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 35
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In 1838 he was elected to the office of Vice-President. President Lamar's health being precarious, Congress, in 1841, gave him leave of absence, and Burnet administered the government during the remainder of the term .. During Governor Henderson's administration, Burnet was Secretary of State. In 1866 he was elected to the United States Senate, but was not admitted to his seat.
Mrs. Burnet died in 1858, leaving one son, who, at the breaking out of the civil war, entered the Confederate service as captain of artillery. He was killed while in command of a battery at Spanish Fort, near Mobile, March 31st, 1865. After the breaking up of his family by death, Judge Burnet found a home in the family of Mr. Preston Perry, of Galveston, where he died December 5th, 1870, aged eighty-three years. Just after his deccase, a brief biography was published, prepared by Colonel A. M. Hobby, from which we make a brief extract: "Judge Burnet was distinguished by an active and honorable participation in the events of a revolution, the character of which his humane and generous influence impressed and his enlightened policy guided; and was a sincere and ardent friend of the human race; but above all distinguished by the more eminent qualities of inflexible political purity and personal virtuc. These, we believe, are uni- versally admitted as absolutely unquestioned, and alone should entitle the possessor to independent and durable renown; and when we add to these high moral distinctions, his unaffected indifference to wealth and fame; noble aspirations and tender charities; sympathy for the oppressed ; gener- osity to the fallen ; love of goodness and truth, and a mind incapable of harboring sentiments of envy, mischief or wrong, we have a character indeed so rare, that the thoughtful and the just will pronounce it almost perfect."
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EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, COLUMBIA, Oct. 22d, 1836.
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives:
GENTLEMEN-The period having arrived when, in the estimation of the Congress, the constitutional government may be completely organized, and as I conceive such organi- zation to be desirable, I request the Congress will not consider my incumbency as any obstacle to the immediate inauguration of the Executive officers elert.
Sensible of having discharged my duty to my adopted country to the utmost extent of my abilities and with a faithfulness unmingled by a selfish feeling. I shall retire from office with the inmost approbation of my own conscience, which I esteem more than the plaudits of men. DAVID G. BURNET.
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BURR, AARON .- The fact that Burr originated the first movement for the occupancy of Texas by the Anglo-Americans, has induced most writers of Texas history to pay some attention to his filibustering expedition. The brief personal incidents in his life are : that he was a native of New Jersey ; a lawyer by profession ; a gallant officer in the American revolution, though always distrusted by Washington. Ile became an active politician, and carried the State of New York for the Republican party in opposition to Alexander Hamilton. Running for President on the same ticket with Jefferson, there was a tie in the Electoral College, thus throwing the elec- tion into the House of Representatives. In that body, the Federalists cast- ing their votes for Burr, there was a tie for thirty-cight ballots. Finally, Jefferson was elected President, and Burr became Vice-President. But he had lost forever the confidence of the Republican party, and he was him- self very much dissatisfied with the result. He was growing unpopular and morose. In this state of mind, he quarrelled with his great political rival, and, in a duel fought July 11th, 1804, he killed Alexander Hamilton. (Of Hamilton, who was at the head of the Treasury during Washington's administration, Daniel Webster said: " He smote the rock of the National resources, and abundant streams of revenue burst forth; he touched the dead corpse of public credit and it sprung upon its feet.")
At the close of his official term, finding himself abandoned by all parties in the United States, Burr projected a grand scheme for a Southwestern Republic. The betrayal of this plot by his friend Wilkinson, and his own arrest, thwarted his plans; and he went to Europe and spent some time in comparative poverty. He returned to the United States in 1812, and the next year the cup of his private grief was filled to overflowing, by the loss at sea of his charming daughter, Theodosia, wife of Governor Alston, of South Carolina. He now resumed the practice of law in New York city, and recovered a handsome property for the celebrated Madam Jumel, whom he afterwads married. After a few years of turbulent matrimonial life, he and his wife quarreled and separated, and he died in New York, in September 1836, just after Texas had become an independent Republic.
There is not, perhaps, a more knotty question in American history than that connected with the movements of Aaron Burr. He at one time un- doubtedly contemplated the dismemberment of the American Union. It was a period of violent political strife; especially in the West, over the closing of the Mississippi river. In Burr's trial for treason, William Eaton, Esq., to whom Burr had given his plans, testified that when the latter sug- gested that the Government at Washington might throw obstacles in his way, Burr replied : " IIc would turn Congress, neck and heels, out of doors ; assassinate the President; seize on the Treasury and the Navy, and declare himself the Protector of an energetic government." But, as President Jefferson says in one of his letters, if Burr ever seriously entertained designs against the integrity of the American Union, that project was carly abandoned, and his scheme was formed for operations entirely on Mexican territory. At that time it was confidently expected there would be war with Spain. President Jefferson, in his message to Congress, December 6th, 1805, used the following language, which was considered almost equivalent
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to a declaration of war: " Considering that Congress alone is vested with the power of changing our condition from peace to war, I have thought it my duty to await their authority for preparations which their means admit, to commence the war to advantage."
At that time, leading citizens of the United States frequently canvassed the question of conquering Mexico and acquiring at least a portion of her territory. General Wilkinson, in command in the Southwest, was a zealous advocate for war. IIe had already sent Lieutenant Pike to obtain an accu- rate knowledge of the country. Burr's plans, however, were different. He proposed the establishment of a new Republic, to include Texas and possi- bly the territory as far south as the Sierra Madre. Generals Jackson and Harrison were cognizant of these designs; which, however, were only to be carried out in case of a war with Spain. It was boldly asserted that Gen. Adair, of Kentucky, would co-operate with Burr.
The Spanish Viceroy had sent General Herrera and Governor Cordova to hold the Americans in check. For this purpose, the Spaniards crossed the Sabine to the old Adaes mission. Herrera's orders were positive that he must hold the place. Wilkinson's were equally positive that he must drive the Spaniards to the west side of the Sabine river. When all parties were in hourly expectation of a collision, Wilkinsou and Herrera met, and amica- bly agreed that the forces of each should remain on their respective sides of " the neutral ground."
Burr believed that Wilkinson had betrayed his plans to the Spaniards, and thus defeated them. It was even said that he had received compensa_ tion for his treason, and $300,000 was mentioned as the price; and it was further said that Captain Walter Buling was sent to the city of Mexico for the money, which, however, he failed to get. General Adair pronounced it " a venal and shameful bargain." General Eaton, however, seemed to think it was not pecuniary considerations alone that influenced Wilkinson. The latter feared Burr would supersede him in the command; and " he knew General Wilkinson well, and he would not act as lieutenant to any man living." Monette, who appears more than half willing to apologize for the General, says: "Whatever may have been his indiscretions, his pecuniary exactions, and his commercial intrigues with the credulous Spaniards, he never was a traitor to his country, or deserted her in the hour
of danger. * * The finesse of diplomacy, which could extort from the Spaniards a ransom for the safety of their provinces, does not change this feature of the question." This defection of Wilkinson effectually dissolved " the Southwestern Republic." But there was another scheme of Burr's which, but for untoward circumstances, might have been successful. Ile had bargained with Baron de Bastrop for four hundred thousand acres of land on the Washita river. IIc had persuaded his friend, Herman Blenner- hassett, to give up his beautiful villa on an island in the Ohio river, and remove to a more genial Southern clime. Burr informed Commodore Truxton that "in case there was no war with Spain, he intended to invite his friends to settle his Washita lands; that in one year he would have a thousand families of respectable and fashionable people, and some of them of considerable property. That it was a fine country, and they would have
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charming society ; and that in two years he would have double the number of settlers ; and that being on the frontier he would be ready to move when- ever a war took place." But Burr's arrest and trial for treason before Chief-Justice Marshall, at Richmond, effectually broke up all his plans for conquest and colonization.
BESTEMENTE, ANASTASIO .- We mention this name because, when he was in power in Mexico, he warmly espoused the colonization scheme of Austin. Bustemente was one of the leaders who secured the independence of Mexico; was Vice-President in 1823, and again in 1828; and was President in 1829. The next year he issued some edicts very injurious to Texas: one prohibiting immigration from the United States, and another to garrison the Province with soldiers, to keep the Texans in subjection. In 1832 he was banished by Santa Anna; recalled from exile in 1837, to operate against Texas; elected President again in 1840. A second time deposed and ban- ished by Santa Anna; returned to Mexico in 1845, and died at San Miguel de Alende in 1851.
CALDER, ROBERT J.,-A native of Kentucky, came to Texas during the revolutionary period, and settled in Brazoria county. At the breaking out of the war, he was one of the first to volunteer, and was with the company of Fannin at the battle of Concepcion. He, with six men, was ordered to take a position in the tower of the Mission church, as a good point for observation. They were thus cut off from their companions during the battle the next morning; but they enjoyed a splendid view of the battle- ground, and occasionally picked off a Mexican cavalryman, who came within rifle shot of the church. At San Jacinto, Calder commanded com- pany K, in Burleson's regiment. After the battle, he and Judge B. C. Frank- lin were detailed to convey the news and official dispatches to President Burnet at Galveston. Only an old, unwieldy skiff could be found in which to make the trip; which occupied four days. During the Republic, Calder was Sheriff of Brazoria county. After annexation he removed to Fort Bend. and filled the office of Chief Justice of the county, in which he still lives. *
* The author, in August, 1878, addressed a letter to Colonel Calder, asking for the particulars of that trip from the battle-ground to Galveston. To this the Colonel promptly responded. Our readers will be satisfied that no time was unnecessarily lost when they learn that, besides the President and other officers of the government, there were on the island hundreds of refugees, families of women and children whose homes were on the Brazos and in the west, and whose husbands were in the army. Among those refugees was the family of Major Douglass, whose plantation was on the San Bernard river. This family-well, a daughter of the major, has been for forty years the companion of Col. Calder, and is the mother of his children. The gallant young captain had been for months in the army, had commanded his company in the glorious battle that had secured liberty to Texas, and he was now anxious to be the first to bear the news to the lady who ruled queen of his affections, as well as to the Presi- dent and others, citizens then on the island.
The only possible chance to reach the island was by an open boat or skiff. propelled by oars. The party consisted of Franklin, Calder and two soldiers detailed to accom-
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
CALDWELL, JOHN .- Came from North Alabama to Texas in 1830, and settled on the frontier in Bastrop county, and opened a cotton plantation. He represented that county in both branches of the Texas Congress, in the Convention of 1845, and subsequently in the State Legislature, and died in 1870.
CALDWELL, MATTHEW .- A native of North Carolina; came to Texas in 1833; was in the Consultation in 1835, after which he served in various capacities in the army. He was a Captain in the Santa Fe expedition; (spoken of by Kendall under the nick name of " Old Paint.") In 1842 he was in command of the force that pursued Woll in his retreat from San Antonio. He died in Gonzales, December 28th, 1842.
CALLAHAN, J. H .- Came to Texas with the Georgia Battalion, in 1835; was in the battle of Coleta, but escaped the Fannin massacre by being a mechanic. In 1855 he was captain of a ranging company on the frontier. The Lipans having committed depredations in Texas, and having escaped across the Rio Grande, Captain Callahan pursued them into Mexico. In doing this he was compelled to take military possession of the village of Piedras Negras. Unfortunately the village was burned when Callahan evacuated it; but the Indians were chastised. In 1856, a difficulty occur-
pany them. They started on the morning of the 23d; took no provisions, because none were to be had, the commissary stores having been left at Harrisburg on the 20th. About noon they reached Ruth's place, where they expected to get dinner, but the Mexicans had been there and stripped the place of eatables, and nothing was to be had. At night they reached Spillman's island, and were fortunate in finding plenty of cornmeal, a side of bacon and plenty of chickens. There was no human being on the island. The next day they arrived at the head of the bay, and found it so rough that it was impossible to proceed across it in their leaky craft. The soldiers wanted to lie by until the wind shifted, but Calder insisted on going ahead if they had to coast it all the way to the island ; and leaping into the water with a tow line, pulled the skiff along the edge of the bay. Franklin was unaccustomed to work, and soon gave out. The sol- diers became tired, and most of the labor devolved upon Calder. While coasting along that evening, they saw a steamer far to the eastward going toward the mouth of the San Jacinto, but failed to make her see their signals, and thought perhaps she took them for Mexicans.
The party reached the Edwards place at Redfish bar about noon of the third day. Here they found some provisions and a box of fine Havana cigars. The only living being they saw was a wild African negro, probably one introduced by Monroe Edwards. By this time almost the entire labor of propelling the unwieldy craft de- volved upon Calder, as the others were tired out. About sundown on the fourth day they reached the neighborhood of Virginia Point, and could see the shipping in the harbor. Tired and hungry, as they had very little to eat that morning, Franklin and Calder spread their blankets by the side of an old cottonwood which was lying on the beach, and disturbed a rattlesnake as they were preparing to lie down and sleep till morning. It had rained during the night, and when they awoke a norther was blow- ing, and their blankets were in the water. A few hours rowing brought them along-
side of the war schooner Invincible, Capt. Wm. Brown. Through his speaking trumpet Brown inquired " What news ?" " When I told him, his men," says Calder, " literally lifted us on board, and in the midst of the wildest excitement Brown took off his hat and gave us three cheers, and threw it as far as he could into the bay. He then
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red between Captain Callahan and a family in the same neighborhood in which he lived, in Guadalupe county, by the name of Blassengame. Calla- han and a friend of his by the name of Johnson were killed. Afterward a party of citizens killed two of the Blassengames.
CAMERON, EWEN .- A Scotsman by birth, who came to Texas in the early days of the Texas Republic. He was a captain in the Republican army which proclaimed the " Republic of the Rio Grande." During that cam- paign he had the misfortune to offend Canalis, one of the Mexican officers in commaud. Cameron was a captain in the Mier expedition; was in the break at Salado; but drew a white bean in the fearful lottery that follow- ed their recapture, and was, of course, entitled to his life. A few days later, positive orders came to the command to " shoot Captain Cameron;" and hewas shot. It is supposed that his former companion, Canalis, pro- cured the order. Cameron was a brave, honorable and skillful officer. For him Cameron county was named.
shouted to his men, 'Turn loose Long Tom." After three discharges, he suddenly stopped and said : 'Hold on. boys, or old Hawkins (the senior commodore) will put me in irons again.'" Declining to wait for anything to eat, they were treated to the best liquor on the ship. They entered the Captain's gig, and with four stalwart sea- men started for the harbor. The Independence, the flagship of Commodore Hawkins, was anchored between them and the landing. As they approached the ship, Commo- dore Hawkins, with his glass, recognized Franklin and Calder, and began eagerly hailing for the news. When they were sufficiently near to be understood, a scene of excitement ensued beggaring deseription; and now it spread from vessel to vessel, reached groups on the land, and the welkin rang with shout after shout, until the people were hoarse. Hawkins fired thirteen guns. We suppose this was for the old thirteen colonies, as Hawkins had been in the U. S. navy. When the Commodore learned that they had been fasting for twenty-four hours, he had a sumptuous dinner prepared, and the party did not need much urging to stay and partake of the hospitalities of the old salt. They were staying a little too long, and finally Hawkins hinted that they had better go ashore and report to the President.
President Burnet, who was a great stiekler for official prerogative, was a little miffed that everybodyon the island should have heard the glorious news before he was officially notified of the battle and its result; and when the party reached the President's marquee they were received, as Calder says, " with stately courtesy-which at first we did not understand, thinking a little more cordiality and less formality would have suited the case and the messengers. This, however, (continues our narrative) gradually sub- sided, and the President, before the interview elosed, treated us with that grace and genial courtesy for which. throughout life, he was ever distinguished."
Most of the families of refugees were already on the schooner Flash, Captain Falvel, ready to sail for New Orleans, and had orders to sail that morning, as Santa Anna was expected every day at the island. The captain declined to attempt to cross the bar until there was a change of wind; and while waiting, the messenger arrived with the news. The two soldiers who accompanied the party found their families, and Calder found the objeet of his most anxious solicitude.
After changing his clothes, Captain Calder was strolling, unknown, among the men eagerly talking over the wonderful achievements of the 21st, when he heard such complimentary remarks as these: "What! the whole Mexican army defeated, and Santa Anna a prisoner! No, gentlemen; those fellows are scoundrels and deserters. It is too big a story, and they ought to be taken into custody at once."
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
CAMERON, DR. JOHN .- An Empresario, who obtained a grant for colon- izing a large scope of country on Red river. He had been for some time a citizen of Mexico. Decree Number 13, September 10th, 1827, declared him to be a " Coahuil-Texan," (a citizen of Coahuila and Texas). In 1835 he was a Secretary in the Executive Department of the Government at Mon- clova; and when Cos dispersed the Legislature, Cameron was taken prison- er with Milam and others. They contrived to make their escape; and reacli- ed Texas in safety. Cameron assisted in the capture of San Antonio, and at Cos' surrender acted as Spanish interpreter. He became a resident of the valley of the Rio Grande, and in the contest which arose between the " Rohos " and " Crinolinos," in 1861, he was killed in one of their fights.
CARSON, SAMUEL P .- Once represented a district of North Carolina in the United States Congress. He was in Texas at the organization of the Government ad interim, and became Secretary of State. His health was feeble, and he resigned and went to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he died in 1838.
CASTRILLON .- One of the bravest and most skillful of Santa Anna's offi- cers, in 1836. He commanded the division that successfully scaled the walls of the fortress of the Alamo. The brave are humane, and Castrillon pleaded earnestly for the lives of the three or four Texans found alive in the Alamo, after all resistance had ceased. It was in vain! At San Jacinto, Castril- lon commanded the column ordered to support the Mexican cannon. When the panic ensued, and he found it impossible to rally his men, he refused to fly with the others; but folding his arms, he stood erect, and received that death which, to him, was preferable to dishonor.
CASTRO, HENRY .- The pioneer of that portion of Western Texas situated west of the city of San Antonio, was born in France, in July, 1786, of rich parents, and descended of one the oldest Portuguese families; one of his ancestors, Zoao of Castro, having been fourth Viceroy of the Indies for the King of Portugal. In 1805, at the age of nineteen, he was selected by the Prefect of his department (Landes) to welcome the Emperor Napolcon, on the occasion of his visit to that department. In 1806, he was one of the guard of honor that accompanied Napoleon to Spain. In 1814, being an officer in the first legion of the National Guards of Paris, he fought with. Marshal Moncey at the gate of Clichy. Having emigrated to the United States, after the fall of Napoleon, in May, 1827, he was Consul at the port of Providence for the King of Naples, having become an American citizen, by choice, the same year. He returned to France in 1838; was the partner of Mr. Lafitte, and took an active part in trying to negotiate a loan for the Republic of Texas. In 1842 he was appointed, in consideration of the ser- vices he had rendered to the Republic of Texas, Consul General of Texas at Paris Having received large grants of lands under certain conditions of colonization, he immediately proceeded to comply with his contract, and, after great expense and labor, succeeded in bringing to this State four hun- dred and eighty-five families and four hundred and fifty-seven single men,
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Richardson NXs.
THOMAS F. MCKINNEY ..
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in twenty-seven ships, from the year 1843 to 1846. He encountered much opposition from the French Government, which was trying to procure emi- grants for the colony of Algiers, and much expense on account of the Mex- ican war. His first settlement was established on the Medina, in Septem- ber 1844, and was called Castroville, now a flourishing little town, situated in one of the most beautiful and healthy portions of Texas. In 1845, he settled the town of Quihi; in 1846, that of Vandenburg; in 1847, that of Dhanis, all of which settlements are now in a prosperous condition. The colony lands, which were all in Bexar county formerly, now form the counties of Medina, Frio, part of McMullen, Lasalle and Uvalde. He pub- lished many memoirs on Texas, both in the French and German languages, and also maps, which were principally circulated in the Rhine provinces, and greatly aided in procuring emigration to this country.
He was a man of great energy and of rare aptitude for labor. He devel- oped the country and received the most flattering testimonials from the most prominent persons of the United States. He was a corresponding member of the Washington Institute; and a great friend and admirer of General Houston. He was on his way to visit the graves of his family, in France, when death overtook him, in Monterey, Mexico.
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