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 7
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THE "TURTLE BAYOU RESOLUTIONS."
In these " resolutions " the Texans condemned the acts of Bustamente, the usurper at the Federal capitol, and of his minions in Texas, by whom the constitution of 1824 had been subverted, pledging their adherence to that instrument as then upheld by "the well-deserving patriot, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna."
After these proceedings, men were despatched to the Brazos for the double purpose of bringing reinforcements and a piece of artillery then at that place. Reinforcements arrived in a day or two, and they awaited the arrival of the artillery.
Fortunately at this time Colonel Piedras, with a small force from Nacogdoches, arrived at Anahuac, in response to an appeal from Bradburn. After deliberately getting at all the facts in the case, Piedras released the prisoners and placed Bradburn under arrest, putting Souverin in com- mand. The armed citizens gladly disbanded and returned to their homes.
QUESTIONS. What aroused the jealonsy of Mexico in 1827 ? What changes took place in Mexico in 1828 affecting the interests of Texas ? Who was elected vice-president ? What is said of him ? What did he do ? How did his acts affect Texas ? How was this carried out by the Congress of Coahuila and Texas ? What other cause of disaffec- tion occurred at this period ? Of what did the colonists complain ? What military posts were established and garrisoned ? What was done by Bradburn ? What was done by the settlers on the Brazos " What was the result of this mission ? What occurred in 1831 ?
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What was done by Madero ? What was Bradburn's course ? What was its effect ? What was done by Bradburn in the spring of 1832 ? What did they demand ? What did William H. Jack demand ? What was Bradburn's answer ? What appeal did William H. Jack make ? What was the immediate result ? What was next done ? What was effected by their visit to Anahuac ? What did the Americans now hope for ? How was their faith in Souverin destroyed ? What was next done ? What was their purpose in this ? What were the " Turtle Bayou Resolutions " ? Relate what followed these reso- lutions. What favorable event now occurred ?
CHAPTER XXIV.
VISIT FROM PIEDRAS TO ANAHUAC-BATTLE OF VELASCO, JUNE 26, 1832-BRADBURN DISMISSED.
IN the meantime men who were sent for the cannon had reached Brazoria, aroused the people, secured the artillery and a vessel, and started for Anahuac.
Colonel Ugartachea refused to allow the armed vessel to pass his fort at Velasco, at the mouth of the Brazos, and the Texans determined to oust him first, and then pass on with their vessel to the expected encounter at Anahuac.
These Texan soldiers were private citizens, leaving their daily avocations to perform what they knew to be a perilous duty.
They assembled to the number of one hundred and twelve men, every man among them knowing himself to be a sure shot with his rifle. They divided into three companies. John Austin, one of Long's men, and Henry S. Brown, each with forty-seven men, and William J. Russell were chosen captains. Russell was in command of eighteen marines with the schooner Brazoria and artillery. Captain John Austin ranked as commander of the whole.
They marched down the east bank of the Brazos to within a few miles of the fort, and halted for two or three days, hoping to effect an arrangement with Ugartechea, while at the same time they were receiving arms, ammunition, and supplies.
In the meantime the good Padre Muldoon visited ench
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party. He reported that Ugartechea was confident that ten thousand riflemen could not dislodge him from his position. Captain John Austin replied : "Wait until to-morrow, Padre, and we will see."
The fort at Velasco occupied the angle formed by the Brazos River and the Gulf coast. It consisted of two paral- lel rows of posts, six feet apart, filled between with sand, earth, and shells for the outer walls. Inside the walls was an embankment on which musketeers could stand and shoot over without exposing any part of the person but the head. In the centre was an elevation of the same material, enclosed by higher posts, on which the artillery was planted, and protected by bulwarks.
The Texans had no protection except that between the fort and the sea beach ; about thirty yards distant was a lodg- ment of drift-wood thrown up by the gulf. On the inner side were some slight elevations of sand. With these excep- tions the surface around the fort was perfectly flat.
On the night of June 25th Captain Russell, on the schooner Brazoria, with their small cannon and eighteen riflemen, dropped down abreast of the fort. Captain Brown, with his forty-seven riflemen, several of them scarcely grown to manhood, made a detour, and effected a lodgment behind the drift-logs. Captain Austin approached from the north within easy range of the fort, each of his forty-seven men furnished with a portable palisade made of three-inch cypress plank, supported by a movable leg to hold it in position.
It was midnight and excessively dark. An accidental shot from one of Brown's men in getting into position re- vealed their presence, and the battle began ; the guns, large and small, from the fort, sending forth a blaze of light, the only light the assailants had. Brown's men availed them- selves of the flashes from the fort without corresponding exposure on their part, but the palisades on which Austin's men had relied for protection were soon riddled into splinters
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and thrown away, the men rushing to the protection of the walls of the fort, where they were safe from the guns, and fired at random into the fort.
From the schooner the gallant Captain Russell turned loose his gun, sending messengers of slugs, lead, chains, scraps of iron, or whatever they had been able to pick up for the occasion.
Each of Austin's men dug a pit, for his own protection, in the sand. Burrowed in these holes his riflemen, and those of Brown behind the drift-logs, did fearful execution ; and deadly was their aim at the heads of the Mexican infantry whenever they were visible above the walls, and of the gun- ners serving the artillery.
The Mexicans then resorted to the plan of firing without showing their heads, but the riflemen sent balls crashing through their hands and arms. The schooner continued to do effectual work. By nine o'clock the next morning more than two-thirds of Ugartechea's men were either killed or wounded, a result believed to be unparalleled under similar conditions in the history of warfare.
Captain John Austin sounded a parley and demanded the surrender of the fort, to which Ugartechea asked two condi- tions : that his officers be allowed to retain their side-arms, and that the men should be allowed to leave the country. These concessions were promptly agreed to.
Of the Texans seven were killed and twenty-seven wounded. Of the Mexicans forty-two lay dead in the fort and seventy were wounded, chiefly in the head, face, or arms -one hundred and twelve out of a force of one hundred and fifty.
Not only were the stipulations faithfully carried out, but the wounded were cared for, and the officers received the most generous hospitalities, with admiration for their bravery, and a recognition of the fact that Ugartechea's personal inter- course with the people had at all times been gentlemanly.
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On July 1st the Texans in the east armed and assembled near Nacogdoches. They organized in companies, with John W. Bullock as chief commander, and, after holding a con- ference with the civil officers of the municipality, they sent a deputation to Piedras, inviting his cooperation in sustain- ing Santa Anna and the constitution of 1824 or the alterna- tive of evacuating his position and retiring to the interior of Mexico.
Piedras' answer was an emphatic, but gentlemanly, " No."
On the night of August 1st, the families having left the town, about three hundred armed men encamped a short distance east of Nacogdoches. The next day they drew nearer, and challenged an attack. They then moved into
RIFLE OF REZIN P. BOWIE. SWORD AND SCABBARD OF JAMES BOWIE.
the centre of the town, when they were charged by about one hundred Mexican cavalry, who were repulsed with some loss. The alcalde, Encarnacion Chirino, was killed accidentally by a shot from his own countrymen.
The Texans took position in houses and behind fences, from which firing was kept up until night, during which time the Texans lost three killed and five wounded ; the Mexicans lost forty-one killed and about as many wounded. That night Colonel Piedras left Nacogdoches and retreated towards San Antonio.
The main body of the Texans pursued them, while Colonel James Bowie took a small party to intercept them by another road.
At daybreak Piedras was confronted by Bowie's men a little west of the Angelina River. Seeing escape impossible
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he resigned the command to the next in rank, Francisco Medina, who immediately shouted vivas for Santa Anna, and surrendered the command as prisoners of war. Bowie escorted them to San Antonio, while Asa M. Edwards con- ducted Piedras to Velasco. Piedras left Velasco for Mexico, and Souverin collected the remnants of the garrisons and conveyed them also to Mexico.
TREACHERY OF SANTA . ANNA.
The Mexican general, José Antonio Mexia, with a fleet of vessels and four hundred. men, was ordered to sail up the coast, reduce Matamoras if necessary, and investigate and report the causes of the recent disturbances in Texas.
At Matamoras General Mexia took on board Colonel Ste- phen F. Austin, who was on his way home from the State congress at Saltillo.
Mexia and Captain John Austin, with other prominent citizens, held conferences at Velasco and Brazoria. They produced the "Turtle Bayou Resolutions" which were re- affirmed, with satisfactory emphasis, by large delegations of the people. There was general rejoicing, generous hospitali- ties, and a grand ball ended the festivities. General Mexia sailed down the coast, to resume operations in behalf of Santa Anna and his cause.
Congress had adjourned, and Bustamente's obnoxious decree was not repealed, Texas being in a hopeless minority in that body.
Santa Anna now became a traitor to the Federal constitu- tion of 1824, and in December, 1832, joined Bustamente in recalling, from his exile in the United States, Pedraza, the rejected President, to fill out the unexpired term of Guer- rero, the patriot President who had been deposed, captured, and put to death.
The treachery of Santa Anna created the greatest anxi- ety among the colonists. They met, as their ancestors had
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done before them, in a " deliberative convention," to con sider their grievances and unite in whatever should appear best to meet emergencies.
The call for this convention was issued by Horatio Chries- man and Captain John Austin, first and second alcaldes of the municipality of Austin.
Fourteen municipalities responded, representing 'every portion of Texas, excepting Red River. Fifty-six delegates appeared and took their seats on the 1st of October, 1832, at San Felipe de Austin.
They elected Stephen F. Austin president, and Frank W. Johnson secretary ; appointed, first, a committee of five to prepare a memorial to the Mexican Government, praying for the repeal of the eleventh article of the law of the 6th of April, 1830 (Bustamente's decree), and to set forth the toils and difficulties and dangers encountered by the colonists, and their devotion to the constitution of 1824.
The second was for a petition, praying for a reduction of import duties on articles of prime necessity, and showing that the reduction would increase the revenue of the govern- ment.
The third was concerning the land business ; and the fourth, for the regulation of the custom-houses disturbed by the troubles at Anahuac and Velasco.
The petition of the fifth committee was addressed to the State government of Coahuila and Texas, asking for a dona- tion of land for the purpose of creating a fund for the future establishment of primary schools.
The sixth was a resolution as to the expediency or inex- pediency of petitioning for a State government separate from Coahuila. On this resolution Mr. Nestor Clay, from the . district of Ilidalgo, demanded the yeas and nays ; and they stood for the resolution, 36 ; against it, 12.
A committee called the Central Committee was ap- pointed. It was made the duty of the Central Committee
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to give such information, from time to time, to all parts of Texas, as might seem necessary. They were also clothed with the power to call another convention if necessary. Of this committee Frank W. Johnson was chairman, and Dr. James B. Miller was secretary.
'The petitions and memorials were adopted and forwarded to the general and State governments .*
This convention closed its labors on Saturday, October 6, 1832.
QUESTIONS .- What cloud still hung over the Texans? What change took place in Mexico, giving the Texans hope of relief ? How was the news conveyed to the settlers ? What was the effect upon the people ? What did they resolve as to Piedras ? For what purpose did the Texans assemble on July 1st ? What was Piedras' answer ? What occurred on the night of August 1st ? What occurred the next day ? How was Chirino killed ? Give an account of the day's fight. To where did Piedras retreat ? What was done by the main body of Texans ? What of Colonel Bowie ? Give an account of Bowie's encounter with Piedras, and the result. For what purpose was Mexia sent to Texas ? Who took passage with Mexia at Matamoras ? How were the investigations conducted ? What was the result ? Why did Mexia sail down the coast ? Did the Congress repeal Bustamente's decree ? How did Santa Anna now show his treachery ? How did this affect the Texans ? What did they do ? By whom was this call for a con- vention issued ? What number responded ? When and where did they meet ? How did they organize ? What was their first action ? For what was the second committee appointed ? The third ? The fourth ? What was the petition of the fifth committee ? The sixth ? What other committee was appointed ? What was made the duty of the Central Committee ? Who was chairman ? Who secretary ? What was done with the petitions and memorials ? When did this first convention adjourn ?
CHAPTER XXVI.
FIRST CONVENTION (continued)-MEXICAN OPPOSITION.
FRANK W. JOHNSON, chairman of the Central Committee, informed Garza, political chief at San Antonio, by official report, of the acts of the convention, and urged upon him the appointment of a corresponding central committee.
* The memorial drawn up by Wm. II. Wharton, for the repeal of the obnoxious law of Bustamente, was complimented as being "a State paper of dignity, ability, and historic value which should be familiar to every student of Texas history."
See its publication entire in " History of Texas," by John Henry Brown.
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The Mexican officials regarded this convention as they would have done one held by their own people-as a prelude to a revolution.
De la Garza, political chief at San Antonio, wrote as follows to the Governor of Coahuila and Texas : " A true Mexican can but bitterly deplore his misfortune, and feel sorely the foreign hand that came boldly to rob him of his rights, employing physical force, while even rational argument from such a source ought hardly to be tolerated, when we consider how lately these Americans have been admitted to Mexican citizenship."
Chief Garza wrote in reply : "The convention was ill- timed and uncalled for." " All such meetings are prohib- ited by the supreme power and existing laws."
After condemning " such popular meetings," and charging the Texans with "exercising powers that belong exclusively to the sovereign authority of the State," Musquez, successor to Garza, ordered them forthwith to dissolve their standing and all subordinate committees.
In reply Colonel Austin gave Musquez some useful infor- mation, and added : " Texas is lost if she takes no measure of her own for her welfare ; " and, with regard to Musquez's letter, he said : " It would have been better not to have writ- ten it." Again, he said : " I do not know how the State or general government can presume to say that the people of Texas have violated the constitution, when the acts of both governments have long since killed the constitution, and the confederation has hardly any life left. I cannot approve the assertion that the people have not the right to assemble peace- fully, calmly, and respectfully to represent their wants. It is your duty, as chief magistrate, to call a general convention to take into consideration the condition of the country."
The acting Governor of Coahuila and Texas, among other expressions, some threats, etc., wrote : " The San Felipe con- vention betrays artful intention ;" "disturbances are in view." " Your lordship should endeavor to obtain and furnish me .
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confidentially such information as may lead to the detection of the true meaning of that extravagant step and its possible connection with the revolutionary designs of certain individ- uals in Texas, as elsewhere in the Republic." He suggested that spies should be set to watch the " manœuverers " of the ayuntamiento of San Felipe de Austin, " who had for some time been distrusted by the government."
Santa Anna, the hitherto idol of the American colonists in Texas, their last hope of liberty, wrote of them as " for- cigners who had introduced themselves into the country," and expressed the belief that the remonstrances of the people were "disguises of their intention to declare them- selves independent of Mexico." He advised, as of paramount importance, that General Filisola should forthwith proceed to fulfil his mission to enter Texas with a well-appointed army, to " secure the integrity of the territory and do justice to the colonists," thereby admitting that " the interests of the nation demand a policy towards these people, for they have done us good service." He acknowledged that the treatment they had received was " derogatory to the honor of the Republic," and expressed the apprehension, which was afterwards verified, that " they might become so exasperated as to render it impracticable to restore order among them without much trouble." This was Santa Anna to the Minister of State. That dignitary wrote to the political chief, of the convention and appointment of committees as "excesses which have recently come to light," and threatened that " if they do not amend their ways without delay, and give all due submission to the laws of their adopted country," they would bring down upon themselves "irretrievable ruin."
QUESTIONS .- What did the chairman of the Central Committee urge ? How was this convention regarded by the Mexican officials ? What did De la Garza write to the Gov- ernor of Coahuila and Texas ? What did he write of the convention to the Alcalde of San Felipe ? What did Musquez order ? What was Austin's reply ? State what the acting Governor of Coahuila and Texas wrote. What did Santa Anna write and advise ? What did the Minister of State write ?
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CHAPTER XXVII.
SECOND CONVENTION-OPPOSITION TO SAME BY MEXICAN AUTHORITIES-AUSTIN'S ARREST AND IMPRISONMENT IN MEXICO.
THE colonists, ignorant of the correspondence between the government officials, and believing that the confusions in Mexico had prevented action upon their memorials, re- solved, now that Pedraza, the duly elected President, was restored to office, to call another convention.
In addition to the memorials of the convention of 1832, this convention was to frame a constitution for the proposed separate State. The Central Committee issued a call in January, 1833, for an election to be held on the first day of March, for delegates to meet at San Felipe on the first day of April.
The political chief ordered the alcaldes to prevent the elections by military force, whenever it could be had, if neces- sary. The Minister of War urged his objections. He said : "It must culminate in political trouble and disaster."
The political chief expressed to the governor his belief that the key to the conduct of the colonists could be found in the visit to Texas, in June, of Mr. Butler, chargé d'affaires from the United States, who, in 1829, made direct proposals to the Mexican Government for the purchase of Texas.
The governor expressed his suspicion that the Southern United States had a plan of seceding from the Northern States, and wished to strengthen themselves by the addition of Texas, to which the Texans were lending themselves by these "revolutionary dispositions."
The election was held on the appointed day. The mili- tary of Nacogdoches refused to expose themselves in a storm to prevent it in that place. The convention, composed of fifty-six members, assembled on the appointed day, and
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olected William H. Wharton president, and Thomas Hastings secretary.
A committee, of which Sam Houston was chairman, and Henry Smith, Nestor Clay, R. M. Williamson, James Kerr, Oliver Jones, and Luke Lessasier were members, drafted the constitution for the proposed separate State.
A committee, of which David G. Burnet was chairman, drew up a memorial to the Mexican Government, covering the memorials and petitions of the convention of 1832. The convention adjourned on the 13th of April, after appointing Stephen F. Austin, Dr. James B. Miller, and Don Erasmo Seguin of San Antonio as messengers to lay these papers before the National (professedly Republican) Congress at the City of Mexico.
Colonel Stephen F. Austin, of whom it had been written as " for some time distrusted by the government," undertook the journey. The denunciatory correspondence among the officials was lying among the untranslated archives.
Santa Anna was at that time President, and Manuel Gomez Farias, Vice-President of Mexico.
From Matamoras, Austin wrote to the municipality of Brazoria, expressing the utmost confidence in the " paternal intentions " of the newly inaugurated government towards the colonies, and that the rumors of a large army marching into Texas were false. Only a sufficient force would be sent to protect the revenue at the custom-houses.
He exhorted the people to sustain the authorities and obey the laws strictly, believing that in that way they would " obtain everything that a reasonable people ought to ask, or a just and liberal government ought to grant."
As the Mexican Congress had adjourned on the first of May, not to meet again until January, Austin forwarded the documents to Mexico, through General Filisola, commanding at Matamoras. Leaving unexpectedly, however, he arrived in the City of Mexico in June, to find the country in revolu-
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tion, and the Asiatic cholera raging to a fearful extent .* The memorials were already in the hands of the government when he arrived.
Through the assistance of Lorenzo de Zavala, civil gover- nor of the State of Mexico, at heart a patriot and warm friend to Texas, Austin succeeded in obtaining the annulment of Bustamente's decree of April 6, 1830, forbidding North American immigration ; but the constitution and memorials were referred to a committee who postponed action upon them.
An attempt to remove the capital of Coahuila and Texas from Saltillo to Monclova had resulted in two legislatures and two governors. Austin urged upon the notice of Gomez Farias the "extremes " to which this condition of things might drive the colonists, so warmly as to give offence.
On the 2d of October, Austin addressed a letter to politi- cal chief Musquez at San Antonio, recommending that all the municipalities should unite and organize a local State government, as one of the Mexican Confederation, founded on the law of the 7th of May, 1824, when Texas was " for convenience " temporarily united to Coahuila ; and closed by saying : "Things should be prepared with union and har- mony, thus being ready for the time when the Congress will refuse their approval."
On the 10th of December, Austin left for home, dispirited in view of what he foresaw : that the Republic of Mexico was at an end ; a dictatorship, with Santa Anna at its head ; and that Texas would be denied a State government. He had reached Monterey when he was arrested, taken back to the City of Mexico, and on the 13th of February, 1834, lodged in a dark dungeon of the old Inquisition, where he remained in darkness and in solitary confinement until the 12th of the following June. IIe was then transferred to the Acordada prison, and his liberties less restrained.
* During its prevalence it carried off ten thousand victims in the city.
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