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 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24
'The fact is, the country and its inhabitants have been grossly calumniated by some, and too highly extolled and overrated by others; the fruit of which is no permanent advantage to any, but a junto of land spectators, while it is productive of evil and serious disappointment to many, particularly those who have been allured into the country by reading exaggerated discriptions of every thing, and pro- mises made which were never to be redeemed.
It is one of the leading objects of the work to disabuse the public mind, and to exhibit men and things as they are. " to nothing extenuate, or set down aught in malice," for I consider it no trifling affair for men in almost any con- dition to quit their native country and friends in pursuit of the fickle goddess, fortune, and when too late, find that
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their compass has been set wrong, and it is a matter of grave and serious importance for those who are comfortably located to migrate to a distant region, of which they are for all practicable purposes profoundly ignorant.
I have seen enough of this in Texas and among those too who were capable, and would have done well had they been in possession of correct information before- hand, such as comes home to the business of every man, and such as would have enabled them in time to judge knowingly, whether a removal was advisable or not.
Again, I consider the character of the inhabitants of a country of quite as much importance as a description of the soil ; and I would take the liberty of denying in ad- vance, the sweeping assertions that are sometimes made, wherein these people have been branded en masse, as abandoned outlaws. 'Tis not true.
There are, as every where else, bad men, and per- haps an over-proportion of such among them ; but there are also many men who would do honor to any country ; and such wholesale charges are only suited to the vicious propensities of those whose very element is slander and detraction ; and who to gratify the meanest and basest of of passions, would, if possible, consign to eternal infamy their fellow men. People, however, well continue to go to Texas, and if emigrants are not correctly advised, the fault shall not be mine.
We will now return to the Inn and our fourteen out- . laws ; eight of these, by their own confession, were mur- derers, and had embued their hands in human blood.
The first was a tall, red whiskered, and most villainous, looking man, who carried the indelliable mark of Cain upon his forehead, who declared that he had killed ad-nd rascal in Kentucky and was glad of it; and emphatically pronounced the same doom for the next person he should
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see bearing the least resemblance to the victim ; he express- ed the greatest abhorrence for all law, and thought that every man was the best judge of the extent of injuries done him, and the proper mode of redress.
The next in turn, was a short, dark Creole looking wretch, with a sort of devil-may-care expression of coun- tenance, distorted and bloated by an immoderate use of brandy ; and he acknowledged that the jolly god was the only majesty he would ever worship ; for, said he "I was reared by pious parents and instructed in all the tenets of the Catholic Church, and the god I then worshipped de- serted me, and I'll serve him no more."
This fellow was born in the city of Vera Cruz and in early life was discarded by his ladylove, which caused him to imbibe an inconquerable hatred against all women and mankind, and he soon leagued with a band of Pirates who then infested the Gulf. After years of villainy and perilous adventures, he found himself in New-Orleans, and there met the objects of his especial dislike ; watche! for and found a favorable opportunity, and sent, unprepared, before his God, the rival of his early affections.
"Your career," remarked another, whose weather beat- en features told of misfortunes and sorrow, "your sad career is nearly allied to my own.
Reared near the river St. Lawrence, among the roman- tic water falls and lofty promontories that adorn the coun- try, I early imbibed a thirst for adventure ; and at an car- ly age fell passionately in love with a daughter of a weal- thy Frenchman, and at once determined to possess her. Her father discountenanced my suit on account of my poverty ; and she being unwilling to elope with me, I soon determined on revenge. My feelings, I suppose, were near akin to the dog in the manger: as I could not be gratified in returned affection, I was unwilling that another
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should; and I soon found means to put an end to the earthly career of both father and daughter, and to effect. my escape from Canada to Texas.
But, that dark deed has forever undone me, suffering and expiring innocence haunts my dreams by night, and there is nothing to cheer or stimulate me by day, except that accursed bottle; and often have I, when awakened from the stupor it occasions, been on the point of destroying myself to escape the perpetual misery I endure."
" And I," said another, "endure the same. When I think of the happy home I had in my youth; the kind and indulgent parents and loving brothers and sisters which my infamy has ruined-Hell, yes, Hell, with all its hor- rors racks my bosom, and oft have I cursed myself for the want of that courage that has always failed me when I have determined to commit suicide.
I received a classical education, at an eastern College; and falling in with dissolute companions, the money which my father had earned by patient industry, was squandered by me at the gaming table, and other sinks of iniquity, and having by degrees been taught by my companions that I had received a wrong education, that the world was a band of robbers, different individuals only making use of the different means to accomplish the same end; my moral feelings gradually gave way to such as have proved my total ruin. I was at last pennyless, and without any com- punctions of conscience, at the time I supplied my wants, by easing a capitalist of his burden, and throwing him in the dock. This act sealed my fate; and I have already suffered ten thousand deaths, and the future promises noth- ing for me but unmixed misery."
The next said that he had killed a man towards whom from his first acquaintace he had felt nothing but friendship; Lut meeting him at a tavern and both getting intoxicated,
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they differed about some imaginary affairs, then fought- took another drink, and fought again ; and in the second contest, his adversary was about to overpower him, when he snatched an iron bar and laid his former friend a corpse. "For this unfortunate affair," said he, "I have never suf- fered much ; my conscience does sometimes smite me when I think of the cause of my friend's death, and I have made it a rule ever since to drink but five glasses a day, and on that I can keep my wits about me. I have now got my wife and children here, and am doing better than I was before."
The history of the sixth man was unfolded with so much apparent sincerity - while his countenance beam- ed with benevolent feelings - that I was fully persuaded that he had indeed been the child of misfortune, and not of crime. He had been raised by respectable parents; and had qualified himself for the bar, and after several wears of successful practice, had been induced to devote his time and talents to polities, and had held some impor- tant stations in the United States ; but unfortunately, ex- cited the envy of a particular party, and was on some pretext challenged for a duel. "I was unwilling," said he, "to uselessly endanger my life, and felt an abiding horror at the thought of taking the life of another; but there was no alternative but to fight, or be branded as a coward, and treated with contempt, by most of those among whom I lived; it was false ideas of honour, then, · that drove me into the commission of a crime, and not my own wickedness. But I have often since wished that I had encountered the sneers and jests of the careless world ; for I could have borne that with more composura than I have the recollection of giving way to an inhuman custom, and failing to exert every faculty of mind in pro- viding an effectual check to this remnant of barbarism."
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The seventh was a man advanced in years, and of a ven- erable appearance,. who stated that he had accumulated by constant industry a handsome property, and had thought he had many friends ; but meeting with some losses in bu- siness, those whom he had been accustomed to confide in, while acting in the guise of friends, had by art and stra- tagem involved him in still greater difficulties ; and when his property was all gone they became open enemies, and : thrust him into prison for a pretended balance claimed to be due.
He was thus cut off from the society of his wife and little ones, without the means to provide for their support, and that by fraud and management, of a combination, he was kept in confinement for near twelve months ; during which time, his children without his consent had been bound out, and his wife had died of grief. "At length," said he, "when no further injury could have been done me, I was liberated, and at once resolved to seek revenge for such atrocious villainy, and speedily sent to eternity the principal author of my ruin, and fled to Texas. I grieve over my misfortunes and mourn over the depravity of some of my fellow men ; but shall never regret this last act, nor think that I sinned in obtaining sufficient of another man's money to provide for my safety after being thus robbed of all that I had."
Now, gentle reader, I, the author of this book, do, with a due deference for the opinion of others, consider this old man's history a rather forcible commentary upon the piratical practice of imprisonment for debt, as it exists in some of the republican states of this Union, where the common benefits of the system is the gratification of some dishonest and malignant sharpers, at the expense of the liberty, property and all we hold dear; and in nine cases out of ten, the sufferers are entirely more worthy men
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than the creatures by whom they are incarcerated. Indeed all experience proves that men are not wanting, capable of deeply injuring a fellow creature, and then tremble for safety until the victim is put where he cannot retaliate at once: and while immunity is thus purchased, public atten- tion is diverted from the baseness of the creditor, and the prisoner in the public eye assumes a character nearly al- lied to that of a criminal. The system of imprisonment for debt, never has, nor ever will, effect to any useful extent, the object of its adoption; it does not facilitate the collection of debts, or teach men caution or integrity in their dealings; and of these facts even the people of Texas are well aware, and make a distinction between poverty and crime, and thus in their infancy have wrested this engine of oppression from the grasp of tyrants. The fact is, a man that will be coerced into a payment, deserves to wear the badge of slavery from the cradle to the grave.
The eighth and last of the murderers commenced nar- rating his exploits by quoting verbatim, the robber's an- swer to Alexander. "And what is a conqueror," said he. " Have you not, too, gone about the earth, like an evil genius, blasting the fair fruits of peace and industry, plun- during, ravaging and killing, without justice, and without law, merely to gratify an insatiable thirst for dominion.
All that I have done to a single district, with a hundred followers, you have done to whole nations, with one hun- dred thousand. If I have stripped individuals, you have ruined whole kingdoms. What, then, is the difference, but as you were born a king, and I a private individual? you have been able to become a mightier robber than I."
"And," exclaimed he, "a large majority of men are robbers. Robbery, gentlemen. said he, disguised in various ways extends its ramifications into every department of society. It penetrates the air and exists among the feath
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ered tribes. It fathoms the deep and commits depreda- tions in the republic of fishes, it stalks forth in the forest, and the most aggravated robberies are committed in the kingdom of animals, where the strong and vicious subsist on the labour of others weaker but more virtuous. But among civilized men we have the refinement of robbery; there are robbers by trade, robbers by falschood and fraud; it enters the domestic sanctuary in the guise of a friend, legislative halls, in the guise of a patriot; the Courts of justice in the guise of authority; the temple dedicat- ed to the Lord, in the guise of a saint, and the noblest villain of them all, is he who robs boldly and without dis- guise, and murders when he is deeply wronged; and this kind of a robber and murderer, said he, am I."
He then further explained his creed, by stating that he had under colour of law, been robbed of a handsome for- tune by a man who was rich and popular, and could prove almost any thing desired; that by the influence he could exercise in clections, the Sheriff of the county was a crea- ture of his own manufacture, and that through the Sheriff and clerk, a packed jury could always be obtained, by keep- ing men in needy circumstances always in debt; that the judge on the bench was not gold proof, and would readi- ly accept an alliance with such a formidable man; and that by emmissaries in the pay of his opponent, his own character had been traduced to such an extent that he was regarded by some with indifference, and by others, after his money was gone, with contempt.
This schooling, said he, made me a robber and murder- er, and I glory in my calling, having first robbed the scoundrel of his life who had, by a judicial decision, roh- bed me of my property; and if there had been no such place as Texas, I would have been hanged.
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Of the remaining six of the party, four had absconded for debt, rather than go to jail, one for a charge for rape, of which he protested he was innocent, and the sixth, under a charge of fraudulent insolvency and swin- dling.
The four first mentioned, all asserted, that they had be- gun life without the remotest intention of any thing like unfair dealings, but had been unfortunate in business and had paid out all they possessed without being able to satisfy their creditors; that then as fast as any thing was earned by industry, it was seized upon and sacrificed by those who yet held demands against them; and that even to avail themselves of the benefit of the insolvent laws re- quired a sum of money which they could not easily com- mand; and as a last resort they had sought for, and found freedom in Texas, which had been denied them in the land of their birth .* The man charged with rape, observed that in youth he had been pierced with one of Cupid's darts, and that the object of his affections was very beautiful and ac- complished, and was connected with a large circle of wealthy and influential friends, who refused their consent to the mar- riage; but the lady professing to reciprocate his love, she consented to a proposal of his having for its object the mortification of her relatives, as well as to induce their consent to the union. The fact transpired, and this beau- tiful Hebe was the first to make charges of a serious na- ture against him, which compelled him to fly from his "country. He did not pretend that he intended to comply with his promises to the fair one, but freely admitted that his motives were base; but, said he, "I was not the greatest hypocrite of the party, and was as innocent of the crime charged against me as a child unborn."
.Note-Strange as it may anpear, there s at least one State In the Union where it will cost about from 50 to $100 to swear out of Jail.
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The last of the party stated that he was for many years doing a prosperous business in one of the Atlantic cities, as a merchant; that during the general pressure in the money market that prevailed in 1837-3 his substance grad- ually disappeared, by a process that he supposed had been felt by many whom he had left behind him. "I happen- ed," said he, "to belong to the wrong political party to suit the the times; and while the staunch supporters of the then administration were in some mysterious way sup- plied with money, I was compelled to resort to those pests of society, called shavers, to enable me to keep up ap- pearances. At length one of these vultures had so far got me in his power as enabled him to gratify his long cherisheil desire to possess the remainder of my property; and to effect his purpose I, without the least suspi- cion of what was going on, was visited by an officer, and taken into custody on a charge of swindling, and fraudu- lent insolvency. I declare in the face of high heaven that ! was as innocent of either, as any other man could possi- bly be; but a desire of ultimate, and at the first possi- ble moment, to do justice to all, influenced my every ac- tion, and had I not fell into the hands of those who acted in concert, and were probably bound by inter- est, or some secret engagement, my innocence could have been made apparent at once; or at any rate, mny principal friends would not have been designedly got out of the way, and myself summarily conducted to prison, with- out any time allowed to find bail. The die was how- ever now cast, the news flew like fire in the woods, and before I had been twelve hours out of my store, a majority had already pronounced me guilty without any proof whatever. I soon became a most conspi- cnous character; in some circles it was reported that I had robbed the Bank; in others, that I had absconded for for-
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gery; in others, again, that I had been detected in intro- ducing smuggled goods; and however much people differed as to the degree of my crime, all, or nearly so, had made up their minds in advance, that I had gone to jail; and as a matter of course, deserved the severest punishment.
Months rolled on, my business ruined, and I deprived of my liberty, without a crime; and without a final trial, (not unlike hanging a man and trying afterwards,) till at length, the Hon. court convened, and I was placed at its bar; by this time the news had spread far and wide, and attracted the curiosity of a great concourse of people.
Among some, I was understood to be a defaulting col- lector; among others, a partizan of the revolutionists, in Canada; in the south, a notorious abolitionist; in the north, . a downright nullifier; among some religious sects, a disci- ple of Joe Smith's; among the knowing ones, near home, it was shrewdly guessed that I had counterfeited many notes on banks, (which at that time did not redeem their genu- ine promises;) and many a sage hint was thrown out by political journalists respecting the upright character and impartiality of the Judges, and the absolute necessity for the law to have its course; and to clap the climax. a rumor was prevalent, that in case of my acquittal in this court, I was to be tried and executed off hand, by a mandate from the court of Judge Lynch."
"Under such circumstances," said he, "the usual form- alities in judical proceedings were begun, when my coun- · cil moved for a change of venue, which, after a polite war of words, was granted. In a few days I was transported to a distant county, where after remaining in captivity a few more months, some new subject had attracted the attention of the public; the excitement in my case had died away, and the author of my ruin was dead; when a full investigation was had, and I was pronounced
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innocent, by a jury of my country. But I was complete- ly ruined in business and reputation ; property all gone, and my friend and council who had defended me, with a zeal and ability that ought to immortalize, was yet unrewarded for his toil. Never did I know until this affair the almost irresistible influence of money ; and never did I feel so keenly its want; much less to realize the for- lorn situation of a discarded but unoffending individual, without a single dollar in his pocket, and without a friend to help in distress. I soon however resolved that as I had got the name, I would also have the game, and stifled the misgivings of conscience by obeying the laws of stern and undeserved necessity. I therefore retired in cog. to a dis- tant city, and not having lost the use of my pen, I drove the gray goose quill in a new branch of business : perpe- trated a forgery for the first time, and with a few thousand dollars, thus obtained, decamped, and made good my escape to Texas."
In introducing to the reader the fourteen foregoing char- acters I desire to be distinctly understood, that I experi- ence no sort of gratification in dwelling upon the crimes, folly or misfortunes of my fellow men : but deeply regret that as a faithful chronicler of the times, facts do not war- rant me in remaining silent on subjects of such transcend- ant importance ; but I would feel much pleased if I could be fortified in truth while exhibiting a bright, cheering pic- ture of frail humanity ; such a one as would gladden the hearts of Philanthropists and Christains, who always feel a lively interest in the career and fate of mankind in whatever clim > their lots may be cast. It is consistent with a principle in our conformation that we should rejoice in the improvement of our species, and sorrow for th : evil that befalls them ; and dating, as Americans justly lo, a
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new era in the history of man from the 4th of July, 1776. it would be highly useful if on each returning anniversary of a nation's birth, we carefully examined the progress we have made in knowledge, that is practically benefical, while we rejoice for the real and not the immaginary good, and reflect on the positive advantages obtained, and those which it is our duty further to acquire.
Each 4th of July, would then stand as a tide mark in the flood of time, by which to ascertain the advance in human intellect; by which to note the rise and fall of each successive error, the discovery of each important truth, for the gradual melioration in our public institutions, social arrangements, and above all, in our moral feelings; and the true patriot will not fail to ponder well over the defects in our moral training, and existing evils in the legislative, executive and judicial departments of the government; and if possible, to devise some method of guarding against abuses, and remedyingsuch fundamental defects as have escaped the segacity of our predecessors, or which the ? . progress of events are daily bringing to view.
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He will not fold his arms and dream over the achieve- ment of his ancestors, but will remember that they have only laid the corner stone of an edifice which it is a sacred and responsible duty of the present and succeeding gen- erations to complete.
May the true friends of freedom rise in their might, And with weapons of reason bold march to the fight ; May they encounter the foo with undaunted hands, 'Till vice and oppression is banished the lands.
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CHAPTER V.
Give us good voyage, gentle stream-we stun not Thy sober ear with sounds of revelry ; Wake not the slumbering echoes of thy banks, With sound of flute and horn :- we do but seek, On the broad pathway of thy swelling bosom, To glide in silent safety.
The double bridal.
Brassos .- This river, like the Rio Grande, empties ab- ruptly into the Gulf, having, probably, at some remote period, been turned from its natural channel which enter- ed West Bay. A bar at the mouth of this river prevents vessels drawing more than five feet entering; but above there is a greater depth, and Steam Boats ply as high as Richmond, a distance of seventy miles; and by removing some obstructions, it may be made navigable to Wash- Ington, 150 miles from its confluence with the Gulf of Mexico.
It is traced into the mountain region, and on the upper waters there are a few sites which may serve for manu- facturing purposes; and the bold mountain torrents during the rainy season swell the river rapidly, when it becomes grandly turbulent, then gradually assuming a milder aspect, its anger disappears, leaving the unruffled bosom of the water as quiet as a lamb; and reflecting the polish of a mirror. The name is significant of its character. Rio Brassos in the Spanish language is synonymous with the
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arm of God-serene and benevolent in repose-mighty and terrible in wrath.
Near the mouth of the Brassos is situated the villages of Velasco on the east, and Quintina on the west bank; both of which are pleasant locations for a summer re- sidence, being daily fanned by the wholesome breezes of the sea. These are as yet of small importance in point of trade; but when the river shall have been connected with West Bay, and through that channel, with Galves- ton, which a canal of four miles will effect, both of these towns may command a considerable trade.
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