USA > Texas > Tarrant County > Fort Worth > History of Texas : Fort Worth and the Texas northwest edition, Volume I > Part 22
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"It is too evident to admit of argument that the state of which Texas is a part being recognized as one of the contracting parties
.
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on forming the constitution, we are not bound by any change of government or infraction of the constitution until our assent is obtained. How is that assent to be arrived at? We contend only by general consultation, the constitution and all officers under it having perished in the anarchy that at present surrounds -and that unless something is done is likely soon to over- whelm us.
"Some seem to imagine that the present difficulties can be quieted by remaining inactive and venting their endless and unavailing curses on the heads of the land speculators, and war party, as they are termed. We profess ourselves as a matter of public policy diametrically opposed to all large monopolies of the public domain like the late land speculation ; and equally opposed to the principle of any person or party rashly involving us in difficulties against the consent of the majority and we wish a consultation among other things for the purpose of devising some plan to prevent the remainder of our public lands from being trifled away; and also to prevent a few rash individuals from deluging us with all the horrors of a war without our consent. and before we are prepared. Unless some concerted plan of action is determined on in general consultation such involvment is inevitable, for great many believe in the hostile intentions of the government and have sworn to resist with their lives the intro- duction of armed force. Some seem to imagine that everything can be done by neighborhood or colony meetings, suddenly assembled, as suddenly dispersed, and always acting under excite- ment.
"We would ask if a consultation of all Texas composed of members selected for their wisdom and honesty and their deep interest in the welfare of their country, who would deliberate calmly and in full possession of all the necessary information, we ask would not a body like this be apt to restore order and peace and confidence and would not its acts and its doings be more respected by the government, the people of Texas, and the world than the crude conceptions and rash determinations of 100 or 1.000 hastily convened meetings? We conceive it anti-republi- can to oppose a consultation. It is tantamount to saying that the people cannot and shall not be trusted with their own affairs. That their voice shall be stifled and that a few shall rule and dictate and lord it over us as is now, and always has been the case in this land of our adoption. What the consultation may do when it meets we cannot venture to predict. Knowing how- ever that it will speak the voice of the majority ; and recognizing the republican principle that the majority are right, on its decis- ions we will fearlessly stake our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. If (which we believe impossible) that majority should require us to yield servile submission to a form of govern- ment or to anything else that would disgrace us as free born men we would not counteract its decision-but would claim the
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privilege of removing ourselves from a land where such base and abject doctrines prevail.
"The only instructions which we would recommend to be given to our representatives is to secure peace if it is to be obtained on constitutional terms, and to prepare for war-if war be inevitable. We herewith send you information for the truth of which we vouch calculated to convince the most incredulous that there is every prospect of our being soon invaded, the bare probability of which is certainly sufficient to make any prudent people meet together and provide for their protection. Those who are in favor of peace, as no doubt all of us are, should earn- estly recommend a consultation, for whether the government is hostile or not many believe it and will predicate on that belief such acts of violence as will most undoubtedly involve us in war -in short a consultation is the only mode of securing peace promptly and permanently-or of carrying on war efficiently and successfully.
"We propose, fellow-citizens, that each jurisdiction elect five individuals, the elections to be ordered and holden by the com- mittees of safety and correspondence, on the 5th October and the consultation to convene in Washington on the 15th of the same month. We propose that each member use every exertion to ascertain the population of his jurisdiction. And we propose and request that each jurisdiction hold public meetings and elect committees to correspond with the committees of all other parts of Texas. In conclusion, fellow-citizens, we trust and implore that all party feeling and violence may be buried in oblivion and that we may go on together in harmonious concert prospering and to prosper. We all have a common interest and are desirous to accomplish a common object-namely the welfare of Texas with which our own is indissolubly identified. We are now trav- elling different roads and devising different plans because we do not understand each other on account of our dispersed and scat- tered settlements, on account of the impossibility of dissemina- ting correct information, and on account of the universal preva- lence of faction, party spirit, rumor, and violence in every corner of the land. With the hope and the belief that you will co-operate with us in bringing about a consultation and that the happiness of all Texas may be promoted by its deliberations we subscribe our- selves your friends and fellow-citizens. Done in the committee room, in the Town of Velasco, on this the 20th of August, 1835.
"B. T. ARCHER, Chairman. "W. H. BYNUM,
"JOHN A. WHARTON,
"HENRY SMITH,
"SILAS DINSMORE, "WM. H. JACK,
"I. T. TINSLEY, "FRANCIS BINGHAM,
"ROBERT H. WILLIAMS,
"JOHN HODGE,
"P. BERTRAND, "Wm. T. AUSTIN, Secretary."
"WARREN D. C. HALL,
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"The committee of safety and correspondence for the juris- diction of Columbia have no additional information to offer the public, in regard to the present crisis than the statements of indi- viduals who have lately arrived from the interior. Those state- ments would not be made public but the source from which they are derived is unquestionable. We are informed that the idea of flooding Texas with troops has long since been formed, and that Santa Anna has been heard to declare that he would drive every Anglo-American beyond the Sabine. That the plan adopted for the introduction of troops into Texas as formed was this-they were to be introduced in small numbers, so as not to excite the apprehension of the colonists, and for the 'express purpose' of enforcing the revenue laws. And that in accordance with that plan, in addition to the troops now at Bexar, 500 more in the month of May last actually embarked at Tampico for Matagorda, and that after the vessels which were to have transported then had weighed anchor, a courier arrived bringing news of the break- ing out of the revolution in Zacatecas, and that they were disem- barked immediately, and proceeded forthwith to that place to crush the spirit of republicanism in that unfortunate state,- the result of that expedition will never cease to be regretted whilst liberty has a votary. That that plan is now abandoned, and that the present plan is to introduce an overwhelming force; and at one blow to prostrate Texas. They boast that they will bring 10,000 soldiers, and that they will be here this fall, or early this winter. The young officers of the army are particularly chivalrous; and manifest great anxiety to flush their maiden swords in the blood of the citizens of Texas."
At the beginning of September, just as the committee was launch- ing the campaign for the consultation, or convention, Stephen F. Austin arrived from his long detention in Mexico; and his attitude toward the movement became immediately of great importance. A meeting of some of his friends was held at Brazoria on September 4 to arrange plans for showing him appropriate honor. They decided to entertain him at a public dinner on the 8th, and here, in response to a flattering toast, he made known his views concerning the political situation in Mexico, Santa Anna's intentions toward Texas, and the method of procedure which should be adopted by the Texans. He said :
"I fully hoped to have found Texas at peace and tranquillity. but regret to find it in commotion, all disorganized, all in anarchy. and threatened with immediate hostilities. This state of things is deeply to be lamented-it is a great misfortune, but it is one that has not been produced by any acts of the people of this country-on the contrary it is the natural and inevitable conse- quence of the revolution that has spread all over Mexico, and of the imprudent and impolitic measures of both the general and state governments, with respect to Texas. The people here are not to blame, and cannot be justly censured, they are farmers,
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cultivators of the soil, and are pacifick from interests, from occu- pation, and from inclination. They have uniformly endeavored to sustain the constitution and the public peace by pacifick means, and have never deviated from their duty as Mexican citizens. If any acts of imprudence have been committed by individuals they evidently resulted from the revolutionary state of the whole nation, and imprudent and censurable conduct of the state author- ities, and the total want of a local government in Texas. It is indeed a source of surprise and creditable congratulation that so few acts of this description have occurred under the peculiar cir- cumstances of the times. It is however, to be remembered that acts of this kind were not the acts of the people, nor is Texas responsible for them. They were, as I before observed, the nat- ural consequence of the revolutionary state of the Mexican nation, and Texas certainly did not originate that revolution, neither have the people, as a people, participated in it. The con- sciences and the hands of the Texans are free from censure, and clean.
"The revolution in Mexico is drawing to a close. The object is to change the form of government, destroy the federal consti- tution of 1824, and establish a central or consolidated govern- ment. The states are to be converted into provinces.
"Whether the people of Texas ought, or ought not to agree to this change, and relinquish all, or a part of their constitutional and vested rights under the constitution of 1824, is a question of the most vital importance, one that calls for the deliberate consideration of the people and can only be decided by them fairly convened for that purpose. As a citizen of Texas I have a right to an opinion on so important a matter, I have no other right and pretend to no other. In the report which I consider it my duty to make to my constituents, I intend to give my views on the present situation of the country, and especially as to the constitutional and natural rights of Texas, and will therefore at this time merely touch this matter.
"The federal constitution of 1824 is about to be destroyed, the system of government changed, and a central or consolidated one established. Will this act annihilate all the natural rights of Texas, and subject the county to the uncontrolled and unlim- ited dictation of the new government?
"This is a subject of the most vital importance. I have no doubt the federal constitution will be destroyed, and a central government established, and that the people here will soon be called upon to say whether they agree to this change or not. This matter requires the most calm discussion, the most mature deliberation and the most perfect union. How is this to be obtained? I see but one way, and that is by a general consulta- tion of the people by means of delegates elected for that purpose, with full powers to give such an answer in the name of Texas to
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this question as they may deem best, and to adopt such measures as the tranquillity and salvation of the country require.
"My friends I can truly say that no one has been, or now is, more anxious than myself to keep trouble away from this country, no one has been or now is more faithful to his duty as a Mexican citizen, and no one has personally sacrificed or suffered more to discharge this duty. I have uniformly opposed having anything to do with the family political quarrels of the Mexicans. Texas needs peace and a local government ; its inhabitants are farmers, they need a calm and quiet life. But how can any one remain indifferent when our rights, our all appear to be in jeopardy, and when it is our duty as well as our obligation as good Mexican citizens to express our opinions on the present state of things, and to represent our situation to the government? It is impos- sible. The crisis is certainly such as to bring it home to the judgment of every man that something must be done and that without delay. The question will perhaps be asked, what are we to do? I have already indicated my opinion. Let all person- alities, or divisions, or excitements, or passion, or violence be ban- ished from amongst us. Let a general consultation of the people of Texas be convened as speedily as possible, to be composed of the best, and most calm, and intelligent, and firm men in the country, and let them decide what representations ought to be made to the general government, and what ought to be done in the future.
"With these explanatory remarks, I will give as a toast: The constitutional rights and security and peace of Texas, they ought to be maintained; and jeopardized as they now are, they demand a general consultation of the people."
The arrival of Colonel Austin at this critical period of the affairs of Texas was alike timely and fortunate. Four days after the ban- quet at Brazoria a public meeting was held at San Felipe (September 12). This resolved to support the constitution of 1824, recommended a consultation and appointed a committee of vigilance and safety to "order and superintend the election for delegates of this jurisdiction, and to correspond with the committees of the other jurisdictions." Those appointed upon this committee were Wily Martin, Randall Jones, William Pettus, Gail Borden, Jr., and Stephen F. Austin. But Austin assumed by common consent entire direction of the work of the committee, and turned all efforts for a time toward assuring the success of the consultation.
The way was already prepared for the convention, and nothing was needed but Austin's endorsement to remove any hesitation that still existed in the minds of the conservatives concerning its wisdom. Several things occurred, however, to cause confusion before the dele- gates were elected and assembled. The first was uncertainty as to the place of meeting. The Columbia committee had suggested Washing- ton on the Brazos in its call for the convention, but the San Felipe
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meeting of September 12 substituted San Felipe as the place of meet- ing. Some municipalities now elected delegates to meet at one place and some at the other, and when the day of meeting arrived there were some members at both places, which helped to prevent the gath- ering of a quorum at either place. Some of the East Texas munici- palities recommended the election of seven representatives instead of five from each electoral district, and this was later approved by the Columbia committee, but there was not sufficient time before the elec- tion to issue notice of the change. Finally, before the elections were held war had already begun. In some districts the polls were opened earlier than October 5, the day originally set for the election, and this gave occasion for irregularities which led to some vigorous protests from defeated candidates. A more important result of the outbreak of hostilities, however, was the fact that many of the members-elect joined the army, and thereby delayed the meeting of the assembly.
CHAPTER XIII BATTLE OF GONZALES
Austin, by his great popularity and influence, gave renewed impulse to the revolutionary correspondence of the committees throughout Texas. On the 13th of September the San Felipe com- mittee issued a circular. Among the recommendations was one regarding the rights of the Indians. The conciliation of the Indians was a matter of great importance to the people not only of East Texas, but of the whole country, for there were at that time more than 1,000 warriors of the different tribes that had emigrated from the United States. They almost surrounded the frontier of East Texas. The assurance later given them that they should not be disturbed in their possessions had the effect to keep them quiet. Other purposes of the circular were to reinforce the arguments already advanced for the meeting of a consultation and to make suggestions concerning elec- tions.
On the 19th, the committee having received positive information that General Cos with 500 troops destined for San Antonio de Bexar had landed at Copano (not Matagorda as stated by Yoakum) about the 15th, issued the following circular :
"Information of the most important and decisive character has just been received from Bexar from unquestionable authority, which in the opinion of this committee calls for the prompt atten- tion of the people. The substance of this information is that General Cos was expected at Bexar on the 16th of this month with more troops; that he intended to make an immediate attack on the colonies; that there was a plan to try and foment division and discord among the people, so as to use one part against the other and prevent preparation; and that the real object is to break up foreign settlements in Texas. This committee have no doubt of the correctness of this information, and therefore rec- ommend,
"That the people should maintain the position taken by them at the primary meetings, to insist on their rights under the fed- eral constitution of 1824 and of the law of 7th of May of that year, and union with the Mexican confederation.
"That every district should send members to the general con- sultation with full powers to do whatever may be necessary for the good of the country.
"That every district ought to organize its militia, where it is not already done; and have frequent musters; and that the cap- tains of companies make a return without delay to the chief of this department of the force of his company, the arms, and ammu- nition in order that he may lay the same before the general con- sultation of Texas. Volunteer companies are also recommended.
"This committee deems it to be their duty to say that in its opinion, all kinds of conciliatory measures with General Cos and
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the military at Bexar are hopeless, and that nothing but the ruin of Texas can be expected from any such measures. They have already and very properly been resorted to without effect.
"War is our only resource. There is no other remedy but to defend our rights, our selves, and our country by force of arms. To do this we must unite, and in order to unite, the delegates of the people must meet in general consultation and organize a system of defense, and give organization to the country so as to produce concert. Until some compact authority is established to direct, all that can be done is to recommend this subject to the people ; and advise every man in Texas to prepare for WAR, and lay aside all hope of conciliation.
"S. F. AUSTIN."
The further activities of Austin in organizing the people for resist- ance and guiding their early movements are disclosed by the circulars issued from the committee :
"San Felipe de Austin, Sept. 21, 1835.
"Gentlemen :
"I received the information last night of the expedition that is raising to march on to Labaca, and without delay have sent expresses to Harrisburg, and the upper country with copies of the paper which I enclose for your information. Frank Johnson starts tomorrow for Nacogdoches; I have requested them in that country to raise all the men they can and march on without delay. There must now be no half way measures-war in full. The sword is drawn and the scabbard must be put on one side until the military are all driven out of Texas. I presume you have received the circular from the committee of this place, dated the 19th inst .; Mr. Brigham took it down. It was written in conse- quence of information received from Bexar which was of so decisive a character that the committee deemed it a duty to take a clear and unequivocal position at once and to let the country know its opinion. I am happy to say that in this quarter and in the upper country so far as I have heard all are united, and all are for war; I hope you will inform me of what is done so that there may be as much concert as possible. You will see by the enclosed that a corps of reserve is proposed. This was done because I expect that some will come on from Trinity and some from Bevil's settlement who cannot be in time for the advance, and it was necessary to give them some center to report to, so as to receive direction and organization. Until there is some head or order, we must all try to labor in concert, so as to support each other's movements as much as distances and circumstances will permit. I will remain here for a while, or go on to Labaca, as may be deemed most advisable. I seek no command and wish none, but am ready to do all I can to unite opinion. I go into the war cheerfully, and with very different feelings from what I had in any of our past difficulties ; we are now right; our basis is sound and just, and will be so declared by an impartial world;
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we are defending our constitutional rights against military usurp- ation.
"I hope you will communicate your opinions to me fully and frankly.
"Yours respectfully, "S. F. AUSTIN."
"To the Committee of Safety, etc., of Columbia:
"Information was received last night by express that General Cos landed at Copano with 400 men, arms, and ammunition.
"An expedition is raising in the lower country to take the field at once. They are called upon to rendezvous at League's old place on the Colorado on the 28th of this month.
"Every man in Texas is called upon to take up arms in defence of his country and his rights. Those who can join the expedition on the 28th are requested to do so! or they can join it at James Kerr's on the La Vaca, which will be the principal ren- dezvous.
"A corps of reserve will be formed to march on and sustain the advance. Those who cannot join the advance are requested to unite with the reserve and report themselves to the committee of safety in this place.
"It is expected that each man will supply himself with provis- ions, arms and ammunition to march with.
"Arrangements will be made for permanent supplies as soon as possible.
"S. F. AUSTIN, Chairman of the Committee. "September 22nd, 1835."
The portentous cloud of war thickens. Active operations com- mence. A cannon had been furnished by the authorities of Bexar to the people of Gonzales to defend themselves against Indian depre- dations. This they retained, and claimed as a gift, while the military declared that it was only intended as a loan. To carry out the plan of disarming the citizens of the nation, Colonel Ugartechea dispatched an order for the gun. The citizens refused to give it up. This refusal being reported to Colonel Ugartechea, he dispatched a cavalry force of some hundred men, under Lieutenant Castañeda, to demand the delivery of the gun, instructing him first to send a demand to the alcalde for the gun, and if this was refused to employ force. Lieuten- ant Castañeda halted on the west bank of the Guadalupe River. and sent over to Gonzales and demanded the delivery of the gun. The committee of safety and correspondence for the jurisdiction of Gon- zales, dispatched a courier to the settlements on the Colorado for aid. A body of Texans had been organized to march to Copano and inter- cept Cos, but this news caused them to turn their steps to Gonzales.
For a full and detailed account of the proceedings and of the battle of Gonzales, the following was furnished to F. W. Johnson by a par- ticipant, Charles Mason :
"In the latter part of September. 1835, a file of Mexican cav- alry under command of a non-commissioned officer, arrived and
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encamped near the residence of Mrs. Sarah De Witt, widow of Empresario Green De Witt, with orders from the political chief of the department of Bexar, and Colonel Ugartechea, the com- manding officer at San Antonio, demanding of the alcalde, Andrew Ponton, Esq., the highest civil officer of the municipality of Gonzales, a brass six-pounder field piece of artillery, which had been turned over to Colonel Green De Witt for the protection of his colony. The people at once assembled and promised the alcalde their warm support should he decline to give up the gun. Whereupon he addressed a note to the political chief, at San Antonio, that he could not comply with the demand, unless ordered to do so by the political chief of the department of the Brazos, which note was dispatched to San Antonio by the ser- geant, simultaneous with runners-Matthew Caldwell to Bastrop and to Col. J. H. Moore's neighborhood, lower down on the Colorado, calling on the people of those places to spread the alarm; and to send immediately as many armed men as prac- ticable to the assistance of Gonzales. A company was at once organized by electing Albert C. Martin captain (graduate of Cap- tain Partridge's military school in Connecticut), and W. W. Arrington, Charles Mason, and Jesse McCoy, lieutenants, with about 100 non-commissioned officers and privates, from 60 down to 15 years of age. About the third day circumstances induced the belief that reinforcements would be sent to the Mexicans, so it was determined to endeavor to capture the squad of cavalry before assistance could reach them, and to prevent their sending information to San Antonio. Consequently, Lieutenants Arring- ton, Mason and McCoy, with John Martin (known better as "Bitnose" Martin) crossed the river and proceeded to their camp, near Mrs. De Witt's residence, and found them with their arms stacked around a tree. On a demand to surrender, they endeav- oured to seize their arms, but Martin leveled his Kentucky rifle. and would, had he not been prevented, have killed the foremost. After taking possession of the arms, they were assured that no harm was intended; yet, it was with some apparent distrust they surrendered. One being sent after their horses, on reaching them mounted, as supposed the fleetest, and took the road to San Antonio at half speed, the others were taken to town and treated as prisoners of war. Knowing the soldier who had been sent for the horses would cause reinforcements to be sent, Lieutenant Jesse McCoy, Graves, Fulcher, and Littleton Tomlinson, were sent as spies towarå San Antonio to keep a look out and give timely information and prevent surprise. There was no disap- pointment. In about four days, the spies returned and reported that 180 or 200 cavalry (commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Arci- neago) were on their march to Gonzales. At this time there were but eighteen men in Gonzales. A temporary breastwork was erected just below the ferry, and the boat secreted in a bayou above. In a short time their van appeared, hailed, and desired to be set across the river. They were informed that they could
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