USA > Texas > History of Texas : from 1685 to 1892, volume 1 > Part 38
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He concluded his letter by saying :
" I shall procure the letter, or a copy, but if he (Governor Smith) can deny either the letter, the language, nay, the words or sentiments, let him do it and double falsehood and perjury will be added to the catalogue of his offences and misdemeanors."
This was remarkable language, yet the remnant of the council yet remaining ( eight out of the twenty-one members ), on the 26th of January, 1836 (four days after it was writ- ten), resolved on its publication in vindication of their im- potent assault upon the rightful Governor. A committee of this remnant, Messrs. Thompson and Clements, had the indecency to write to Lieut .- Col. Ward for a copy of that private letter, to be used in their war on Governor Smith. Col. Ward answered from Goliad on the 20th of February, as follows :
" GOLIAD, February 20, 1836.
" GENTLEMEN : Your letter under date of the 11th inst., was duly received. It seems that an inveterate and incura- ble collision between the body, of which you are the represent- atives, and Governor Henry Smith, has taken place, and you call upon me to furnish you with the copy of a letter, written
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by the said Smith to me some time during the past month, extracts from which have been furnished you by Col. J. W. Fannin, Jr. This letter. the production of which is thus sought, no doubt is intended to be used by his enemies, to the detriment and injury of Governor Smith, as containing sentiments and expressions highly insulting and obnoxious to the late and present volunteer army.
" After maturely reflecting upon the subject, I feel myself compelled to decline compliance with your request, and a sense of self-respect and courtesy to your body prompts me to explain to you frankly the reasons which prompt me to adopt this course.
" When first I came to Texas, a total stranger, to aid her with all the power and influence I possessed, it was my first business to receive all the information I could in relation to the internal and external situation of the country, and the prospects and expectations of her leading and most important characters. With feelings of no common sorrow I saw that the germ of feuds and divisions, had already been planted in the heart of the country. Without even intending to mingle in these civil strifes, and hoping from a common sense of danger and the complete necessity of general harmony there would be found in the country patriotism sufficient to lull these commotions in their incipient stage, I freely mixed with all, conversed with all and sought information from all. On a visit to the capital, transacting business for myself and those individuals who had generously followed my fortunes and placed themselves under my direction, I early became ac- quainted with Governor Smith, who, with an ardor and zeal more upright than perhaps discreet, frankly disclosed to me his views and sentiments in relation to the civil affairs and prospects of the country, and the suggestions he threw out and the advice he gave me were of a character naturally to inspire a stranger with confidence in the honesty and integrity of the man, and the little experience I have had establishes,
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in my judgment, his sagacity and foresight as a statesman. Thus favorably impressed I became a correspondent of his Excellency, and honestly uniting in his views, without partici- pating in his violence, he did me the honor to address me on all occasions with the frankness and unrestrained freedom of a friend. When thus addressing me, amidst the perplexity and confusion of his official business, provoked and maddened by an opposition active and violent, and not presuming probably that his communications would be handed out to the view of his opponents and the world for comment, is it not natural and reasonable to admit that he should have expressed himself without much caution and, on matters that had so much annoyed him, with warmth?
" And should I be in the possession of any documents cal- culated to raise the voice of complaint against him one single note higher than it is at present, thus obtained, in yielding it to the possession of his enemies, would I not act the part of a traitorious and faithless friend? And, with all proper re- spect, let me ask, could a liberal and magnanimous opposition avail itself of such testimony to torture and crush its victim ?
" But, gentlemen, when you are informed of the manner in which the fact of my having such a letter was disclosed and imparted to you I am sure you will coincide with me in the opinion that a manifest impropriety exists in my furnishing you with a copy, or with the original. Col. Fannin was him- self the bearer of the letter from Gov. Smith to me. Knowing the handwriting, and prompted by an anxiety which I will not pretend to divine, but at the moment did not distrust, in com- pliance with his repeated solicitations and under the panoply of his plighted faith to secrecy, I submitted the paper to his in- spection. He made several applications to me for the purpose of obtaining a copy and the liberty of using the privilege with which I had confidentially intrusted him, to all of which I gave an unqualified and prompt denial. Judge of my surprise and astonishment then, when your letter informed me that, with
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an abandonment of delicacy and decorum that I thought appertained to a character with which Col. Fannin acknowl- edge no affinity, he had used me and my confidence to feed the flame of discontent and hatred against the Governor, in which it seems he is ambitious to act a conspicuous part.
" The above remarks you will discover, are predicated upon the supposition that this celebrated letter, if produced, would contain sentiments and language, discreditable to its author and from the incorrect and garbled manner in which its con- tents are attempted to be quoted by Col. Fannin, the public, until better informed, will entertain the same opinion. Col. Fannin attempts to give extracts, verbatum et literatim. When that part of his letter which I perceive has been pub- lished by order of the council with great eclat, containing the extract, was compared with the original in my possession, in the presence of several intelligent and respectable gentlemen, they were all astonished at the misquotations and perversion of its general sense and meaning. If I could feel myself absolved from the delicacy of my situation, and could with propriety divulge the original to the world, mankind would see in this but another instance to what shameful means party spirit will descend in the might of its malignant rancor.
" And I feel deeply mortified that not content, not only with abusing my confidence and uncourteously presenting me to the public in the character of an informer, he should give a false coloring to a document, which, if plainly read and fairly construed, would mark the purity and patriotism of the man who penned it.
" It belongs not to me to counsel Gov. Smith what might be conducive to his defense, nor to his enemies what might con- tribute to his condemnation ; but I do honestly affirm that in my humble opinion, if this letter, which has been so unhandsomely used to his disadvantage, could be read before his peers on his trial, it would be found to contain not one expression that would cause the hue of shame to tinge the countenance of a
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single friend. True, it is warm, even violent, but even this (its very error), shows the sincerity of his determination to advance, at all hazards, what he conceives to be the true interests of his country, and to oppose even to the extent of self-immolation what may redound to her injury and ruin.
" Intending, gentlemen, to keep myself aloof from all party connections ; determined to chain myself to the car of no political sect, and desirous to discharge my military duties to the satisfaction and approbation of my adopted country, I have thought it an act of justice to myself to offer you the above remarks, in order to extricate myself from an unpleas- ant situation, in which I have been placed contrary to my intentions or desires.
" Every one must lament the height to which political dis- cord has attained. If ever there was a crisis in the affairs of a country which required the harmonious action of all her citizens, that crisis has arrived in Texas. The foe is in the field with means and men beyond our reach. Extermination is his war-cry. Nothing can save us but unanimity, harmony, concentration and a bold, heroic movement of all our power. With this and a complete annihilation of all factious feelings, success and glory will yet encircle the banner of our adopted country. With great respect, gentlemen,
" I am, your obedient servant, "WM. WARD."
Though a little later in date, the subjoined correspondence, bearing upon the same subject, is inserted at this point. The whole was published by Col. Hill in a handbill, February 20, 1836.
" TO THE PUBLIC.
" Notwithstanding I have participated in the general feeling of indignation at the conduct of the council, I did not anticipate the public expression of my sentiments. But, when I am
32
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called upon by the highest functionaries in the land to commit an act not only dishonorable, but criminal, I cannot longer withhold the expression of my indignation. Below will be found a letter, not confidential, addressed to me by two of the honorable members of the council, together with my reply, which I lay before the public, without comment, satisfied that my conduct will be approved by every highminded, honorable man.
" WM. G. HILL."
" Brazoria, Feb. 20, 1836. "
THE DEMAND.
" SAN FELIPE, Feb. 14, 1836. " Col. William G. Hill :
" SIR : We have been appointed by the General Council to conduct the prosecution against the late Governor, Henry Smith, before the next convention. Among other matters of testimony to support the charges against him is a letter written to yourself about the 17th of January last, of which a copy has been received at this place. We have to request that you forward said original letter to us at Washington. We trust that you will not fail in doing so, as in that case it will become necessary to summon yourself to attend.
" Respectfully yours, " Signed, ALEX. THOMPSON, "J. D. CLEMENTS."
COLONEL HILL'S RESPONSE.
" BRAZORIA, Feb. 20, 1836.
" To Alexander Thompson and J. D. Clements :
" GENTLEMEN: Your communication of the 14th inst., conveys so direct an insult, or betrays such gross and unpar- donable ignorance on your part, that I would not have replied, but to explain how the copy of the letter, which you desire,
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was obtained (if such copy exists). The letter was opened by .. . .... . without my knowledge or consent, and if any copy does exist, it was surreptitiously obtained and I de- nounce the perpetrator of the shameful act as a violator of the sanctity of private intercourse, and, of course, no gentleman. You impudently call upon me to expose a correspondence, which all nations agree in considering as sacred, for the sole purpose of injuring the writer, who wrote for a friend only and not for the public. You call upon me to commit an act, which you must know would be criminal and is calculated to destroy the life of society, an act which none but a villain would perform. You call upon me to do this, and for what ? To aid you in a parricidal attempt to destroy the highest Executive in the land. I assure you I do not aspire to the dis- tinction of an association with your honorable body in such unhallowed purposes. In conclusion, I cannot withhold the expression of the indignation and contempt, which your base proposition inspires, and I most earnestly hope that your public career may be brought to a speedy and ignoble close ; and that upon your heads will be visited the scorn and indigna- tion of an enlightened and high-minded public. I am, " WM. G. HILL."
The members of the council who demanded the letters were not bad men. I know personally that they were esteemed at home as good citizens and were kind, hospitable and patriotic, but blind prejudice and a want of delicacy of sentiment justly subjected them to the caustic and lacerating rebukes of Cols. Ward and Hill; rebukes which every chivalrous soul must approve.
CHAPTER XLIV.
More of Grant and Johnson - Gen. Houston's exhaustive letter to Gover- nor Smith.
Dr. Grant, having induced the men at Bexar to join him in his determination to march upon Matamoros, stripped San Antonio of its munitions and supplies and left Lieutenant- Colonel Niell, an officer of the government, in command of the fort, with a handful of men, and without the means of caring for the sick and wounded. Grant was acting without authority and Francis W. Johnson, intending to co-operate with him, proceeded to San Felipe to secure legal warrant for the enterprise. Grant, during Johnson's absence, advanced to Goliad and went into camp. "Johnson," says Yoakum, "' declined going in with Fannin, probably because he desired a more independent command. At all events, his forces and those of Grant wanted more privileges than the law allowed them. After some hesitation the council gave him a sort of carte blanche, and he proceeded to join Dr. Grant."
Thus, by its action, the council first virtually made Fannin, as an agent, a commander independent of the commander-in- chief, and next recognized Johnson and Grant as the leaders of a separate band.
Had the council desired to pander to the aspirations of distinct and, in some sense, rival aspirants for military power, and thereby hasten the country to ruin, they could not have well devised a more efficient plan. Against these headlong steps to ruin stood, as pillars of adamant, Gov. Henry Smith and Gen. Sam Houston, upheld by such men as Bowie, Travis, Neill, Rusk, Burleson, Williamson, John A.
(500)
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Wharton, Hoxey, Dimmitt, Linn and a host of others, who saw ruin impending and resolved, if possible, to avert it.
" In the confusion of the times and the isolation of the people, ' on to Matamoros ' proved a seductive cry and many pure patriots were led astray. Even Governor Smith, Gen. Houston, Col. Bowie and other clear-headed men, who knew its impracticability and inevitably disastrous results, were driven to give it a quasi-countenance, until reason should resume its throne. Matamoros was a considerable Mexican city on the Rio Grande, a short distance above the mouth of that stream at which there was a shallow and dangerous bar. The nearest American farms, or villages, were on the Guada- lupe three hundred miles distant. All between, for three hundred miles - not between a base of supplies and Mata- moros, but between the extreme frontier and Matamoros - was an unbroken desert incapable of furnishing sustenance to any. On the other hand, the Mexicans could easily assemble and maintain ten thousand soldiers, with unlimited supplies of artillery at Matamoros. Tributary to Matamoros and in easy communication over good roads, were the towns and in- tervening haciendas and ranchos of Reynosa, Mier, Comargo, Guerrero, San Fernando, Ceralvo, Linares, Jimenez, Victoria, Guajuco, Monterey and many other places teeming with pop- ulations subject to military duty. The idea of Texas taking and holding Matamoros as a base of aggressive or defensive warfare against Mexico, in view of these incontrovertible facts, was ridiculous, as was demonstrated ten years later when it cost the powerful government of the United States the battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma and the severe siege of Fort Brown and Matamoros to even take the place, and that too, when the material strength of Mexico had greatly declined.
In forming their judgment of men and measures connected with the inchoate struggle for Texian liberty, in the winter of 1835-6, posterity should understand these facts, and not be
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led astray by the declarations of ambitious men, whose dis- regard of the laws of common-sense came so near destroying the hope of liberty and free government in Texas. But for these puerile and disorganizing movements, and the failure of the leaders in these chimerical schemes, to place them- selves under the guiding spirit of the commander-in-chief, much bloodshed and disaster would have been spared the Texians.
" On the sixth of January," says Mr. Yoakum, " Gover- nor Smith ordered Gen. Sam Houston, the commander-in- chief, to repair to San Antonio, or such other point on the frontier as he might deem most eligible, and establish his head- quarters ; also to establish such subordination, and place the army in such situation as to commence active operations by the earliest day possible; and, in the meantime, to annoy and injure the enemy as much as circumstances would permit.
" In pursuance of this command, Gen. Houston, on the same day, issued an order directing all the troops on the frontier to hold themselves in readiness to march against the enemy at the earliest notice. At the same time the requisite supplies were ordered to Copano. (On Aransas Bay, the entrepot to Goliad. ) After appointing Lieut .- Col. Wm. B. Travis superintendent of the recruiting service and requesting the attendance of Col. Thomas J. Rusk, and John K. Allen, of Nacogdoches, and Alexander Horton, of San Augustine, at headquarters, he set out for the west on the 8th of January."
There can be no more lucid or reliable statement of succeed- ing events than the official report of Gen. Houston to Governor Smith, on his return from his trip to the west. It is as follows :
" WASHINGTON, January 30, 1836.
" To His Excellency, Henry Smith, Governor of Texas :
" SIR: I have the honor to report to you that in obedience to your order under date of the 6th instant, I left Washington
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on the 8th, and reached Goliad on the night of the 14th. On the morning of that day I met Capt. Dimmitt, on his return home with his command, who reported to me the fact, that his caballada of horses, the most of them private property, had been pressed by Dr. Grant, who styled himself acting commander-in-chief of the Federal army, and that he had under his command about two hundred men. Capt. Dimmitt had been relieved by Captain P. S. Wyatt, of the volunteers from Huntsville, Alabama. I was also informed by Major Robert C. Morris that breadstuff was wanted in camp, and he suggested his wish to move the volunteers further west. By express I had advised the stay of the troops at Goliad until I could reach that point.
" On my arrival at that post I found them destitute of many supplies necessary to their comfort on a campaign. An express reached me from Lieutenant-Colonel Neill, of Bexar, of an expected attack from the enemy in force. I im- mediately requested Colonel James Bowie to march with a detachment of volunteers to his relief. He met the request with his usual promptitude and manliness. This intelligence I forward to your Excellency for the action of the govern- ment. With a hope that supplies had or would immediately reach the port of Copano, I ordered the troops, through Major R. C. Morris, to proceed to Refugio Mission, where it was reported there would be an abundance of beef - leaving Capt. Wyatt and his command, for the present, in possession of Goliad, or until he could be relieved by a detachment of regulars under the command of Lieutenant Thornton, and some recruits that had been enlisted by Captain Ira Westover. On the arrival of the troops at Refugio, I ascertained that no breadstuffs could be obtained, nor was there any intelligence of supplies reaching Copano, agreeably to my expectations, and in accordance with my orders of the 30th of December and 6th of January, inst., directing the landing and concen- trating all the volunteers at Copano. I had already advised
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Colonel Almanzon Huston, the Quartermaster-General, to forward the supplies he might obtain at New Orleans to the same point. Not meeting the command of Major Ward, as I had hoped from the early advice I had sent him, by Major Geo. W. Poe, I determined to await his arrival and the com- mand of Captain Wyatt. With a view to be in a state of readiness to march to the scene of active operations the first moment that my force and the supplies necessary should reach me, I ordered Lieutenant Thornton, with his command (total twenty-nine ) to Goliad to relieve Captain Wyatt; at the same time ordering the latter to join the volunteers at Refugio. I found much difficulty in prevailing on the regulars to march until they had received either money or clothing ; and their situation was truly destitute. Had I not succeeded, the station at Goliad must have been left without any defense, and abandoned to the enemy, whatever impor- tance its occupation may be to the security of the frontier. Should Bexar remain a military post, Goliad must be main- tained, or the former will be cut off from all supplies arriving by sea at the port of Copano.
" On the evening of the 20th, F. W. Johnson, Esq., arrived at Refugio, and it was understood that he was empowered by the General Council of Texas to interfere in my command. On the 21st and previous to receiving notice of his arrival, I issued an order to organize the troops so soon as they might arrive at that place, agreeably to the ' ordinance for raising an auxiliary corps' to the army. A copy of the order I have the honor to inclose herewith. Mr. Johnson then called on me, previous to the circulation of the order, and showed me the resolutions of the General Council, dated 14th of Jan- uary, a copy of which I forward for the perusal of your Excellency.
" So soon as I was made acquainted with the nature of his mission, and the powers granted to J. W. Fannin, Jr., I could not remain mistaken as to the object of the council, or the
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wishes of the individuals. I had but one course left for me to pursue (the report of your being deposed had also reached me ), which was to return and report myself to you in person - inasmuch as the objects intended by your order were, by the extraordinary conduct of the council, rendered useless to the country ; and, by remaining with the army, the council would have had the pleasure of ascribing to me the evils which their own conduct and acts will, in all probability, produce. I consider the acts of the council calculated to protract the war for years to come; and the field which they have opened to insubordination and to agencies without limit (unknown to military usage) will cost the country more useless expenditure than the necessary expense of the whole war would have been, had they not transcended their proper duties. Without integ- rity of purpose, and well devised measures, our whole frontier must be exposed to the enemy. All the available resources of Texas are directed, through special as well as general agencies, against Matamoros ; and must in all probability, prove as unavailing to the interests as they will to the honor of Texas. The regulars at Goliad cannot long be detained at that station unless they should get supplies, and now all the resources of Texas are placed in the hands of agents un- known to the government in its formation, and existing by the mere will of the council; and will leave all other objects, necessary for the defense of the country, neglected for the want of means, until the meeting of the convention in March next.
" It was my wish, if it had been possible, to avoid for the present, the expression of any opinion, which might be sup- pressed in the present crisis. But since I reported to your Excellency, having the leisure to peruse all the documents of a controversial nature growing out of the relative duties of yourself and the general council to the people of Texas, a resolution of the council requiring of me an act of insubordi- nation and disobedience to your orders, demands of me that I
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should inquire into the nature of that authority which would stimulate me to an act of treason or at an attempt to subvert the government which I have sworn to support. The only constitution which Texas has is the organic law. Then any violation of that law, which would destroy the basis of gov- ernment, must be treason. Has treason been committed? If so, by whom and for what purpose? The history of the last few weeks will be the best answer that can be rendered.
" After the capitulation of Bexar, it was understood at headquarters that there was much discontent among the troops then at that point, and that it might be necessary to employ them in some active enterprise, or the force would dissolve. With this information was suggested the expediency of an attack on Matamoros. For the purpose of improving what- ever advantages might have been gained at Bexar, I applied to your Excellency for orders, which I obtained, directing the adoption of such measures as might be deemed best for the protection of the frontier and the reduction of Matamoros. This order was dated 17th of December, and on the same day I wrote to Colonel James Bowie, directing him, in the event that he could obtain a sufficient number of volunteers for the purpose, to make a descent on Matamoros; and, if his force would not justify that measure, he was directed to occupy the most advanced post, so as to check the enemy, and by all means to place himself in a position to command Copano. Col. Bowie did not receive the order. Having left Goliad for Bexar, he was not apprised of it until his arrival at San Felipe, about the 1st of January, inst. My reason for order- ing Col. Bowie on the service was his familiar acquaintance with the country, as well as the nature of the population through which he must pass, as also their resources ; and to this I freely add, there is no man on whose forecast, prudence and valor I place a higher estimate than Col. Bowie.
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