USA > Texas > A new history of Texas; being a narration of the adventures of the author in Texas, and a description of the soil, climate, productions, minerals, tons [!], bays, harbours, rivers, institutions, and manners and customs of the inhabitants of that country; together with the principal incidents of fifteen years revolution in Mexico; and embracing a condensed statement of interesting events in Texas, from the first European settlement in 1692, down to the present time: and a history of the Mexican war > Part 11
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rendezvous for mariners, with some buildings for a Navy yard is located on the west end of Galveston City. No ship building, however, is yet done here, but forests of live oak are almost in sight of the place ; and I do consider it one of the very best naval depots for any power who wishes to command the trade of the gulf of Mexico.
As late as the spring of 1838, the naval armament of Texas consisted of one old brig, which, when I saw her moored in Galveston Bay, most forcibly reminded me of * a North river Lumber craft; but her navy has since in creased to the number of four new vessels, and may, in a very few years, become formidable, especially when acting in concert with a foreign power, a circumstance very likely to happen.
The old Brig Fulton is now used for a store ship, and is yet, I believe, under the command of Capt. Taylor, familiarly called Boots Taylor, a gentleman, who for a time, was at the head of naval affairs in Texas; but he has been supplanted by Leut. Moore of the United States Navy, a personege, no doubt, better qualified. although Capt. Taylor fought among the Mallies and wears a head and hair much resembling a lion's. He is certainly a gentleman of any thing but a prepossessing appearance, and contrasts strangely with naval officers in most coun- tries .; and in this respect does not materially differ from all the Subaltern officers which I saw on the station.
The remains of the fortifications are yet seen on the . Island, which was many years ago occupied by Lafitte, the pirate of the gulf; this station being one of his strong holds and the Island of Barratare his head quarters, from whence many a valuable cargo was shipped to New Orleans and elsewhere, by this remarkable man, who af- ter eluding for years the American and British cruisers,
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had the address at last to conciliate Uncle Sam and mor- tify John Bull by declaring "no terms with tyrants." when nearly in John's power. For his depredations upon our commence, he received a full amnesty and oblivion from our government, on condition of his joining our army then at New Orleans under Gen. Jackson; and Lafitte and his crew, several hundred in number, being the best gunmen of the age, they doubtless contributed largely to obtain a victory that entwined the laurel around the brow of the old HIero. Galveston can boast of some very ex- + cellent and worthy citizens as well as some notoriously conspicuous men; among the last of which is Colonel Bowie, the brother, and as some say, the identical individ- ual who invented those savage weapons of destruction, called Bowie-knives; and Capt. Allen, now Mayor of the City, and formerly in the Greek service with Lord By- ron, and more recently in command of a craft which cap- tured an American vessel in the Mexican trade., IIe is almost fit to personate Sir John Falstaff : at any rate, he laughs and grows fat, and take him all and all,
He is so various that ho gaomg *o ba Not one, but all mankind's epitome: Quick in opinions-often in the wrong; Is every thing by starts, but nothing long: He's Mayor, Statesman, fiddler, and buffoon, Then all for the ladies-dancing, gaming, drinking, Besides a thousand freaks that dle in thinking.
But the most conspicuous of them all, is the celebrated Gen. Baker of Tuscaloosa memory, who is now a leading member of the Texan Congress. I will not undertake to determine that public men are always to be taken as a fair sample of those from among whom they have been elevated to office, but as some publications, of a novel character to me, were circulated to promote this gentle- mans's election, as well as others, I conclude they may in
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* struct the reader respecting land titles and interest him otherwise, and a small sample is therefore inserted here placing the general defence before the world as the Honora- ble Representative placed it himself before the people of Texas.
CIRCULAR.
To the Editor of the Galceston Intelligencer:
Not only my private but my political course has been critically examined by my opponents, and I have been either much misunderstood or wilfully misrepresented. It has been generally understood that I have been con- nected with the large land speculators of the country, and that I am one of those entitled to the appellation of monopolists. In regard to the eleven league grants, I am not directly or indirectly interested in one of them. It is true I once purchased conditionally an interest in one, but gave it up, as I was unwilling to encounter the law suits which I felt certain would be the result. On account of the numerous conditions attached to the eleven league grants, and the almost utter impossibility of complying with them, I have always considered them the least valuable of the lands of Texas, and consequently have declined having any thing to do with them.
My connexion with the large land speculations of Tex- as will be explained by the following letter which I ad- dress to the first Congress at Columbia.
To the Speaker of the House of Representatives. .
Columbia, October, 1836.
I avail myself of the earliest opportunity of tendering to the government of Texas a relinquishment of forty-six leagues of land lying and situated on the waters of Sul-
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phur Fork and Trinity River, being a part of the large speculations which have created so much excitement in the country, and which are looked upon by the large mass of the people as ruinous to the best interests of the coun- try. It is a part of a contract not generally known to exist, and is not embraced in that clause of the constitu- tion, declaring certain contracts null and void. I also present a copy of the contract on which said titles were issued; by which it will be seen, that the whole number of leagues embraced is four hundred, and that the conven- tion failed for want of information on the subject, to pass any ordinance in relation to it.
Justice to myself and to the individuals owning this grant, requires that I should give the reasons which induc- ed me originally to become interested in these speculations and which now influence me tomake this relinquishment. Previous to our revolution, we lived under a government speculative in its character, and who attached buit little value to the public domain. They were daily granting away large tracts of land, regardless of its ultimate effect on Texas, and so far from any dissatisfaction being ex- pressed by the people of Texas, they encouraged this ruinous policy, anxious themselves to accumulate large landed estates. Many hundred leagues of land were do- nated away in this manner, but the spirit of speculation became restive under the slow accumulation of land through the medium of eleven league grants, and the state at one session disposed of several hundreds to a few indi- viduals. Of these contracts I knew nothing until the re- turn of the parties to Texas, when I was offered an inter- est in one of the grants which I accepted, and in that manner acquired the interest I now relinquish. I believe the contracts were made in good faith, and equally as fair and honorable as the numerous eleven league grants now
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covering so large a portion of Texas. At that time we had no government to be injured by these monopolies, and I saw no good reason why I should not participate in these speculations ; and I will candidly say, did the same state of things continue to exist as they did at that period, I would adhere to my claims; confident that I held them by as pure and legal a title as most of the other large claims in Texas ; and I wish it to be distinctly understood, that I regard all these claims as objectionable ; not from any fraud in their acquisition, but because I be- lieve they are highly detrimental to the interests of Tex- as ; and if sustained will prove ruinous to the future pros- perity of the country. Believing, however, that most of them, for a number of reasons, have become forfeited to the government, I apprehend that no very injurious con- sequences will follow.
Since my becoming interested in these claims, the whole condition of things in Texas has changed. We now have a government in an infant state, with a small population and an exhausted treasury, contending against a nation num- bering eight millions. The principal source of revenue is in the public domain ; and to realize immediate funds from this source, the domain, so far as possible, should be unencumbered. We have hundreds of families in Texas who have been broken up by the effects of the war, and also who have not yet received their lands ascolonists. Wehave a generous and chivalrous band of volunteers from the Unit- ed States, aiding us in sustaining our country and fighting for liberty against the invading foe; and justice and sound policy declare that all these should participate in some of the valuable lands of the country. When I see these families exposed to want, manfully encountering the hor- rors of war-when I see volunteers arriving from tho United States ; leaving home and its enjoyments to fight
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with us the battles of the country-when I see the gov- ernment poor and needy, confused and scarcely able to keep up appearances, I can no longer consent to retain in my possession so large a portion of the domain, or throw any obstacles in the way of the independence and pros- perty of the country.
Many are in the possession of large tracts of land, who never were nor ever will be in the army of Texas-whe never have and never will contribute one cent to her emancipation. For my own part, as an officer in the army of Texas, I feel that I have faithfully discharged my duty ; but I should feel that the laurels of San Jacinto were sullied and dishonored if I longer adhiere to a claim which is calculated to distract and injure my country. More- over, I consider that one league of land under a govern- ment independent and prosperous, with the confidence of a gallant people, more valuable than all the domain of Texas, with the curses of the people attending it. The con- fidence of my immediate constituents has been made mani- fest by the overwhelming vote I received ; and as they confide in my disposition to do the country justice, I am determined they shall not be disappointed.
Since my residence in Texas, I have made the land laws and the operations of the land office my particular study ; and I have possessed opportunities for information within the reach of but few. I consequently possess some infor- mation in regard to the land operations in Texas, which I consider will be useful to the country, and which I con- sider it my bounden duty to communicate. I consider three-fourths of the valuable lands of Texas, held by large grants, forfeited to the government ; but while I myself held a claim, I could not do that justice to the goverment which the oath I have taken requires, and which my con- stituents so confidently expect.
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The lands I relinquish are among the most valuable in Texas are surveyed, and have regular titles made to them: and I entertain no doubt but they could be sold by the government for two hundred thousand dollars. And I . would recommend that they be immediately disposed of in that way.
In procuring the survey and titles to these lands, I have been at considerable expense ; and while I am willing to sacrifice something to the interests of the country, yet I feel constrained to say that I have obligations of a sacred charac- ter elsewhere to fulfil and which it is my anxious desire to do ; and I would suggest that permission to me to locate one league of land out of the vacant lands of Texas would not more than compensate me for my expense, considering that that expense goes to the benefit of the country, in receiv- ing lands already located and surveyed. Should, however, the Congress think differently, I shall be content.
In making this relinquishment I have not consulted with any one interested in the other portions of it. I do it be- cause I feel it my sacred duty, and I would feel proud and gratified if not only they, but others interested in the large grants in Texas, would make voluntarily a relinquishinent of at least a portion of their large estates ; confident as I am, that by so doing, they would promote their individual interest, and the great interest of the country.
There are other titles to the same land in my name, but they do not belong to me, having been made to me as a partner of one of the company ; but I wish it understood, that I renounce and relinquish all and every claim that I may have in these lands, either directly or indirectly : and should the Congress consider a more particular and formal renunciation necessary, I will with pleasure make it.
With the earnest hope that the large landholders in Texas, who have acquired their estates without trouble,
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and with but little expense, will step forward, and like true and generous patriots surrender a portion of the same; thereby aiding the government, and giving homes of rich land to our volunteer friends from the United States, to compensate them for their services, and endear them to the country,
I have the honor to be, Your obedient MOSELEY BAKER.
My vote in favor of the "Texan Rail Road, Navigation and Banking Company," has also been censured, and in no unmeasured terms ; and there have not been wanting men to ascribe it to interested motives. I gave that vote -as I have ever given my vote in the councils of this country-from a conviction that the true interests of the country would be promoted thereby. It was a period of gloom and trouble. A Mexican invasion on one side threa- tened us, and great internal dissatisfaction prevailed on the other, on account of the utter inability of the govern- ment to meet the demands against it. The obtaining of a loan was not very probable, and the charter for this bank was granted, because it was considered the only certain means of bringing money to the country. That impor- tant privileges were granted, no one doubted, and it was considered necessary to grant these privileges to secure the raising of the capital.
That the privileges are as great as many have attempt- ed to make them out, no one will believe, neither will the public believe, that the members of Congress voted for this bank from any consideration of individual benefit. Those who afterwards were received into the company, were received for the purpose of organizing it, and who by their influence and talents would, it was supposed reu-
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der it respectable abroad, and secure for the country the benefit of the capital proposed. Such were my views on this subject, but when I found the people of Texas were arrayed against it, and almost unanimously disap- probated the vote, I surrendered my interest to those from whom I received it. I could have sold my interest for some thousands of dollars, but I preferred rather to sur- render it as I received it. I now have no interest direct- ly or indirectly in that bank-neither have I ever been benefited by it one cent. And further, I surrendered it ; when I had no expectation of being a candidate for popu- > lar favor. My vote in favor of Houston for the seat of government, has also been ascribed to interested motives. I was one of the original purchasers of that property ; and owned the only interest I ever had, before the first Congress was ever elected. We purchased it, believing that it was one of the most eligible town sites in Texas ; and when the seat of government was to be located, 1 voted for Houston as decidedly preferable to any of the opposing towns. Without going into an argument to shew the relative importance of the different places, I think I may say that Houston afforded more facilities to the government, and more accommodation to the public, than could have been found at any other of the rival places. It has been charged that bargain and corruption carried the seat of government to Houston. If such is the fact, let the names of the guilty be held up to public judgment and public detestation. But let the proof be made, and let not assertion be taken in its place.
The vote of Congress relinquishing to Mr. B. Menard, the east end of Galveston Island, has also been brought up in array against me. I did not give my vote on that occasion. On the contrary, I gave to Congress all the
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Information I had on the subject, and stated myself to be a party in interest. But no fraud was practiced on the Government, nor was any misrepresentation made on the subject. The title to Menard from the Alcalde at Liber- ty, and all the papers and documents relative to the mat- ter were laid before Congress and referred to two differ- ent committees for examination. Publication was also made in the Telegraph for two weeks, for the purpose of ascertaining if more than $50,000 would be given for the land ; and no one bidding more, and the title from the al- calde being perfect in all respects, it was thought advisa- ble by Congress to compromise with Colonel Menard on the terms proposed. I think now as I thought then, that the Government made a bargain of which it has had no right to complain ; and I refer to the printed report of the debates of the House as the best vindication of my course on that subject.
The foregoing are plain statements of facts in regard to my course in Congress, on those subjects brought up in judgment against me ; I attempt not to polish the sub- ject. The facts are sufficient to manifest that those who charge me with having used my legislative influence for the purpose of promoting my private ends, arc men who disregard the obligations of truth, and willingly circulats any slander to gratify the feelings of envy and malice which lie corroding at their hearts. A just community will do me that justice which the facts require-and truth is my aim-common justice all that I desire.
I have said that persecution on the part of my enemies was the cause of my being again before the people. As an evidence of that persecution, I refer to a memorial cir- culating among the people relative to the election of inili- tia officers. It is well known that the object of that me- morial is intended for the purpose of operating against
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ne, and that it originated with men who proved recreant to the cause of liberty, when Santa Anna and his murder- ous force were desolating the fair plains of Texas. Who abandoned their posts before San Antonio when every day was expected to bring. on a decisive engagement Men among the foremost in claiming office and preferinent -and among the foremost to flee when honor and their county called them to the field of battle. And such men pretend to assert that the office of Brigadier General would not have been conferred on me had my true character been known. Pitiful subterfuge! They at least, know me well ; and know that when soldiers were reqired, unlike themselves, Mosely Baker was mind ful of the obligations of a true and trusty citizen. That I have fairly won my military honor, and that I wear no borrowed plume, I will prove to you.
As early as June, 1835, I foresaw the gathering cloud that afterwards burst upon our devoted country, and re- gardless of personal sacrifice and personal danger, I gave my time and my every exertion to arouse the people and convince them of the impending danger. The first speech made on the subject of the war was made by myself at San Felipe, and the first resolutions ever adopted, were written and presented by myself at that meeting. Satis- fied of the perilous condition in which the country stood, I traveled to various parts of Texas for the purpose of rousing the people into action ; and so serious were my exertions, along with a few others, regarded, that General Cos saw proper to make a demand for my arrest, in conjunc- tion with five others, of the prominent actors of that day. The trials and privations encountered at that period are known only to those who participated in the events of that period. But it required a moral firmness and deter- mination to carry out the great undertaking of which my
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revilers have no knowledge, and which they could neve comprehend. But our exertions were successful and th people did rouse. When the campaign opened, I wen into the army as a private. Having been instrumenta in the revolution, I sought no office and would accept of none. I had been accused of ambitious and intereste motives in urging the revolution, and I was determined t convince the people of Texas that such charges wer false. In this campaign I fought in the battle of th Grass Fight, and only left San Antonia when it was un lerstood the army were ordered to retreat to Goliad. Whe the information reached San Felipe of the siege of th Alamo, I was unanimously elected to command the com pany from that place, and was among the first to reach Gonzales. On the retreat of our army, I was stationed with a few men, never more than 80 in number, to pro vect the crossing of the Brassos, which I did against the Mexicans, though headed by Santa Anna in person. In the battle of San Jacinto I did my duty. I was among that gallant band, who on the 21st of April, marched to the field of battle-resolved to conquer or to perish ;- who, 783 in number, resolved that Texas should be free, or their bones should bleach upon the plains. I furthar re member, that on the eventful day of that battle, the mem bers of our army would traverse the camp, and viewing the small handful collected, would beseech for retribution on those recreants who ignominiously fled the country- some of whom have as ignominiously originated the me morial alluded to.
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At the close of the campaign I was elected a membe of Congress from the county of Austin, in which I had previously resided. And at the first session of the las Congress was elected Brigadier General.
Fellow-Citizens of Texas! you are told that notwith
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standing these things, my true character was unknown in Texas, and that I have obtained office on account of the want of proper information !- office has been invaria- bly bestowed upon me unsought, and always by those large majorities which testify. the true estimation placed on my character. So far from its being doubtful, or at all uncertain, it has been canvassed over and over, and over again in every part of Texas, and is as well and fully. known as that of any other individual in Texas."
But who, fellow citizens, are the men who thus violent- ly oppose me ? Some are men who have proven recreant to their country's cause. Others are men who hold in their possession large amounts of property, refusing to pay the honest demands against them : others, again, are the scum of the earth, who bark when they are bid-who lie because they are paid for it ; and altogether they are men in whose bosoms one warin or generous sentiment .does not throb. Among the crowd the Editor of the Telegraph stands prominent ;- a man whose looks bespeak the vil- lain-whose downcast appearance clearly betokens that in life he has been guilty of some awful crime, the recol- Jection of which deters him from encountering with a manly look, even his most intimate acquaintance. This man's opposition is purely personal, and grows out of the fact, that I ever repulsed his advances, and treated him as all should who know him-with contempt.
Such, fellow-citizens, are the men who would be your monitors ! Such the men who would push me aside, in order that no barrier might be interposed between themselves and their desires! After having passed through the revolution in your service, I am told I am unworthy of your esteem, and should not have your confidence.
Fellow-citizens of Texas ! I am willing to test this ques- tion with them. I also propose to leave the election of
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the militia officers to the people. It is right the people should have the right of selecting them, and I cheerfully consent that you should determine between myself and those who array me.
Unambitious of office-preferring by far the walks of private life, I shall, nevertheless, forego my own individual wishes, in order that the Editor of the Telegraph and the party that rallies with him in this matter, may have an opportunity of testing my standing with the people of this brigade, and henceforth they may be assured that J will be put down only at the polls. To them I say
"Lay on McDuff, And damned be he who first cries hold-enough."
MOSELY BAKER.
CIRCULAR.
In the absence of General Mosely Baker, a friend, requested to circulate the following address, feels c.dled upon to say, in reply to the vindictive, poisonous and per- fidious denunciations of Dr. Moore in his paper of Saturday last, that if the black-hearted malice which pervades that article can prejudice a single honest and independent mind, in this community or in Galveston against General Baker, then has the character of our citizens been mist. kon. Here is a heartless wretch, guilty hinself, doubtless. " he foulest deeds of crime and shame, which he seeks to cover with an assumed contempt of the guilt of others -- > is an envenomed toad, with the vilest passions ranking in his breast, who is always croaking on the subject of others' sins, to divert the public attention from contempla ir his
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