USA > Texas > Tarrant County > Fort Worth > History of Texas : Fort Worth and the Texas northwest edition, Volume I > Part 7
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at the crossing of the road from Nacogdoches to Natchitoches, Louis- iana. Chaplin had a majority of the votes cast, but most of them were by persons living on the Sabine and other streams within the twenty border leagues reserved by the Federal Government. These votes were thrown out, and Norris was declared elected. But Chaplin's friends, counting their registered votes, declared him elected; and he took pos- session of the office.
A report of these proceedings was made to the Political Chief, at San Antonio de Bexar, who ordered Sepulveda, the old alcalde, to administer to Norris the oath of office as alcalde of Nacogdoches; and, if Chaplin refused to yield and deliver up the archives of the office to Norris, to take them from him peaceably if he could, but if necessary to call out the militia to enforce the order. Chaplin, however, yielded the office in compliance with the order, and Norris assumed the duties of the office.
The next cause of difficulty was occasioned by the appointment of a man by the name of Tramel, recently arrived, as ferryman at the cross- ing of the road from San Antonio to Nacogdoches on the Trinity River. This appointment was made by the alcalde of Nacogdoches, regularly and in accordance with the law on the subject. Tramel, accordingly, built boats and established his ferry agreeably to contract. Soon after, however, Tramel sold his interest to another person, who took posses- sion. It seems that there was a poor Mexican family, Sertuche, living below the ferry, at Spanish Bluff, who were in an almost starving con- dition ; the occupant of the ferry, becoming aware of their condition, invited Sertuche and family to come to the ferry, which they did, and were furnished provisions. Sertuche, finding the situation both pleasant and profitable, obtained an order from the alcalde to take possession of the ferry, which he accordingly did. Edwards, learning this, removed Sertuche, and reinstated the rightful owner. This act of Edwards was reported to the Chief who ordered the alcalde to give Sertuche posses- sion of the ferry, stating as a reason for so ordering that Sertuche was a Mexican and entitled to a preference. This would have been true of an application for land, but this preference only applied to the granting of land. Other instances of invidious distinction might be given, but let these suffice.
By his contract Edwards was authorized and required to organize the militia of the colony, of whch he was the chief, until a different dis- position was made. Such was the authority given, and the position of all the empresarios in Texas.
B. W. Edwards, who had charge of the colony during the absence of his brother, and who was in possession of all the circumstances and facts connected with the colony, and the difficulties which surrounded the enterprise, wrote a long letter to Colonel Austin, in which he gave a detailed account of the difficulties they had to contend against, and ' solicited his advice. He also wrote the Baron de Bastrop, then a mem- ber of the state legislature, informing him of all the facts.
Hayden Edwards, having returned, made an appeal to the American settlers and to the Cherokee Indians, who considering themselves badly treated by the government of Mexico listened favorably to Edwards. On
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the 20th of December, Hunter, Fields, and some other chiefs, after con- sulting three days, entered into a solemn league and confederation. The objects of the treaty were twofold, to-wit:
"1st. To divide the territory of Texas between the Indians and Americans. This was done by giving to the former that portion lying north of a line beginning at the mouth of Sulphur Fork; thence to a point not far from Nacogdoches; thence to the Rio Grande. All the territory south of that boundary to belong to the other party. 2nd. To prosecute together the war against Mexico, until their independence was consummated." The treaty was made by Hayden Edwards and Har- mon B. Mayo, on the part of the Americans, and by Richard Fields and John Dunn Hunter, on the part of the Indians.
The new state was named Fredonia. In the meantime, on the 18th of December, 1826, the Fredonians, to the number of about two hun- dred, took possession of the "old Stone House" and began to fortify. Having raised their flag, they began an organization of their force and government. Colonel Martin Parmer was chosen commander of the militia.
On the 4th of January, 1827, Norris, the alcalde, who had been deposed, finding the town defended by a small force-most of the Fre- donians apprehending no danger had gone to their homes-raised a force of some eighty men and took position near the Stone House, intending to capture and hang the few Fredonians left to guard the place. Parmer had eleven men, and Hunter eight Cherokees, with whom they marched out and charged Norris's force, of which they killed one man and wounded some ten or twelve, and captured about half their horses. Norris made good his retreat and crossed the Sabine.
The immediate objects in controversy of this so-called Fredonian rebellion are not of great importance. The dispute reveals some of the elements and influences at work from the outside, and also produced some of the popular issues that were emphasized with a great deal more justice during later dissensions between the colonies and the home government.
Even more significant is the attitude of Austin and the colonists who regarded Austin as their accepted leader toward the Fredonians. Many municipalities and villages in the older colonies adopted resolutions expressing their loyalty to the government. Austin himself was daily engaged in a voluminous correspondence directed to colonies, heads of the Cherokee Indians, and participants in the rebellion, endeavoring to show them the futility of the enterprise. The quality of his reasoning. that would arouse a response in sound Americans today, is revealed in a few sentences that space permits to be quoted :
"My friend you are wrong-totally wrong from the beginning to the end of this Nacogdoches affair. I have no doubt that great cause of complaint exists against the Alcalde and a few others in that district, but you have taken the wrong method of seeking redress. The law has pointed out the mode of punishing officers in this government from the president down, and no individual or indi- viduals ought to assume to themselves that authority ; but what is past is done-let us forget it, and look to the future.
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"It is our duty as Mexicans, to support and defend the govern- ment of our adoption, by whom we have been received with the kindness and liberality of an indulgent parent. It is our duty as men, to suppress vice, anarchy, and Indian massacre. And it is our duty as Americans to defend that proud name from the infamy which this Nacogdoches gang must cast upon it if they are suffered to progress. It is also our interest, most decidedly our interest, to do the same, for without regular government, without law, what security have we for our persons, our property, our characters, and all we hold dear and sacred?"
On the receipt of the news of Edwards' movements at San Antonio de Bexar, the capital of the department of Texas, the Political Chief at once adopted measures to put down the revolt. Colonel Ahumada, the commandant at Bexar, was ordered to march to the seat of war with as little delay as practicable. At the same time, the chief issued an order to Colonel Austin, to raise such a force of the militia of his colony as he could speedily collect, to act with the national troops, who would join him in San Felipe de Austin. Austin, in obedience to this order, called together a respectable number of his colonists; but, at the same time despatched commissioners to Nacogdoches to confer with Edwards, and, if possible, get him to desist. But Edwards would not consent, saying that he was able to maintain the position he had taken. On the return of the commissioners, Captain William S. Hall, one of them, reported to Colonel Austin the result of this mission, which was, that they had been unable to effect anything satisfactory ; that Edwards had but a small force, which the commissioners, from information and observation, were of opinion he would not be able to raise to any considerable number.
Early in January, 1827, Colonel Ahumada and his forces arrived in San Felipe de Austin, where they remained a few days to rest and refresh themselves, as they had had a fatiguing march, the road being heavy from recent rains. On their arrival they found Austin in readi- ness with a respectable force of colonists.
All things being ready, in a few days they took up the line of march in all the pomp, pride, and circumstance of war. The Mexican soldiers were well dressed in military uniforms, which contrasted strikingly with the dress of the hardy pioneers of the colony, which was composed of buckskin, cottonade, and linsey-woolsey, and head-gear to match. The colonists had managed to get an old four-pounder gun, the balls for which were manufactured by the blacksmith of the town, David Car- penter, and were neither round nor square. On the second day of the march, in firing the morning gun, the four-pounder lost some six or eight inches from one side of her muzzle. Notwithstanding, she was kept sev- eral years, and dubbed "Marley Waller," in honor of the gentleman of that name, who had charge of her. Fortunately no one was injured by this accident, and all moved forward in high spirits.
On the march they were joined by settlers on the Trinity and San Jacinto. After a fatiguing march, on account of rains and the state of the road, when near Nacogdoches, they were met by a courier who informed them that Edwards had disbanded his troops and evacuated the
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place, which they entered in triumph, with the honors of a bloodless victory.
The inhabitants of the town and surrounding country, that is, such as had joined Edwards, by the influence of Colonel Austin, were assured that they had nothing to fear from the government ; that they should go to their homes and pursue their ordinary occupations as if nothing had happened, and in due time should be put in possession of their lands.
Of those who had joined in the revolt, we will mention three who had been conspicuous-Col. Martin Parmer, the "Ring-tailed Panther," Major John S. Roberts, and Captain Francis Adams. The first followed his leader and did not return to Texas until 1831 ; the two latter remained and took an active part in our struggle for our rights and independence.
It is due to Colonel Austin and his settlers, and those of Colonel De Witt, as well as those on the lower Trinity, to say that they not only disapproved of the conduct of the Fredonians, but turned out and joined the Mexican force sent against them.
Whatever may be said in favor of Edwards's course, it is clear and undeniable that his acts, in the first place, were only in part authorized by law or his contract ; that the decree of the governor of the state, while hasty and unjust, was still based on official reports of subordinate officers, hence, he felt it to be his duty to annul the contract, and order him to leave the territory of the Republic; but at the same time he informed Edwards, if he felt grieved, that he could lay his case before the federal authorities, but must first leave the country. Here was offered an oppor- tunity to Edwards to place himself right, and in not doing so he placed himself clearly in the wrong.
In the second place, after he had raised the standard of revolt and formed an alliance with the Cherokee Indians, the olive branch was held out to him, for on the arrival of the chief of the department of Texas. and Colonel Ahumada and his troops at San Felipe de Austin, Colonel Austin interposed in behalf of these misguided men. The chief, acting upon the advice of Colonel Austin, issued a proclamation of free pardon to all who had participated in the revolt and would submit to the laws and constituted authorities of the state. To Edwards he offered a hear- ing before the proper authorities of the state when he would have an opportunity of proving the malversations of Sepulveda and Norris, his accusers. This offer was neglected, and he pursued his evil course. These facts leave no excuse, or color of excuse, for rebelling against the government, and still less for the league which he enterd into with Indians.
In concluding this important affair, unfortunate for Edwards and unfortunate for the colonists, as subsequent events prove, we append the opinion of two distinguished citizens. David G. Burnet said, "It was quite inevitable, without supposing Austin an infatuated visionary, which he was not, that he should promptly unite with his lawful chief in sup- pressing an insurrection so wild and impracticable." James H. Bell said : "This Fredonian disturbance has been little understood, and when the details of it are made known it will be seen that the movement could lay no just claim to be considered as an honorable and praiseworthy effort in the cause of freedom and right, and that Austin's course in respect to it was the only one that a man of sense and honor could pursue."
CHAPTER V GENERAL SURVEY OF THE TEXAS COLONIES
Away from the battle front war modifies but does not greatly change the routine life and activities of a people. For nearly a decade preceding the Revolution the Texas colonies were subjected to the influences exer- cised by the turbulence of Mexican politics, with local outbreaks of hos- tilities from time to time, but for the most part the Texans were left free to work out their problems and develop their material and social institutions. A modern reader very naturally inquires as to the status of business and industry, the progress of settlement, and other general conditions of life in Texas at that time. To satisfy such inquiries is the object of this and the following chapters.
The best account of the progress of Texas under Anglo-American colonization is afforded by Col. J. N. Almonte's "Statistical Notice," published in 1835. Almonte was commissioned to make a general inspec- tion of Texas, and after a hasty tour of observation during July and August of 1834 he returned to Mexico and made a very favorable report, which Austin thought helped his case and caused the government to regard Texas more kindly than it had previously been inclined to do. The following extracts are from a translation published in Kennedy's "Texas :"
"The population of Texas extends from Bexar to the Sabine River, and in that direction there are not more than twenty-five leagues of unoccupied territory to occasion some inconvenience to the traveller. The most difficult part of the journey to Texas is the space between the Rio Grande and Bexar, which extends a little more than fifty leagues, by what is called the Upper Road, and above sixty-five leagues by the way of Laredo. These difficulties do not arise from the badness of the road itself, but from the absence of population, rendering it necessary to carry provisions, and even water during summer, when it is scarce in this district. This tract is so flat and rich in pasturage that it may be travelled with sufficient relays, and at a suitable speed, without the fear of wanting forage.
"In 1806 the department of Bexar contained two municipalities ; San Antonio de Bexar, with a population of 5,000 souls, and Goliad, with 1,400; total 6,400. In 1834 there were four municipalities, with the following population respectively: San Antonio de Bexar, 2,400; Goliad, 700; Victoria, 300; San Patricio, 600; total 4,000. Deducting 600 for the municipality of San Patricio (an Irish settle- ment), the Mexican population had declined from 6,400 to 3,400 between 1806 and 1834. This is the only district of Texas in which there are no negro laborers. Of the various colonies introduced into it, only two have prospered; one of Mexicans, on the River Guada- lupe, by the road which leads from Goliad to San Felipe ; the other of Irish on the River Nueces on the road from Matamoras to Goliad. With the exception of San Patricio, the entire district of Bexar is peopled by Mexicans. The greater part of the lands of Bexar can easily be irrigated, and there is no doubt that so soon as the Gov-
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ernment, compassionating the lot (suerte) of Texas, shall send a respectable force to chastise the savages, the Mexicans will gladly hasten to colonize those valuable lands which court their labor.
"Extensive undertakings cannot be entered on in Bexar, as there is no individual capital exceeding $10,000. All the provisions raised by the inhabitants are consumed in the district. The wild horse is common, so as rarely to be valued at more than twenty reals (about ten shillings British) when caught. Cattle are cheap; a cow and a calf not being worth more than $10, and a young bull or heifer from $4 to $5. Sheep are scarce, not exceeding 5,000 head." The whole export trade is confined to from 8,000 to 10,000 skins of various kinds, and the imports to a few articles from New Orleans, which are exchanged in San Antonio for peltry or currency (peleteria y metálico).
"There is one school in the capital of the department supported by the municipality, but apparently the funds are so reduced as to render the maintenance of even this useful establishment impossible. What is to be the fate of those unhappy Mexicans who dwell in the midst of savages without hope of civilization? Goliad, Victoria, and even San Patricio, are similarly situated, and it is not difficult to foresee the consequences of such a state of things. In the whole department there is but one curate (cura) ; the vicar died of cholera morbus in September last.
"The capital of the department of the Brazos is San Felipe de Austin, and its principal towns are the said San Felipe, Brazoria, Matagorda, Gonzales, Harrisburg, Mina, and Velasco. The district containing these towns is that which is generally called 'Austin's Colony.'
"The following are the municipalities and towns of the depart- ment, with the population: San Felipe, 2,500; Columbia, 2,100; Matagorda, 1,400; Gonzales, 900; Mina, 1,100; total, 8,000. Towns: Brazoria, Harrisburg, Velasco, Bolivar. In the population are included about 1,000 negroes, introduced under certain conditions guaranteed by the state government ; and although it is true that a few African slaves have been imported into Texas, yet it has been done contrary to the opinion of the respectable settlers, who were unable to prevent it. It is to be hoped that this traffic has already been stopped ; and it is desirable that a law of the general Congress and of the state should fix a maximum period for the introduction of negroes into Texas, as servants to the empresarios, which period ought not, in my opinion, to exceed ten or twelve years, at the end of which time they should enjoy absolute liberty.
"The most prosperous colonies of this department are those of Austin and De Witt. Towards the northwest of San Felipe there is now a new colony under the direction of Robertson ; the same that was formerly under the charge of Austin.
"In 1833, upwards of 2,000 bales of cotton, weighing from 400 to 500 pounds each, were exported from the Brazos; and it is said that in 1832 not less than 5,000 bales were exported. The maize is all consumed in the country, though the annual crop exceeds 50,000
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barrels. The cattle, of which there may be about 25,000 head in the district, are usually driven for sale to Natchitoches. The cotton is exported regularly from Brazoria to New Orleans, where it pays 21/2 per cent duty, and realizes from 10 to 101/2 cents per pound for the exporter, after paying cost of transport, etc. The price of cattle varies but little throughout Texas, and is the same in the Brazos as in Bexar. There are no sheep in this district; herds of swine are numerous, and may be reckoned at 50,000 head.
"The trade of the department of the Brazos has reached $600,- 000. Taking the estimate for 1832 (the settlements having been ravaged by the cholera in 1833), the exports and imports are esti- mated thus: 5,000 bales of cotton, weighing 2,250,000 pounds, sold in New Orleans, and producing at 10 cents per pound $225,000 net ; 50,000 skins, at an average of eight reals each, $50,000. Value of exports, $275,000 (exclusive of the sale of live stock). The imports are estimated at $325,000.
"In this department there is but one school, near Brazoria, erected by subscription, and containing from thirty to forty pupils. The wealthier colonists prefer sending their children to the United States ; and those who have not the advantages of fortune care little for the education of their sons, provided they can wield the axe and cut down a tree, or kill a deer with dexterity.
"The Department of Nacogdoches contains four municipalities and four towns. Nacogdoches municipality has a population of 3,500; and of San Augustine, 2,500; Liberty, 1,000; Johnsburg, 2,000 ; the town of Anahuac, fifty ; Bevil, 140; Teran, ten; Tenaha, 100 ; total population, 9,000, in which is included about 1,000 negroes. introduced under special arrangements (convenios particulares.)
"Until now it appears that the New York company are only beginning to interest themselves in settling their lands, bought or obtained by contract with Messrs. Zavala, Burnet, and Vehlein, em- presarios, who first undertook the colonization of the immense tracts which they obtained of the State of Coahuila and Texas, and which are laid down in the maps of the North as lands of the 'Galveston Bay Company.' In consequence of that transaction, the company are proprietors of nearly three-fourths of the department of Nacog- doches, including the twenty leagues of boundary from that town to the Sabine. Of the contracts of Zavala, Burnet and Vehlein, some expired last year, and others will expire during the present year. The Supreme Government, if at all anxious to do away with a sys- tem of jobbing so ruinous to the lands of the nation, at the hands of a few Mexicans and foreigners, ought, without loss of time, to adopt means to obviate the confusion daily arising out of contracts with the speculators, which create a feeling of disgust among the colon- ists, who are dissatisfied with the monopoly enjoyed by companies or contractors that have acquired the lands with the sole object of speculating in them.
"The settlements of this district have not prospered, because speculators have not fulfilled their contracts, and the scattered popu- lation is composed of individuals who have obtained one or more
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leagues of land from the state, and of others, who, in virtue of the law of colonization inviting strangers, have established themselves wherever it appeared most convenient. But the latter have not even the titles to their properties, which it would be only fair to extend for them, in order to relieve them from that cruel state of uncer- tainty in which some have been placed for several years, as to whether they appertain to the United States or to Mexico. And as these colonists have emigrated at their own expense, it seems just that the contractors on whose lands they have settled, and who were not instrumental to the introduction of their families, should not receive the premium allowed by law. In stipulating with those contractors (empresarios) both the General and State Government have hitherto acted with too much negligence, and it would be well that they should now seriously turn their attention to a matter so deeply important.
"There are three common schools in this department: one in Nacogdoches, very badly supported, another at San Augustine, and the third at Johnsburg. Texas wants a good establishment for public instruction, where the Spanish language may be taught ; other- wise the language will be lost ; even at present English is almost the only language spoken in this section of the Republic.
"The trade of this department amounts for the year to $470,000. The exports consist of cotton, skins, of the deer, otter, beaver, etc .. Indian corn and cattle. There will be exported during this year about 2,000 bales of cotton, 90,000 skins, and 5,000 head of cattle. equal in value to $205,000. The imports are estimated at $265,000: the excess in the amount of imports is occasioned by the stock which remains on hand in the stores of the dealers.
"There are about 50,000 head of cattle in the whole department, and prices are on a level with those in the Brazos. There are no sheep, nor pasturage adapted to them. There are above 6,000 head of swine, which will soon form another article of export.
"There are machines for cleaning and pressing cotton in the departments of Nacogdoches and the Brazos. There are also a number of sawmills. A steamboat is plying on the Brazos River, and the arrival of two more is expected; one for the Neches, the other for the Trinity.
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