USA > Texas > A new history of Texas; being a narration of the adventures of the author in Texas, and a description of the soil, climate, productions, minerals, tons [!], bays, harbours, rivers, institutions, and manners and customs of the inhabitants of that country; together with the principal incidents of fifteen years revolution in Mexico; and embracing a condensed statement of interesting events in Texas, from the first European settlement in 1692, down to the present time: and a history of the Mexican war > 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
Gc 976.4 St5n 1755268
M. L
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
₲c
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02282 4988
A NEW
HISTORY
OF TEXAS
BEING
A NARRATION OF THE ADVENTURES OF THE AUTHOR IN TEXAS, AND A DESCRIPTION OF THE SOIL, CLIMATE, PRODUCTIONS, MINERALS, TOWNS, BAYS, HAR BOURS, RIVERS, INSTITUTIONS. AND MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE AINHABITANTS OF THAT COUNTRY ; TOGETHER WITH THE PRINCIPAL INCIDENTS OF FIFTEEN YEARS REVOLUTION IN MEXICO ; AND EMBRACING $
A CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INTERESTING EVENTS IN TEXAS, FROM THE FIRST EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT IN 1632, DOWN TO THE PRESENT TIME:
AND A HISTORY OF THE
E. Stics
DEATH OF CIAJOR RINGGOLD
·
MEXICAN
WAR.
Budlad'ag accounts of the Battles of Pala Alto, Resc ; de La Palma
AND THE
TAKING OF MONTEREY.
CINCINNATI :
PUBLISHED BY GEORGE CONCLIN;
1847. . 'L. G. .
.
١
8
1755268
. .
.
.
1
F
.845 877
Stiff, Edward,
A new history of Texas; being a narration of the adventures of the author in Texas, and a description of the soil, climate. productions, minerals. towns, bays, harbors, rivers, institutions, and manners and customs of the inhabitants of that country; together with the principal incidents of fifteen years revolution in Mexico: and embracing a condensed statement of interesting events in Texas, from the first European settlement in 1692, down to the present time: and a history of the Mexican war, including accounts of the battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de la
(Continued on next card) 138b1-) .
. .
21-5028
Gift. 153
CHINY CARO
.
-
.
PREFACE.
THE great and increasing emigration to Texas, taken in connection with her present position, former history and prospective career, were the primary causes which in- duced the author to compile a volume, entitled the Host ry f Teras, yet, in doing so, he has embodied other and dis- similar information, as well as such as will safely conduct eniigrants to favourable localities, and in a cheap way ac- quaint them with things necessary to be known-and he has supplied such data as will enable those thinking of a removal, to knowingly decide if it is expedient to seek a home in the new Republic or not.
Desiring at all times to pursue the quiet and retired walks of private life, the author of the following work would not have made his travels in Texas the leading sub- Seet of a publication, had not her vast and luxuriant pleins and other mere romantic scenery, first suggested the idea -an idea that has grown in strength every day, since the effect of combined causes. not the least among which may- be mentioned the fact of the entire absence of any work on the subject, from which can be extracted such infor- mation as comes home to the every day pursuits of men. of one that has been written with that independence of thought, and strict impartiality, which should ever le the aun and end of the Historian who aspires to an enduring and honourable fiune, when he shall sleep with his Fathers,
,
-2181
!
.
-
. PREFACE. ·
The excess of kindness in the bosoms of many of the Author's friends has, on different occasions, prompted them to proffer their advice and assistance; but whether an innocent vanity is an inherent principle in the bosom of any man, or whether the Author has mistaken his calling, remains yet to be seen. He frankly acknowledges that he is and has been determined to express his own opin- ions; to wear all the honours and bear all the obloquy which this volume may call forth. Were he now to sub- mit his labours to a committee of particular friends, there is much reason to fear they would reverse the history of the Hatter's Sign, narrated by Dr. Franklin, and in place of leaving the only valuable part about it. might make large additions of useless matter, while defacing the paintz. for which the Author indulges a fraternal feeling, nearly allied to that of a fond parent for a darling child.
In the composition of the work. if the Author has stu- died, it has been to produce an original and correct picture. He has selected no model-it is an off-hand production throughout; and if, under such cirermstances, it were inz possible to avoid colours which may have been used be- fore, it is not the result of a mind affected with the spirit of plagiarism, but the natural offspring of desultory read- ing, and intercourse with the world, and that sort of in- stinct which has at all times imperceptibly drawn him away from fixed fashions and rules.
Hlad he departed if m the usual tenor of his way, he "would have approacheu much nearer to the orders of the day; yet those who are impartial in their judgments will esteem his labours none the less because emanating from a pen wholly untrainmeled and uninfluenced by any man or set of men; and whatever course he might have pur- sued, he could not have escaped the shafts of criticism. levelled, as they always are, at every Author who doc.
+
.
PREFACE.
not choose to surrender his birthright, and endorse what others, in their superabundant wisdom, may choose to dietate.
There is no class of men in the world more to be pit- ied, or more obnoxious to all the courtesies and decencies of life, than illiberal critics. Their only aim is to discover or manufacture faults for others, and upon their success in such laudable business, depend their reputation and their revenues. As the end and aim of their being is to grow!, were perfection itself permitted to visit the earth, they would bark all the louder, and howl the more ludicrous, in dread of the doom of starvation. No sin in an Author is so provoking, as that of being above the reach of their shallow judgment-no crime so unpardonable as dignified contempt. Critics are an unconditional nuisance. False lights to the near-sighted. Dampers to the timorous. Ghosts to the over-sensitive and scrupulous genius. In- potent and despised by the high-minded, and they are positive torments to themselves. Heaven reforin them. and pardon their sins!
THE AUTIIOR.
.
1
---- !
.
-
1
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
-
CHAPTER I.
TEXAS is bounded on the East by the State of Louisia- na, North by Red river, West by the Rio Grande, and South by the Gulf of Mexico; supposed to contain an area of about 300,000 square miles, upwards of 140.000 inhabitants, exclusive of Indians, and embraces all the climates common between the 26 and 42 degrees of North latitude.
In this vast extent of country there is, of course, every variety of soil; and in order to acquaint the reader with the most prominent I atures, the country may appropri- ately be divided intox hree parts, each of which will be found adapted to the growth of different and distinct com- modities.
.
The first division embraces a distance of about 400 miles in length, commencing with the eastern boundary o. the Sabine river, and extending West to the Rio G
2
-
10
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
and in width, from the Gulf of Mexico, an average of 80 miles: 2ndly, the high, dry and undulating country com- mencing near the Sabine and Red rivers, and extending westward to within from 20 to 30 miles of the Rio Grande, and North to the Colorado mountains: 3rdly, the high . and rolling table lands North and West from the moun- tains.
In the first of these divisions, much of the soil is an alluvi .. ] deposit, resting on a bed of shells, and a section between the Sabine and San Jacinto rivers is comparatively unpro- ductive and umfit for agricultural purposes. Between the San Jacinto and San Antonia rivers there is much soil of the best quality, and such is adapted to the culture of cot- ton, sugar, rice, figs, oranges, &c .: from the San Antonia to the Rio Grande, the seil is more diversified and better supplied with water, and all things considered, except timber, is more valuable the any other portion of the country bordering on the Gulf.
This first division, however, may be considered less friendly to health than any other portion of Texas. Timber is scarce, water is impure, and consequently unwholesome chills and fevers are common; the annoyance from mus- quetoes, flies and other nauseous insects is intolerable for man or beast, and the climate in this low country, enervat- ing in the extreme. creating in the hot months a degree of lassitude truly insupportable; besides. for many months in the year, the roads, which are much better defined on saine maps extant, than they; 'e on the face of the country, are impassible, and such is the nature of the soil, that dur- able thoroughfares will never be constructed unless at enormous expense.
Yet its near approximation to the sea, the fertility of of the soil, and the fish and oysters in the bars and bear to render this division inviting to emigrants,
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
1
and they declare themselves blest with the finest sea breezes in the world: an assertien which is in part true, otherwise a residence almost any where within the limits of the first division would absolutely be intolerable.
The 2nd division possesses many advantages over the first: it is better supplied with water, is beautifully diver- sified with prairie and timber lands, and an average of as rich soil, affording a great variety of native grapes. plums. &c. &c., is adapted to almost every description of vegeta- bles common to the Southern and Middle States of the Union.
The 3rd division north and west of the mountains. is decidedly the finest portion of Texas; the air is pure and elastic, the water in cool running streams, is as clear as crystal, the soil generally sufficiently rich to predece a bountiful harvest; and here wheat and all kinds of small grain will flourish-an advantage possessed but by a small portion of country below. But this region is not at pre- sent the abode of white men. Wild horses, wild Indians, and almost every description of wild game abound, and claim here to be lords of the soil; but like every thing else, their days are numbered; and soon, very soon, the smoke will be ascending from the settler's cabin, the prairies will be transformed into cultivated fields, and the growl of the prowling wolf, and neighing of the wild horse will be heard no more,-bu" in their stead, the notes of vir- tuons industry will fala pon the car, and it is to be hoped the spire of the seminary of learning and the village church will be seen' peering through the beautifully wooded groves that now adorn this lovely country.
.
.
To a lover of nature this division of Texas offers a most delicious feast. The scenery is truly grand and imposing, presenting, as it does, the extensive and verdant prairies sprinkled over with lovely islands of timber, no-
+
12
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
ble rivers and angry cataracts. The high and abrupt pre- cipices, lifting in many places their lofty summits appa- rently to the clouds, all unite in forming a splendid pano- rama truly sublime.
On the wide spread carpet of these beautiful plains, and near by some placid stream have I frequently sought repose and respite from the cares of this world. and while gazing upon the dotted vault of heaven, and listening to the low murmuring waters, enjoyed a luxury in quietness no where else to be found; and when awakened by the primitive songsters of the forrest, have reviewed the works of the Almighty, untouched by the rude hand of man, and sighed for the presence of my own dear children, and a few friends to adopt this country for my home and my grave.
Amid such scenes I involuntarily turned my thoughts to my native country, and the busy throng among whom I have been accustomed to move, to the happy family cir- cle that I once enjoyed, and objects yet remaining of my tender regard who were then far, far away: perchance thought I, we shall meet no more, perhaps the last remain- ing tie to bind ine to earth is now broken, and my children may be numbered among the dead. or perhaps here, sur- rounded by real dangers, my own pilgrimage upon earth may be ended, and those for whom alone I have lived, or desired to live, and for whom my days of toil and sleep- less nights have been devoted, may soon be thrown upon the tender mercies of the v. rld.
Such reflections were often to me impressively sorrow- ful, and required a mighty effort of the mind to divest them of a form of reality. and to gain a belief that even here, far re:noved from civilization, the hand of a beneficen, Being could be easily traced and his promises to the fath- erless and widow realised.
1
٧
13
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
When sore affliction throws his dart, We are prone to quail beneath the rod : With chastened pride and sincere heart, We seek the long forgotten God.
'Twas thus with me; the desert taught Lessons with bitter truth replete; They instructed dearly, but they brought My spirit to its Maker's feet.
From the foregoing general view of the three natur:il divisions of the country, it is evident that nature has been bountiful, and when all her resources are developed by the ingenuity and industry of man, and these solitudes in- habited by a moral and intelligent community, Texas will indeed be a delightful country; presenting no consider :- ble obstacles to the cheap and easy construction of speedy channels of communication, from one extremity to the other. The products of her soil will be transported to the shores of the Gulf, without much delay or expen e, and the comforts and luxuries of other climes will pour into her lap in exact proportion to the wants and ability of the inhabitants to consume them.
Texas was formerly claimed by both Spain and the United States, and became the subject of a long negocia- tion between the two goverments; the result of which was a relinquishment on the part of the United States to the territory in question. There has, however, always been those among us who have viewed the country with a wishful eye, a feeling'in which the government have at times participated; and president Jackson expended a few thousand of the people's money in an abortive attempt to purchase the country from Mexico. So sanguine. 100, was the old hero of success that he went so far as to offer the governorship of Texas to a prominent member of his party, in North Carolina,-he was however doomed to
.
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
14
disappointment as well in this as some other measures of greater importance.
Again there is, and has long been many of our citizens who view a further extension of territory as dangerous to the integrity of the Union, and have constantly mani- fested a determined opposition to measures of such ten- dency; and while our party have invariably asserted that in fixing the Sabine as the south western boundary of the United States, the American Secretary was outwitted by Don Ennis De Onis, the Spanish Minister. Others, with perhaps equal information. have ascribed to the Hon. John Q. Adams, motives wholly unworthy of an Ameri- can Statesman, and a narrow-minded jealousy of the gron- ing importance of the Southern and slave bolling portions of the republic. Neither of these positions are ontitle:l to any credit or belief, and are only worthy of notice as showing the mere ebullitions of party warfare. Be this as it may, the country, thus far, has rather been a curse than a blessing to any of the numerous claimants, being first wrested from the natives by Spain. regained by the Mexicans and rightful owners, and by a similar process to that used by Spain in conquest, is now in the possession of North Americans.
Spanish settlements were made in Texas as early as 1692, these, however, were little else than trading estab. lishments. and missions for making proselytes to the Cath olic faith. Here the joas fathers of the church receive.1 the red men of the forest and prairie, and with a bible in one hand. and a dogger in the other, taught them a new. and doubtless, as they believed. a more acceptable mode of worshiping the Great Spirit. Previous to this, the cus- toms of the natives were not dissimilar to those of other tribes of American Indians: they hved by the chase-the ties of nature were of short duration, often leaving the
-
15
HISTORY OF TEXAS.'
parental wigwam at an early age, soon forgetting the father and mother that had watched over their infancy, and every kindred bond. The Catholic clergy who were employed instructing these children of nature, performed - their duties with much zeal; yet, when once domesticated in their mode of exciting them to do well, or in punishing them for doing ill, even to the oldest, the treatment was more like such as is usual towards little children, than people of mature age; and in no instance was any cruelty or severity indulged in.
Eight hours out of twenty-four, were allotted for labor; two hours for prayer. and the remainder for relaxation and repose; and when they were to be assembled for any purpose. the priests sounded a bell which promptly con- gregated the copper faces of all ages sizes and sexes.
They were required to rise with the sun and spend the first hour at mass, and on returning from their devotions a breakfast was prepared, consisting of rice, roots, venison. &c .: when the family of each wigwam sent a barl vessel to the master of ceremonies for their allowance, and an extra share was always served to those who made the greatest proficiency in crossing themselves and learning their catechism; one hour was allowed for the enjoyment of the table which afforded but little variety; for here the natives. not unlike some natives of every other country, were not furnished with that spice of life, called variety, but might. to their hearts content, feast their eyes on the singular "paintings which adorned the mission walls; some of which represented a view of heaven and hell, drawn in the most imposing colors, exhibiting figures of a happy and beautiful appearance, and also some of the most horrid and miserable espect, while their spiritual teachers were enjoying the substantial comforts of life, and who, though in this remote Wilderness, they appeared to relish luxuries quite as well
1
.
16
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
as those whose lots were cast in more civilized communi- ties, and often regaled themselves with a bottle of Oporto and its necessary trimmings.
A somewhat regular government in these half Monar- chical, half Republics was instituted, magistrates and other officers were appointed who assisted the priests in exer- cising unlimited authority; but much to their credit, the mode of punishing any moral or religious delinquency was tempered with mildness and mercy, and in these little communities bolts and bars were unnecessary, and thefts were unknown.
Such were the first settlements in Texas. claiming to be civilized, but have now past away; and in treading the same ground and visiting the cemeteries of the dead, I can truly declare that emotions were excited which I cannot de- scribe. Here lie in promiscuous confusion, the Christian and Indian warrior and in the sleep of death, to awake no more until all the nations of the earth are summoned to their final account, while every thing that meets the eye tells of a by-gone race, and the sweet and plaintive notes of Christian devotion which have here been chanted but are heard no more.
Although the standard of the Cross was planted here 144 years ago, it does not now proudly wave in the breeze, and indeed throughout the whole extent of Texas, at the present time, there is but one protestant house that is exclusively appropriated to the worship of God, and few there are who enter that.
Thou impress of time, your implacable sway Extends over all that I see : The great and the mighty must yield to decay All nature is subject to thee.
. But as I look back on the years that have fled, Since those Missions first rose from the sand, As I sigh over the moss-covered tombs of the dead,
I can trace out a merciful band.
.
e
17
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Since the days of Christopher Columbus, North and South America have been theatres of mighty and im- portant events, and it is well for mankind to review from time to time, the gradual changes that are unceasingly occurring in the moral and political world which not un- profitably call to mind the successive alterations in our individual, temporal, and physical condition, to the final dissolution of the body, and entrance on a new era of the most absorbing interest.
1
At the eventful period of the discovery of America, the whole continent was inhabited by numerous tribes of red men who were destitute of the arts and sciences that dis- tinguish the present age, and were also exempt from most of the vices that now corrode and canker what is popular- ly called civilized life.
Among this great family of native Americans, the Mexi- can tribe stood foremost in the rank of improvement, and their wealth and riches, much of which consisted in the precious metals, enticed the cupidity of Spanish invaders, who eventually subjected them to the most grievous and humiliating bondage.
The history of the rapine and murders committed in this fair country by Cortez and in his successors, would fill a large volume, and it is foreign to the present purpose to more than briefly allude to them in marking the progress of events in a section of America contiguous to, and at that time part and parcel of what is now denominated the . Republic of Texas.
At the time of the Spanish invasion of Mexico, conquest was the leading policy of Christian nations, and the spe- cious pretext for all their cruelties, and entire disregard for the rights of others, was the avowed desire to incul- cate the maxims and multiply numbers in the Redeemer's
3
---
.
t
18
[HISTORY OF TEXAS.
kingdom; and without arrogating to myself the privilege of scrutinizing too closely the motives which incite men to action; yet I am well convinced, that from the begin- ning of the world, as well as at the time I write, might and stratagem have often been substituted for right, at the the expense of the more sincere and less vicious members of the human family; and then, as now, accumulations and conquests, enjoyed only for a brief season, passing rapidly from hand to hand, and at every exchange bearing the impress of something peculiar to the age.
Whether the rapid decline in every thing noble and great in the Spanish nation is to be attributed to the chas- tening hand of Providence for her unnatural transgressors; and the mines of visible wealth in Mexico was the fatal instrument used, it is not my province to express a decid- ed opinion; I only wish to state facts from which my read- ers may draw satisfactory conclusions: certain it is, how- ever, that the retrogade march of the Spaniards, as a dis- tinct people, commenced at no remote period from the conquest, of Mexico; and after years of inisrule. oppression and disorder, Spanish authority was banished the country; a prominent but unworthy leader in which work was Don Augustine Iturbide, a royal officer of Spain.
Out of this sprung the United Mexican States, the gov- erninent of which differed in only two unimportant partic- ulars, from that of the United States of the north; viz. a connection between church and state, and each state of the confederacy springing from the parent stock in emblem of the prickly pear tree, nourishing its branches; that tree with an eagle perched on the top is the Mexican coat of arms.
Subsequent events have made it necessary to infuse into the general government a more energetic character by consolidating the delegated powers of the states; and in a subsequent part of this work I will trace the causes
1
4
.
19
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
and effects of the dismemberment of part of the state of Coahuila and Texas from the Mexican confederacy, and exhibit that part as it now is, under the name of the Republic of Texas; a description of which it is presumed will more immediately interest the reader, and will there- fore claim precedence of its History.
.
€
P
20
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
>
.
.
1
CHAPTER II.
In presenting the reader with a detailed description of Texas, it is deemed proper to begin with the western boundary; tracing the Rio Grande from its source, in the Rocky mountains to its confluence with the Gulf of Mexi- co, and continuing with the principal water courses that intersect the country to the river Sabine, forming in part the eastern boundary between Texas and the United States of the north.
The view is intended to embrace the country generally adjacent to, and between, the water courses; but not to comprehend every minute peculiarity to be found in either soil, minerals, or climate; much of which cannot be pre- cisely ascertained, otherwise but by the slow but sure developements of time; it is nevertheless certain, that what is here embodied will be amply sufficient to put the reader in possession of all the material information he can desire, and for every practicable purpose, quite as valuable as if a volume five times the size of this was written on the subject.
Rio Grande .- This river has its source in the moun- tains, where the country has not been thoroughly explored, but as far as known in its windings through the mountain passes, exhibits scenery of grand sublimity; its head wa- ters flowing through the territory of the White Bear, and
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.