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 17
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personification of credulity and faction, but the most start- ling of all was an inscription on the temple itself which told plainly of the unhappy condition of those who were guilty of the complicated crimes enumerated around. In this critical situation they now found themselves, and lost no time in heeding to wiser counsels, and thus extricat- ed themselves from impending ruin by receiving the olive branch obtained by the influence, and. passed to them through the hands of Gen. Stephen F. Austin.
A physician makes use of various methods for the re- covery of sick persons ; and though some of them are painful, and all of them disagreeable, his patients are sel- dom angry, because they know that he has nothing in view besides restoring them to a sound state of health. So far from indulging in unkind feeling towards those who have devoted time and money to mitigate the sufferings which flesh is heir to, it would seem to be but common justice to award to all such persons the meed of unquali- fied praise ; and if any thing has been written in the foregoing pages which savors of a nauseous drug, the charitable reader will attribute it to the proper cause; to a desire to state facts for the benefit of others; to prevent in future, as well as to cure disease, in matters which if not of equal importance, are nearly allied to the health of the body.
I am not conscious of having stated or omitted any fact relating to the subject of this work which could convey to the reader a more definate iden of the past and present history of the country, and it yet remains to be shown how, and by what system of continued poli- cy the Mexican republic has been dismembered of part of a state,'and the government of Texas called into being.
The succeeding pages then, will, with the same im-
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partiality as the foregoing, deal in sober truths. The author proposing little to himself, the instruction and happiness of his readers, with the conviction that he has performed his duty, being the aim and end of all his en- deavors.
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CHAPTER XIII.
While the events narrated in the foregoing chapter were passing, the sympathies of the people of the United States were most pathetically appealed to. and clandestine prep- arations were already making to aid the war party in Tex- as, who were held up as a priest-ridden-persecuted-ill- fated set of Americans, whom the treachery of the Mex- ican government had involved in much misery. The un- happy party strifes in Mexico furnished a first rate pretext to talk of a separation, and those unacquainted with the actual condition of affairs, naturally enough supposed that a government constantly engaged in party conflicts affor- ded no protection to the citizen disposed to peace ; forget- ting that these conflicts were the offspring of the tremen- dous battlings for freedom by a nation who never could have purchased her liberty at a smaller price.
. Such generous sentiments animated thus early the bo- soms of thousands of our people, and all pains were taken by the wire workers in Texas to prevent the dissemina- tion of correct information, and such as we did get was concocted within the gloomy walls that enclosed their committees of correspondence, who manufactured and ven- ded just such commodities as suited their own selfish pur- poses. Now, however, when a premature blow had been
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struck, the small success which attended the revolutionists had damped their ardour, and time was required to strength- en their forces before any new enterprise could be under- taken with the smallest hopes of success.
To suppose that any party in power in Mexico would uniformly be governed by wisdom and justice would argue a degree of credulity and ignorance from which I trust I am exempt ; but to suppose that any of the alternate au- thorities would wontonly have harassed the people of Texas, is the greatest absurdity ; and that the law of the 6th of April, 1830, was passed to prevent the accumula- tion of war-like materials, and the introduction of smug- gled goods, the history of the times as well as subsequent events abundantly prove. Indeed, none can be so pro- foundly ignorant as to suppose that the government of Mexico, had enacted such laws out of mere caprice at any time; and much less, when the clemants of strife were rife in the land, and a small fire-brand from such a source cer- tain tolight up a blaze in Texas which had long been kind- ling, and now only needed fuel to send forth a flame.
Equally unjust would it be to charge the whole papala- tion, or even a majority of the Texans with treason ible designs; on the contrary, a large and respectable portion of the inhabitants discountenanced, from first to last. eve- ry attempt to involve that part of the Mexican confedra- cy in collision with the general government, and during many years these displayed a moral courage, a reverence for consistency, and a patriotic devotion for the per.na- nent good of the whole, that reflects the highest honor on their names, and ought to immortalize them.
But when it is remembered that almost the very first American emigrants found the Mexicans heroically con- tending for freedom-that Americans and others in a ceaseless tide of emigration continued to pour into Texa
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with a full knowledge of the connexion between church and state, and the unsettled state of the government; that when there, and in the full enjoyment of the bounties of the government which were certainly on a more liberal scale than has attended the colonization of any other coun- try, that these colonists, or any part of them, should have deliberately sought to involve the country of their adep- tion in still greater difficulties, is a position so unmanly and dishonorable that a charitable mind would rejoice to disbelieve it. At any rate, now that Santa Anna is hailed . by them as a liberator, and they have sent in their adhe- sion to his supremacy, if they were sincere, we must natu- rally suppose that unless new grievances are to be borne they will act in good faith, and support the doctrine of their political creed, and its distinguished champion Gel. Lopez De Santa Anna.
The next overt and public act in the road to revolution was the assemblage of a convention at San Felipe, to sever the connexion between Coahuila and Texas, and form a state constitution for the latter. Although Texas would doubtless, in time, have been entitled to a separate state government, this step was as yet unnecessary and uncali- ed for ; besides it was, under existing circumstances, impo- litic in the extreme, and was so considered by most of the oldest and best informed inhabitants of the country. Gen. Austin was decidedly opposed to it, and represented that an excitement was kept up by political fanatics and inter- rested adventurers, and that he knew the subject was only agitated at the time for effect, but that so insiduous had been the approaches of these interested adventurers, that many of the people had been made to believe that all de- pended on a state constitution, when every pretext would be removed necessary for the purpose of the reckless.
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It was in this patriotic spirit that the first incipient measures of the war party had been received, and coun- tenanced, and now in 1833, when the convention had as- sembled and formed a state constitution, without the con- sent of Coahuila or of the general government, Gen. Austin was prevailed upon to bear the document to Mex- ico, and to become a mediator between the government -the war party-and a great number of ignorant but well meaning men ; the last hoping for the best results on account of Austin's moderation and exalted character at the capital. The revolutionists hoped for, and secretly predicted its failure, knowing that in such event, they would be enabled to keep up an excitement, and gradually prepare the public mind for more dangerous weapons.
Austin accepted this mission with great reluctance, but under a full persuasion that it was his duty ; his old and tired friends had fixed all their hopes on him, to avert the threatened storm, the revolutionists professed unlimited confidence in his probity and discretion. Gen. Austin knew that the government had been constantly harassed by Texans ; he knew that suspicions were strong in Mexico that their fondness for favors enveloped a con- cealed dagger ; and he knew that under all the circum- stances, the result of his mission was extremely doubtful. But he relied upon his own integrity and the confidence felt in him at the seat of government for success-and in failure, upon the indulgent kindness of his fellow citizens ; but never dreamed that he was offered up by a part c. them as a victim to their unhallowed designs.
Texas was at this time by no means destitute of a local government-she was, and had been for years, at her own special request, part and parcel of the state of Coa hurla and Texas as much as the Western district is part and parcel of the state of Tennessee ; she was represented in
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the state legislature and in the Mexican Congress accord- ing to the ratio of her population, and exercised all the attri- butes of a sovereign state, to the full extent that so sparse a population could in any state of the Union of the North.
It is much to be lamented that the best and most worthy of men may sometimes be drawn into the snares of the wicked and envious who can thus fasten their poisoned fangs around the victim and destroy his power to do good. Such an outrage was practiced on Stephen F. Austin in Texas, a man on whom the God of nature had fixed his seal of nobility ; a man endowed with every social and moral vir- tue ; a man that any people might have delighted to honour.
Immediately on his acceptance of the mission to Mexi- co, letters were despatched to the city, giving informa- tion of the fact, and representing that Austin was the prime mover in keeping up an excitement, for the sole purpose of self-aggrandizement ; and this false information was given for the double purpose of preventing a success- ful issue of his mission and getting rid of Austin and his popularity, which the war party knew was much in their way ; and well they knew that any indignity offered to his person would strengthen their party at home and abroad.
Austin, therefore, was not received at court in such manner ås he had been led to expect ; suspicions had been excited against him ; and feeling indignant at a sup- posed affront, without knowing the cause, he penned an epistle to a supposed friend, who, on receipt of the same immediately transmitted this precious document to the government ; and finding it to contain some expressions that savoured of disaffection, an officer was despatched after Austin, then on his return home, and he was arrest ed and thrown into a gloomy dungeon for three months, and afterwards incarcerated for upwards of a year.
The great distance to Texas, and the almost impos-
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sibility of probing such a mystery, caused the govern- ment to detain Austin so long, and he was thus compel- led to submit to his bad fortune, the victim of men whom a gallows would nor could not have disgraced. He eventu- aily returned to his home; but so much had the aspect of affairs been changed since his absence, and such was the confidence and friendship really felt by a great many of his early and old friends, that his line of duty as a citizen and patriot was materially altered, and he yet fellt willing to perform it. In his own language, he was compelled to choose between resisting the revolutionists by force. yielding himself to them or leaving the country that con- tained his property, his family, and many other valued friends. Under such complex circumstances he threw the weight of his character in the scale of peace, until the other preponderated, and then as the last alternative to be thought of, he fought for his family and his home, and rendered important services to the cause in the capa- city of minister to the United States.
After Gen. Austin's release from prison and return home, viz: on the 8th of September, 1835, a public meet- ing was held at Brassoria, where he addressed a large concourse of people as follows:
"Fellow Citizens :- I had hoped to have found Texas in peace and tranquility, but regret and deeply regret, to find her all in commotion, disorganized and treading on the precipice of an anarchy.
This state of things is in part to be attributed to the tre- mendous revolution that has extended to every part of the republic, but is now drawing to a close. It is lamenta- ble, and a great misfortune, that such is not the case here, but I am fully convinced that a large portion of our peo- ple are not to be blamed-they are pacific from inclina-
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tion and interest. They have not deviated from their duty as Mexican citizens, but have uniformly endeavored to maintain the public quiet by pacific means. It will al- ways be a subject of deep regret, that the imprudent and sensurable conduct of comparatively few should have thrown us into a position which we have sought to avoid.
" Not having originated or participated in the revolu- tion, we are scarcely qualified to judge impartially of those who at different times have been in the ascendant; and it is remarkable that so few acts of the government have been detrimental to Texas, constantly irritated as it has been by parties and factions, and not a little annoyed by our ceaseless petitions, remonstrances, &c. &c. Gen. Santa Anna and other influential men in Mexico, have declared to me that they are friends to Texas, wish her prosperity, and will do all they can to promote it, and that in the new constitution they will give to Texas a special organization suited to her present situation and the education and habits of our people ; and these declara- tions afford a reason for a general consultation of the peo- ple. Such a crisis has arrived that something must be done; we must accept a liberal constitution-advance or recede -no room is now left for neutrals."
The truth was, Austin now saw that promtitude and de- cision must be the order of the day, and he hoped that · on a consultation of delegates from every part of Texas, that some amicable arrangement would be made ; and if not, a concert of action could be fixed on that would still leave Texas on the defensive, and if compelled to fight, insure her victory. He had witnessed the almost unlimit- ed influence that a few, when acting in concert, could ever- cise over the many ; and among the evidences of such
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influences, he saw that the phalanx now arrayed against Mexico was formidable indeed, and among them many of his most valued friends, whose first feelings of hostili- ty towards Mexico had been excited by what they sup- posed an indignity towards himself. They had seen him a prisoner; they knew he deserved a better fate, and strong- ly censured the government, never dreaming that the treachery of those at home was the cause ; and they had vowed eternal vengeance, and so completely committed themselves that honorable retreat was scarcely in their power.
Gen. Austin now, indeed, saw in a very short time, that he must yield to circumstances-leave his country or oppose with fire and sword, not only his own enemies, but also many misguided friends. He knew that he had in a great measure lost his good name and influence in Mexico, and could promise himself no security there ; he knew too. that his imprisonment had been trumpeted abroad, and that public sentiment in the United States was decidedly in favor of the war party in Texas ; and for him to leave his country at such a time, would in the opinion of this hasty world, amount to the same thing as a base and dishonorable treachery. Such imputations he could no brook, and it is highly probable that many of the best and most worthy of our species would, under similar circumstances, have acted as he did, and been driven to . pursue a course diametrically opposite to any thing that had been previously intended.
The next affair that was made use of to inflame the public mind and increase the growing animosity against the general government, was so barefaced and so much be- yond the ordinary limits of probability, that I would pass it over; if the facts were not fully proven by the action of the Texan government, at a subsequent day. Up to
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this time, no force whatever had ever been despatched from Mexico, and used to quell these restless committee men and land speculators, but all their complaints had been heard and removed, even to religious toleration ; and now when the state Legislature had convened, at Montclovia. these intriguers produced a division, and the real friends of the government and the Santa Anna party were forced to withdraw.
The immediate cause of this was the seizure and sale of 411 leagues of land to themselves and associates, and a part of the members viewing the public lands as national. and not state property, refused to sanction such unheard- of preceedings, without the consent of the general govern- ment. This wrought a schism, and General Cos was order- ed to march to Monteloria, disperse the obnoxious mem- bers, and imprison the governor, who was viewed as the high priest and ring leader of the party. Such prompt work was unexpected, many of the members and others had not yet received their land titles in form, and they fied into Texas in laudable confusion, proclaiming at every step after clearing Cos, and his army, separation, Independence and war.
Much as this affair strengthened the war party at the time, no sooner had the members of the cousultation which afterwards assembled at San Felipe convened, than they declared this a fraudulent transaction* and all the contracts null and void ; and this construction was recognised by the convention at Washington, and incorporated into the Constitution of the country ; thus undoing their own do- ings for the simple reason that not quite one half of the partners had secured even a pretended right.
* See proceedings of consultation in the office of Secretary State, and also Branch T. Archer's speech in this work.
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At the commencement of this schism in the Legislature of Coahuila and Texas, the people of the former became alarmed and called upon the revolutionists to meet them in council and save the country from anarchy and ruin. A large and respectable portion of the peace party in Texas responded to this call, and never did men act with a truer patriotism than did these noble Texans when penning and circulating the following sentiments :
They called upon the war party to pause, to consider the evil of inculcating measures in a time of prosperity which must result in want and wretchedness, to consider that the President Santa Anna was friendly to Texas; the proofs of which were already abundant; that in fact, every real or even immaginary grievance had been re- moved ; and particularly called the attention of the war party to the revocation of the decree of 1829, respecting slavery, and the more recent abrogation of the laws re- lating to an established church. They asked what was desired :- do you, (says the Circular letter of the peace party,) do you intend, right or wrong, to involve us in a civil war, and compel us to either become the victims of your cruelty or imbue our hands in your blood.
The mystery about Austin's imprisonment is dissolved. The government of Mexico is not to blame ; Gen. Austin is not to blame ; but time will unfold to the gaze of the world the real aggressors, and doom them to disgrace, and the execrations of mankind.
The Circular continues thus :- The course you are pur- suing is of a decidedly revolutionary character, and you ought well to consider whether you are prepared to heed- lessly rush forward and involve our common country in all the horrors of a civil war.
Had there not been a party who moved in a solid body, and were determined on separation, the foregoing address
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might have resulted in permanent good ; but unfortunately there was such a party ; and unfortunately too, there was a power behind their throne, and the warnings of some of the most patriotic, talented and worthy citizens of the country were passed unheeded.
So soon as the dispersed members of the state legisla- ture had recovered from the alarm occasioned by the ap- pearance of Cos and his copper face heroes, they resolved to make an attack at a point more vulnerable, and mar- shaling their forces, they took another crusade to Anahu- ac, where they broke into the custom house, took forcible possession of a quantity of goods which had been legally seized by the collector, and after liberating some old of- fenders at smuggling, these pinks of chivalry departed for their homes.
That the Mexican government had been much imposed on by those engaged in an illicit traffic, there is no sort of doubt ; abundant evidence of the facts could be furnished and although I am not altogether sure but a custom house is one of the most cunning contrivances over yet invent- ed, to fleece the many for the benefit of the few; yet, in a government of law, such violations are not to be toler- ated ; and whatever may be the evils of the system, all other civilized nations are as culpable as were the Mexi- sans.
As before stated in this we:k, the colonization laws of' Mexico allowed Emigrants to Texas to import on their arrival. goods for sale, amounting at first cost to two thou- sand dollars, duty free.
Under this clanse, and under a mere pretence of settling in the country, there were along the whole coast, and also along the Sabine river, individuals who were in a kind of partnership as importers ; and hundreds of men have gone
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into Texas with no other design but to enter themselves as Emigrants, dispose of some thousands of dollars wort !! of goods, and immediately return to the United States. It is not my purpose to give names; I only allude to such practices for the purpose of shewing the many per- plexities and vexations to which the Mexican authorities were subjected, and the impotency of such laws where temptations in the shape of large profits are thrown with- in men's reach. Lead us not into temptation, might weil be the prayer of all the human family ; and nations as well as individuals should bear this in mind.
But to a traffic so demoralizing as smuggling, and one so injurious to those engaged in fair and regular business. the government was certainly bound to put a stop ; and the more so, because it materially lessened the income of her own citizens, comparatively few of whom participat- ed in the business of smuggling, and those who did, were accumulating fortunes at the expense of the honest por- tion of the inhabitants of the country.
General Cos was now in garrison at San Antonia, and when the affair at Analinac was reported to him, Captain Thompson was ordered to sail for thet port, and demand a restitution of the goods, and the arrest of the offenders. When in the vicinity of Galveston Bay, he spoke an American vessel, and not receiving satisfactory answers, he "assumed the responsibility" of taking forcible posses- sion of her, aud towing her into a Mexican port. She was found to be freighted with warlike materials, and had cleared from a certain sea port on our coast for Velasco, Texas.
I am not so deeply versed in the laws of nations as to justify me in a positive decision on such subjects as have always produced a great diversity of opinion among the wise knights of diplomacy, but I know enough to assert,
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that this outrage, (if it was one,) could only have been made a subject of complaint by the United States ; and that in a legal point of view, Texas had nothing to do with it. Texas was an integral part of the Mexican Re- public ; the vessel was captured in Mexican waters, and her cargo was destined for the destruction of a part of the Mexican people ; and under such circumstances, the President of the United States some years ago would "have taken the responsibility" of endorsing the capture of such a vessel, if destined for Charleston Harbour.
I had the mortification to be introduced to this same Capt. Thomson during my sojourn in Texas, and I free- ly acknowledge that the opinion I had before formed ro- specting the merits of this capture was much shaken after seeing the man, wearing, as he did, every appearance that my imagination had depicted, as a cut-throat and pirate ; and it is no disgrace to our star spangled banner or our heroes of the mountain wave, when wholly un- armed they are boarded by such a barbarian and compel- led to strike.
The capture of this vessel created the deepest indigna- tion in the United States, and although it is now known that Thompson transcended his orders in this particular, and failed to perform them at Anahuac, for which he was dismissed from the Mexican service, and emigrated to Texas ; yet at the time of the occurrence, we all blamed the Mexican government and people, and sympathized with the war folks in Texas, who in turn rejoiced exceed- ingly, knowing as they did, that the loss of this cargo would produce scores more of a similar kind.
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