USA > Texas > A pictorial history of Texas, from the earliest visits of European adventurers, to A.D. 1879. Embracing the periods of missions, colonization, the revolution the republic, and the state; also, a topographical description of the country together with its Indian tribes and their wars, and biographical sketches of hundreds of its leading historical characters. Also, a list of the countries, with historical and topical notes, and descriptions of the public institutions of the state > Part 21
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Houston. Though the proposition brought by Robinson was distasteful to the Texans, as it contemplated Texas as province of Mexico, it produced a good deal of discussion in which the diplomatic agents of both Great Britain and France participated; and finally an armistice was agreed upon and proclaimed, June 13th, 1843, " To continue until due notice to resume hostilities, (should such intention thereafter be entertained by either party) should be formal- ly announced through her Britanic Majesty's Charges D' Affaires, at their respective governments."
The further discussion of the relations between the countries was carried on through Hon. William Kennedy, the British Consul at Galveston. Santa Anna complained
They had travelled about 550 miles. 4. They reached that point one month too early, and while lying idle in camps, the men became dissatisfied and insubordinate. 5. They ascertained that Governor Armijo, of New Mex- ico, was camped at the Cimarone spring, with about 1,000 Mexican soldiers, to protect the train. 6. Snively's men encountered and completely defeated a large advance party of Armijo, after which the Governor ingloriously retreated to Santa Fe. 7. Chandler and his followers abandoned Snively. 8. Those with Snively were forced to surrender to Cooke. Afterward, Snively, with a part of his command, reunited with Chandler. They obtained information that the train was en route, only a few days' march distant. 9. Owing to a reluctance on the part of the main body to march for the train, Snively resigned, breaking his sword; when Warfield was elected commander. The men seemed still unwilling to attempt to take the train, and dissolved, and in small parties started for home. They were in Texas when disarmed by Cooke, and the U. S. Congress, in spite of the declaration of Houston, that the command was unauthorized, finally paid each man eighteen and a half dollars for each gun taken. During the encounters with the Indians, four men were killed: Messrs. Davis, Simmons, Sharpe and Caldwell.
337
PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.
that Texas still held Mexican prisoners captured at San Jacinto. To this it was replied, that all those prisoners had been set at liberty in 1837, and that all who chose to do so, had returned to Mexico. But to satisfy the demand, Houston issued a proclamation, ordering all prisoners released, and directing them to report to the camp of Colonel Jack Hays, when transportation would be furnished them and an escort to the headquarters of General Woll, near Matamoras. Another subject of complaint was, that Mexican citizens had been killed in the Southwest. To this it was answered, that that portion of Texas was infested by banditti, who claimed either Texan or Mexican citizenship, as best served their predatory excursions. To break up this nest of robbers the whole Southwest was placed under martial law, under General Davis. Another subject of complaint was that the Snively expedition had been sent to rob Mexican merchants. To this the President replied, that as soon as orders could reach Colonel Snively, that party should be called home. Santa Anna, on his part, agreed to release all Texans in Mexican prisons.
Commissioners were finally appointed, to meet and discuss the questions at issue between the two countries .*
The Commissioners met on the 26th of September. Their instructions were " To endeavor to establish a general armistice between Texas and Mexico, to continue during the pendency of negotiations for a permanent peace, and adjustment of the difficulties between the two countries, and for such further period as they could agree upon ; requiring notice to be given by either party disposed to resume hos- tilities, to the other, through the British Minister resident at the corresponding Court, six months previous to any act of hostility ; to agree that the Government of Texas should appoint Commissioners, clothed with full powers, to meet at
* George W. Hockley and Samuel M. Williams were the Texas Commis- sioners, and Messrs. Landeras and Jannequi the Commissioners on the part of Mexico. They met at Sabinas, on the Rio Grande.
338
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
the city of Mexico, to negotiate for the adjustment of all existing difficulties, and for the establishment of a perma- nent peace." As the Texans were anxious to gain time, the Commissioners were in no hurry to conclude their negotiations. In the mean time, the question of annexa- tion had assumed a prominence which threw all others in the shade; but, finally, February 18th, 1844, a general armistice was signed. This document was unsatisfactory to the Texas Government, as it referred to Texas as "a department of Mexico." It was quietly deposited, without action, in the archives of the State Department.
During Houston's administration a very serious disturb- ance occurred in East Texas, between two hostile factions, both of whom defied the civil law, and carried on their operations according to the code of Judge Lynch. These parties were called " Regulators," and " Moderators." In Shelby, Harrison, and some other counties, nearly the entire population was involved in this vendetta. Hostile parties traversed the country, committing many unlawful acts and killing those of the opposite faction. It was supposed that at one time as many as a thousand men were uder arms, in defiance of the civil authorities. Finally, when the citizens began to feel that all the interests of society were in jeop- ardy, President Houston directed General James Smith to call out the militia and quell the disturbance. The men then generally returned peacefully to their homes, but it was several years before entire peace was established be- tween the leaders of the "Moderators" and "Regulators."
When Houston came into office, the vessels constituting the Texas navy were on the coast of Yucatan, employed by the revolutionary Government of that State. Having returned from that service, the vessels sailed into New Orleans for repairs. While the schooner San Antonio was at anchor in the Mississippi river, a mutiny occurred on board. The officers had an intimation of the intended out- break, and were prepared for it. Several of the mutineers
339
SECRET SALE OF THE NAVY.
were condemned and hung at the yard arm. In August, 1842, the San Antonio, Captain Brannahan-it is supposed, by order of Commodore Moore, as the Government at Washington gave no orders-sailed for Yucatan, it was said, to collect dues from the Government there. She was never heard of afterward; and it is supposed she foundered at sea and all on board perished.
Though President Houston was opposed to aggressive war against Mexico, he thought a blockade might be main- tained by the Texas navy of the leading Mexican ports. The blockade had been proclaimed soon after the vessels returned from Yucatan, but months passed and the ships were still at anchor in the Mississippi, or at Mobile. The vessels were ordered to Galveston for instructions. The order was disregarded and was repeated, and Commodore Moore ordered to report in person to the Secretary of War. He failed to report. Moore claimed that he had invested largely of his personal means in refitting the ships, and was unwilling to leave them. He expected soon to sail for Yucatan on a cruise. The navy being thus idle, and its commanding officers failing to obey the orders of the Secre- tary of War, Houston sent a message to Congress, which was considered in secret session, and on the 16th of Janua- ry, 1843, an act was passed secretly, for the sale of the navy.
President Houston sent Colonels James Morgan and Wm. Bryan to New Orleans as Commissioners, with imperative orders to take possession of the vessels and bring them to Galveston. The Commodore declined to deliver them up ; but proposed to bring them home ; and started, with Colonel Morgan with him on the vessel. When they arrived at the mouth of the river with the Austin and the Wharton they received such information as induced Colonel Morgan to consent to a cruise on the coast of Yucatan. When Houston learned that his Commissioner had gone on a cruise with the recalcitrant Commodore, he issued a proclamation sus- pending Moore from command, and ordering the ships
340
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
directly to Texas. This last act had the desired effect, and soon afterward the ships sailed into Galveston. When it became known that Congress had passed an act for the sale of the navy, the people of Galveston were very much exas- perated. Public meetings were held, and strong protests presented against giving up this arm of defence ; and persons were advised not to bid on the ships if offered for sale. The sale was not attempted, and the ensuing Congress repealed the law for its sale, February 5th, 1844.
The steamship Zavalla and the schooner San Bernard were wrecked in a storm at Galveston, in October, 1842. By the terms of the treaty of annexation, subsequently agreed to, all the surviving vessels were transferred to the navy of the United States. The vessels so transferred were the sloop Austin; the brig Wharton (formerly the Dolphin); the Archer, (formerly the Colorado); and the schooner San Jacinto. It was provided that the officers of the navy in actual service should be transferred with their ships, and in the same rank. But for some reason, we believe they were not received into the navy of the United States.
At the election held September 2d, 1844, Anson Jones was elected President, and Kenneth L. Anderson, Vice President .*
* The total vote was 12,752; of which Anson Jones received 7,037; Edward Burleson 5,668; and there were forty-seven scattering.
The following were the leading officers during this administration: Anson Jones, Secretary of State; George W. Hockley and George W. Hill, Secretaries of War and Navy, (consolidated into one office) ; William Henry Dangerfield and James B. Miller, Secretaries of the Treasury; George W. Terrill and Ebenezer Allen, Attorney Generals; Asa Brigham, Treasurer; Francis R. Lubbock and James B. Shaw, Comptrollers; Charles Mason, Auditor; John P. Borden and Thomas William Ward, Commissioners of the General Land Office; James Reiley, Isaac Van Zandt and J. Pickney Henderson, Ministers to the United States; Ashbel Smith, Minister to France; William Henry Dangerfield, Minister to the Netherlands, Belgium and the Hanse Towns; Charles H. Raymond, Secretary of Legation to the United States. .
CHAPTER IV.
JONES' ADMINISTRATION-TEXAS PROSPEROUS-ANNEXATION AGAIN AGITATED- ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND THE UNITED STATES INTERESTED-ACTION OF THE TEXAS CONGRESS-THE CONVENTION ACCEPT THE TERMS, JULY 4, 1845-VOTE OF THE PEOPLE.
TONES' ADMINISTRATION .- Messrs. Jones and Anderson were inaugurated December 9th, 1844. Dr. Jones had been Secretary of State during the previous administration, and was familiar with the business of the Executive Depart- ment, especially the relations with foreign governments. In many respects this was an auspicious era. The pros- pect of peace with Mexico gave a new stimulus to immi- gration ; good crops had, in a great measure, relieved the embarrassments of the people; and taxes were promptly paid .*
The Indians were remarkably quiet, and there was less disturbance upon the frontier during this administration than at almost any other period in our history. The diffi- culties in East Texas, between the " Regulators " and "Mod- erators," had subsided, and throughout the Republic there was no interruption to the administration of civil and crim- inal law. At the organization of the courts. in 1836, there
* During the fourteen months of the Jones administration the receipts from customs amounted to $340,506; from direct taxes $27,561; licenses, etc., over $17,000, making a total of $385,000; and that in par funds, as the exchequers had appreciated until they were equal to gold and silver; so that " after defraying the expense of an extra session of Congress, and of the Annexation Convention, repairing the old Government buildings at Austin, and removing the Government back to that city, there was a surplus in the treasury sufficient," says Dr. Jones, "to support the State Government for two years."
342
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
were four districts. The number had now increased to seven .**
Negotiations for permanent peace, based upon the inde- pendence of Texas, were still carried forward, encouraged by the liberal disposition of General Herrera, who was now President of Mexico. England and France, says Dr. Jones, influenced by the strongest desire to prevent annexation, and insure the separate independence of Texas, conjointly resolved upon a diplomatic act, in June, 1844, by which these powers guaranteed the independence of Texas, on condition that she should not be annexed to the United States. A year or two earlier, this proposition would have been hailed with delight by the citizens of Texas; but now there was a prospect of annexation, and all other questions were lost sight of. This question had entered into the Presidential canvass in the United States, and Mr. Polk, the annexation candidate, had been elected.
President Jones felt the embarrassment of the situation. Texas was an independent power; and with her diplo- matic agents in foreign countries, it would be manifestly improper for the executive to display too great an anxiety to merge the sovereignty of the country in that of another ; especially while leading nations were negotiating in its interest. This caution of the President was construed into indifference, if not hostility to the great measure of annex- ation ; and he was condemned in unmeasured terms. He
* The following were Chief Justices of the Supreme Court during the Republic: James Collinsworth, John Birdsall (by appointment of the President), Thomas J. Rusk, and John Hemphill. Clerks of Supreme Court: William Fairfax Gray, and Thomas Green. Judges of District Court: Shelby Corzine, Benjamin C. Franklin, R. M. Williamson, James W. Robinson, Edward T. Branch, John T. Mills, Ezekiel W. Cullen, Henry W. Fontaine, John Scott, Anthony B. Shelby, William J. Jones, John Hemphill, Richardson Scurry, John M. Hansford, R. E. B. Baylor, Anderson Hutchinson, George W. Terrill, Thomas Johnson, Patrick C. Jack, Richard Morris, William' B. Ochiltree, William E. Jones, M. P. Norton, John B. Jones, R. T. Wheeler.
Richardson. N.Y.
ANSON JONES.
345
QUESTION OF ANNEXATION.
was further annoyed by parties who were determined to' involve the country in a war with Mexico, even before the measure of annexation was determined. Some of these were military officers of Texas ; others were emissaries from the United States. *
This question of annexation was one of sufficient histor- ical importance to claim our careful consideration. It has been recklessly asserted that many of the leading citizens of the province came into the country intending to revolu- tionize it and transfer its allegiance from the Mexican to the North American Republic; and that General Jackson was privy to this manœuver and gave it his sanction. This supposition is not worthy of a moment's attention. The men who settled Texas were true men, and when they became citizens of Mexico, it was with the purpose of becom- ing loyal subjects of that Government. At the Convention of 1833, of which Austin, Houston, Burnet and many other leading Texans were members, a warm attachment was expressed for the Mexican constitution of 1824, and for the Plan of Zavalla, which proposed to restore that constitu- tion, and under which Santa Anna had been elected Pres- ident. Two years later, the members of the General Consultation, at San Felipe, deliberately renewed their declaration of fealty to that constitution. Nor would the proposition to declare Texas independent have been enter- tained for a moment, had not Santa Anna overthrown the constitutional government, and dissolved the State legis- latures, and established a general military despotism
But after Texas had declared her independence at Wash- ington, on the 2d of March, 1836, and had achieved it at San Jacinto a few weeks later, they awoke to the difficulties of maintaining a separate nationality. The country was too new ; too sparsely populated ; too poor to maintain an expen-
* Dr. Jones mentions among those who were determined to bring on & war, ex-Governor Yell, of Arkansas, and Wickliffe, of Kentucky; Com- modore Stockton, and Major A. J. Donaldson.
346
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
sive government, with its judicial, executive and legislative departments, its army and navy, and list of diplomatic agents in foreign countries. To avoid such heavy expenses and responsibilities, the people, in September, 1836, voted in favor of annexing Texas to the United States; but the authorities at Washington declined to accept the new State and the question for several years was in abeyance.
During the administration of Mr. Tyler, "the President without a party," it was intimated that if Texas would renew her application for admission, it would be favorably received. The Texan Minister again brought the subject to the attention of the State Department, and Mr. Calhoun introduced a bill providing for the annexation of Texas, by treaty, to the United States. President Tyler had miscal- culated the temper of the Senate. That body, by a vote of thirty-five to sixteen, rejected the bill. After this snubbing, Mr. Van Zandt, the Texas Minister, withdrew the applica- tion. Nor was Texas so much concerned about the success of the measure as she had formerly been. Through the British and French Ministers in Mexico, negotiations were in progress, which finally secured the Mexican acknowledge- ment of our independence. with an English and French guarantee.
The politicians of the United States were anxious to keep the Texas question out of the Presidential canvass for 1844. It was universally supposed that Mr. Van Buren would be the Democratic candidate, and that Henry Clay would be nominated by the Whigs; and both these gentlemen announced themselves opposed to annexation. On the part of Van Buren this announcement was premature. When the Democratic Convention met, he was shelved, and Mr. Polk nominated. A heated political canvass followed. It was asserted that England and France wished to get a foot- hold on this continent, by gaining the control of Texas, contrary to the " Monroe doctrine." It was further asserted
347
JOINT RESOLUTION FOR ANNEXATION.
that Great Britain was plotting for the emancipation of the slaves in Texas. *
Although the people of the United States had, in the Presidential election, declared for annexation, it was still doubtful whether a sufficient number of votes could be de- pended upon, in the Senate, to accomplish the measure by treaty, and a joint resolution was passed by both houses of Congress, to annex Texas to the Union as a State. This was promptly signed by President Tyler. and transmitted to Texas.
On the fifth of May, President Jones issued his procla- mation for the election of delegates to a general convention of the people, to consider the proposition which had passed the United States Congress. The Texas Congress met in a
* We ought, perhaps, here to corect an error into which Mr. Yoakum was led. Speaking on this subject, he says, volume 2, page 421: "At the same time Texas was informed that Mr. Doyle, the British Charge d'Affaires, had been instructed to propose to Mexico a settlement of the difficulties with Texas, based upon the abolition of slavery in the latter." On the contrary, Anson Jones says, (Memoranda for 1850, page 52) : " The subject of domestic slavery, about which so much alarm existed in 1844-45, was never so much as mentioned or alluded to by the British Minister to the Government of Texas, except to disclaim, in most emphatic terms, any intention on the part of England ever to interfere with it here. * *
Indeed, that constituted no part of the policy of that far-reaching nation. Her Texas policy was to build up a power independent of the United States, that could raise cotton enough to supply the world." Dr. Ashbel Smith, who was Minister to England during Houston's Administration, and Secre- tary of State under that of Jones, mentions another topic, (see page 47. Lecture before Galveston Historical Society). It was charged that both Houston and Jones " were plotting to sell Texas to an European power. That they were engaged in a deliberate conspiracy to sell Texas to England.
* * A conspiracy against Texas and against a broad Continental policy. Yet, all the while, up to the last moment of the incorporation of Texas into the American Union, no European power ever even hinted at, much less did any one propose, any political advantage or influence, or any political relation whatever; nor sought any commercial facility which would not, on the same terms, be open to the world. It may seem aliunde the record of Texas history, to vindicate the loyal honesty of European cabinets in their dealings with Texas, but be pleased to bear in mind that the vindi- cation of these cabinets is, at the same time, the vindication of the honored chief officers of the Republic of Texas."
348
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
: 1 ..
called session, at Washington, on the 16th of June, and promptly gave its assent to the annexation resolutions .*
The only negative vote cast was by Richard Bache, a grandson of Benjamin Franklin, who represented Galves- ton.
On the ensuing 10th of October, the people, by a nearly unanimous vote, ratified the action of the convention. December 2d, President Polk signed the bill extending the laws of the United States over Texas. These laws, and the postal service of the United States, went into operation in Texas February 19th, 1846; and on that day President Jones relinquished the Executive authority to J. Pinckney Henderson, the newly-elected Governor. Thus was con- summated one of the most remarkable events in the civil history of the world, in which a nation voluntarily surren- dered its sovereignty.+
* During the Republic there were nine Congresses elected. The first held two sessions: one at Columbia, and one at Houston. The second con- vened before the regular time, and held an adjourned session, April 9th, 1838. The seventh held a called session in Houston and another in Washington, and the regular session at the same place. The ninth Congress held a called session in Washington, in June, 1845. This was the last meeting of the Congress of the Republic, as at that session annexation was assented to. . The following table shows the time and officers of the regular sessions:
SENATE.
HOUSE.
No
TIME.
PRES'T. PRO TEM.
SECRETARY.
SPEAKER.
CHIEF CLERK.
1
Oct. 3, 1836.
R. Ellis.
R. Scurry
I Ingram.
W A. Feris. W. P Gray.
2
Sept. 25, 1837.
S. H. Everett.
W. F. Gray.
J. H. Shreve.
3
Nov. 5, 1838.
S H. Everett.
J. D M'Leod.
4
Nov. 11, 1839.
No Presid't Elected. A. Jones
J. D. M'Leod. J. D. M'Leod.
J. M Hansford. D. S. Kaufman. D. S. Kaufman.
J. W. Eldridge. T. W. Ward.
5
Nov. 2, 1840.
J H Raymond.
6
Nov. 6, 1841.
J. A. Greer.
A. C. M'Farlan.
J. H. Raymond.
8
Dec. 4, 1843.
J. A. Greer.
S. Z. Hoyle. Tom Green. M. E. Jewett.
K. L. Anderson. N. H. Darnell. R. Scurry
J. H. Raymond.
9
Dec. 2, 1844.
J. A Greer.
J M Lewis.
J. H. Raymond. J. H Raymond.
May 2, 1837.
J. Grimes.
A. Robinson.
B. T Archer. Jo. Rowe.
Nov. 14, 1842.
J. A. Greer.
t The following is a list of the principal officers during Jones' adminis- tration: Ashbel Smith and Ebenezer Allen, Secretaries of State; George W. Hill and William G. Cooke, Secretaries of War and Navy, (one office) ; William B. Ochiltree and John A. Greer, Secretaries of the Treasury; Ebenezer Allen, Attorney General; Moses Johnson, Treasurer; James B. Shaw, Comptroller; Thomas William Ward, Commissioner of the General
349
ANNEXATION ORDINANCE.
The Convention met in the city of Austin, July 4th, and organized by electing Thomas J. Rusk, President, and James H. Raymond, Secretary. A committee was appoint- ed to whom the message of the President and the annexa- tion resolutions were referred. The following is the report of that committee :
COMMITTEE ROOM, July 4th, 1845.
Hon. THOS. J. RUSK,
President of the Convention :
The committee to whom was referred the communication of his Excel- lency the President of the Republic, together with the accompanying doc- uments, have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report the following Ordinance, and recommend its adoption by the Con- vention.
[Signed]
ABNER S. LIPSCOMB, Chairman.
AN ORDINANCE.
Whereas, the Congress of the United States of America has passed resolu- tions providing for the annexation of Texas to that Union, which resolu_ tions were offered by the President of the United States on the first day of March, 1845; and
Whereas, the President of the United States has submitted to T xas the first and second sections of the said resolution as the basis upon which Texas may be admitted as one of the States of the said Union ; and
Whereas, the existing government of the Republic of Texas has assented to the proposals thus made,-the terms and conditions of which are as follow :
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