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 5
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Dr. Long had sent a request to La Fitte that he would join him in his enterprise ; but as La Fitte rejected the proposition of the messenger, Long determined to visit him and urge his acceptance in person. He had reached the Cooshattie village on his way, when he learned that the
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Royalist colonel, Perez, was advancing from the west with a large force. He immediately sent to his wife instructions to recross the Sabine into Louisiana without delay. Perez, on the 11th of October, 1819, surprised and captured Johnson and ten of his men. The remainder fled to Walker's camp on the lower Brazos. Perez pursued, and, on the 15th, at- tacked them with such fury, that they abandoned everything excepting their arms, and escaped to Smith's camp on the . Trinity. David Long was killed at his trading-house on the Trinity. His men, closely pursued, escaped to Nacogdoches, when the whole population, with Long and the garrison, crossed the Sabine as speedily as possible. Colonel Perez, enraged to find the place depopulated, proceeded across the country to Smith's fort on the Trinity. Smith's force, with the refugees, amounting to seventy-five men, retreated, were pursued and overtaken. They lost several of their men in a sharp encounter, and made their escape to Bolivar Point, where they established a camp.
QUESTIONS .- Who led the next expedition into Texas ? Who was he ? With what was he familiar ? What did he think would be of benefit to him ? When did he leave Natchez ? How many joined him ? Who were among them ? How many arrived at Nacogdoches with him ? What did they accomplish at Nacogdoches ? What laws did they enact ? What was their plan for occupying the country ? Where was Captain Smith ordered ? What of Long's visit to La Fitte on Galveston Island ? What tidings met him on the way ? What did Perez do ? What did the Americans do ? What can you tell of the fate of David Long and his men ? What can you tell of Smith and his men ?
CHAPTER XVI.
LONG'S SECOND EXPEDITION INTO TEXAS, TAKEN PRISONER, RELEASED, AND ASSASSINATED.
DR. LONG now determined to penetrate the country from the sea coast. He coasted around from Louisiana with a few followers, and joined the men under Smith at Bolivar Point, then returned to New Orleans to secure additional aid in men and means.
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Dr. Long met with encouragement from General Ripley, Colonel Christy, and other men of wealth, and also with Ben- jamin R. Milam, John Austin, and Don Felix Trespalacios, a patriot exile from Mexico. These last were cooperating in a plan to procure aid for the Patriot cause in Mexico. Dr. Long decided to join these men. Accordingly, with Mrs. Long and child, and the addition of a few other patriotic · spirits, they embarked on three or four small vessels and landed first at Bolivar Point.
It was agreed that Milam, Trespalacios, Christy, and others should sail down the coast, effect a landing near Tam- pico, and, with the patriot forces which they hoped to raise in Mexico, move north and meet Dr. Long in his march by land from Goliad. They sailed, leaving Dr. Long to complete his arrangements .*
An unfortunate affair happened about this time. Among Long's men was one Mordella, a nephew of Trespalacios, who was detected in a conspiracy against the expedition, for which he was tried and executed on the east end of Galveston Island.
When Long's preparations were completed, he left his wife, child, and negro servant woman, also Mrs. Allen, Dr. Edgar, and three other men, with a mounted cannon, small arms and ammunition, and a supply of provisions, at Bolivar.
Making his way along the coast with three small vessels
*Soon after the separation a French vessel, freighted with wines and other supplies for the Mexican trade, stranded on Galveston Island. The Carancahua Indians, numbering about two hundred, were encamped in the vicinity, and at once attacked and butchered all on board, plundering the craft, drinking the wine, and indulging in a general carousal. Long deter- mined to chastise them. After nightfall, with thirty men, he passed over to the island in small boats and surprised them. Not daunted by the surprise, they, numbering nearly seven to one, turned upon their assailants with such fury, that Dr. Long, after losing three of his men, retreated to his boats. Thirty-two Indians were killed. He took two Indian boys prisoners.
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and fifty-two men, Long debarked at Mezquit landing on the Guadaloupe River. Leaving his boats in care of Mr. Black, who was soon after killed by Indians, he marched to Goliad, and found the fort garrisoned with a small force of Royalists. After a feeble resistance they surrendered, and Long remained in peaceable possession for three days.
On the morning of the fourth day they were aroused by the reveille of the Royalists. There were about seven hundred - cavalry, with four pieces of artillery, under General Perez, besides some irregular troops from the vicinity, under Rod- riguez.
The first attack of the Royalists was repulsed with severe loss to the enemy, when they drew off and demanded a surrender, which was promptly declined. The second attack was more vigorous, lasting two hours, the enemy gaining the housetops, from which they fired into the fort ; but the deadly effect of Long's rifles told upon every soldier who raised his head above the palisadoes. They again sounded a parley, when a messenger appeared to say that the attacking party had been misled ; they were not Royalists but Patriots, and had fought under that flag to deceive a Royalist party in the vicinity.
Long was caught in this trap, and allowed himself to be persuaded to evacuate the fort, leaving his arms stacked, " to quiet the fears of the inhabitants." An escort was promised to conduct him to his comrades in Mexico, while his men re- mained under their care until he should indicate by express to what point he wished them sent.
The men were taken as prisoners to San Antonio (Long, Burns, and John Austin on horseback, and the men on foot), and finally sent to Monterey. In the meantime the Patriots were in the ascendant in Mexico, and in the City of Mexico Long rejoined his friends, Trespalacios, Christy, and Milam. Here they were hailed as brethren, and Trespalacios was made Governor of Texas.
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He here met a sad fate. On the occasion of the visit of the Chilian minister to the capital city, Dr. Long was calling to pay his respects to him, among other distinguished visitors, when he was shot, and fell in the gateway of the building. Long's friends, Burns, Milam, John Austin, and Christy,. suspected Trespalacios of this deed, and determined to avenge it by intercepting him on his way to San Antonio as governor. The intentions of these men were betrayed, and they were arrested and sent prisoners to the City of Mexico, where they remained ten months. They were released November 11, 1822, through the influence of Hon. Joel R. Poinsett, American minister to Chili, then in the city. In May, 1822, the United States, under Mr. Poinsett's influence, had acknowledged the independence of Chili. President Monroe directed him to stop in Mexico on his way to Chili, and make such observations of the condition of the country as his opportunities permitted. This was the last military expedi- tion undertaken by Americans for the conquest of Texas.
QUESTIONS .- What change of plans did Dr. Long make on his second expedition ? Whom did he decide to join ? What general plans of operations were agreed upon ? What misfortune occurred about this time ? What was Long's next move ? What occurred on the morning of the fourth ? Describe the attack by Perez. Was Long caught in this trap ? What was the state of affairs in Mexico at this time ? Whom did Long meet in the City of Mexico ? What was Long's fate ? What befell Burns, Milam, John Austin, and Christy ?
CHAPTER XVII.
FIRST AMERICAN COLONIZATION IN TEXAS-MOSES AUSTIN- STEPHEN F. AUSTIN.
MOSES AUSTIN was a native of Connecticut, whose early manhood was spent in Philadelphia, and in Richmond, Vir- ginia. He afterwards removed, with his family, to Missouri, while it was a part of Louisiana, then belonging to Spain.
The motives which first prompted Moses Austin to leave Missouri and attempt to establish a colony in Texas were,
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chiefly, the failure of his lead mining and other enterprises, . which, after all his liabilities were faithfully cancelled, left him with limited means ; and being interested in the accounts given by returning adventurers from Texas, with some knowl- edge of the Spanish land system and the Spanish language, and still in possession of a Spanish passport from the Span- ish minister to the United States, in 1797, when starting for Missouri.
Moses Austin presented himself to the Spanish authori- ties of San Antonio with three travelling companions, one his slave, and the other two each with different objects from his own. There was nothing threatening in his appearance, and he made known his peaceful mission immediately, arriving on the 23d of December, 1820.
The governor, Martinez, summoned the three men to appear and give answer as to the reasons for their presence in the country. To these questions satisfactory answers were given on oath, Baron de Bastrop, whom Austin had known in Missouri, being interpreter. Moses Austin made application in writing for a grant of land and permission to settle a colony in Texas. This was approved by the gov- ernor, Bastrop, and the local authorities, and, with their recommendation, was forwarded to General Arredondo, civil and military governor at Monterey. Austin left San Antonio in January, 1821, to return to Missouri, before the answer to his petition was returned. Travelling on horseback in most inclement weather, without shelter at night, he contracted pneumonia, of which he died in Missouri, June 10, 1821.
Austin's petition was granted at Monterey on the 17th of January, 1821, and sent to Governor Martinez, at San Anto- nio, who immediately despatched it to Mr. Austin, through Don Erasmo Seguin as commissioner. The document reached Mr. Austin before his death, and he bequeathed the man- agement of the enterprise to his son, Stephen Fuller Austin.
Stephen Fuller Austin was born in Wythe County, Vir-
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ginia, November 3, 1793, and removed with the family to Missouri in 1799. He was educated partly in Litchfield, Connecticut, and partly at Transylvania University, Ken- tucky. At the time of his father's death he was in New Orleans. Hearing of the arrival of the commissioner, Seguin, at Natchitoches, he immediately left New Orleans, expecting to meet his father at that place. Here he learned of his death, and of his expressed wish that he should carry forward his
colonization plans. This Stephen F. Austin deter- mined to do.
He started from Natchitoches, July 5, 1821, with Commissioner Seguin and seventeen companions, and arrived at San Antonio, August 10th of that year.
He was kindly re- ceived by Governor Mar- tinez, and permission granted him to explore the Colorado and adja- STEPHEN FULLER AUSTIN. cent streams, and make such selection as suited him for the settlement of three hun- dred families, the number proposed in his father's application.
To Empresarios (contractors) was granted for each one hundred families five leagues, or twenty-one thousand one hundred and forty acres of grazing lands, and five labors or eight hundred and eighty-five acres of irrigable or farm- ing lands .* Temporary control of the civil government of his
* Heads of families were ultimately given a league and labor, or four thousand six hundred and five acres. Single men were allowed one thousand four hundred and seventy-six acres. These became the amounts before any material advance was made.
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colony, with the power of organizing militia companies for protection against Indians, was granted Stephen F. Austin until other provisions could be made, he reporting from time to time to the authorities at San Antonio.
Having decided to locate his colonists on the Lavaca, Navidad, Colorado, Brazos,, and San Jacinto, as might seem best, he went to New Orleans to perfect pecuniary arrange- ments for the settlement of his colony.
Austin issued circulars in which were published the re- quirements of the Mexican colonization law, that they should support the Roman Catholic religion, and bring from the civil authorities of their own country certificates of good moral character.
QUESTIONS .- Tell all you know of Moses Austin and his attempt to colonize Texas. When did he die ? To whom did he bequeath the management of his enterprise ? When was Stephen F. Austin born ? Give an account of his life up to the time of his coming to Texas. Where did he learn of the death of his father ? What did he determine to do ? When did he start from Natchitoches ? With whom ? What was he granted ? What permission was granted to Empresarios ? What provision was made for the tempo- rary control of his colony ? What was his next preparation ? What was required of the colonists ?
CHAPTER XVIII.
COLONIZATION (continued)-FIRST ARRIVAL OF A VESSEL WITH SUPPLIES-AUSTIN ARRIVES WITH FAMILIES BY LAND-CARANCAHUA INDIANS-FIGHT WITH THE IN- DIANS-OTHER SETTLERS.
THE first vessel to arrive with supplies was the small schooner Lively, landing them for concealment near the mouth of the Brazos. The vessel then returned to New Orleans for further supplies and for passengers.
In the meantime Austin left New Orleans in November, 1821, and went to Natchitoches to meet and escort several families by land into his colony. They reached the Brazos on the 31st of December, and made a camp the next day on a small creek, which they named "New-Year's Creek." In
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that vicinity several families settled. This was the beginning of American colonization in Texas.
Unfortunately, the Carancahua Indians appropriated the supplies concealed on the Brazos ; and the schooner Lively, on her next voyage, with eighteen passengers, was lost at sea. About this time Austin's brother, James Brown Austin, and Josiah H. Bell, a South Carolinian, with his young Kentucky bride, and very soon others, arrived ; some settling at the old crossings of the Brazos, others on the Colorado and on other parts of the colonial lands.
Austin now thought best to report to the authorities at . San Antonio. He was there informed that, on account of a change of government in Mexico, it would be necessary for him to repair to that city and obtain a renewal of the rights previously granted to his father and transferred to himself. Without unnecessary delay, with one companion, Dr. Robert Andrews, Austin started on horseback, March 20th, and ar- rived April 29, 1822.
Other settlers came in March. The schooner Only Son put into Matagorda Bay with ninety persons on board and a liberal supply of provisions and farming implements. Sev- eral families were among them, and all were persons of the best classes. They had the misfortune to lose several of their number from yellow fever on the gulf. A few days later another vessel arrived with several families. The colonists from both vessels landed on the west bank of the Colorado, three miles above its mouth. They were soon visited by Carancahua Indians, who professed friendship. It was found necessary to send to Goliad for carts to move the fami- lies and their supplies up the country. During the absence of this party, an American settler from Cummin's Creek vis- ited the camp, and, leaving three or four men as guards, took the families with him to his camp. On the return of the men with the carts, they found that the Indians had mur- dered the guard, and destroyed or stolen the supplies.
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The colonists combined, and, under command of Capt. Jesse Burnham, surprised and killed a considerable number of Indians.
Settlers continued to arrive both by land and water. Eighty arrived on the schooner Revenge. These landed on the west side of Galveston Bay, and sought various localities. Mr .. William Pettus was among these, and made the first settle- ment on the San Jacinto River. From Long's expedition, in 1819, Anson Taylor settled near the Cooshattie village on the Trinity, and in 1820 Col. James. Knight and Walter C. White burned off a cane-brake on Buffalo Bayou and raised a crop of corn.
QUESTIONS .- What can you tell of the first vessel to arrive with supplies ? In the meantime where dil Austin go? What did he accomplish ? What calamity befell the colony at this time ? Who arrived about this time ? What did Austin think it best to do ? What did he learn ? Where did he decide to go ? When did he arrive ? What additions were made to the colonies during this time ? By whom were they visited ? What was found necessary ? What occurred during their absence ? How were the Indians punished ? Did settlers continue to arrive ? Who was among them ? What individuals had made settlements previous to the coming of Moses Austin ?
CHAPTER XIX.
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN'S SUCCESS IN MEXICO AND HIS RETURN -OTHER APPLICANTS FOR GRANTS.
AFTER many vexatious delays on account of the revolu- tionary condition of Mexico, Austin succeeded in obtaining a confirmation of his grant from the provisional Congress, by a special concession of that body, April 14, 1823.
Besides Austin, Haden Edwards of Mississippi, Green De Witt of Missouri, General James Wilkinson late of the United States Army, and Robert Leftwick of Tennessee, afterwards represented by Sterling C. Robertson, were in Mexico at the same time, making applications for grants of land in Texas. These, excepting Wilkinson, succeeded later.
Austin left Mexico on the 28th of April and reached Texas
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about the middle of July. He was confirmed, by the pro- vincial authorities in Monterey, in full powers for the admin- istwation of justice and the municipal affairs of his colony, with the powers and rank of lieutenant-colonel of militia, holding himself subject to the commanding general of the eastern internal provinces. On his return Austin submitted his papers to De la Garza, acting governor of Texas, suc- cessor of Trespalacios, and procured the appointment of his friend, the Baron de Bastrop, as commissioner to issue land titles to the colonists. Austin laid out the capital of the colony on a beautiful prairie bluff fronting on the west bank of the Brazos, and the governor combined the name "San Felipe " with " de Austin."
A few colonists during Austin's absence, weary of the delay, retired to Red River ; others scattered from the original settlement on the Brazos to the San Jacinto, Colorado, etc., and a small number returned whence they came. About two hundred who had fled from Arredondo in 1813 returned between 1819 and 1822 to Nacogdoches and San Antonio, and became the centre of refined and influential communities.
De Bastrop the commissioner arrived in August, 1823, but the delay in surveying and returning the field notes delayed the issuing of titles ; but in 1824 about two hundred and forty-seven titles were issued.
The adoption, October 4, 1824, by the successful party in Mexico, of a Federal Republican Constitution, gave the colonists great confidence in Mexico, and they were much encouraged.
FIGIIT WITH INDIANS.
The colonists forebore to punish the Indians-Carancahuas -as long as possible, hoping to win them to a permanent friendship, but their depredations became so frequent and daring that it was thought necessary to chastise them. Cap- tain Randall Jones was sent with twenty-three men for this
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purpose. They met with another party who were on the same errand, and together they attacked the Indians, killed several, and dispersed the remainder. They soon afterwards encount- ered them concealed in marshy grass, when the Indians fought to such advantage and with such desperation that Captain Jones retired, leaving three valuable men dead and several wounded. The Indians lost fifteen. Nine of their warriors who had prepared to kill a party from the San Antonio River were killed from an ambush, and it was hoped that this would . be sufficient ; but their depredations continued, creating alarm among families isolated from each other. In 1823 they way- laid three young men, killing two and severely wounding the third. Colonel Austin resolved to inflict a chastisement upon them that should effectually break them up. With about one hundred well-armed colonists he went in the direction of Goliad. To his great surprise, a few miles east of that place he met the padre-a priest-alcalde, and others of that place who had come out to intercede for the Indians. It was explained that these Carancahuas had belonged to that mis- sion, and now, fearing the threatened punishment, they had professed penitence, and through the good padre wished to promise the colonists not to cross the San Antonio or Guada- lupe Rivers-a pledge which they did not keep. (Shown in " History of Texas," by John Henry Brown.)
CHANGES AFFECTING TEXAS.
On the 7th of May, 1824, an act was passed by the Patriot Congress in Mexico, converting the Mexican provinces into states ; and Texas, which had been a distinct province, was joined to Coahuila, " until such time," it was said, "as Texas shall be in a condition to figure as a state by herself." A national colonization law had been enacted in August the previous year.
Saltillo, in Coahuila, became the capital. The first (con- stituent) Congress met on the 15th of August, 1824, with but
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two representatives from Texas, when her population entitled her to four. The constituent Governor, Rafael Gonzales, was appointed by the Congress, and there was a council of four. An officer styled " Chief of the Department of Texas " was appointed by the governor, February 1, 1825. (See Decree No. 13.) His duties were similar to those of a governor. His residence was in San Antonio, and he was the medium of communication between the people and the governor, to whom he was responsible, and whose residence was in Saltillo. The archives of Texas were removed to Saltillo.
The first Chief of the Department for Texas was José Antonio Sancedo, who entertained prejudices against Ameri- cans. The Federal Constitution, although adopted in Mexico on the 4th of October, 1824, was not proclaimed in Texas until January, 1825, as the fundamental law of the land.
The spirit of colonization was much stimulated, when on March 24, 1825, the State Congress enacted a State coloniza- tion law, declaring that they "desired, by every possible means, to augment the population of her territory, the cul- tivation of her soil, and the progress of arts and sciences," made lavish provisions for the distribution of lands, and greatly stimulated the desire for colonial enterprises. About thirty applications for Empresario grants were made, many of which failed for want of compliance with the requirements of the law.
There were many and valuable additions to the population, men whose names became identified with the most important and interesting periods of Texas history. Several came on their own account, and chose their homes independent of Empresario restrictions.
QUESTIONS .- What can you tell of Austin's success in the City of Mexico ? Who, besides Austin, was in Mexico petitioning for colonial grants in Texas ? When did Austin return to Texas ? With what powers was he confirmed ? To whom did he report on his return ? What appointment did the Baron de Bastrop receive ? Where was the capital of the colony laid out ? How was it named ? What changes took place in the population during Austin's absence ? When did De Bastrop issue land titles ? What
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. occurred in Mexico in 1824, which greatly raised the spirits of the colonists ? Give an account of the fight with Indians at this time. Did their depredations continue ? How did Austin determine to put a stop to their atrocities ? What acts affecting Texas were passed by the new Patriot Congress of 1824 ? What place became the capital of the new State of Coahuila and Texas ? When did the first Congress meet ? What officer was supplied to Texas? What were his duties ? Where was he to reside ? Who was the first political chief of Texas ? What were his feelings toward Americans ? When was the Federal Constitution proclaimed in Texas ? What stimulated the spirit of coloniza- tion at this time ? Were many applications made ? Why did some of them fail ? Did the population increase ?
CHAPTER XX.
THE COLONIES OF DE LEON, DE WITT, AND EDWARDS.
IN 1823, Martin de Leon, a Mexican, obtained permission to settle forty-one families on any vacant lands on the Guada- lupe River, which he effected in 1824, his grant being ratified by the State in 1825. In 1829 he was authorized to settle one hundred and fifty additional families, and to extend his bounds to the coast. (IIitherto ten leagues of coast lands had been withheld by the government.) This he also accom- plished, and laid out the capital of his infant colony, which he named Guadalupe Victoria, in honor of the old patriot chief and first President of Mexico, Guadalupe Victoria.
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