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 32
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Austin in Prison .- What gave Farias mortal offense, was a sentence in
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Austin's letter which recommended that " All the municipalities should come without delay to an understanding -- organizing a local government for Texas as a State of the Mexican Confederation, under the law of the 7th of May, 1824." And he added in his letter to the municipality of Bexar, "I trust you will lose no time in addressing a communication to every corporation, exhorting them to concur in the organization of a local government, independent of Coahuila, even should the Supreme Govern- ment of Mexico refuse its consent."
During his imprisonment, Austin was visited by his old friend, Father Muldoon, a priest who had ministered to Austin's colonists. Muldoon fur- nished him with a blank memorandum book and a pencil. With this the prisoner whiled away his lonely hours. In these musings we see the character of the man. We make some extracts: "In my first exploring trip in Texas, in 1821, I had a very good old man with me, who had been raised on the frontier, and was a very good hunter. We had not been many days in the wilderness, before he told me, 'You are too impatient to make a hunter.' Scarcely a day passed that he did not say to me, 'You are too impatient-you wish to go too fast.' Before my trip was ended, I saw the benefit of his maxim, and I determined to adopt it as a rule in settling the colony which I was then about to commence in Texas. Some have accused me of adhering to this rule and to a system of conciliation with too much obstinancy. I do not think I have; though perhaps, I am not a competent judge. I can, however, say, that I believe the greatest error I ever committed was in departing from that rule as I did in the city of Mexico, in October, 1833. I lost patience at the delays in getting the business of the people of Texas dispatched, and in a moment of impatience, wrote an imprudent and perhaps an intemperate letter to the Ayuntamiento of Bexar. This was October 2d.
" I can say with truth that a combination of circumstances occurred about that time to make me impatient; and my intentions were pure and patriotic, as a Mexican citizen. I had every reason to believe that the people of Texas would not suffer the month of November to pass without organizing a local government, and in that event, it is very evident that it would have been much better to organize a harmonious consultation of the respective local authorities of the municipalities, than by a popular commotion. The cir- cumstances of the case, and the purity of my intentions, are certainly worthy of consideration. Texas, when I left in April, was almost in a state of nature, as to its local government ; it was in danger of anarchy, on the one hand, and of being destroyed by the uncivilized and hostile Indians, on the other. These things crazed me, and I lost patience." While these reflections show that Colonel Austin was in a depressed state of mind, and a little disposed to blame himself unnecessarily, they reveal the singular purity and strict conscientiousness of the man.
We add another short extract from the sad record of his prison musings. It is dated Sunday, February 23d, 1834: " Philanthropy is but another name for trouble. I have labored with pure intentions to benefit others, and especially to advance and improve my adopted country, and what have I gained ? Enemies, persecutions, imprisonment : accused of ingratitude to
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Mexico, which is the most unjust of all accusations that could possibly be brought against me. If I have been ungrateful to any one, it is to myself and family, for I have neglected my own and their interests to labor for others. My poor sister, who removed to the wilderness of Texas with her large family, owing to my solicitations ; and left a comfortable home and a large circle of warm and kind friends. My poor sister ! How she is suffer- ing on my account! How happy I could have been on a farm alongside of my brother-in-law, free from all the cares and difficulties that now surround me ! But I thought it was my duty to obey the call of the people and go to Mexico as their agent. I have sacrificed myself to serve them, and in all probability the only return I shall receive will be abuse and ingratitude. It is horrible that I should have lived to find myself on the verge of misan- thropy-soured and disgusted with mankind." But we have given enough from the sad record of Austin's prison life.
The imprisonment of their empresario and commissioner produced a pro- found impression in Texas. On the 28th of April the Ayuntaimento of San Felipe, R. M. Williamson, Chairman, and W. B. Travis, Secretary, pre- pared and sent to Mexico a long memorial, praying for his release. The other municipalities adopted similar measures, and Peter W. Grayson and Spencer H. Jack were selected to carry these petitions to Mexico. Though they did not secure Austin's release, these proceedings afforded him great satisfaction, as showing the interest felt for him in Texas.
On the 12th of June, 1834, Austin's condition was somewhat improved, as he was transferred to more comfortable quarters. There was some talk of trying him for treason, and he earnestly desired to have his case judicially investigated, but he could find no court of competent jurisdiction. The judges all refused to have anything to do with the case. They knew that there were no real charges against him, and that his imprisonment was wholly unwarranted.
Austin's Enemies at Home .- Writing from his prison on the 25th of August, Austin alludes to certain plotters in Texas, of whom it is painful to speak. We would remain silent, but the truth of history requires expo- sure. He says :
"President Santa Anna is friendly to Texas, and to me, (of this I have no doubt,) and would have set me at liberty long since; and in fact, issued an order to that effect in June, had not some statements arrived about that time from the State Government of Coahuila and Texas against me; which I understand, have contributed to keep me in prison so long. It is said the report is founded solely on the statement of some influential persons who live in Texas. Who these persons are I know not. It is affirmed they are North Americans by birth, and I am told if I am not imprisoned for life and totally ruined in property and reputation, it will not be for want of exertion and industry on the part of some of my countrymen who live in Texas. Whether all this be true, I know not. I know I am unwilling to believe it. I am also told that no efforts were left untried last winter and spring to prejudice the members of the Legislature and State Government against me at Monclova, last winter." The persecutions to which Austin in this letter alludes were originated and carried out by a merciless party of land-
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sharks who had flocked to Monclova. That corrupt Legislature sold or gave away to these men eight hundred leagues of land. They well knew that if Austin were at liberty he would expose their rascality. He had already mortally offended one of this party by prohibiting him from locating some eleven-league claims on the best unoccupied land in his colony. Austin was determined that the good land should be reserved for bona fide settlers. In a letter to D. C. Barrett, Esq., in 1835, Mr. Austin, alluding to these trans- actions in Texas lands, says : "In 1833 thirty square leagues of land were voted by the State Legislature to a young man, (who had previously received a grant of eleven leagues,) as pay for one year's salary as judge! Some eight hundred square leagues were sold by these legislators in 1834 and 1835, to speculators, principally foreigners, and to themselves; for the same legislators who passed the law, for a part of this sale, were purchasers at from fifty to seventy-five and a hundred dollars per square league." It is no wonder that such a class of unmitigated scoundrels wanted so incorruptible a man as Austin kept out of the way, even if he languished in a Mexican prison. What made them more anxious on the subject was the fact that Austin while in prison had been re-elected to the Legislature. It was well known that if he appeared and took his seat in the Legislature, all these plundering schemes would be at once exposed and defeated.
We again quote from his letter to Barrett: " At one time I am villified for being too Mexican; too much the friend of Mexicans; too confiding in them. At another I am abused for yielding to the popular opinion, and for representing that opinion in good faith." Those familiar with the his- tory of those times and men cannot doubt that Austin was truly loyal to his adopted country, and faithful to the interests of his colony ; but he shared the fate of most conservatives; he incurred the hatred of extreme men of all parties.
His Welcome Home .- Finally, after an absence of two years and four months, Austin was permitted to return to Texas, about the first of Sep- tember, 1835. On the eighth, at a meeting of about a thousand of the citizens, Austin said: "I cannot refrain from returning my unfeigned thanks for the flattering sentiment with which I have just been honored, nor have I words to express my satisfaction on returning to this, my more than native country, and meeting so many of my friends and companions in its settlement. I left Texas in April, 1833, as the public agent of the people for the purpose of applying for the admission of this country into the Mexican Confederation as a State separate from Coahuila. This appli- cation was based upon the constitutional and vested rights of Texas, and was sustained by me in the city of Mexico to the utmost of my abilities. No honorable means were spared to effect the objects of my mission, and to oppose the forming of Texas into a Territory, which was attempted. I rig- idly adhered to the instructions and wishes of my constituents, so far as they were enumerated to me. My efforts to serve Texas involved me in the labyrinth of Mexican politics. I was arrested and have suffered a long imprisonment. I consider it my duty to give an account of these events to my constituents, and will therefore, at this time merely observe that I liave never, in any manner, agreed to anything that would compromise the
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constitutional or vested rights of Texas. These rights belong to the peo- ple, and can only be surrendered by them. * * *
* The revolution in Mexico is drawing to a close. The object is to change the form of govern- ment, destroy the Federal Constitution of 1824, and establish a consolida- *
ted government. The States are to be converted into provinces. * * With these explanatory remarks, I will give as a toast, 'The Constitution- al rights and the security and peace of Texas; they ought to be maintained; and jeopardized as they now are, they demand a general consultation of the people.'"
In reference to this reception, Yoakum says: " The old pioneers who had come with Austin to the country gathered around and received him as one risen from the dead. Such demonstrations of regard were fully reciproca- ted by Austin. He was a genial lover of his race, and especially of those to whose happiness he had devoted the best energies of his life. If there was any one desire nearer to his heart than any other, it was to see his col- ony prosper. Ile was greatly distressed to find Texas in her unsettled con- dition. "I had hoped," said he, " to have found her in peace and tranquil- ity, but regret to find commotion; all disorganized, all in anarchy, and threatened with immediate hostilities." This state of things was mostly due to the revolution in the Siamese-twin-sister State of Coahuila; where there were then two capitals and two rival governors. As Texas recog- nized neither of these governors, she was without an established civil gov- ernment. However, by common consent, San Felipe was looked upon as the capital of the Province, and the committee of safety which had been organized there was expected to give a general direction to public affairs. Austin was at once elected chairman of this committee or council.
Austin Commander of the Army .- The volunteers who had repulsed Castonado at Gonzales were still in camp on the Guadalupe river, but without any recognized leader; nor could any man in camp harmonize the conflicting elements. Under these circumstances, some of the most prom- inent men, including Grayson, Dr. Miller, P. C. Jack, and othe s, wrote to San Felipe requesting that Austin be sent out as commander. To this the committee assented, and Austin started immediately for headquarters. On his arrival, the volunteers by acclamation elected him as their com- mander .*
The new commander promptly reorganized the army and started for San Antonio. He reached the Mission La Espada on the 20th of October. Wishing to approach nearer the city, on the 27th he sent forward a recon- noitering party of about ninety men, under Colonels Fannin and Bowie. This party fought the battle of Concepcion on the 28th. On the 2d of No- vember, Austin moved up nearer and prepared for a close investment of the
* The following gentlemen constituted his staff: Warren D. C. Hall, Adjutant and Inspector-General; David B. Macomb, Assistant Inspector; William H. Wharton Judge Advocate; W. P. Smith, Surg on-General; Patrick C. Jack, Quartermaster- General; Valentine Bennett, Assistant Quartermaster; Peter W. Grayson, and William T. Austin, Aids-de-camp. Moses Au-tin Bryan was his Private Secretary. John H. Moore was elected Colonel; Edward Burleson, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Alexander Somervell, Major. William H. Jack was appointed Brigade Inspector.
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city. Occasional skirmishes took place, and the fight known as the " Grass Fight," occurred on the 26th of November.
Commissioner to the United States .- Two days after the Grass Fight, Austin was officially notified that it was the wish of the Executive Council that he should go to the United States as one of the commissioners to secure funds to aid the cause of Texas. He immediately resigned the com- mand of the army. In presenting his commission, the Council also gave him a very flattering compliment, and commended him to the people of the United States as " one in whose aid we repose the strongest hopes in our present struggle for freedom and existence, and that we extend to him the hand of parting love and greeting, with hopes of his success and speedy return to the bosom of his grateful countrymen." This mission was a dif- ficult and delicate one. Texas had not at that time declared her independ- ence. The aim, at first, was for a Province still owing allegiance to Mexico. The commissioners met with greater success than they could have antici- pated. " General Austin," says Yoakum, " was particularly successful. IIis long service in Texas, and his known truthfulness and simplicity of char- acter, gave great weight to what he said. His address at Louisville, which was widely published, presented the claims of Texas upon the civilized world for sympathy and aid in such a manner as to bring her both." It is stated that he pledged his private fortune for the repayment of the loans advanced in the cause of the country.
On the 9th of May, 1836, he left Washington City on his return to Texas. When he arrived he found the country very much excited over the contem- plated release of Santa Anna. The captive President had great confidence in Austin, and in a private interview requested him to use his influence to secure the friendly offices of General Jackson as a mediator to secure Santa Anna's release. Austin wrote to Jackson, and also wrote to General Gaines, suggesting the propriety of the latter removing his headquarters to Nacogdoches, to overawe the Indians. With this request General Gaines complied, but he was soon ordered back east of the Sabine.
A Candidate for President .- Soon after Austin returned, President Burnet issued his proclamation for a general election. . Austin's friends urged him to become a candidate for the Presidency. To this general call he responded: "Influenced by the great governing principle that has governed my actions since I came to Texas, which is to serve this country in any capacity in which the people might sce proper to employ me, I shall not decline the highly responsible and difficult one now proposed, should the majority of my fellow citizens elect me." As the canvass proceeded, party spirit ran high, and the most absurd charges were openly made or secretly insinuated against Gen. Austin. These charges, though ground- less, affected the people ; especially those who had recently immigrated to the country, and were personally unacquainted with the empresario. And they deeply grieved his sensitive nature. In a letter to Gail Borden, pub- lished in the Texas Telegraph, he replied at length to these charges. After showing their absurdity, he says: " The people ought to be competent to analyze these matters and judge for themselves. They are, however, liable to be misled by wrong impressions, but will do justice in the end, and I
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assure you that it will be no personal mortification to me individually, if I am not elected, while such erroneous impressions exist. I have one proud consolation which nothing can deprive me of, and that is the approbation of my own conscience, and the certainty that all I have done since I came to Texas, in 1821, will bear the test of the most rigid scrutiny. I do not pre- tend by this to say that I have not erred in judgment, and perhaps, from imprudent counsel, but I do say, that no man has labored with purer inten- tions, or with a more ardent and disinterested desire to promote the pros- perity and happiness and liberty of Texas; and I also say, that I consented to become a candidate at the election with great reluctance. I have been absent from Texas, on public business, for about three years. During this time my individual affairs have been neglected, and much of the old coloniz- ing business remained unclosed. It was my wish and intention to devote this year to these objects, at the same time giving all the aid I could, as a citizen, to the public cause." He failed to be elected. The eclat which the victory of San Jacinto had given to Houston secured the elevation of that gentleman to the Presidential chair of the new Republic.
Austin Secretary of State .- Under the new order of things Austin be- came Secretary of State; and entered immediately upon his duties. A prime measure with the Administration was to secure the annexation of Texas to the American Union. The people had almost unanimously ap- proved that measure at the late election. One of the first acts of the Sec- retary was to prepare instructions for the diplomatic agents to be sent to Washington. He was a good part of three days, and portions of the nights, engaged in this work. The accommodations for the Government at Colum- bia, were very inadequate. The weather was cold, and Austin was com- pelled to write in a room without fire.
His Death and Character .- The exposure in an unfinished and unfur- nished room brought on a cold, which was succeeded by an attack of pneumonia, of which he died, at the house of George B. M'Kinstry, in Columbia, December 27th, 1836. The following order was immediately issued from the War Department:
" The father of Texas is no more! The first pioneer of the wilderness has departed ! Stephen F. Austin, Secretary of State, expired this day, at half-past twelve o'clock, at Columbia, As a testimony of respect to his high standing, undeviating moral rectitude, and as a mark of the Nation's gratitude for his untiring and invaluable services, all officers, civil and military, are requested to wear crape on the right arm for the space of thirty days. All officers commanding posts, garrisons or detachments, will as soon as information is received of this melancholy event, cause three guns to be fired, with an interval of five minutes between each; and also have the garrison and regimental colors hung with black during the space of mourning for the illustrious dead.
" By order of the President.
" WM. S. FISHER, Secretary of War."
His remains were accompanied by President Houston and his Cabinet, both Houses of Congress, and other officers of the Government, to the family burying ground, at Peach. Point, Brazoria county. llis relatives
RICHARD B. HUBBARD.
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have placed over the grave a marble slab bearing this inscription : "General Stephen F. Austin, son of Moses and Mary Austin, born 3d ot November, 1793, in Austinville, State of Virginia. Departed this life on the 27th of December, 1836, at Columbia, Republic of Texas, aged 43 years, 1 month and 24 days."
General Austin was never married. His home when he came first to Texas was with the family of Mr. Castleman, on the Colorado river. After the removal of his brother-in-law, Mr. James F. Perry, to the colony, his home was with his sister at the Peach Point plantation, in Brazoria county. He always regarded his colonists as his family, and labored for their welfare with true paternal so. citude and fidelity. No one can study the history of his eventful life without forming a high estimate of his great abilities and moral worth. We give some extracts showing how those well qualified to judge have recorded their appreciation of his character.
Kennedy says: " We have seen the perils he braved; the obstacles he surmounted; his struggles with the marauders in the wilderness; his sufferings in a Mexican prison ; his duties and entanglements, civil, military, political and financial. In every period of his career the spirit of order, equity, fortitude and perseverance is apparent. Even those who proscribed his patriotism paid homage to his personal worth." General Cos, when he first entered Texas and found Austin at the head of the insurgent force, addressed him individually in terms of high respect. Colonel Almonte has enlogized " the admirable constancy" with which he followed up his enter- i ise in Texas. For fifteen years did he pursue his object with unwavering rectitude and untiring zeal ; and he lived long enough to lay the foundation of a flourishing State amidst the bloodshed and distractions of civil strife.
Ex-President Lamar says: "The claims of Stephen Austin upon the people of Texas were of the strongest kind. He was not only the founder of our Republic, but scarcely a blessing flowed to our country which may not be fairly attributed to his unwearied exertions for its welfare; while almost every calamity which has befallen it, might have been averted by adhering to his wise and prudent counsels. The world has afforded but few examples of superior intelligence and sagacity ; and as for disinterested and extended philanthropy ; his long suffering for the weal of others; his patient endurance under persecutions ; his benevolent forgiveness of inju- ries, and his final sacrifice of health, happiness and life, in the service of his country-all conspire to place him without a rival among the first of patriots and the best of men."
We conclude this sketch with a paragraph from the pen of Judge James H. Bell: " When Austin entered the Province of Texas in the summer of 1821, there was but one settlement from the Sabine to San Antonio. This was Nacogdoches, and he says in his journal, that there were in that place but three unmarried men and one family, when he passed through it. The sound of the axe had never been heard in the virgin forests of the Brazos and Colorado. The tall savage roamed the woods and built his camp-fire by the crystal stream, without dreaming that the white man was coming to plant corn in his hunting grounds. How changed was the scene ! The settlers came, following their young and adventurous leader to where
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the tall cane-brakes attested the land's fertility. They brought with them the rifle, the axe, the plough and the seed corn. Soon the smoke ascended from a hundred chimneys; and where before the monarch oaks waved their proud branches, like so many scepters, over the subject forest, were now to be seen fields of luxuriant corn, yielding ample returns to the industry of man. The wild beasts of the woods had been driven from their lairs; and the wilder men, who strove with bow and spear to drive out the pale faces, had been subdued. When rebellion against the constituted authorities which the settlers had sworn to respect, raised its banner in a neighboring part of the State, Austin called on his colonists to do their duty in main- taining the laws, and he was promptly told that three hundred good rifles would follow him to battle. He might well be proud of his position and. his achievments. He might well feel that he had acquired an indisputable title to the respect of mankind. And that respect his memory will certain- ly receive. Circumstances inseparable from the settlement and growth of a new country, and from changes of government, have had the effect to distract the minds of men from inquiry into his character and services. But history will one day adorn her page with a delineation of his high and. spotless character, and with the story of his long, arduous and successful services to his country. His fame will grow as the State which he founded is destined to grow in prosperity and influence. And when the capital which bears his name shall have become a proud city, and when all the hills that rise around it, and the noble plains that are spread out before it, shall wear the splendid and blooming aspect which the plastic hand of art and industry creates, then the name of the pioneer who opened the way for civilization and for social refinements to enter where all before was wild and rude, and desolate, will have been placed on the bright roll that bears. to future ages the names of the worthies of the past."
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