USA > Texas > Tarrant County > Fort Worth > History of Texas : Fort Worth and the Texas northwest edition, Volume I > Part 20
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"Fellow citizens, I shall close with one single suggestion; it is that we always act with caution. The late unnecessary alarm, pro- ceeding out of false information, has taught this salutary lesson of caution and moderation. To profit by experience is the high pur- pose of wisdom: and patriotic wisdom, combined with a patriotic attachment to the laws and the love of peace, will be sure in all events to lead to the felicity of each individual and all the citizens of Texas."
On July 7 Ugartechea wrote Miller a letter, which he no doubt ex- pected to be made public, assuring him that the troops which had been ordered to Texas were coming for no hostile purpose, but merely to garrison the ports and protect the country from the Indians. He had already written Cos on July 1 suggesting that Cos issue a proclamation to that effect, and on July 12, 1835, Cos followed his advice by writing a long circular letter to the three political chiefs of Texas. It is an interesting diplomatic document. The following quotation is from the translation which appeared in The Texas Republican of August 22, 1835.
"The entire want of police for sometime past in Texas has neces- sarily contributed to the introduction of many men without country. morality, or any employment to gain a subsistence, who having noth- ing to venture in a revolution, are continually occupied in fanning the flame of discord and endeavoring to persuade the honest people of Texas that the Supreme National Government entertain views and intentions hostile and fatally prejudicial to their interests.
"As this unheard-of falsehood might precipitate good citizens to confound themselves with the perverse, I believe it to be my duty to save them appealing to their good judgment for the rejection of those vile suggestions, and entreating them to think only of the augment- ing of their property, respecting always the Laws of the land; in this case they always have the support of the general government and every kind of guarantee which the general commandancy can give.
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"I have been informed that seditious persons in order to gain their ends endeavor to make the entrance of troops, from the presi- dent of the Republic, thither to be looked upon as the commence- ment of military subjection.
"If this extravagant idea has blinded the incautious, the sound part of the people must have rejected it as it deserved, because it is not credible that assent can be given to an imputation so unjust.
"As the principles are well known which guided the march of the Mexican government, and their desire for the prosperity of Texas, to whose inhabitants it has made every kind of concession, and if it be necessary in order to establish the Custom House to station military detachments among us : this should in no wise alarm the people of Texas; since far from being prejudicial to their inter- ests they will serve as a support and the people will have a guard more in favor of than against their security.
"On the other hand it is evident that some badly disposed per- sons have been able to induce the belief that the Mexican govern- ment has no right to send its troops to those places where they think it necessary.
"Texas is an integrant part of the Republic and as the troops are ordered, for example, to garrison the state of Oaxaca or Vera Cruz, tomorrow they may be necessary in Galveston, or some other port and there they will be received without any resistance, as it would be very opprobrious to the Mexicans for the new inhabitants of Texas to contemplate the national army in the same way as the Egyptians looked upon the Mamelukes, their continual depredators. "You will please make the honest residents of this department understand that so long as they remain attached to the government and the laws they have nothing to fear ; as an armed force is sent to no part of the Republic with any other object than to maintain the peace and security of the citizens.
"Whatever pretensions the inhabitants may have they will please manifest them by legal means to the government, and I offer to support them, provided they be such as can be realized, as to me is entrusted the tranquillity of the State of the East.
"I cannot fail to stimulate your patriotism and your zeal to pre- vent your influence and your persuasion to any alteration whatever. as this general commandancy *
* * will be obliged to proceed against those who overturn the peace which is now fortunately enjoyed in every part of the union."
While Ugartechea and Cos were thus assuring the colonists of the beneficent intentions of the government, the Texans on their part had as we know, begun a determined effort to convince the government of their loyalty and desire for peace. The committee of five appointed by the ayuntamiento of Columbia on July 11 was joined by a similar com- mittee appointed by the San Felipe meeting of the 14th, and these were joined in turn on the 16th by D. C. Barrett, representing the municipality of Mina. Other representatives were expected, but did not arrive.
The object of the committee was to take into consideration the political state of Texas. On the 15th they addressed the following let-
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ter to their constituents and to the other inhabitants of the department of the Brazos:
"Fellow Citizens: The committee of the jurisdiction of Colum- bia, in conjunction with the committee of San Felipe, have thought proper to address you and lay before you a report of the informa- tion now in their possession with a view of quieting all alarm that may exist in regard to the descent of the federal troops upon Texas. The official communication from the committee of safety at Gonzales to the committee of safety of Mina, contains information that can be relied on. Mr. Gritten, the gentleman mentioned in that com- munication, is the same person who visited Texas last summer in company with Colonel Almonte. The letter of Judge Chambers confirms the statements of Mr. Gritten, and in the estimation of this committee can be confidently relied on. We therefore take great pleasure in informing our fellow citizens that there is no just cause of immediate alarm, and at the same time of assuring them that they have the most sanguine hopes that the present commotion will be quieted and good restored without any collision with the federal troops. They pledge themselves to the public that their exertions will be earnest and unremitting to effect this much desired end."
"In a few days they will be joined by committee from other parts of this department, at which time they will make a full exposition of the affairs of Texas, and recommend such a course as they will deem best calculated to promote the general good. In the meantime we recommend to our fellow citizens peace, union, moderation, and a strict adherence to the laws and constitution of the land."
On the 17th a reply was made to Colonel Ugartechea's letter assur- ing the Texans of the good will of the central government, in which they declared a like conciliatory spirit, and expressed regret for the capture of Fort Anahuac and its little garrison. They also requested Colonel Ugartechea to interpose with Generals Santa Anna and Cos. The letter follows :
"Sir: We whose names are undersigned are chosen by the people of the jurisdiction we severally represent, to investigate the truth of certain rumors, and recent occurrences, which tend to place the citizens of Texas in an attitude of hostility to the general govern- ment. Time will not now admit of a detailed account of the alleged reasons for the acknowledged insult upon the government agents, and officers, at this place, and at Anahuac. Hereafter, and as soon as a full and free expression of the people of Texas can be ob- tained, every explanation will be given which justice, and the honor and dignity of all concerned, may require. The people at large we know, have not participated either in the feeling which prompted the aggressions, or in any acts opposed to the legal authorities of the Mexican republic,-and do, and ever will, disavow the course pursued by a few impetuous and misguided citizens, whose conduct, unexplained, might implicate the whole community.
"Accompanying this communication you will receive Capt. [Tenorio's] statement of recent transactions among us. We are ignorant of the views this gentleman entertains, or the representa-
.
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tions he may choose to make of the late affair at Anahuac, where he commanded, or the disposition of the people generally, of this province. But presume from his being honored with a station so important under the government, that he is an honorable man, and a gentleman, and as such has been received and treated here, since the unfortunate occurrence which placed him in his present situation. So far as his imperfect knowledge of our language and every pos- sible manifestation of the people will admit, he cannot but feel sensible of the general confidence of Texas citizens in the purity and justice of our constitution and laws,-and respect for the govern- ment which the Mexican states have chosen.
"You are respectfully requested to transmit this communication, or a copy of it, to Gen. Cos, and the President of the U. S. [of Mexico], with a concluding assurance from us that the citizens of Texas generally have become adopted citizens of the Mexican Re- public from choice, after a full knowledge of the constitution and laws-that they entertain a grateful sense of the liberality of the government towards her colonies in the distribution of lands to set- tlers, and other advantages tending to their convenience and pros- perity, in agriculture and manufacture,-that they will be prepared on every constitutional call to do their duty as Mexican citizens, in the enforcement of the laws and promotion of order, and respect for the government and its agents-that they will cherish those prin- ciples which most clearly demonstrate their love of peace, respect for their Mexican fellow-citizens, and attachment to the free liberal institutions of their adopted country.
"WILY MARTIN, President. "JOHN R. JONES, "A. SOMERVELL, "C. B. STEWART, "JESSE BARTLETT, "Jurisdiction of Austin. "STERLING MCNEIL, "JAMES KNIGHT, "J. H. BELL, "JAS. H. PERRY, "JOHN A. WHARTON, "Jurisdiction of Columbia.
"D. C. BARRETT, "Jurisdiction of Mina. "C. B. STEWART, Secretary. "J. B. MILLER, Political Chief."
On the second day of the meeting John A. Wharton moved for a call of a general convention of all Texas, but the motion was voted down. A committee of five was appointed to draw up a statement of facts rela- tive to the late disturbances, but it was dismissed the next day without reporting. D. C. Barrett and Edward Gritten were appointed commis- sioners to wait upon General Cos and explain the recent occurrences in Texas, and to assure him of the fidelity of the people to the government. The meeting then adjourned to meet again on the first of August, leav-
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ing all unfinished business in the hands of the political chief. Captain Tenorio was present at this meeting, and was soothed by the restoration of his private papers, which had been taken from him at Anahuac.
Yoakum, in his history of Texas, in speaking of Gritten says:
"Edward Gritten was an Englishman who had been for some time domiciliated in Mexico, and had come to Texas in 1834, in company with Colonel Almonte. There remains now but little doubt of his treachery. The meeting raised by subscription five hundred and forty-seven dollars, and paid it over to the com- missioners as an outfit. Gritten was a brother-in-law of Colonel Carbajal."
Upon what evidence or upon what authority Yoakum charges Gritten to have been a traitor, we are at a loss to imagine. He proved true and took part with the Texans in their struggle for their rights, and for independence. The proceedings of this meeting gave the peace party the ascendency and all awaited the result of the com- mission to Cos.
About the first of July, Don Lorenzo Zavala, late governor of the State of Mexico and minister to France, arrived in Texas. De Zavala was a true patriot and supporter of republican institutions. Informed of the treason of Santa Anna, he resigned his office as minister, and sought refuge in Texas, where he was heartily welcomed. On receipt of the news at the capital of the arrival of De Zavala in Texas, an order was issued for his arrest. At that time, the following persons were proscribed and ordered to be arrested: Francis W. Johnson, R. M. Williamson, William Barret Travis, Samuel M. Williams, Mosely Baker, John H. Moore, J. M. Carbajal, and Juan Zambrano.
On the arrival of the commissioners, Barrett and Gritten, at Gon- zales, they met a courier from Colonel Ugartechea with an order for the arrest of De Zavala and the other proscribed persons. The com- missioners detained the courier until they could go to San Antonio de Bexar and try to get the order countermanded. They arrived at San Antonio on the 5th of August, and had several interviews with Colonel Ugartechea, but he assured them that the order could not be rescinded and that General Cos would not receive the commissioners until the colonists had proved their fidelity by making the arrests. This proved, in fact, to be the case; for a letter arrived from Cos at this moment saying that he was greatly pleased with the accounts that had reached him of the proceedings of the joint committee at San Felipe, and that the arrests must be insisted upon. At the same time he forwarded to Ugartechea an additional order which he had just received from the Minister of War and Marine for the apprehension ot De Zavala. In transmitting this order to Colonel Ugartechea on the 8th of August Cos instructed him, if De Zavala was not given up to proceed at the head of all his cavalry to execute the command, and to give the local authorities on the route information as to his sole object. Cos also approved of Ugartechea's requisition upon the alcaldes for the other obnoxious individuals previously mentioned, and especially Travis, whose arrest he ordered, that he might be con- ducted to Bexar, to be tried by a military court. In the face of this
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demand Barrett and Gritten determined to suspend their mission un- til they could get additional instructions, and for that purpose Gritten returned to San Felipe to consult the joint committee.
The meeting by which Barrett and Gritten were appointed had adjourned to meet on the first of August. On that day only three municipalities were represented. No other delegates appearing, on the third of the month the political chief prorogued the meeting and informed the members that if anything should occur making it neces- sary, he would call another meeting. When Gritten arrived and called upon the chief, Wily Martin, he was informed that the meeting which had appointed him and Barrett no longer existed; and that a new election for members would require considerable time, which would defeat the object of their mission. The chief expressed regret at the delay, believing, as he did, that their powers were sufficient for the object in view. He concluded by informing Gritten that the persons proscribed had left the department of Brazos, that the balance of the war party were still urging Texas to her ruin, by urging a convention of all Texas. Gritten returned to San Antonio and reported these facts to Ugartechea, who seized upon the information that the pro- scribed persons had left as an excuse for not marching at the head of his cavalry and making the arrests as ordered.
Another attempt of the joint committee to conciliate the govern- ment deserves some attention at this point. Feeling that the political chief's precipitate proclamation of June 21 calling for the expedition to rescue the governor and his connection with the meeting that authorized the attack on Tenorio at Anahuac gave ground for suspect- ing the sincerity of their professed desire for peace, the members of this committee persuaded Miller to yield the office to a substitute. The committee first requested the first alcade of San Felipe, J. H. Money, to assume the office ; but upon his refusal it passed to Wily Martin.
There is little doubt that the peace party was in the ascendency down at least to the middle of August. All parties were apparently of this opinion during the month of July. Gritten, who originally belonged to neither party, but who earnestly strove to prevent the outbreak of war, kept up a correspondence with Ugartechea during that month and assured him that the people desired peace; and we have expressions from both peace and war party men to the same effect. Writing at Gonzales, July 5, 1835, he said :
"The inhabitants of this municipality and of that of Mina are very much against the measures adopted by the men of San Felipe, and condemn them, protesting their desire to live in tran- quillity and in peace with their brothers the Mexicans, with whom they by no means wish to have war, on account of the bad conse- quences it would have. By what I have observed and the con- clusions that I have drawn, the greater part of the colonists desire to avoid any break with the government; but it seems to me that all of them will oppose the entrance of troops. Such a measure would be alarming and provocative of revolution. If the executive could adopt a conciliatory conduct it would meet
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the support of the sane portion of Texas-which is truly numer- ous-and would be able then to carry forward the establishment of the customhouses. At the same time a more equitable tariff and other reforms ought to be granted to them.
"In order to destroy the bad effects of the specious versions given by those who wish to provoke the people of Texas to revolution, assuring them that a Mexican army is coming to devastate their fields and exterminate all the Anglo-Americans, I believe it would be expedient for the supreme government and the military commanders to say publicly and officially that such intentions do not exist, and that no preparations of that nature are being made. For I repeat that, considering the good sense of many of the inhabitants of this country, all that can be done to content them by conciliatory measures should be done, one of which would be a frank publication of the intention to send no troops to Texas."
The next day Gritten wrote again from Gonzales. Captain McCoy had reported that a Mexican had recently been killed on the Colorado, because he was suspected of being a spy, and news had just reached Gonzales of the expedition that had marched against Anahuac. "There is much agitation in Texas," he said, "resulting from the alarming rumors which are, with evil intentions, circulated among its inhabi- tants; but I am sure that the sane part of the inhabitants do not wish to break with the Mexicans, but wish to preserve peace and union with them. And the affairs of Texas may be improved by means of these very persons, for if they were assured by the competent authori- ties that there is no intention to send troops to attack them, all would be quiet. I have been informed that many of the reasonable ones declare that if what has been said to them about the troops is not true, they themselves will seek the authors of the resolution for the attack on Anahuac and punish them as examples. Have the kindness, in the interest of order and peace, to allow me to assure them in your name that troops are not coming, and I am sure that all the trouble will cease." From San Felipe on July 17 Gritten wrote again to Ugartechea saying that all the inhabitants, even to the Sabine, unani- mously desired to preserve peace. "In my understanding, and in view of the good disposition of these people, no more is needed to con- summate the work already begun of pacifying this country than to abstain from bringing troops into it for hostile purposes." Since Gritten was not at this time identified with either party in Texas his disinterested opinion is worthy of considerable weight.
Travis, too, thought that the peace party was the strongest, and his opinion is all the more valuable because he was a leading member of the war party. In a letter of July 30 to James Bowie he said :
"The truth is, the people are much divided here. The peace party as they style themselves, I believe are the strongest, and make much the most noise. Unless we could be united, had we not better be quiet and settle down for a while? There is now no doubt but that a central government will be established. What will Texas do in that case? Dr. J. H. C. Miller,
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and Chambers, from Gonzales, are, I believe, for unqualified submission. I do not know the minds of the people upon the subject, but if they had a bold and determined leader, I am inclined to think they would kick against it. * *
* General Cos writes that he wants to be at peace with us; and he appears to be disposed to cajole and soothe us. Ugartechea does the same. * * * God knows what we are to do! I am deter- mined, for one, to go with my countrymen : 'right or wrong, sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish,' I am with them."
Other letters from Travis during this period express the same opinion.
From the peace party, on the other hand, we have the following expression from Dr. J. H. C. Miller. Writing from San Felipe on July 25 to John W. Smith of San Antonio, he said :
"All here is in a train for peace. The war and speculating parties are entirely put down, and are preparing to leave the country. They should now be demanded of their respective chiefs -- a few at a time. First Johnson, Williamson, and Williams ; and perhaps that is enough. Captain Martin, once so revolutionary, is now, thank God, where he should be, in favor of peace, and his duty ; and by his influence, in a good degree, has peace been restored. But now they should be demanded. The moment is auspicious. The people are up. Say so, and oblige one who will never forget his true allegiance to the supreme authorities of the nation, and who knows that till they are dealt with Texas will never be quiet. Travis is in a peck of trouble. Dr. J. B. Miller disclaims his act in taking Anahuac and he feels the breach. Don Lorenzo de Zavala is now in Columbia, attempting to arouse the people. Have him called for, and he also will be delivered up. Williams, Baker, and Johnson are now on a visit to him and no doubt conspiring against the government."
As requested, Smith immediately showed this letter to Colonel Ugartechea, who, misled by it, and believing that the people of Texas would give up their leading men, issued the order for the arrests, as we have already noticed. During the absence of Baker and Johnson in Eastern Texas Wily Martin as acting political chief, issued writs to the several chiefs commanding them to arrest all who were named in Ugartechea's request. On their arrival at Washington at the La Bahia crossing of the Brazos, Baker and Johnson were informed of these proceedings, and that Travis and Williamson had left San Felipe and were secreted in the neighborhood of Captain Chriesman's on the La Bahia road. From Washington Baker and Johnson pro- ceeded to Colonel John T. Coles's near Independence, west of Wash- ington, and near the residence of Dr. James B. Miller, the political chief of the Brazos department. After conferring with Colonel Coles, they agreed that the Colonel and Baker should visit Miller and urge him to return to San Felipe de Austin, and resume his duties as chief. Accordingly, the next day they waited upon the chief and made him acquainted with the action of the people of East Texas, and with the unpopularity of Captain Martin, the acting chief of the department.
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Miller, at once, consented to return to the capital of the department, resume his office, and countermand the execution of the writs of arrest. Baker and Johnson then proceeded to Captain Chriesman's, hoping to learn the exact whereabouts of Williamson and Travis and invite them to accompany them to San Felipe de Austin. But Captain Chriesman, although he knew they were in the neighborhood, could not designate the exact location, hence Baker and Johnson proceeded to the house of Colonel William Pettus, spent a night with him, and communicated the good news. The next morning Pettus accompanied them to San Felipe. On their arrival they were hailed with joy and cheered. A few hours later, Travis and Williamson arrived in town, and received a like greeting. Thus was the chief bearded in his den ! The next day Miller arrived, resumed his office, and all went well.
More particular attention must now be given to the activities of the war party. These consisted chiefly of spreading through the country reports of the progress of centralization in Mexico and of the determination of the government to overwhelm Texas by a mili- tary occupation and expel from the country all who had not fully complied with the colonization regulations. In general, the men from whom these reports were obtained had but recently returned from Mexico, and were therefore in a better position to guess at the inten- tions of the government with regard to Texas than were those who remained at home. A few extracts from letters and documents of the time will illustrate the character of these reports.
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