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 14
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CHAPTER XLVII.
REPUBLIC OF THE RIO GRANDE.
THE Federalists in Northern Mexico, with the view of establishing the Republic of the Rio Grande north of the Sierra Madre Mountains, as against a military despotism then ruling Mexico, made an appeal to the chivalry of Texas to come to their aid. Canales, a Mexican lawyer, was the leader of the movement.
About three hundred Texians responded, with Colonel Reuben Ross as their commander. These united with a body of Mexicans commanded by Colonel Zapata, an impetuous and chivalrous border chief. On the 3d of October, 1839, these combined forces, about twelve miles from Mier, at Alcantra, met and fought a superior Centralist force under Colonel Pabon ; a long and bloody conflict ensued, which resulted in the defeat of Pabon, after which most of the Texians re- turned home. The following winter the Republic of the Rio Grande was formed at Guerrero, with Jose Jesus Cardenas president, and Licentiate A. Canales military chief. These, with J. M. J. Carbajal, son-in-law of De Leon, former empre- sario at Victoria, and other leaders, sought alliance with the gov- ernment of Texas, through President Lamar, against Mexico.
While the President sympathized with their wishes he could do nothing without compromising the then existing negotia- tions with Great Britain, by which Texas hoped for the recog- nition of her independence by Mexico-a most signal failure, fortunately for Texas, *- besides having in contemplation a direct overture to Mexico herself, a failure also.
The project was not abandoned. Late in the following summer, 1840, about three hundred Texians went to the Rio Grande as allies of General Canales. Colonel William S.
* See "General History of Texas," by John Henry Brown.
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Fisher, Captain S. W. Jordan, and Juan N. Seguin com- manded these volunteers under Canales as chief.
Captain S. W. Jordan with one hundred and twelve men, and a Mexican force under Juan Molano, were sent in advance to the interior. The route on which Captain Jordan followed the Mexicans led so circuitously as to arouse his suspicions of treachery. This was developed when, on the 23d of October, near Saltillo, they were suddenly confronted by more than one thousand Mexican Centralists under Vasquez, with several pieces of artillery. Soon lines of battle were formed, when, with " Vivas to Mexico !" and " Death to the Texians !" the Mexican officers and most of the men deserted Jordan and joined themselves to Vasquez. Captain Jordan, having been on the alert, quickly selected a position behind a solid stone wall, which the Mexicans assaulted time after time in vain. When night came, four hundred Mexicans lay dead. Captain Jordan lost five men killed and seven wounded.
The following night Jordan and his one hundred and seven men commenced a retreat, across almost impassable mountains, towards the Rio Grande, three hundred miles away, carrying their wounded men, pursued by ten times their number, through towns and villages, and fired upon by the Mexicans with their long-range guns. Every man of the one hundred and seven reached and crossed the Rio Grande into Texas. " As the Alamo to Thermopyla, is Jordan's retreat to that of Xenophon." Canales after this capitulated to Arista ; Colonel Fisher and the Texians with him were allowed, unmolested, to return to Texas.
THE COUNCIL HOUSE FIGHT.
The Comanches, ever treacherous, had in 1837 made a visit to General IIouston, received presents, and committed depre- dations on their return to their villages and ever since. It was now proposed that they should come in to San Antonio, make a treaty, give up their prisoners, and receive presents.
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They came in March 19th, bringing but one prisoner, Matilda Lockhart, captured in De Witt County in October, 1838, and through her it was learned that they had others. There were twelve chiefs and warriors in the hall. The Tex- ians had two companies of regulars, part of whom were in the hall.
The Indians were assured that they would be held as host- ages for the safe delivery of all the Texian prisoners; that they could send their young men to bring them in. Sentinels were placed at the door and soldiers across the room in a line. One of the chiefs sprang to the door, and, meeting with resistance, stabbed the sentinel. The chief made a rush for the door, where Captain George T. Howard had an encounter with him and received a stab, when he ordered his men to fire. The shot took effect, the Indian was killed. Then a desperate fight began, in which the twelve chiefs were killed.
The Indian warriors in the yard attacked the company outside, fighting with desperation. Their arrows, wherever they struck, were driven to the feather. Seven Texians were killed and eight wounded ; of the Indians thirty-five were killed and twenty-nine women and children taken prison- ers. These were soon after exchanged for captives which the Comanches held, after which they fled wildly to their homes.
General Canalizo took advantage of this unfortunate en- counter to inflame anew the hostility of the Indians, and a general invasion of the country was projected. This resulted in their murderous raid down the country to the coast, the burning of Linnville, and the battle of Plum Creek.
On the 5th of August, 1840, a band, chiefly Comanches and Kiowas, but including also many lawless Mexicans and Indians from some of the more civilized tribes, passed down the country, sixteen miles east of Gonzales, directly en route for Victoria. On the afternoon of the 6th they suddenly ap- peared in the vicinity of Victoria, having already killed several
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persons. They then made a feint upon the town, killing others, and capturing that afternoon and next day about two thousand horses.
The people deserted their homes and "forted up " in the strongest houses. The Indians camped for the night on Spring Creek. The next day they again entered the town, killing two persons and robbing the deserted houses. They passed nine miles down the Guadalupe Valley and captured Mrs. Crosby and child, grand-daughter of Daniel Boone, and turned obliquely for Linnville, two and a half miles above the present town of Lavaca, on the bay, killing several persons on the way.
The people of Linnville were taken by surprise, and were without means of defence. They rushed, wading through shallow water, to a number of small boats about two hundred yards from shore, and pushed out into deep water.
Major H. O. Watts was killed, and his wife, negro woman, and a son of the latter, were taken prisoners. The Indians then robbed the warehouses, which contained a large amount of goods for the Mexican trade, hastily loaded their horses and mules, and, burning the houses, began their triumphant re- turn. They passed sixteen miles east of Victoria, intersecting their downward trail about twenty-five miles north of that place.
On the 9th, about eleven o'clock, A.M., they encountered one hundred and twenty-five hastily collected volunteers, with Captains J. J. Tumlinson, Ben. McCulloch, and Adam Zum- walt. There was light skirmishing, which resulted in one being killed on each side, when, on disagreeing as to making a charge, Captain Ben. McCulloch, with three companions, left and hastened to Gonzales, hoping to find men ready to intercept and fight the Indians. The trail of the Indians was followed by a company from Texana, and one hundred men from the Colorado, under Colonel John H. Moore.
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BATTLE OF PLUM CREEK.
On the night of August 11th twenty-one volunteers from Jackson County, under Captain Lafayette Ward; sixty-six from Gonzales and Seguin, including Ben. McCulloch and his three friends, under Captains Matthew Caldwell and James Bird, met on Plum Creek, near the trail of the Indians. At the same time General Felix Huston of the militia arrived. Early on the morning of the 12th Colonel Edward Burleson, with eighty-seven volunteers and thirteen Toncahua Indians, from Bastrop County, joined them. By courtesy Felix Huston was invited to take chief command. Huston ordered an advance toward the enemy, who appeared in sight upon the plain, which was made in two columns, one under Burleson, and one under Caldwell, both, as were also Ben. and Henry E. McCulloch, experienced Indian fighters, as were many others of the volunteers, while General Felix Huston was unacquainted with Indian modes of warfare. Half the Indians dismounted in a point of timber. IIuston dismounted his men within gun- shot of the Indians, who, with their long-range, Mexican guns, had greatly the advantage, and wounded several men and quite a number of horses during the half-hour in which this mode of warfare was continued. At last, yielding to advice, Huston ordered a charge, which was made with a rush into the midst of the Indians, who fled, scattering in squads, as was their custom. All order was lost, and men pursued and fought the Indians wherever they could overtake them. The pursuit was kept up ten or twelve miles. The Indians abandoned their stolen horses and goods, which were partially recovered. Eighty-six Indians were killed and many wounded. Mrs. Crosby was killed by the retreating Indians, who had previously murdered her child. The other prisoners, Mrs. Watts, her servant woman, both badly wounded, and a son of the latter, were recovered. About three o'clock, just after camping, they were joined by Colonel Moore with about one
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hundred and fifty men, including Captain Clark L. Owen of Texana, who had followed the trail, and were much chagrined not to have aided in chastising the Indians.
QUESTIONS .- What appeal came from Mexico to the Texians in 1839 ? How was this appeal met ? What occurred on the 3d of October, 1839 ? What was formed in the winter ? How did Lamar meet the proposition ? Was the project abandoned ? Relate the events which followed. How did Captain Jordan and his men escape ? What was said of this retreat ? What led to the Council IIouse fight ? Of what were the Indians assured ? Describe the fight. Describe the fight in the yard. What advantage was taken of this most unexpected event ? In what did it result ? Give the details of their raid. What precautions did the people take ? What were the next Indian depredations ? Give the details of the taking of Linnville. Whom did they encounter on the 9th ? Who continued on their trail ? What seeming accident brought the men together who fought the battle of Plum Creek ? What occurred early the next morning ? Describe his order of battle. What was the consequence ? What change was then made ? Who arrived upon the scene a few hours after the battle ?
CHAPTER XLVIII.
NORTH-EAST BOUNDARY LINE BETWEEN TEXAS AND THE UNITED STATES.
THE boundary line between the United States and Texas, as defined by treaty between Spain and the United States, ' February 22, 1819, and ratified by Mexico, April 5, 1832, in 1840-41 was run and marked, by a joint commission, from lati- tude 32° on the Sabine, due north to Red River. This threw into Texas quite a number of people previously supposed to be east of the line, either in Louisiana or Arkansas.
The boundary followed the Sabine to latitude 32°, thence north to Red River, thence up Red River to longitude 100°, thence due north to the Arkansas, and up that stream to its source, etc.
Late in 1840, through the negotiations of James Pinkney Henderson and General James Hamilton, the independence of Texas was acknowledged by England, France, and Belgium.
The fifth Congress assembled in Austin, December 13, 1840. President Lamar was temporarily absent on account of ill health, and Vice-President Burnet was acting President.
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Governor Henry Smith and General Sam Houston were mem- bers of this Congress, with other men of ability and experience in legislative affairs in both the United States and Texas. Several members of the fourth Congress were re-elected.
A bill of startling import, called the " Franco-Texiene Land Bill," was introduced into this Congress. It proposed to grant to a French company three million acres of land in different parts of the Republic, chiefly on the water-courses. They were privileged to import all articles, including goods for the Mexican trade, free of duty for twenty years, and to pay no ad valorem tax for nine years.
The French were to locate eight thousand immigrants on the lands by 1849, to establish and keep in repair a line of twenty military posts for twenty years, to extend from Red River, above the " Cross Timbers," to the Rio Grande. The dazzling feature of this bill was in the business and capital which would be brought to the Republic. But such an outcry of opposition was heard from all quarters, that the bill was not seriously urged.
The valueless currency of the country was the subject of much discussion, and the further issue of treasury notes was condemned, but this was finally continued until one dollar was worth but ten cents ; yet the session passed without producing a remedy.
THE SANTA FE EXPEDITION.
By act of the first Congress of Texas, in 1836, the Rio Grande was made the western boundary of the Republic. Santa Fé, cast of that stream, contained a considerable popula- tion, chiefly Mexican, but with several other nationalities represented, among whom were American traders. These were isolated by twelve hundred miles from the Mexican capital, and by four hundred miles, partly a desert, from Paso del Norte, the nearest considerable place in the direction of that capital.
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Since 1823 Santa Fé had carried on a considerable trade with Northern Mexico, through caravans of wagons making annual trips to Missouri, paying gold and silver in return for goods. Lamar's object in the Santa Fé expedition was, by means peaceful and commercial, to extend the jurisdiction of Texas over Santa Fé and that part of New Mexico lying east of the Rio Grande, divert the trade from Missouri, and bring the precious metals to the relief of Texas.
In the spring of 1840 several American settlers of Santa Fe visited the President and urged some measure of relief to the people ruled over by Mexican governors and other officials selected from a few families, who were enriching themselves and consuming the substance of the people.
Congress failed to provide for the expedition, and Lamar resolved to undertake its execution on his own responsibility. Proclamations of the peaceful objects of the expedition, printed in the Spanish language, were to be distributed among the inhabitants, and the opportunity tendered them of living under the peaceful laws of Texas. Commercial men with stocks of goods were invited to join, and a sufficient number of armed men for protection against Indians and for hunting were fur- nished, and three commissioners charged with the duty and clothed with authority to negotiate terms or any treaty that should be agreed upon between the two parties.
The commissioners were Don José Antonio Navarro, a Mexican and true and tried friend of Texas ; Colonel Wm. G. Cooke, a man of experience, honor, and courage ; and Dr. Richard F. Brenham, a gallant son of Kentucky. Their secretary was George Van Ness, a younger brother of the orator and legislator, Cornelius Van Ness. Among the amateurs who went for pleasure were George Wilkins Kendall of the New Orleans Picayune, who afterwards published a full account of the expedition ; also Frank, a son of General Leslie Coombes of Lexington, Kentucky, and others. There were one hundred and seventy armed men, commanded by General
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Hugh McLeod, divided into three companies under Captains Matthew Caldwell, - Houghton, and Wm. P. Lewis of the artillery. They had wagons drawn by oxen, and also animals for beef, with Lipan Indians promised as guides.
They left their rendezvous on Brushy Creek, about fifteen miles above Austin, on the 21st of June, 1841. The Lipan guides did not join them.
On the 11th of August they were about eighty miles from San Miguel, after travelling three hundred miles out of their way, constantly menaced by Indians and worn down with fatigue, watching, and starvation. Mr. Kendall writes : " Every tortoise and snake and lizard, and every living thing, was devoured with rapacity."
Three men were sent forward to San Miguel to obtain pro- visions and ascertain in what spirit the expedition would be received ; the main body following wearily on, over a broken country.
On the 11th of September a party in advance met a small company of Mexican traders who informed them that the gov- ernor of Santa Fe, Armijo, had stirred up a violent opposi- tion to the expedition, proclaiming that " the Texians were coming to burn, slay, and destroy," and that the three men whom they had sent forward were now imprisoned in Santa Fé.
The Mexican traders guided the Texians, by a short route, to a sheep ranch on the Rio Gallinas, where they obtained all the mutton they wished. The shepherds confirmed the report of the traders. On the following morning, September 14th, this party sent forward five of their number to San Miguel, with a carefully written letter to the alcalde, announcing their approach, and bearing the proclamation of President Lamar ; adding, that, if the inhabitants were opposed to the measures, the Texians would in a peaceable manner return to their homes.
This party failed to send back to General McLeod the
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reports which had been confirmed to them of the enmity of the governor and people. Mr. Howland, one of the three im- , prisoned men, an American settler of Santa Fe, who had urged the expedition upon President Lamar, endeavored to escape in order to send warning to those who were approaching toward a similar fate, when he was retaken and shot.
The second commissioners were met by a body of Mexi- cans, led by Salazar. They were dismounted and hurried forward to San Miguel. About sunset they were met by Gov- ernor Armijo, with six hundred men, who, pretending friend- ship, asked who they were. William P. Lewis answered that they were merchants from the United States. George Van Ness indignantly interposed, answering that they were all Texians, excepting Mr. Kendall and Coombes. The uniform of Lewis, decorated with the lone star, and " Texas " on the collar, betrayed him ; but, as he spoke Spanish well, he was immediately taken into Armijo's employ as interpreter, and mounted, while his four companions were marched on foot to San Miguel, arriving there in time to witness the execution of the two remaining men of the first commission.
Colonel William G. Cooke, with ninety-four of the men, hav- ing been misled by the friendly report brought to him, found himself surrounded on the 17th by the force under Armijo. Cooke was preparing for battle when Lewis approached, bear- ing a white flag, with the assurance from Armijo, that if they would consent to be disarmed, in eight days their arms should be restored and they be at liberty. They consented, were dis- armed, and betrayed. They were tied in pairs, and marched on foot to Santa Fé.
Armijo then went back and met General McLeod with his men on the Laguna Colorado, about thirty miles from the Gal- linas. Weakened by starvation, they readily yielded to prom- ises of kind treatment, surrendered, and were immediately tied and started for Santa Fe, reaching San Miguel on the 12th of October. Armijo seized the merchandise, which he divided
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liberally with Lewis as a reward for his treachery, besides a highly commendatory letter to Governor Conde of Chihuahua, at which place he located as a trader.
On the 17th of October the prisoners left Santa Fe for the City of Mexico under charge of the brutal Salazar. Some of them died on the way, whose ears were cut off as proof that they had not been allowed to escape. A change in the leader at El Paso was greatly to their advantage, and at Chihuahua they were treated with kindness, the people giving them food and clothing. In the City of Mexico they were imprisoned until July, 1842, when General Waddy Thompson of South Carolina, United States Minister to Mexico, procured their release, and sent them to Vera Cruz, whence they all returned to Texas, excepting Don José Antonio Navarro, who, being a Mexican, suffered the penalty of confinement in the castle of San Juan de Ulloa until 1844. The unhappy termination of this well-meant expedition awakened in the United States a decided sentiment in favor of Texas and against Mexico.
Mr. Kendall wrote, in 1843 : "Not a doubt can exist that they [the citizens of Santa Fe] are and were all anxious to throw off the oppressive yoke of Armijo and come under the liberal institutions of Texas ; but the governor found us divided into small parties, broken down by long marches, and out of food ; discovered, too, a traitor among us ; and, taking advantage of these circumstances, his course was plain and the conquest easy." The failure, however, and the debt incurred, fell heavily upon the administration.
QUESTIONS .- When was the boundary line established between the United States and Texas ? When was it ratified by Mexico ? When was the line run and marked ? How was it run ? Describe it. What advantage was it to Texas ? What other event of im- portance took place in 1840 ? When did the fifth Congress assemble f Who composed it ? What remarkable bill was introduced into this Congress ? What were the French to do on their part ? What other important question engaged their attention ? By what right did Texas claim Santa Fe ? How was Santa Fe situated ? How was the trade of Santa Fe carried on ? What had been communicated to the President in the spring of 1840 ? What were the plans for the expedition ? Who were the three commissioners, and who the commander ? Who else accompanied them ? What was the military force ?
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When and from what point did they start ? Where were they on August 11th ? What was now done ? What occurred on the 11th of September ? What assistance did the Mexican traders render the Texians? What was done on the morning of September 14th ? What mistake did this advance party make ? What was the fate of the second five commissioners ? What revealed Lewis as a traitor ? What of Colonel Cooke ? What was Armijo's next movement ? What was the fate of the Santa Fé prisoners ? When the story of their suffering became known in the United States, what was the result ?
CHAPTER XLIX.
HOUSTON'S SECOND ADMINISTRATION.
IN the election for President in September, 1841, the sec- tions of the country were divided ; General Sam Houston and Vice-President Burnet were opposing candidates. Burnet's vice-presidency was burdened with the disasters of the Santa Fé expedition and the continued issue and depreciation of the currency, while the west and border settlements objected to General Houston's treaty-making policy with the Indians.
General Houston was elected President by a large majority, and General Edward Burleson Vice-President. Congress met November 1st, and they were inaugurated December 3, 1841.
The public debt had been accumulating since 1836, and, including the purchase of the naval vessels, it now amounted to upwards of ten million dollars.
President Houston favored a pacific policy toward the Indians, a policy strictly defensive toward Mexico, and an economical administration of the government.
The condition of the Republic was, on the whole, en- couraging. The Independence of Texas had been acknowl- edged by England, France, Belgium, Holland, and the United States. Commercial relations were established with these powers, and a trade, of which her cotton was the basis, was growing up. Texas had representatives at these foreign courts, and also in the United States.
As measures of economy, President Houston virtually dis- banded the army and navy, restricted the number of officials
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to those of strict necessity, and reduced the salaries of those retained ; recommended a reduction of one-half the State tax, and that it be paid in gold, silver, or convertible paper, and to rely upon impost duties as a source of revenue. These recom- mendations were but partially adopted.
To supply a currency the President proposed a new issue of paper money to the amount of not more than three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, to be based on one million acres of lands lying in the latc Cherokee country, and reserved for that purpose, and thus Texas would be protected against those ruin- ous loans which had been previously sought.
Santa Anna, having been declared Dictator the year before (1841), following a revolution in Mexico, proclaimed a vigor- ous renewal of the war against Texas. The Texas Congress, anxious to send an expedition into Mexico, with President Houston in command, passed a bill to that effect. To their intense disappointment, the President vetoed the bill for con- stitutional reasons, and as of doubtful expediency, even if they were sure of a conquest, in consideration of the hope of annex- ation to the United States at some time, which country was on friendly terms with Mexico.
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