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 17
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The United States afterwards recognized the illegality of Cooke's proceedings, and made an appropriation for damages.
FOREIGN IMMIGRATION.
Under certain conditions of a special colonization law of the Republic, enacted in 1841, Henry Castro, by birth a Frenchman, of wealthy and highly honorable descent, received conditionally, February 15, 1842, large grants of land west of the Medina River. He immediately proceeded to comply with his contract, sending his first colonists, one hundred and thirteen in number, from Havre, on the 3d of November, 1842.
At great expense and labor, between the years 1842 and 1847, he settled upon his lands over four hundred and fifty families, and as large a number of single men from France and adjoining German provinces. IIe founded Castroville on the Medina, and, on other portions of his lands, the towns of Quihi, Vandenberg, and Dhamis. IIe expended large sums of money for the benefit of his people, and the country en- joyed the results of his well-directed energies. His death in Monterey, on his way to revisit his native country, was a serious loss to his colonists as well as to this country, where his real worth could not be too highly estimated.
Between the years 1845 and 1847 about eleven thousand immigrants, under the Prince de Solmes, arrived in Texas as colonists. In 1846 he laid out the town of Fredericksburg. The company to which the lands were granted was made up from the German nobility. The Crown Prince of Prussia, Frederick William, was a member of the company. Their purpose was to establish a German municipality, with Fred- ericksburg as its capital. This was defeated by the annexa- tion of Texas to the United States.
In consequence of this failure of the company, some of the immigrants returned to the Fatherland. Many, left without resources, suffered great hardships ; some died of
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privation and disease. Not a few were buried on the road- side between Indianola and their destination, which was on a frontier exposed to Indian depredations. Those who survived and remained on the lands were rewarded by large accessions of friends from across the ocean, and the possession and de- velopment of one of the most beautiful portions of Texas.
COMAL RIVER, NEAR NEW BRAUNFELS.
This enterprise, under the right acquired by Henry F. Fisher and Burchard Miller, prominent and honorable Ger- man citizens of Houston, became known as the German Immi- gration Company. It was under its auspices that the great body of Germans entered Texas. They built up New Braun- fels, and many farms were opened and other enterprises started on that exposed frontier.
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To her German tillers of the soil, Texas is indebted for developments of great value, and which to the Americans had been considered of impossible production in this climate. Portions of the country have become valuable and productive, which had been set aside as.unfit for general use.
QUESTIONS .- When did an opportunity for partial redress of treatment of prisoners and other outrages by Mexico occur to the Texians? What was first done by the Texians engaged in the expedition ? Describe their plans and journey. What did their scouts learn of the train ? What further did they learn on the 9th of June ? What was announced on the 17th ? What occurred on the 20th while they were awaiting its arrival ? How had they been surprised ? What was the next report of the scouts on the 28th ? What did some of the men do ? What did Captain Snively do ? What was Captain Cooke's demand ? What did Cooke do ? What occurred on the 4th of July ? What was reported by the scouts on the 8th ? What did they find on the 13th ? When did they reach Bird's Fort? What colonial enterprise was begun in 1842 ? What did Castro accomplish ? Relate the progress of immigration between 1848 and 1847. How was the purpose defeated ? In consequence of this failure what was the fate of colonists ? Into what company did this enterprise become merged ? What is true of German tillers of the soil ?
CHAPTER LV.
PEACE WITH MEXICO URGED-QUESTION OF ANNEXATION- WAR WITH THE REGULATORS AND MODERATORS.
THE first propositions for peace with Mexico originated with James W. Robinson, Lieutenant-Governor in the pro- visional government in 1835, one of the lawyers captured by General Woll at San Antonio in September, 1842, then con- fined in the Castle of Perote. Robinson ventured to open a correspondence with Santa Anna at his hacienda, where he afterwards had a personal interview with him, and made proposals which were so favorably received by Santa Anna that Robinson obtained his liberty, in order to offer them for the consideration of the government of Texas.
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Robinson's plans looked to the peaceful restoration of Texas to Mexico. On his return to Texas he laid the corre- spondence before President Houston, who saw in it an in- genious device for regaining Robinson's liberty, but nothing
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which could permanently benefit Texas. An armistice which was proposed, it was suggested, would give Texas a respite from invasion, and afford the people time to devote to her domestic industries. This was the extent of that affair, only that Texas was to become a State of Mexico.
Great Britain desired a reunion of Texas with Mexico, rather than annexation to the United States, as it would in- crease the area of monarchical rule on this side the ocean, diminish that of a slave-holding people, and increase her own chances for collecting debts against that country, which Mexico alone was unable to pay.
Great Britain and France both interested themselves in bringing about an armistice between the belligerent powers, Texas and Mexico. The passage of British war vessels be- tween Vera Cruz and Galveston, bearing secret despatches, in- terviews between the ministers of those countries, and a known diplomatic correspondence with Texas officials, aroused the jealousy of the United States-imperilling the Monroe doctrine and the possession of the Gulf of Mexico.
" Beware of the British !" wrote Andrew Jackson, Hous- ton's early friend and admirer, and one who never wholly acknowledged the alienation of title by the United States to the territory of Texas.
The dignity of Texas had been offended by the rejection of her first proposals for annexation. She was now waiting for the suit to be made from that quarter, while, in a quiet and unofficial way, her minister to that country was urging the question of annexation upon the favorable notice of indi- vidual congressmen.
Texas foresaw that the measure would sometime be effected, notwithstanding the invectives with which she was assailed by other parties whenever the subject was agitated.
This opposition was so far resented in Texas that quite a large party grew up opposed to annexation. At the same time there was a governing anxiety to so shape her public acts as
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not to diminish her chances for favorable terms when that period should arrive. Two commissioners from each of the belligerent powers met at Sabinas, and a temporary armistice was agreed upon and proclaimed on the 15th of June, 1843. On the 24th of July the Texian government was informed by the British charge d'affaires that to General Woll and the military would be submitted the question of the duration of the armistice.
In all this correspondence Texas was considered as a dependency of Mexico, and the Texian President's position in the civil government was ignored.
About this time the renewed interest on the question of annexation became public through President Tyler's mes- sage to the United States Congress on the 5th of December, 1843, in which he plainly showed zealous solicitude that " Texas should be left free to act, especially in regard to her domestic affairs, unawed by force and unrestrained by the policy or views of other countries."
President Houston took no public action upon the armis- tice, but rejected it silently, merely to gain time, avoid irritating Mexico while she held the Mier prisoners, and also to retain the good will of Great Britain and France.
The recent advances by the United States were received cautiously. The party in Texas who were in favor of annex- ation were impatient of delay, and all were in a state of fever- ish anxiety. It was learned by the Texian Congress that on the 18th of December, 1843, a secret messenger had been despatched to the United States government, charged with important instructions on the subject of annexation. A demand was made by resolution, upon the President, for the immediate recall of the messenger, and that his departure be postponed until Congress should be allowed to read all correspondence with other countries on matters affecting Texas and had time for action thereon, if necessary. The President refused to make public the errand with which the
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messenger was charged, but suggested that the Speaker and Committee on Foreign Affairs could call at the State Depart- ment and examine the correspondence. This was done, and they were satisfied.
A repetition of her former humiliation was feared in a final rejection by the United States Senate, although General Jackson wrote January 23, 1844, his belief that more than two-thirds of the Senate would vote for annexation. Presi- dent Houston had equally positive assurances from other dis- tinguished sources.
In response to a secret message to the Congress of Texas, sent in by the President on the 20th of January, 1844, on the subject of annexation, an appropriation was made to defray the expenses of General James Pinkney Henderson, who had been appointed a special envoy to go to Washington City and be ready to cooperate with Mr. Isaac Van Zandt, Texian chargé d'affaires, should a certain point be reached by that government on the subject of annexation. Mr. Van Zandt asked if, after the treaty was signed, and before its ratification by the Senate, President Tyler would place a military and naval force at necessary points on the gulf and frontier, to protect the country in the meantime from foreign invasion. Texas received assurances of protection. All was in a state of readiness, and the business of making the treaty began.
The British minister, surprised at what now became pub- lic, demanded an explanation. He was, in respectful terms, answered that all had failed from every other source. The United States had promised protection which Texas so much needed ; had promised to procure the release of her impris- oned citizens ; and that the proposition was unsolicited by Texas. Mexico was enraged at the prospect of annexation. General Woll informed Texas that the armistice was at an end, and that hostilities would be immediately renewed.
The treaty was completed on the 12th of April, 1844,
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signed by General Henderson and Mr. Van Zandt on the part of Texas, and by Mr. Calhoun, Secretary of State of the United States, sent by President Tyler to the Senate for ratification, and on the 8th of June, 1844, it was rejected by that body by a vote of sixteen to thirty-five .*
A feeling of profound mortification and resentment per- vaded all parties in Texas.
The pleasure of the Mexicans was equally profound. On the 19th of June General Woll gave notice that hostilities were renewed, and that his nation had been highly indignant at the perfidious conduct of Texas. "Nothing short of dis- turbances of a serious character at home prevented that gov- ernment from an immediate retaliation for the insult."
No official relations now existed between Texas and the United States. General Henderson was recalled and Mr. Van Zandt resigned. The " Lone Star " was the appropriate emblem for Texas, and Texas resolved to devote all her resources and energies to her own development, and in time to outlive the opprobrium falsely cast upon her by her ene- mies. The restless and factious spirit among the people was quieted. The Indians, their main wants supplied by trading houses along the border, and their thieving expedi- tions checked by an efficient ranging service, gave less trouble. Schools and religious institutions received more attention,
* The final action of the Senate was not taken as a test of the popularity of the measure. It was affected by the opposition to annexation of the two opposing candidates for the presidency of the United States-Henry Clay, a Whig, and Martin Van Buren, a Democrat.
When the time arrived for the Whig nominating convention at Baltimore, May 1st, which nominated Mr. Clay, the question of his opposition to an- nexation had been settled by a public letter of April 12th.
When, on the 27th of May, the Democratic convention met to nominate their candidate, and the question of annexation was applied to Martin Van Buren, and his opposition to the measure defeated him, James K. Polk, known to be in its favor, was nominated in his stead, and "annexation " became a rallying cry of the Democratic party. It was coupled with the "re-occupation of Oregon," and the " re-annexation of Texas."
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the crops of the country were never more promising, and the tide of immigration increased. Mexican invasion was still threatened, but it had become a by-word among the people.
Texas was assured not only by the election of Polk to the presidency of the United States that she had a host of friends still working for annexation, but Andrew Jackson, in letters to President Houston, exhorted him to keep his government prepared for it. Texas was resolved that if annexation was effected it should involve no further humiliation to herself.
WAR OF THE REGULATORS AND THE MODERATORS. .
About this time culminated the "war of the Regulators and Moderators " in the Teneha country on the eastern bor- der, where feuds had existed, and, from an occasional act of bloodshed, parties had organized and taken the law into their own hands, and it became an open war.
At the end of two or three years, in the summer of 1844, after about fifty had been killed on each side, President Houston ordered out the militia. In person he assembled the leaders of both parties, earnestly addressed them, and demanded that they should resume their relations as neigh- bors and law-abiding citizens. He triumphed, and each party kept the faith. And thus ended this neighborhood feud.
QUESTIONS .- With whom did the first proposition for peace with Mexico originate ? When ? Who was he ? How was the matter brought forward ? What did his plans involve ? How were they received in Texas ? In what respects would Robinson's plans have suited Great Britain ? Why was the United States jealous ? What warning did Andrew Jackson give Houston ? In what position did Texians stand toward each other ? How did many regard annexation ? In what way was the armistice brought about ? What word did the Texians receive on July 24th ? In the correspondence how was Texas considered ? What did President Tyler say regarding the annexation of Texas ? Why did Houston take no public action upon the armistice ? How were the recent advances of the United States received ? How did those who favored annexation feel ? What was learned by the Texian Congress ? What was demanded of the President of Texas on that day ? What was Houston's reply ? What was especially feared in Texas ? What did Jackson write January 23, 1844 ? In what connection was James
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Pinkney Henderson sent to Washington ? What was the feeling of the friendly foreign powers on the subject ? How was it regarded by Mexico ? Relate the fate of the treaty. How did Texas feel regarding the rejection of the treaty ? What was the effect in Mexico ? What were now the relations between the United States and Mexico ? What did Texas resolve ? What greatly contributed to these results ? Of what was Texas assured ? Upon what were the people determined ? What disturbed the peace of a portion of the country at this time ? How long did it continue ?
CHAPTER LVI.
ELECTION OF PRESIDENT-ANNEXATION-STATE GOVERNMENT.
ON the first Monday in September, 1844, Dr. Anson Jones, Secretary of State, was elected President over Edward Burleson, former Vice- President. Kenneth L. Anderson was elected Vice- President. They were in- augurated on the 9th of December, 1844, when President Houston became a private citizen.
ANSON JONES.
Dr. Jones' election sig- nified an approval of the general policy of the former administration, and also as to the defensive attitude of the Republic towards Mexico.
ANNEXATION.
James K. Polk was elected President, and George M. Dallas Vice-President of the United States, both warm advo- cates of annexation. On the 25th of February, 1845, joint resolutions passed the United States House of Representa- tives by a vote of one hundred and twenty to ninety-eight,
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and the Senate by twenty-seven to twenty-five, providing for annexation. The last official act of President Tyler was to give to these resolutions his official sanction.
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On the 15th of May President Jones called a convention, to consist of sixty-one delegates, to meet on the following 4th of July, to consider the acceptance of the proposals for annexation. He then called Congress together in extra session to act on the proposition and to give its assent to the convention. Great Britain pledged the recognition of Texian independence by Mexico if the propositions were rejected by Texas.
The consent of Congress was obtained ; the convention was held ; the proposals for annexation were accepted ; a State constitution was framed ; and the two acts were sub- mitted to a vote of the people on the 13th of October, 1845. They were approved by vote of the people, and, on the 29th of December, the laws of the United States and the postal service were extended to Texas.
THE STATE GOVERNMENT.
An election for State officers and members of the Leg- islature was held in December. General James Pinkney Henderson was elected Governor,* and Alexander C. Horton Lieutenant-Governor.
The newly elected Legislature met in Austin, on the 16th of February ; and on the 19th of February, 1846, the Republic of Texas ceased, and the State of Texas became a member of the American Union. President Anson Jones closed his
* James Pinkney Henderson was a native of North Carolina. Soon after his arrival in Texas, in 1836, President Burnet commissioned him to return to the United States, to raise recruits for the Texian army, in which he succeeded, bringing a company from North Carolina at his own expense. On his return, in November, President Houston appointed him Attorney-General of the Republic. On the death of Stephen F. Austin, Secretary of State, in the fol- lowing December, General Henderson was appointed to fill his place. In 1837, at twenty-nine years of age, he went as envoy extraordinary and minister
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eloquent address with the now memorable words : "The Re- public of Texas is no more !" General Henderson thereupon took the oath of office as first Governor of the State of Texas. The Legislature elected General Sam Houston and General Thomas J. Rusk to the United States Senate. Timothy Pilsbury of Brazoria, and David S. Kaufman of · Nacogdoches, were the first Representatives to the United States Congress.
The first Supreme Judges were John Hemphill (Chief Justice), Abner S. Lipscomb, and Royal T. Wheeler, Associ- ates. Of the District Courts were Judges William E. Jones, Robert E. B. Baylor, John T. Mills, Anderson Hutchinson, John B. Jones, William B. Ochiltree, Richard Morris, and M. P. Norton.
QUESTIONS .-. What elections took place in Texas in the fall of 1844 ? What was the policy of this administration ? What were the feelings of the newly elected President and Vice-President of the United States ? What was the last official act of President Tyler ? What official action was taken in Texas on annexation ? What was proposed by Great Britain ! What was accomplished ? How did the State government go into operation ?
plenipotentiary from Texas to France and England. At the then brilliant courts of St. James (England) and St. Cloud (France), "he commanded respect for his intelligence, confidence for his fidelity to the objects of his mission, and esteem for the sincerity and nobility of his nature." He succeeded in negotiating commercial treaties between those countries and Texas (a most difficult and delicate mission, considering the condition of the Republic), and also the recognition of Texian independence by those two great powers. In 1844 he was sent to the United States to act in con- cert with Mr. Van Zandt in negotiating a treaty of annexation to the United States. In the beginning of the war with Mexico in 1846, Texas was called upon for four regiments of volunteers. Governor Henderson commanded them, and led the Second Texas regiment in person in the attack on Mon- terey. He was recognized as a major-general in the United States service. When Monterey surrendered, General Taylor appointed General Henderson one of the commissioners-Jefferson Davis being also one-to negotiate terms of surrender with Ampudia. At the close of the war he returned to Texas, finished his term as governor, and returned to his profession as a lawyer. In 1857 he was chosen to fill the place of General Rusk, deceased, in the United States Senate, made vacant by the death of that member. His declining health culminated in his death, after having occupied his seat but a short time.
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Who was elected governor ? When did the new Legislature meet ? On what date did Texas cease to be a Republic ? Who were the first senators to the United States ? Who were the representatives ? Who were the first judges of the Supreme and District Courts ?
CHAPTER LVII.
WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO.
As General Zachary Taylor, with United States troops, moved from Corpus Christi towards the Rio Grande oppo- site Matamoras, a detachment of Mexicans protested against his crossing the Rio Sal Colorado, about twenty-five miles east of the Rio Grande, but refrained from firing. Gen- eral Taylor effected the crossing, and, having reached the · Rio Grande, speedily constructed defensive works opposite Matamoras, which were afterwards named Fort Brown. The scouts which had been sent up the river, under Cap- tain Thornton and Lieutenant Porter, were surprised and captured.
Leaving Major Jacob Brown in command of the new fort, General Taylor moved with the main body of his army down to Point Isabel, to guard back army supplies which had arrived by sea. On his return, at Palo Alto, on the 8th of May, 1846, he encountered and drove back General Arista. A few miles farther on, on the 9th, Arista again disputed his passage at Resaca de la Palma, and a severe battle was fought, in which General Taylor was victorious. At Matamoras a continual bombardment had been kept up on Fort Brown, during which Major Brown was killed. Arista soon aban- doned Matamoras, when General Taylor crossed the Rio Grande and took possession.
Colonel John C. Hays commanded a regiment at Monte- rey, of which Captain Ben McCulloch's celebrated scouts 'formed a part ; Colonel George T. Wood, afterward Governor of Texas, commanded another regiment in the same battle- General Henderson commanding the whole. Colonel Hayes
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afterward commanded another regiment, under General Scott, in the campaign from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico. Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston commanded the first regiment of Texians, but its term of service was short, after which he served on General Taylor's staff until his reappointment to the United States Army, from which he resigned to take ser- vice under the Republic of Texas in 1836. Major Walter P. Lane also performed important service under General Taylor. The war between the United States and Mexico continued until February 2, 1848, when a treaty of peace was signed at Guadalupe Hidalgo, and the United States army evacuated Mexico in the following June.
RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL.
At no time did the Mexicans attempt to impose or enforce the Roman Catholic religion upon the colonies : its growth, however, kept pace with the increase of population, many of the immigrants being Catholics.
It could not be expected that churches and schools could flourish while the colonies were struggling for existence against dangers and harassments from their enemies; yet families brought the religion in which they had been trained with them, and planted it in the new country, and watched over its growth with jealous care.
Protestant ministers occasionally visited the country at a very early period, and preached in the cabins of their friends, or conducted a camp-meeting, and always without molesta- tion from priest or government official.
To the Rev. Henry Stephenson of the Methodist Church is accredited the preaching of the first Protestant sermon, in the year 1818, on the Texas side of the Red River, and in 1824 he preached a sermon west of the Brazos.
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