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 6
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GREEN DE WITT'S COLONY.
Green De Witt of Missouri, with other applicants, was in the City of Mexico while Austin was in that city in 1822-23 for the same purpose. His grant was delayed on account of their political troubles, and was issued by the State of Coahuila and Texas on the 15th of April, 1825.
De Witt agreed to settle four hundred families between the Lavaca River and Austin's colony on the east, the San Antonio and Nacogdoches road on the north, De Leon's colony on the south, and a line between the Guadalupe River and Cibolo Creek on the west.
Major James Kerr resigned his seat in the senate of
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Missouri to accept the position of surveyor and adminis- trator of the affairs of De Witt's colony. IIe arrived on the Brazos with his family in February, 1825, and arrived at the scene of his labors on the Guadalupe in August. He laid out the town for the capital of the colony, which he named Gonzales in honor of Rafael Gonzales, Governor of Coahuila and Texas.
With Major Kerr were his negro servants (his wife and two children having died on the Brazos), and six white men, " Deaf Smith " (Erastus Smith), Basil Durbin, Geron Hinds, John Wightman, James Musick, Strickland, and was soon joined by Francis Berry and family. These were sixty-five miles west of the settlements on the Colorado, sixty miles north of Victoria, in De Leon's colony, and seventy-eight miles east of San Antonio. In the absence of Major Kerr, Wightman was killed by Indians and scalped, and all the others fled to the Colorado.
Major Kerr then changed his locality temporarily to the Lavaca River (now in Jackson County), erected block- houses for defence, and thus became a nucleus for others. From this place permits were issued to settlers as late as the beginning of 1828, when, De Witt's own family arriving in 1827, with others, Gonzales on the Guadalupe River became the centre of the population. The surveying of lands was continued. The surveying party, always armed for defence, kept guard night and day against Indians.
HADEN EDWARDS' GRANT.
Since 1820 the Cherokees and other United States Indians had been settling on lands in the east. Nacogdoches was an old settlement with a mixed population, and the " neutral grounds " had their admixture of good and bad of many nationalities, while scattered over the country were individual grants-some real and some pretended-from the former authorities under Spain. Unfortunately the Empresario
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grant to Haden Edwards, for eight hundred families, cov- ered lands, much of which was previously occupied. He was pledged to respect and protect all genuine claims.
Having gone to the United States after receiving his grant, dated April 18, 1825, and making extensive prep- arations for the introduction of families, including his own, he returned to Nacogdoches in October, and found, that, in view of the prospective increase in the value of lands, many old Spanish claims had been set up which he believed to be fraudulent. To settle this difficulty, in November, Edwards gave notice, requesting all claimants to exhibit their titles, that the true might be respected and the false rejected. This plan was opposed by a number, chiefly Mexicans, who seduced into their ranks many for whose benefit it was intended.
Near this time Edwards ordered an election for military officers, which was an Empresario's right, and went on to advise the election for the civil office of alcalde, which was at the time filled by a Mexican, José Antonio Sepulveda.
Norris, a brother-in-law of James Gaines, a resident of the neutral grounds, was a candidate; and, unfortunately, Haden Edwards allowed his son-in-law, Chaplin, to be a candidate for the same office. If successful it would put the whole local government, civil, military, and colonial, in one household. Each candidate claimed the election. Chaplin took posses- sion of the office, but Sancedo, political chief at San Antonio, decided in favor of Norris, the Mexicans' candidate, and the office was peacefully surrendered to him. On several occa- sions in which Mexicans were the aggressors, and against whom complaints were made to the political chief, decisions were given in favor of the Mexicans ; and when Edwards intimated a suspicion of partiality, Sancedo was indignant. At every step the breach widened. Edwards discovered that whenever the claim of a colonist was in conflict with an old Spanish claim his colonist was ousted by decision of the authorities. It was evident that injustice, plotted in Nacog-
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doches and protected in San Antonio, was sowing poisonous seeds.
Edwards received a letter from Sancedo. dated May 1, 1826, in which he was charged with illegal proceedings .in holding the election for military officers, and also for calling tor an investigation of titles.
QUEATION". -- When was De Leon's colony founded ? Where ? Give an account of it. When war De Witt's application for a colony first marle ? Why was his grant delayed ? When was it finally made ? What were the conditions of his grant ? Who was chosen as hin anrveyor-general and administrator of his colonial affaire ? When did he arrive ? What did he proceed to do ? Who were with Kerr in forming the settlement ? Where were these settlers located ? What befell the settlement ? Where did Major Kerr next locate ? What was the condition of the eastern portion of the State ? Where was the grant of Haden Edwards located ? What was he pledged to do ? What obstacles met Edwards at the ontset ? What was his plan for settling the difficulty ? How was this plan regarded ? What else occurred to aggravate the trouble ? Who were the candidates ? How did the election terminate ? What other unfortunate events transpired ? What did Edwards discover ? What was evident ? What did political chief Sancedo write to Edwards ?
CHAPTER XXI.
HADEN EDWARDS' COLONY (continued)-FREDONIAN WAR- COLONY BROKEN UP.
IT became necessary for Haden Edwards to revisit the United States on business, his brother, Benjamin W. Edwards, taking charge of colonial affairs in his absence. Seeing that all was not right, Benjamin W. Edwards wrote to Stephen F. Austin and Baron de Bastrop, then in the Congress at Saltillo, for advice. Austin advised him to write to Victor Blanco, successor of Gonzales as governor of Coahuila and Texas. He did so, and on the 2d of October received a letter from that dignitary, condemning his acts and expelling him from the country .*
* The letter closes in these words : " In view of such proceedings, by which the conduct of Haden Edwards is well attested, I have decreed the annulment of his contract and his expulsion from the territory of the republic, in dis- charge of the supreme orders with which I am invested. He has lost the con- fidence of the government, which is suspicious of his fidelity ; besides, it is
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Haden Edwards had returned when this letter was received. It occasioned intense excitement. The Sepulveda party were exultant. Mexican claimants came forward, asserting prior claims to the most valuable lands held by Americans, which they were forced to relinquish or submit to fine and imprison- ment, an armed posse being held in readiness to enforce the claim. Edwards interposed to hold his friends in modera- tion, while he wrote dispassionately to the government, explain- ing facts. He had expended large sums of money in preparing for his colonists, who, confiding in him, had sold their homes, and many had made costly preparations for their new enter- prise, but all to no purpose. His colonists now resolved to defend their rights, and proceeded to organize for that pur- pose. Learning that John Dunn Hunter, a chief of the Cherokees, had returned from Mexico, after making an unsuccessful application for lands for those Indians, the colonists sought an alliance with him, while the Edwards brothers visited the American settlers on the Attoyac, near Nacogdoches, to arouse them and secure their cooperation.
They assumed the name of " Fredonians," and by the 18th of December mounted two hundred fighting men, under command of Martin Parmer, a man of many eccentricities, of great physical strength and courage, as well as great strength of will. After three days' deliberation on the part of the Indian chiefs and the Fredonian legislative committee, of which Martin Parmer was president on the part of the Americans, they entered into a " solemn league and covenant."
not prudent to admit those who begin by dictating laws as sovereigns. If to you or your constituents these measures are unwelcome and prejudicial, you can apply to the supreme government; but you will first evacuate the country, both yourself and Haden Edwards, for which purpose I this day repeat my orders to that department, in the execution of which, as they will expel all evil doers, so they will extend full protection to those of worth, probity, and useful skill that have settled therein, and are submissive to the laws and con- stituted authorities.
"VICTOR BLANCO."
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This " league and covenant," dated December 20, 1826, was a declaration of independence from Mexico, and for a republic, styled " the Republic of Fredonia." The territory of Texas was to be divided into two parts by a line north of Nacogdoches, running east and west across the country ; all north of the line to belong to the Indians and all south to the Americans, and the war was to be prosecuted until the inde- pendence of Texas was achieved.
Having been in Mexico while Hunter was on his fruitless errand, Ellis P. Bean now came, with thirty armed Mexicans, commissioned to grant the Indians whatever lands they wished for colonial settlement. Learning of the condition of affairs, he retreated for a time towards the Trinity. Sup- posing this to be an armed force sent to attack them, the Fredonians took possession of a stone house and fortified for defence. The leaders of this enterprise promised themselves aid from Austin's and De Witt's colonies, as well as from the United States.
A delegation from the two colonies went to Nacogdoches with remonstrances, representing that the disposition of the settlers was peaceful, and that they were in no situation to aid them in such an enterprise. The peaceful delegation returned without success.
About the 1st of January, 1827, Colonel Ahumada, with the political chief Sancedo and about two hundred Mexican troops, on their way to Nacogdoches from San Antonio, came to San Felipe and halted to confer with Austin. As a result, on the 22d of January, Austin issued an address to the inhab- itants of the colony, setting forth that the peacemakers had returned with the insulted olive branch, taking it thus for granted that those "madmen " had " denounced massacre and desolation to the colonies," by exciting the northern Indians to war. Following this was a call " to arms !" and an exhortation to "hasten to the standard of our country !" " The first one hundred men will march on the 26th. Neces-
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sary orders for mustering and other purposes will be issued to commanding officers. UNION AND MEXICO !" STEPHEN F. AUSTIN.
A fratricidal war was happily averted. When the Fredo- nians learned of the approach of the Mexicans under Ahu- mada, runners were sent to the Indians, calling for the prom- ised assistance, but it was too late. Bean had already won them from their covenant, and arrayed them against their chiefs, Hunter and Fields, both of whom they basely mur- dered. The Mexican troops halted for the Indians to join them, when the Americans, seeing themselves deserted, and having previously sent off such families as desired to leave, abandoned the place on the 31st of January, and retired across the Sabine, when the Mexicans entered and took possession.
The rights of Americans had been outraged by Mexicans, and although the result was inevitable, the episode made a deep impression upon the minds of many thoughtful Americans.
These lands were afterwards granted to Empresarios David G. Burnet, Lorenzo de Zavala, and Joseph Vehlin, and were bought by New York capitalists for speculation .*
QUESTIONS .- What now became necessary for Haden Edwards ? What was his brother's duty in his absence ? What did Austin advise ? What was Blanco's reply ? What was the effect ? What was Edwards' disposition ? What conciliatory steps did he take ? What did the colonists resolve to do ? Whose alliance did they seck ? Describe the proceedings. What was this " league and covenant " ? On what errand did Ellis P. Bean approach Nacogdoches about this time ? What did he do on learning the condition
* The Edwards brothers were natives of Kentucky, but were at this time residents of Mississippi and wealthy planters. They belonged to a family, members of which have been distinguished for talent and public service in Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and Texas. Benjamin W. Edwards returned from Texas to Mississippi, where he died about 1845, a few days after his election as governor of that State. Haden Edwards had thirteen children, most of whom became permanent settlers in Nacogdoches and other parts of the State. A daughter was the wife of Frost Thorn, temporarily associated with De Witt.
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of affairs ? What did the Fredonians do ? What was done by the two colonies ? What occurred in January, 1827 ? What course was now pursued by Austin ? How was this threatened war averted ? What was the end of the Fredonian war ? What disposition was afterwards made of the land ?
CHAPTER XXII.
NACOGDOCHES-GROWTH OF COLONIES-PROCLAMATION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF COAHUILA AND TEXAS-SETTLE- MENT OF THE COAST LEAGUES-LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF COLONIES-RELIGION OF COLONISTS -- EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES.
NACOGDOCHES and the country around it received constant additions, being near the United States, and settlers coming independently. ·
Austin's colony was successful because it was well organ- ized from the beginning. IIe was given power to exercise the local functions of government as well as the command of the local militia.
After the exact boundaries were fixed, March 7, 1827, the colonies grew more rapidly-Austin's, De Witt's, and De Leon's. Sterling C. Robertson, after some delay, was par- tially successful.
The State constitution was not proclaimed in Texas until two years after the combination of the two provinces-March 11, 1827.
In 1828 the ten coast leagues and the twenty border leagues separating Texas from the United States were open to settlement.
Austin's colony had consisted of two municipalities, with an alcalde in each. Under the new State government Aus- tin's governmental powers ceased and were merged in that of the State. A political chief was a department officer, exercising both civil and military rule. An alcalde was a municipal officer. A meeting of the alcaldes about three
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times a year formed an ayuntamiento, or court of appeals. Each municipality had two regidors (justices) and a syndico procurador (marshal).
The new State law contained the old requirement that the Roman Catholic should be the religion of the State, but there were no local priests among the people permanently, nor did the Protestant colonists observe the feasts or public ceremo- nials of the Church. Occasionally Protestant ministers came among them and preached without molestation.
Nominally the government supported parochial schools in the larger towns ; there were three or four private schools in the denser populations, but many years passed before the scattered children could collect with safety to form schools. Some of the more wealthy sent their children to the United States to be educated. In their social life, the colonists were hospitable to the highest degree, families being only too glad to welcome the wayfarer, who was supposed, nominally, to be furnished with a certificate of good character from good authority at home, and who added to the protection of isolated families ; and, as there were few post-offices or newspapers, he paid in entertainment for his temporary abiding-place.
In the country remote from towns, settlements exchanged visits on horseback ; the additional wardrobe (of ladies) in packages suspended from the horn of the saddle, and always accompanied by an armed escort. The usual distinc- tions of rank in society could not be afforded ; the demands of pleasure, mutual protection, care of the sick, etc., all for- bade it. They were cheerful, healthy, and having but little leisure made the most of it.
GENERAL CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE.
The people were mostly of the best families of Southern people, who brought their intelligence, refinement, and Christianity with them. There was also an admixture of
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Northern men, who brought their mechanical skill and enter- prise, which were of value to the new settlements. The new dwellings were often with only a curtain at the doorway., The corn-crib was safe without lock or key, as was also the " smoke-house." If a horse was stolen the owner knew that Indians had committed the theft.
QUESTIONS .- What can you tell of the country around Nacogdoches ? Why was Austin's colony more successful ? What of the growth of the colonies ? When was the constitution of Coahuila and Texas proclaimed ? When were the coast leagues opened to settlement ? How had Austin's colony been divided ? How did the new State govern- ment affect Austin's powers ? What now constituted the local government of the colonies ? What of the religion of the colonists ? What were the educational facilities ? What of social life ? What was the general character of the people ?
CHAPTER XXIII.
BRADBURN AT ANAHUAC-ARREST OF COLONISTS-TURTLE BAYOU RESOLUTIONS-VELASCO.
IN 1827 the United States renewed her proposal to pur- chase Texas, the country between the Sabine and Rio Grande, from Mexico, offering one million dollars for it. The Mexi- cans suspected that the Texans were in sympathy with this proposal. It was rejected. The Mexicans were already in as close proximity to their American neighbors as they wished. Changes affecting Texas now took place. A new election, under the constitution of 1824, was now to take place in Mexico, the four years' term of office of Guadalupe Victoria, " the purest of all Mexican chiefs," having expired. Pedraza, the candidate of the aristocracy, received the most votes ; but, as eight months intervened between the election and inauguration, there was sufficient time for a successful revolution by the constitutional party, headed by Santa Anna and Lorenzo de Zavala, and Guerrero, their candidate, was placed in office. Pedraza went into exile in the United States, and Anastasia Bustamente, a bigoted, unprincipled military
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chieftain, was chosen vice-president. This officer headed a successful revolution against President Guerrero, assumed the presidency, and soon evinced his hatred of foreigners by issuing the celebrated decree of April 6, 1830, the eleventh article of which prohibited any further immigration of Ameri- cans into Texas.
This decree spread gloom over the colonies, as there were many parts of families, who, coming in advance, had been occupied in making preparations for the arrival of others; and there was no time to turn them back or to warn those who were on the eve of leaving, after selling their homes, of the fate that awaited them on their arrival. The Texans feared that this evidence of hatred might be followed up by others still more vindictive.
The following legislature, or congress, repealed the Colo- nization Law of 1825, and created another based upon Busta- mente's odious decree of April 6, 1830.
About this time the period during which the colonists were exempt from taxation expired, and while the taxes imposed were not burdensome, the revenue officers were accompanied by soldiers to establish military posts and all necessary preparations for enforcing the collection of taxes.
The colonists complained of the burden which the sup- port of the military imposed upon them-to which they were unaccustomed and which they considered unnecessary-and of another decree, forbidding Americans to retail goods to the colonists. Under pretext of necessity the military post at Nacogdoches was regarrisoned with three hundred and fifty soldiers under Colonel Piedras as senior commander. A post built at Anahuac, on Galveston Bay, with one hun- dred and fifty men, was commanded by Captain Bradburn, an American in the Mexican service. This position was chosen by General Teran. Velasco, on the gulf shore and on the east side of the Brazos, was held by Colonel Ugartechea with one hundred and fifty men. There was an increase of
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the garrisons at San Antonio and Goliad, and a small force at Fort Teran on the Neches, under Bean.
Bradburn, at Anahuac, soon began to assume extraordi- nary authority. He issued an order closing all the ports in 'l'exas excepting the one at Anahuac, subjecting the colonists in the west to the greatest inconvenience.
The people of the Brazos deputized Dr. Branch T. Archer and George B. Mckinstry to go to Anahuac and respectfully request Bradburn to rescind his order closing the ports. They had discretionary powers as to the possibility of his refusing.
Bradburn at first assumed an imperious air, and haughtily refused their petition ; but observing a peculiar flash in Dr. Archer's eye, and a change in the tone of his voice, he recon- sidered his reply, and consented to open the port on the Brazos.
In 1831 Letona, the Governor of the State, had commis- sioned Francisco Madero to issue land titles to settlers already in the country on or near the Trinity, in the region of Liberty. He was also authorized to create municipalities where none existed.
At the request of the people, Madero organized the muni- cipality of Liberty, with Hugh B. Johnson, an American, as alcalde, which was highly gratifying to the settlers.
Bradburn arrested and imprisoned Madero, dissolved the municipality of Liberty, and created one with Anahuac as the capital. The effect of Bradburn's course, together with the exactions and insolent behavior of the soldiery, created alarm throughout the country.
In the spring of 1832 Bradburn arrested and imprisoned in his fort, without authority of law, a number of the most prominent American citizens, among whom were William B. Travis, Patrick C. Jack, Samuel T. Allen, and fourteen others, who in vain demanded to be informed of the charges against them and to be tried by the civil authorities."
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William H. Jack, resident in San Felipe de Austin, visited Bradburn and demanded the release of the prisoners or their transfer to the civil tribunals of the country.
For answer, Bradburn informed Mr. Jack that the pris- oners would be sent to Vera Cruz for trial, which meant their incarceration in the prison of San Juan de Ulloa, to linger forgotten in the turmoil of events as they were trans- piring in Mexico.
William H. Jack returned to the Brazos, reported Brad- burn's answer, and appealed to the Americans to assist him in rescuing the prisoners. Messengers were sent over the coun- try, and there was general alarm.
As soon as possible, men collected at a rendezvous near Liberty and organized, electing F. W. Johnson captain, Warren D. C. Hall, first, and Thomas II. Bradley, second lieutenant.
They marched directly for Anahuac. On their way they met and captured, without firing a gun, twenty of Bradburn's cavalry. These they retained prisoners. When they arrived at Anahuac, Bradburn informed them that he was no longer in command, having been superseded by an exiled Mexican officer named Souverin, a friend of Santa Anna.
The Americans returned to their camp, having effected nothing ; but, as they had perfect faith in Santa Anna's fidelity to the cause of liberty, they hoped soon, by the aid of Souverin, to effect the release of their friends from prison and for redress of other grievances.
A few days after their visit to Anahuac an exchange of prisoners was proposed ; to this the Texans readily agreed, and immediately released their Mexican prisoners, and sent commissioners to Anahuac to receive their friends from prison. The Mexicans not only refused to release their prisoners, but fired upon the commissioners. The Texans, having advanced from their camp to welcome their friends, met the commissioners retreating.
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The Texans retired to their camp, and, after much con- sultation, decided that it was unwise to attempt to take the fort without artillery. On the 13th of June, 1832, they resolved themselves into a mass meeting of citizens, on Turtle Bayou, and, as such, passed a series of resolutions.
The Texans, expecting to be called to account for what they determined to accomplish (the release of their friends), wished to place themselves upon record as loyal to the princi- ples of the government under which they lived.
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