas into Mexico. These men gave such exagger- ated accounts of the wealth of the people and the great cities they had seen, as to inflame the greed of the Spanish. Under this delusion, Coronado, a Spanish general, visited Ysleta, erected the cross, and introduced sheep and horses among the Pueblo Indians of that region. He did the same in Santa Fé in 1582, that city being laid out by Oñate about ten years later.


FRENCH EXPEDITION.


The French in Canada learned, from the Indians around the great northern lakes, of a great river, rising far in the


and the country they cover, and to give it a right in exclusion of all other nations to the same."


Rule 2d. "Whenever one European nation makes discoveries and takes possession of any portion of this continent, and another afterwards does the same, at some distance from it, where the boundary between them is not determined by the principle above mentioned, that the middle distance becomes such, of course."


Rule 3d. " Whenever any European nation has thus acquired a right to any portion of territory on this continent, that right can never be diminished or affected by any other power, by virtue of purchase made, by grants or con- quests of the natives within the limits thereof."


2


18


A School History of Texas.


·


north, running, with wide-spreading branches, many miles through magnificent forests, and emptying itself, by many mouths, into the sea. To take possession of the country through which this river ran, and build a city at its mouths, in the name of Louis XIV. of France, was the object of the first exploring expedition fitted out from Canada in 1673, and of two others, the latter from France, in 1684.


The leader of these expeditions was the Chevalier Robert de la Salle, a Frenchman of Norman descent. La Salle returned to France after his second expedition, and suc- ceeded in enlisting the king in his " magnificent enterprise." This expedition was fitted out at the expense of the French government.


La Salle was furnished four vessels, with one hundred sol- diers, one hundred and eighty persons for laborers and arti- sans, with families, with seven Roman Catholic priests, and all necessary preparations for establishing the contemplated colony at the mouth of the Mississippi. They set sail from the port of Rochelle on July 24, 1684. During a storm, when they were near San Domingo, which belonged to Spain, the fleet became separated, and the St. François was captured by the Spaniards. After the three remaining vessels were reunited they entered the Gulf of Mexico and continued to sail west, until, passing the mouths of the Mis- sissippi, they were nearing the coast of Mexico. They re- versed their course, and entered an inlet which they took to be a mouth of the Mississippi. As they were crossing the bar, which proved to be the entrance to Matagorda Bay, the Aimable was wrecked. On February 18, 1685, some of the men landed, while others proceeded up the bay, exploring as they went, and made a second landing. La Salle, sailing about six miles up a river, which he named La Vaca (The Cow), landed on its left bank. He took possession in the name of Louis XIV. of France, erected the cross, built a small church, and a fort with intrenchments, which he gar-


19


A School History of Texas.


risoned and named St. Louis. They planted crops, and pro- vided for the care of the animals and fowls which they had brought with them.


Two of La Salle's most reliable men, Des Loges and Oris, were killed by Indians on account of an affront offered them by Du Hamel, lieutenant of the Joli. Several were taken prisoners, who were afterwards rescued. Other calamities followed. On March 12 Beaujeau, the sailing-master of the fleet, took the Joli, with the captain and crew of the wrecked Aimable and most of the cannon balls from the fort, and returned to France. Five men, sent in canoes to sound the bay, with the view of bringing up La Belle, their only re- maining vessel, a present to La Salle from the king, were killed by Indians, and their bodies found where they had camped.


Charmed with the abundance of game and fish, and with the ready yield of the newly cultivated fields, they passed the summer ; the winter La Salle, with twenty men, spent in ex- ploring the country on foot. They discovered the Colorado, explored the surrounding country, and returned to find that many of the colonists had been sick, several had died, and a mutiny was barely suppressed.


In April, 1686, La Salle, with the same number of men, travelled easterly as far as the Neches, where he was rejoiced to find a welcome among the Nassonite Indians. Here he was confined with a slow fever, from which he recovered to find his company reduced to eight men, their ammunition wasted, and their food exhausted. They retraced their steps to the fort for fresh supplies. Arriving in August, they found the colony still farther diminished, and the discontent greatly increased.


Determined, if possible, to redeem his pledges to his king; La Salle fitted out a third expedition to search for the mouths of the Mississippi. In January, 1687, he bade adieu to his colony, performing the most solemn religious rites in


20


A School History of Texas.


their little church, loaded portable canoes, constructed mostly of buffalo-hides, with the greater part of their mer- chandise, silverware, and money, and started again across the country, leaving seventeen persons, including the women, the Sieur Barbier being left in charge.


Among those accompanying La Salle were his brother and two nephews, the good Father Anastase, De Marle, Hiens, Liotot, Teissier, his old servant, Saget, and Nika, an Indian hunter, who had come with him from Canada. They halted near their old camp on the Neches, to procure and dry buffalo meat for their long journey. While out for the pur- pose of bringing in meat, a quarrel began, in which several of the men became involved, and the next night Liotot killed Moranget (La Salle's nephew), Saget, and Nika in their sleep. La Salle, becoming uneasy on account of their long absence from camp, started with the Father Anastase and two Indian guides in search of them. Duhaut concealed himself in the tall grass and shot La Salle. He fell (March 19, 1687), and expired without speaking. The Father An- astase, whose hand he pressed in dying, dug his grave and buried him, erecting a cross on the spot.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.