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 8
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His letter to the political chief at San Antonio, of the 2d of October, 1833, had been translated and sent to Mexico. Thus he was betrayed and imprisoned.
QUESTIONS .- Upon what were the colonists now resolved ? What was it to include ? Who called the convention ? Who tried to prevent the election ? What measures did he take ? What did the Minister of War urge ? How did the political chief now explain the conduct of the colonists ? What did he suspect ? Did the election take place ? Did the military interfere ? How many were in the convention ? Who was elected president ? Who secretary ? Who was chairman of the committee to draft the constitu- tion ? Who composed the committee ? What other committee was appointed ? When did the convention adjourn ? What were Austin, Miller, and Seguin appointed to do ? Who undertook the journey alone ? Who, at that time, were President and Vice-Presi- dent of Mexico ? What did Austin write from Matamoras ? Why did he exhort the people to sustain the authorities ? Why did he delay leaving Matamoras ? What was the condition of affairs in Mexico ? How far was his mission successful ? What had been done in Coahuila ? In what had it resulted ? What letter did Austin write on the 2d of October ? When did Austin leave for home ? Where was he arrested ? Where was he taken ? For how long a time was he imprisoned ? Where was he then taken ? Why was he imprisoned ?
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THIE PARKERS-DE LEON'S AND OTHER COLONIES-CASUALTIES.
IN the autumn of 1833 there arrived and settled on the west of the Navasota River several families-descendants of John Parker, a native of Georgia, emigrating from Illinois. Besides the patriarch and his wife there were eight families, including his married children, who became a nucleus for other families of enterprising people, valuable in settling the wilderness.
De Leon's colony quietly grew in numbers and was pros- perous. The original colony was mostly Mexican, but addi- tions were made, from time to time, of Irish families and Americans. The climate was genial, the soil rich, and the broad prairies were by this time covered with flocks and herds, and the utmost harmony existed among the people.
The colonies of Power and Hewitson, with the mission of Refugio, and McMullen and McGloin, of which San Patricio
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was the capital, received valuable additions in a worthy class of people, chiefly from Ireland, with a few born of Irish parents in the United States, and a few Americans.
The locality of these colonists, on the outposts of civiliza- tion in the southwest, exposed them to the inroads of Indians and any lurking enemy among the border Mexicans.
In the spring of 1833 a surveying party, under Mr. A. Le Grand as chief, was sent from Santa Fe by two Englishmen, Richard Exter and John Charles Beales, naturalized citizens of Mexico, to survey a large colonial grant, which included part of the Pan Handle and part of New Mexico.
The surveyors began their work near to the present town of Midland, in Midland County, on the 27th of June, 1833. On the 30th of October their work was interrupted by a heavy fall of snow along the Oscuro Mountain, and was never resumed.
Dr. Beales, under a different grant, attempted a settle- ment on the Las Moras Creek, selecting a place twelve miles above its junction with the Rio Grande, which he named Dolores, in honor of his wife, a Mexican lady.
Dr. Beales sailed from New York on the schooner Amos Wright, Captain Munroe, November 10, 1833, with fifty-nine persons, mostly English.
They landed at Copano, where there was but one shanty. On the 3d of January, 1834, they started for their lands in carts and wagons drawn by oxen. Meeting with accidents on the route, which delayed them, they did not reach Dolores until the 16th of March.
On the 20th of March the Mexican commissioner, De Soto, arrived to issue titles. On the 25th they organized a municipality, electing proper officers. Crops were planted, and the prosperity of the colony seemed assured.
Business called the leaders away for long periods. They had no irrigation, and the crops dried up in the field. Their supplies were exhausted ; many were compelled to seek food
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and one of his men were killed ; another, Josiah Wilbarger, scalped and left for dead, afterwards recovered.
In the spring a band of Keechis made a raid among the families on Cummin's Creek, now in Fayette County. They were pursued by a party under Captain John York, were over- taken, and several of their number killed.
The Tancahuas were generally friendly, but for some offence they avenged themselves by murdering a stranger, Mr. Reed, near the Falls of the Brazos. They were pursued by Canoma, a friendly Caddo, with seven warriors. On the seventh day Canoma returned, bringing in seven Tancahua scalps, Reed's horse, saddle, and other trophies.
QUESTIONS .- Who arrived and settled west of the Navidad in 1883 ? What was the condition of De Leon's colony in 1833 ? Who composed the population ? What can you tell of the climate and soil ? Give an account of the Irish colonies of Power and Hewitson, McMullen and McGloin. What was the disadvantage of their location ? Where were colonial grants surveyed in 1833 ? For whom ? Describe the work and its results. What was afterwards done by Dr. J. C. Beales ? Give an account of Beales' journey from New York to his lands. What was soon accomplished ? How were they disappointed ? Who left in the spring of 1836 ? What was their object ? What was their fate ? What was the fate of the captives ? What became of the colonial grant ? What calamity befell Texas in 1833 ? What was the conduct of the Indians during this period ? What occurred in August of that year ? What trouble did the Keechis cause in the spring of this year ? How were they punished ? Why did the Tancahuas give trouble at this time ? By whom were they punished ?
CHAPTER XXIX.
ESTABLISHMENT OF COURTS-SANTA ANNA SENDS ALMONTE INTO TEXAS-OBJECTS OF HIS VISIT-REPORT TO SANTA ANNA.
IN the spring of 1834 the State congress annulled the requirement that the colonists should profess the Roman Catholic religion ; gave permission for the use of the English - language in Texas, in legal transactions ; an additional mem- ber of the congress ; and provided for the establishment of a circuit and three district courts and trial by jury.
The circuit was divided into three districts : San Antonio,
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the Brazos, and Nacogdoches. In only one district was a court convened. In San Felipe, in the Brazos district, Judge David G. Burnet held regular sessions and discharged quite an amount of legal business.
In the spring of 1834 Santa Anna sent his friend and confidante, Juan N. Almonte, who had been educated in the United States, to Texas, with instructions to study the coun- try, its capabilities, its growth, and all the changes that had been brought about by the present inhabitants.
Santa Anna had in view the occupancy of Texas by " a Mexican population of paupers, criminals, and retired mili- tary officers."
Almonte passed the summer in Texas, travelling and stopping among the hospitable inhabitants to whom he made himself companionable, and from whose enthusiastic commendations of the country he was able to add to his report : " If, then, the position of Texas is so advantageous, why should not the Mexicans participate in its benefits ? Let those who wish to test the worth of these assurances visit the plantations of the colonists, and they will perceive that I am no dreamer."
Almonte reported that since 1806 the Mexican population, never large, had steadily decreased, while now the Americans numbered at least eighteen thousand, with a proportionate prosperity. Cotton and sugar were already articles of export, not in large quantities. IIe reported the commerce at upwards of ten thousand five hundred dollars exports and six thousand dollars imports.
In the autumn of 1834 a revenue officer was stationed at Anahuac with forty Mexican soldiers to aid him in collecting the revenue.
A third department was created, that of the Brazos. Henry Smith was made political chief, the first American who had been thus honored.
With letters of congratulation from all parts of the State
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came the earnest request that he would publish his views as to the present condition of the country, and what was best to be done.
The State government was dissolved ; Coahuila was in the hands of rival military factions, each claiming to be the State government ; the period of election had passed, and none was held ; the government of Mexico was fast crystal- lizing into centralism ; Texas was governed by political chiefs who held their commissions from the demolished State gov- ernment.
On the 20th of October, 1834, Chief Henry Smith pub- lished an address in which he stated his belief that Coahuila had herself severed her connection with Texas, and advised the calling together, or convocation, of the people by local authorities and the standing advisory committees ; that by this a State government of the Mexican Federal Union could be formed, which would or would not receive the sanction of the general government at Mexico ; if the former, it would be in readiness ; if the latter, "the future must take care of itself." It would, at least, " be a bond of union for the Texas people."
In San Antonio, a few days before the address of Chief Smith was published (October 10, 1834), a large number of Mexican citizens, with several from Coahuila, met at the invitation of Chief Don Erasmo Seguin ; and, after deploring the anarchy which existed, recommended calling a State Convention to assemble in San Antonio on the 15th of November to organize a provisional government.
The San Antonio plan failed for want of time to hold the election, and the call of Chief Smith failed, as was explained by William B. Travis : " Any movement in Texas now would prejudice the situation of Colonel Austin, who was still a prisoner in Mexico."
On the 5th of October, Santa Anna called a council to consider Texas affairs. It consisted of ten distinguished
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Mexicans, with Lorenzo de Zavala and the prisoner Stephen F. Austin. Zavala joined Austin in urging a separate gov- ernment for Texas, which Santa Anna in his final decision refused, with frivolous reasons.
Colonel Austin assured Santa Anna that no troops were necessary to compel the payment of custom-house dues, nor for defence against Indians, the moral sense of the people and the local militia being sufficient. " All that the Texans wished for was peacefully to cultivate the soil and keep fealty to the government of their adopted country."
Santa Anna added that four thousand troops, infantry, cavalry, and artillery, should be stationed at San Antonio " for the protection of the coast and the frontier ; " and, after promising increased mail facilities, ended by expressing fra- ternal regard for the agricultural interests of the country.
Colonel Austin was so well satisfied with the result of the conference, that he wrote, on the 2d of December, from Mex- ico : " All is going well ; the President, Santa Anna, has solemnly and publicly declared that he will sustain the Fed- eral representative system as it now exists, and he will be sustained by all parties."
QUESTIONS .- What new privileges were granted the colonists in 1834 ? How was the circuit divided ? Where was the one court held ? Who was the judge ? Whom did Santa Anna send into Texas as agent in 1834? Where was he educated ? What was his mission ? With what class did Santa Anna wish to populate Texas ? How did Almonte succeed ? What was his report ? What additional facts had he discovered ? What official was sent to Anahuac in 1834 ? What new department was created in 1834 ? Who was appointed chief ? What was asked of the chief ? What was the condition of the Texas government ? Of Mexico ? What was Henry Smith's advice ? What had been done in San Antonio ? Did either plan succeed ? What had transpired in Mexico ? What remonstrance did Austin make ? What announcement did Santa Anna add to his report on Texas affairs ? Was Austin satisfied with the conference ?
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CHAPTER XXX.
THE ELECTION OF 1835-MEETING OF THE LEGISLATURE AT MONCLOVA, IN COAHUILA-SALE OF LANDS-DISARMING THE LOCAL MILITIA-INDIAN TROUBLES-ORDER TO ARREST TEXAS CITIZENS.
THE election for governor and members of the legislature for Coahuila and Texas, which Santa Anna, as arbiter between the Saltillo and Monclova factions, had ordered, was held February 9, 1835. Augustine Viesca was elected gov- ernor, and Ramon Musquez vice-governor. The newly elected legislature assembled at Monclova on the 1st of March.
Legislature, after granting an immense domain of public lands to a New York company, in 1834, for speculative pur- poses, on the 14th of March, 1835, made private sale of four hundred and eleven leagues of choice Texas lands at a merely nominal price.
Governor Viesca published an exhaustive protest against Santa Anna's usurpations, such as disarming the local militia, and reducing the number of men allowed to bear arms for defence against Indians to one for every five hundred, and appealed to the people of Texas to " rise and defend them- selves and their dearest interests."
Among the first outrages resulting from the disarming of the local militia occurred in April, 1835, an attack upon a party of Mexican and French merchants, passing across the country with mule-trains, by a body of Indians. Making breastworks of their bales of goods the merchants defended themselves as long as they could, but they were all killed and scalped.
General Cos was now ordered to Saltillo to take military command of the State. He denounced the Monclova legis- lature, which had adjourned ; and part of them, with the
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governor, were making their way with the archives to San Antonio.
Viesca ordered a halt for a day or two to enable him to return and attend to some unfinished business. This gave warning to his enemies of his attempted escape, and a guard was placed at the crossing of the Rio Grande to intercept him.
Viesca had with him an escort of one hundred and fifty local militia and twenty returning Texas colonists. These all urged his advance, but he returned to Monclova, deposited the archives, dismissed his guard, and declared in favor of Santa Anna. Becoming uneasy he again resolved to flee. He started with a few friends-among them were Dr. John Cameron and Colonel Benj. R. Milam-when they were arrested in a pass of the mountains, taken prisoners to Mon- terey, and destined for San Juan de Ulloa at Vera Cruz ; but all escaped.
The end of all State government was at hand.
By decree of October 3, 1835, all the State governments were abolished, and all the acts of the legislature were an- nulled, including the creation of the judiciary. Texas was again under military control, political chiefs and alcaldes being the only civil tribunals.
The colonists, still hopeful of relief through Santa Anna's " fraternal " pledges to Austin-who, after all, had not been released from custody-did not regret the dispersion of the legislature.
The exactions at the custom-house at Anahuac were dis- proportionate in some particulars, and oppressive in others, and the presence of an ill-controlled Mexican soldiery was a source of incessant irritation. Their dispersion was resolved upon.
On the 21st of June, in connection with " considerations for the general defence of the country," at San Felipe, it was
Resolved : That the troops at Anahuac should be disarmed and ordered to leave Texas.
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To achieve this, a company of twenty men was raised on Buffalo Bayou and the San Jacinto, and placed under com- mand of Captain Wm. B. Travis. They went on a small vessel, taking a six-pounder mounted on deck.
On the 29th of June they attacked the fort, and on the 30th the Mexicans, about forty in number, capitulated and were paroled.
Chief Henry Smith wrote of it : "Time alone can tell whether it is a good or a bad measure." Chief Wyley Martin disapproved it, and hospitably entertained the ejected com- mandante and his men ; and, as they could not be prevailed upon to return to their post, assisted them on their way to San Antonio.
General Cos ordered an investigation. He sent Captain Thompson, an English citizen of Mexico, who was privateer- ing in the gulf, to Anahuac for that purpose.
Under pretext of conducting an investigation, Captain Thompson behaved like an insolent braggart. Under pre- text of protecting the revenue, he became amenable to the charge of piracy, and with his vessel of war Correa was taken to New Orleans by an armed vessel from that city.
Seeing themselves in a helpless condition, the colonists organized "committees of safety and correspondence," and an organization called an "administrative council," with representatives from Mina (Bastrop), San Felipe, and Colum- bia, which held its first session at San Felipe, July 17, 1835.
On the second day of the session, John A. Wharton of Columbia moved for a call for a "general council of the people." This was voted down.
After a heated discussion this meeting decided on sending two commissioners to Ugartechea at San Antonio as a con- ciliatory measure, explaining the recent attack upon Anahuac, declaring their peaceful intentions, and asking his interces- sion with Cos and Santa Anna in their behalf, and deprecat- ing the entrance of unnecessary troops into the country.
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Having been informed of an order for the arrest of certain men in Texas, they added the demand as to what their fate was to be.
An order had been received by Ugartechea for the arrest of Lorenzo de Zavala, who had retired from Santa Anna's unholy service to his lands on the San Jacinto, and for the arrest of Zambrano and Carbajal, two members of the Mon- clova legislature, and several others. Carbajal was a citizen of De Leon's colony. When a youth he was a pupil of Alexander Campbell, and adopted his religious views. Zam- brano had become a clerk in the land office of De Leon's colony.
On the 19th of July, in an enthusiastic meeting, presided over by James Kerr, the Navidad settlement declared for independence, and called for a general council.
The people at San Felipe decided to wait the return of the two commissioners, Gritton and Barrett, from San Antonio. Gritton had come into the country as secretary to Almonte. When they returned for further instructions they were informed that the organization which had commissioned them was dissolved.
At Nacogdoches, of which Henry Ruez, a Swiss, was chief, they yielded to a compromise, "for the sake of peace and unity, until the proper time for a different course should come."
At San Augustine, in the Red Lands, by resolution intro- duced by Sam Houston, the people organized, and declared for the Mexican constitution of 1824.
It was the desire of the thoughtful that there should be a general consultation of representative men from all the muni- cipalities of Texas, but it was thought best to wait until there should be. " unity among the people."
On the 17th of August, General Cos issued the following from Coahuila : "The constitution by which all Mexicans may be governed, is the constitution which the colonists of
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Texas must obey, no matter on what principles it may be founded." He said : " It is useless and vain to cover their plans with a hypocritical adherence to the Federal constitu- tion of 1824."
The "unity among the people " necessary to the call for a consultation was hastened by fast coming events-the arrival of three hundred more troops, with the certainty of a large army concentrating at Saltillo, known, by interception of letters at San Felipe, to be destined for the forts in Texas ; the most insulting and degrading treatment of the alcalde and people of Goliad by the Mexican commandante, Nicolas Condey ; and the "supreme order" from General Tornel, Minister of War and Marine, to Cos, dated August 1st, that the presence of Zavala in Texas was " most pernicious," and that he should " spare no pains to secure his person, and place it at the disposition of the supreme government."
Lieutenant Tenorio was sent by Ugartechea to San Felipe, and served the requisition on Wyley Martin, political chief, who excused himself on the ground of being a civil officer.
A squad of men was sent to Victoria to arrest Carbajal and Zambrano, but the sudden appearance of a few armed citizens caused them to leave the town in haste, and a report was put in circulation that all the proscribed persons had left for the United States.
About the 23d of August orders were issued from Saltillo to speedily establish garrisons at San Felipe, Nacogdoches, Tenoxtitlan (in Robertson's colony on the Brazos), at Anahuac, and Velasco.
Before the close of August there was a general call from all parts of Texas for an election of delegates to meet in consultation.
On the 1st of September Colonel Stephen F. Austin's friends warmly welcomed him home from his long imprison- ment. He expressed the deepest concern for the distracted condition of the country, and, while he expressed confidence
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in Santa Anna's assurances of " paternal regard," he joined heartily in the call, already made, for an election for * dele- gates to a general consultation of all Texas." and was invited to become chairman of the Committee of Safety at San Felipe.
QUESTIONS .- What election was held in February, 1835 ? Who were elected ? What act of this legislature was displeasing to the people and to Santa Anna ? What further displeased Santa Anna ? What instance can you give of the local effect of disarming the militia ? What orders did Cos receive ? How did he regard the Mon- clova legislature ? Where were the archives ? What did Governor Viesca do ? Who were with Viesca ? For what point were they destined ? What was the end of the State government of Coahuila and Texas ? Did the colonists regret the dispersion of the legislature ? Were the custom-house regulations satisfactory ? How did this culmi- nate ? How was this accomplished ? How did Henry Smith regard it ? Chief Wyley Martin ? What was done by ('os ? What was Captain Thompson's conduct ? What was his fate ? What did the colonists find necessary ? What did John A. Wharton move ? Was it carried ? What conciliatory measures did this meeting adopt ? What order had come from Mexico to Ugartechea ? What was done in the Navidad settle- ment ? What at San Felipe de Austin ? At Nacogdoches ? At San Augustine ? What was the desire of all thoughtful men in the country ? What declaration from Cos aroused the people ? What hastened the call for a general consultation ? Who was went to serve this requisition ? What report was circulated ? What orders were issued from Saltillo ? When did the people unite in a call for a consultation ? When did Austin return from his imprisonment in Mexico ? How did Austin regard the condition of affairs ?
CHAPTER XXXI.
DISARMING THE PEOPLE-ORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY- BATTLE OF CONCEPCION-THE CONSULTATION OF 1835.
A DECREE had been issued for disarming the people, which first began at Goliad. The new commandante, Colonel Nicolas Condey, took possession of all the arms and pressed the citizens into his service. He quartered his soldiers upon the families, and they were guilty of great abuses.
The second attempt was made in Gonzales, in De Witt's colony. Castanado was sent from San Antonio with about a hundred and fifty men to disarm the people. He do- manded & small cannon which had been furnished the citi- zons for defence against Ind' This they refused to
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surrender, and retired to his camp, on a small mound. Supposing this to be a threatening attitude, the people, calling upon other settlements for aid, organized under Captain Albert Martin with about a hundred and sixty men. John H. Moore was commander. On the 2d of October the citizens marched across the river in the night and took position near the Mexican camp, both being shut in by a dense fog. When the morning dawned and the fog disap- peared, the proximity of the combatants was a mutual sur- prise. The cavalry in advance fired and fell back. The little cannon closed the argument, and Castanado, claiming to be a patriot, left in haste for San Antonio, with the loss of four dead and a number wounded. The Texans had no casualty to report, the Mexican fire passing over their heads.
The effect of these attempts to disarm the population, and especially the visit of Castanado, stirred the people to but one impulse-to drive every Mexican soldier from the soil of Texas.
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