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 20
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But a brief space of time before, as noted in the 12th Chapter of this work, we who are now conjured as broth- ers, were denounced before the Mexican people as no- toriously profligate and lawless and in the same address by the same war party, Santa Anna who has since that ad- dress was penned removed all former grounds of complaint, and committed no wrongs upon the rights or liberties of the people of Texas, is now transformed from the champion of liberty, and the distinguished Don Lopez De Santa Anna, into a military despot who had trampled on the liberties of his country. Religious establishments and violated Consti- tutions grate harshly on American ears ; and this love for the constitution was a subterfuge resorted to for the pur- pose of enlisting our feelings still more in their favor, and 'was in point of fact rebelling first and finding out the rea- son afterwards, and never, it is believed, did juggler play off his illusions with such effect as did the war party in Tex-
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as, when performing before their notoriously profligate and lawless brothers, the legitimate descendants of seven- teen hundred and seventy-six.
I am aware that in expressing sentiments so opposite from those entertained by a large majority of the Ameri- can people, that I am incurring a great weight of respon- sibility ; but it cannot be supposed that I have any sinister motive or any object whatever but truth in view, and while I am conscious of this, without courting opposition I will not shrink from a just responsibility, confident as I am, that the more the subject is investigated, the more proofs will be obtained in support of each and every posi- · tion I have assumed. 'Tis true, most writers advocate the popular side of every subject ; 'tis true, that they of- ten degrade themselves by becoming mere pensioned scribblers ; and it is perhaps too true that any other mode of procedure is fraught with danger without pecuniary reward ; but aware as I am of this, I cannot consent to lend myself to so unholy a cause as that which hitherto has loaded with obloquy the peace party in Texas; a body of men in point of talent, moral worth and patriot- ism, that would do no dishonor to the proudest and most enlightened nation under the sun. I know the envious, malicious and obstinately prejudiced will condemn me ; but my writings should be beneath the notice of any intelli- gent community if I was capable of descending to the vile practice of promulgating error and pandering to an appetite that is sharpened and invigorated until whole- some food for the mind is discarded, and its place supplied with nutriment, which although decked with flowers. of- ten contains a poison which in the absence of a sure an- tidote. I fear will some day sap the very foundations of society and desolate my native and beloved country and
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the home of my children while the beautiful but unfinish- ed fabric, reared by our fathers, is crumbling into dust.
The thousands of emigrants that will continue to pour into Texas, have important trusts in their hands ; the ac- tive promoters of the conflict with Mexico, as well as my- self, will soon pass away, and our respective places will be filled by those for whom we should feel a lively inter est, and for whom there should be no unwillingness to transmit volumes of truth, when the hand which has pen- ned them is mouldering in the dust.
In tracing the causes and effects of revolutions in gov- ernment, the impartial mind will arrive at the conclusion . that with a little shifting of scenery and characters, the history of one is in many respects not unlike the history of all,-that the causes often trivial ; the measures used wicked and malignant ; and the final results to the success- ful party often little else than a change of name and a change of inasters. While this as a general truth may be safely affirmed, a further notice of the revolution in Mexi- co would be superfluous were it not that the leading caus- es and prominent features of its rise, progress and termin- ation, were of a Kind to stamp this tremendous conflict with a distinct character. Spain found the Mexicans a rich, powerful and happy nation ; she robbed them for a time of their birth-right and the fruits of their industry ; and in time her victims triumphed over oppression and laid this once haughty nation prostrate at their feet. The colonists of Texas settled in the Mexican republic when the nation was groaning under the expiring fragments of tyranny, when the lovers of justice and the rights of man throughout the world were contemplating with pleasure the noble stand and heroic achievements of the long op- pressed descendants of the Montazumas.
The Texan Emigrants voluntarily took upon themselves
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the most solemn obligations, and in the face, of high heaven swore to support the constituted authorities of Mexico ; not any particular dynasty, but such as a ma- jority of the inhabitants of the republic should from time to time clothe with authority. If they have done this, 'tis well ; if they availed themselves of nature's law and have resisted intolerable oppression even unto death, it was an honorable duty ; if they have aided a nation of freemen when contending for their lost rights, they deserve the approbation of mankind; but if they have violated the most sacred obligations, and proved recreant to their benefactors, and like a viper stung the bosom that warm- ed them into life, the curse of God will rest upon them and sooner or later the execrations of mankind.
We are accustomed to look upon an individual who will speak falsely, or one who will rob or murder a fel- low creature, with horror and loathing; but I fear that mankind are too apt to overlook the darkest crimes when numbers are engaged, and to drown the offence in the waters of popular feeling. But it must be confessed that unjustifiable rebellion embraces a complication of wicked- ness transcendantly greater than any crime which man can commit, it is the offspring of slander, in gratitude and perjury ; it is pregnant with rapine, sacrilege and mur- der; and dreadful indeed in its mildest form, as it impover- ishes the public, ruins particular families, perpetrates ha- tred among citizens and relatives who ought to be friends ; makes a country the seat of misery and desolation ; leaves helpless orphans in nakedness and want, and widows in weeds and tears ; exposes nations to the attempts of for- eign enemies ; and its progress is always through a con- tinued course of violence and bloodshed. An individual robber and murderer then is an innocent man if compared
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to and leagued with a combination of rebels against an upright government.
'Tis true, that willful and corrupt perjury, by the com- mon consent of mankind and the whole tenor of every code of morality or religion, is a crime of such flagitious nature that I would fondly believe that such mournful de- pravity cannot exist in a human breast ; for independent of deep remorse in this world, what must be the eternal doom of him who has first desired that God might help him as he shall keep his oath, and then disclaims divine assistance and hopes to prosper when pursuing a course diametrically opposite to the most sacred obligation. In- dividual happiness or permanent prosperity under such circumstances can never exist. It would be contrary to every known law of nature ; contrary to reason, right and justice, and contrary to every principle on which men can have the smallest foundation to anchor their hopes in this world or who are not altogether regardless of a happy immortality.
In a national point of view. I cannot believe that the sins of a few will be visited on the many, nor do I believe that all who participated in the conflict in Texas are charge- able with acting wrong ; on the contrary, too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the magnanimous volunteers who left their peaceful firesides as they then verily believ- ed to assist in maintaining the rights of man, and to stay the progress of a ruthless and sanguinary invader; too much praise cannot be bestowed on a worthy body of men in Texas who honestly opposed the war until the alternatives were presented of butchering their neighbors, fighting the Mexicans. or leaving the country ; and in place of pass- ing a sentence of willful and corrupt guilt on any of the actors, I will consider that I have done my duty when I have laid all the evidence before my readers (much of
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which is yet to come) and have informed them that a charitable mind will make large allowances for the con- duct of men in particular circumstances.
We are often blinded by prejudice and interest ; we are led by the influence of friends ; we are too often the slaves of fashion, and we pursue the phantom Fame at times with such eager intent, and with such velocity that the most sacred duties are forgotten while mischief and misery are scattered abroad, and death and destruction mark our footsteps.
Pope says, "vice to be hated must be seen ;" and I say that the most pernicious consequences sometimes ensue from a disregard of first principles without the absolute intent of indulging vicious propensities ; and man without fixed principles for the government of his conduct is as liable to steer wrong as a ship without rudder or compass, when tossed upon the mountain wave.
But whatever may have been the sins of the promoters of the war or the virtues of those who opposed it, emi- grants at the present and a future day can neither share in the disgrace of the one nor the glory of the other, farther than to draw lessons of instruction from the past ; and this should call forth every faculty of body and mind until their duties are properly understood and performed, which will richly repay them in life and redound to their honor when their pilgrimage shall be ended ; and may such be impressed with a proper sense of their accounta- bility and learn from the follies of others to steer around the troubled waters of destruction and anchor at last in a haven of rest.
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CHAPTER XV.
My history must now retrograde to the 3d of Novem- ber 1835, at which time the delegates composing the con- sultation organized at San Felipe, when Branch T. Archer was elected President of that body and delivered the fol- lowing speech, which I lay before the reader for the pur- pose of exhibiting both sides of the question, and also to refresh his memory respecting the sale of 411 leauges of land, by the war party, in Texas ; the members of which being dispersed before the titles were made out, the Pres- ident of the Consultation now declares a fraudulent trans- action. This document may be relied on as a copy ver- batim, having, by the courtesy of the Secretary of State, been permitted to transcribe it with my own hand from the unpublished files in that department of the Govern- ment of Texas.
The HIon. Branch T. Archer is a man of fine talents, possessing too the fire of an old Virginian, a fire that in early life involved him in a duel with a Mr. Crump, who fell a victim to this savage practice, near Powhattan Court house, Virginia, and Col. Archer emigrated to Texas, where he well knew what kind of language to use to those around him, as well as those of his old friends in
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the United States, when addressing the delegates at San Felipe De Austin.
" Gentlemen :- I return you my thanks for the honor you have conferred on me. The duties which devolve on the members of this body are arduous and highly impor- tant : in fact the destinies of Texas are placed in your hands. I hope that you are now assembled in every way prepared to discharge those duties creditable to your- selves, and beneficial to your country. I call upon all and each of you to divest yourselves of all party feeling and selfish motives, and to look alone to the true interest of the country. In the language of the Hebrew prophet, I would say, put off your shoes, for the ground upon which you stand is holy ground.
The rights and liberties of thousands of freemen are in your hands, and millions yet unborn will be affected by your decisions. The first measure that will be brought before the house will be a declaration in which we will set forth to the world the causes that have impelled us to take up arms, and the objects for which we fight; and the propriety of establishing a provincial government without delay, is now suggested to be composed of a Governor, Leutenant Governor and Council, and I would recommend that these offices be clothed with both legislative and executive powers. This measure I conceive to be abso- lutely necessary to prevent Texas from falling into anar- chy. The organization of the militia requires your im- mediate attention. You have an army in the field whose achievements have already shed lustre upon our arms, and they are destitute of the provisions and comforts necessi- ry to sustain them in service. Give them character, or their victories, although not achieved without danger or glory, will nevertheless be unproductive of good; sustain
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and support them and they will do honor to you, and ren- der incalculable service to the country ; neglect them and Texas is lost.
The adoption of a code of miliatary laws is indispensable, -without order and discipline your armies will be more dangerous to ourselves than to our adversaries. I know the men now in the field ; and there never were better materials for soldiers, but unless strict subordination is enforced they will achieve nothing for us; but enforce subordination, and like the dragon's teeth sown by Cad- mus, armed men will spring forth ready to fight our bat- tles.
It will be necessary to raise funds in order to establish the contemplated government and support the army, and it is our duty to appoint agents to procure those funds. I have too high an opinion of the wisdom of this body to believe that you will select any but our most influential citizens to such an important post. Without funds, how- ever heroically your armies may fight-however wise your councils may legislate, they will erect but a baseless fabric, that will fall of its own weight.
It is believed that funds to a large amount can be rais- ed by a pledge of the public domain ; and however much our citizens may differ in opinion respecting the legal ownership of such lands, Texas needs and must have them.
We are surrounded by powerful and warlike tribes. of Indians, some of whose chiefs are expected here in a few days, and I deem it expedient that we purchase their friendship at whatever it may cost. The arrangements entered into with our friends abroad must be complied with, and by a proper treatment of those volunteers who have arrived from the United States, we shall soon be reinforc-
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ed with many more from the same quarter ; and it will be expedient for this body to secure to all volunteers their head rights and bounty lands, and place them on the same footing with our own citizens. This being done, confi- dence will be ensured. Again, the path to promotion must be open ; the volunteers must be certain that deeds of heroism will be rewarded, and that you will throw no obstruction in their pathway to fame. The fraudulent sale of 411 leagues of land by the late legislature of Coa- huila and Texas will need revision, and the establishment of mails and an express department are deemed necessa- ry to promote the object in view ; besides other measures which have escaped my observation, but will occur to us all in the progress of affairs; and finally, gentlemen, let me remind you of the high and responsible station you now occupy. The eyes of the world will soon be upon us; battling as we are against the despotism of a military chieftain all true republicans will become anxious specta- tors of the conflict. Let us furnish them evidence that we are the true descendants of that band of heroes that sustain- ed an eight years war against tyranny and oppression and gave liberty to a new world. Let our achievements be such that our mother country, when she reads the bright page that records them, shall proudly and joyfully exclain. these are my sons; their heroic deeds mark them as such. Again, gentlemen, let me remind you that the ground up- on which you stand is holy ground; that your decisions will affect the rights and liberties of thousands of free- men, and perhaps millions yet unborn-and the cause of liberty itself. I do not view the cause in which we are engaged as that of freemen fighting alone against military despotism; I do not view it as Texas battling alone for her rights; I view it on a more extensive scale; I view it as
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the great work of laying the corner stone of the great Mexican confederacy."
Immediately after the delivery of the foregoing speech of the presiding officer, the report of a body termed the common council was laid before the consultation of dele- gates, and the following is a true copy from the file in the department of State.
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REPORT OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
. San Felipe De Austin, Nov. 1st, 1835.
To the honorable Consultation of the chosen delegates of all Texas, in General Convention assembled :
The general council begs leave to report, that now on the organization of your honorable body, the duty of the council terminates, and it is with much satisfaction that we surrender into your hands the records of our proceed- ings. In the discharge of its duties, it became necessary, for the council to take the responsibility of acts of mag- nitude ; and if in so doing we have transcended the au- thority intended to be delegated to us, we hope that the liberality of your assembly will attribute it to motives of rendering important it not indespensable aid to the cause in which Texas is engaged. As the most trivial acts of the council are on record, and are too numerous to be couched in this report, we will only present to your con- sideration the most important, and those incurring the greatest responsibility, that you may approve or disap- prove as your wisdom may dictate. On the 14th day of October, James Hall was appointed contractor for the army, from whose report there are reasons to believe that upwards of one hundred beeves and a considerable quantity of corn meal are on the way to head quarters,
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and connected with this subject we will also inform you that supplies of sugar, coffee, bacon, blankets, shoes, tent cloths, &c. &c., have been forwarded from Columbia. Brassoria and Matagorda ; but as the winter is approach- ing, high water and bad roads may be expected ; we there- fore recommend that a larger quantity be collected at some convenient point.
We have reasons to believe that one 12 and one 18 pounder of artillery are on the way, with a fair propor- tion of powder and ball, and we have authorized the rais- ing of 25 volunteers to range between the Colorado and Brassos ; 25 between the Brassos and Trinity rivers ; and 35 east of the Trinity, promising each volunteer $1,25 per day. The council have made arrangements for the collection of the public dues on file marked G., and this it will be necessary to take up and revise. The council have ordered to be carried into effect under certain rer- ulations a mail route from San Felipe De Austin to canton- ment Jesup in the United States ; as also to the head quarters of the army, and to Bigar and Velasco. This subject at a suitable time should be taken up, and branch routes ordered : and to carry the project into effect. the , Council appointed Jno. Rice Jones, Post Master General. On the 26th day of October, the council drafted an ad- dress to the people of the United States which was for- warded to an editor at Natchitoches in the United States for publication ; and will be found on file marked M. On the 27th the council passed a resolution requiring the sus- pension of the various land offices, for reasons then stated which will be found on file marked N. ; copies of which have been ordered to be served on the land commission- ers. We have authorized a contract for a loan of one hundred thousand dollars from citizens of New-Orleans. and appointed T. F. Mckinney agent to repair to New-
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Orleans to carry the same into effect, under instructions on file marke 1 C. On the 31st, the council received a number of letters from Mr. Mckinney and other gentle- men of the lower country, urging the necessity of the council granting letters to certain persons therein men- tioned, to cruise for Mexican vessels, which were granted, and commissions issued, a copy of which is on file marked P. accompanied with instructions marked G.
Our finances arising from the receipt of dues for land as will appear in MII. Gail Borden's report, is $58,30. This money has been exhausted, and an advance made by the president of the council of $36. There was also several hundred dollars in the hands of Mr. Moony, the Alcalde of the municipality of Austin ; upon this money several advances have been made by Mr. Cochrane, and will probably cover the amount of money in the Alcalde's hands ; as such you may consider that at this moment we are out of funds.
Two Mexican officers, prisoners of war, are now on parole of honor, having privilege of the town of San Felipe, and it will be necessary for the President or some appropriate authority to have observation over them. As some days may pass before the consultation organize a proper authority to dispatch and receive expresses, the council are of opinion should be attended to, and that a committee should be appointed for that purpose.
With consideration and high regard,
R. ROYAL, President of the General Council of Texas.
A. HOUSTON, Secretary.
On motion of Saml. Houston a vote of thanks was unanimously passed, tendering to the members of the council the thanks of the consultation.
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On motion of Mr. Wharton, it was resolved that the President appoint a committee composed of one member from each jurisdiction, to make a declaration, setting forth to the world, the causes that impelled us to take up arms and the objects for which we fight ; and in persuance of said resolution, the Chair appointed the following persons : A. Wharton, W. Mennifee, R. R. Roval, Lorenza De Valla, A. Mitchell, W. J. Fisher, R. M. Williams. Saml. Houston, A. Houston W. Hanks, H. Millard and S. T. Ailen.
Mr. Edward Hall. agent for a committee at New- Or- leans, was introduced and presented certain documents which were read, and on motion of Mr. Wharton, were ordered to lie on the table. On motion, of Mr. Robinson, a committee was appointed to take into consideration the communications from New-Orleans; and Messrs. Whar- ton, Houston, Robinson, Royal and Parker, were ap poin- ted that commitee, with instructions to report thereon.
On motion of R. Royal, Messrs. Bettom and Hall, of the United States Navy were received into the army of Tex- as. In persuance of the recommendation of the president of the consultation, Henry Smith was elected Governor, J. W. Robinson Lt. Governor, Win. Mennifee, D. Parker, Jesse Grimes, A. G. Perry, David G. Burnett. Henry Williams, Martin Parmi, D. C. Clemments, R. R. Royal, W. P. Harris, E. Waller, and W. Hanks, councilmen.
The Governor elect having taken the oath of office was conducted to the Chair, when he delivered a short address, remarking that they would have to call system out of chaos, and without funds or munitions of war, set the new wheels of government in motion; he recommended the passage of a revenue law. and the appointment of collec- tors of the customs, and also additional agents to procure aid from foreign countries, particularly the United States.
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which his Excellency seemed to think was going hand in hand with Texas on a crusade to Mexico. He spouted most loudly about the glories of conquest, and the descen- dants of the immortal heroes of 1776; declared they were neither profligate nor lawless, but that the Mexi- cans were both ; and moreover, of a color and language which peculiarly fitted them for the servants of those who were a shade whiter, and spoke the English language. Two thousand copies of this speech were ordered to be printed and sent to different parts of the United States. and on motion of Wm. Wharton the consultation adjourn- ed sine die.
I believe that there is in point of fact but one step be- tween the sublime and the ridiculous; and I bespeak the impartial attention of the reader, while I dissect and strip of their gilding, the two preceding very eloquent and statesmanlike documents, in doing which I shall be- gin with my brother Virginian, and it is part of the Vir- ginian creed to lean as much as possible to the side of a countryman, and I cannot therefore be subjected to the charge of enmity against my honorable colleague from Powhattan.
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