USA > Texas > History of Texas : from 1685 to 1892, volume 2 > Part 10
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of the army. That gentleman became a Texian, but declined the honor of commanding the army.1
On the death of Austin, President Houston appointed James Pinkney Henderson Secretary of State; but he was subse- quently sent as Minister to Great Britain and France, to seek an acknowledgment of Texian independence and favorable treaties. Thereupon, Dr. Robert A. Irion of San Augustine became Secretary of State and served till the close of Hous- ton's administration in December, 1838. In this connection it may be stated that, during this two years' presidential term, the other cabinet offices were successively filled as fol- lows :
Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Smith.
Secretary of War, Thomas J. Rusk (only for a few weeks), William S. Fisher, Barnard E. Bee, George W. Poe, and George W. Hockley.
Secretary of the Navy, S. Rhoades Fisher and Dr. William M. Shepherd.
Attorney-General, James Pinkney Henderson, Peter W. Grayson, John Birdsall and Albert S. Thruston.
Postmaster-General, Robert Barr.
Comptroller, Elisha M. Pease and Francis R. Lubbock.
William H. Wharton, Memucan Hunt and Dr. Anson Jones were Ministers and Envoys to the United States, and W. F. Catlett, Secretary of Legation. James Pinkney Henderson was Minister to both Great Britain and France, and George S. McIntosh his Secretary of Legation.
1 General Hamilton had been a gallant soldier in the war of 1812-15, had been governor of South Carolina and United States Senator from that State. In the Senate of South Carolina, early in 1836, when George McDuffie, to the regret of his friends throughout the Union, had denounced the Texas revolu- tion in terms showing his ignorance of the issues involved, General Hamil- ton introduced counter resolutions and by one of the most eloquent speeches ever delivered in America, carried them almost unanimously. This won the hearts of all Texas. The distinguished services of General Hamilton to Texas will be recorded later on.
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William H. Wharton as Envoy Extraordinary reached Washington in December and presented his credentials. His labors greatly hastened the acknowledgment of Texian inde- pendence although, of course, he was not officially recognized by the United States government until that time.
The following letter was written by Santa Anna to Gen. Houston fifteen days prior to his departure from Texas:
" OROZIMBO, November 5, 1836.
"To His Excellency, Gen. Sam Houston :
" MY ESTEEMED SIR: Through the channel of your com- missioners, and by my conversation with you on the 2d instant, I have manifested to you the importance of my visit to Washington City to adopt the most effectual mode of ter- minating the Texian question ; and, as time is passing, without any definite action, when it is most precious, I am desirous that you, who are so deeply interested in the welfare of this country, should expedite the final determination of this ques- tion - using, if you should deem it advisable, the following reasons :
" When the treaty of the 14th of May was entered into, it was based upon the principle that Texas should form an independent nation, and should acquire a legal existence by means of the acknowledgment of Mexico. But, as that basis has been changed by the recent declaration of the people of Texas in favor of annexation to the United States of the north, it appears to me that, by this declaration, the question is much simplified; because, in future, it will appertain to the cabinet at Washington to regulate this matter, and with whom Mexico will not hesitate to enter into explanation, as a definite treaty is desired.
" The mode of effecting this important object, without loss of time, is what I hope to attain by my conference with the cabinet at Washington, at the same time conciliating all
M
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interests. Convinced as I am that Texas will never reunite with Mexico, I am desirous, on my part, to improve the advantage which may offer, and avoid the sacrifices which will occur should an imprudent attempt to reconquer this country, which has hitherto proved more detrimental than beneficial ; consequently reducing the Texas question to this single point - the regulation of the limits between the United States and Mexico, which, you are aware, has been pending many years, and may be fixed at the Nueces del Norte, or any other boundary, as may be decided on at Washington. Thus disagreeable discussions, which might delay the definite ter- mination of this question, or cause a difference between two friendly nations, will be avoided.
" This, in substance, is a plain, safe and speedy mode of terminating this important matter, and, as all are interested, it becomes necessary that you facilitate my journey to Washington with the least possible delay.
" In regard to the stipulation in the secret treaty, that my journey should be direct to Vera Cruz, there will be no surprise when the reasons why I first go to Washington City are known ; and should I be sent the latter route, I would like that Messrs. Hockley, Patton and Bee should accompany me. Should it meet your approbation, you can commission them for that purpose.
" I conclude by repeating to you what I have said, both verbally and in writing - that my name, already known to the world, shall not be tarnished by any unworthy action. Grat- itude is my characteristic ; so you will have nothing on your part to repent. To you I owe my existence, and many favors of which I am deeply impressed; and these I will endeavor to reciprocate as they so justly deserve.
" I have the honor to remain
" Your most obedient servant,
" ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA." .
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President Houston, nothwithstanding Congress, by a close vote, refused to advise that course, assumed the responsibility, on the 20th of November, of placing Santa Anna and Almonte in charge of Messrs. Barnard E. Bee, George W. Hockley and William H. Patton, to be escorted, in accord- ance with Santa Anna's desire, on a visit to President Jack- son, at Washington City. This was under the pledge of Santa Anna to seek the mediation of President Jackson and to do whatever he could to secure the independence of Texas and its annexation to the United States. His release, in any point of view, as matters then stood, was dictated by the soundest policy, the question of humanity or retribution for his crimes having already passed into history. His return to Mexico then, unlike it would have been had the soldiery not interfered on the 4th of June in forcing his detention, would find Mexico again torn into factions and the government in the hands of his enemies. Hence, if so inclined, he could do noth- ing to fulfill his promises. On the other hand any attempt he might make to recover his lost power and prestige, would still farther distract Mexico and prevent aggression towards Tex- as. He arrived in Washington on the 18th of December, and had several private conferences with President Jackson, with whom he had recently exchanged letters, and by whom he was received and treated with the courtesy due his former rank. But the government of Mexico as then constituted, through its minister at Washington, had, on the 20th of July, notified the government of the United States that Santa Anna no longer held power in that country, and it would be bound by no act of his.
Under such conditions his visit to Washington, in a political sense, amounted to nothing ; but it subserved the objects most dear to his heart, first to get out of Texas, and secondly to travel that route, however tortuous, along which there would be the least danger of some brother of one of his victims at Goliad speeding a bullet through his heart. On the 26th of
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December, 1836, after spending eight days in Washington, Santa Anna embarked on a ship of war, furnished by the president, for Vera Cruz. On arriving there he was greeted by no demonstrations of joy ; but rather the frowns of those from whom he naturally expected congratulations. Suppres- sing his indignation, he sullenly repaired to his home, the hacienda of Mango de Clavo, to nurse his wrath, concoct new plans and await an opportune moment to re-appear in the politican arena. He could not, however, be robbed of the sense of supreme satisfaction that attended his reflections up- on the fact that, despite his horrible crimes against humanity and the possession of his person for seven months, by the " barbarian hordes, land thieves, ungrateful colonists and pirates of Texas," he yet lived sound in body and limb.
On the 21st of December, during the stay of Santa Anna and after the arrival of Mr. Wharton in Washington, Presi- dent Jackson sent in a special message to Congress, in relation to Texas. Guarded by certain prudential conditions as pre- requisites, he was in favor of the recognition of Texian inde- pendence. The matter was discussed by that body, at intervals, till the close of the session on the 3d day of March, 1837, on which day, both houses having passed the same, that venerated soldier, statesman and patriot, closed his last presidential term and his public life, by signing a joint resolu- tion acknowledging Texas to be a free, sovereign and inde- pendent republic; whereupon Mr. Wharton was received as its duly accredited Envoy Extraordinary. The United States was the first government, in 1822, to acknowledge the inde- pendence of Mexico, and was now the first to acknowledge that of Texas.
CHAPTER XI.
Memucan Hunt, Minister to the United States, Minister Wharton re- signed -On the Gulf, he, the Schooner Independence, Capt. Wheel- wright and crew and schooner Julius Caesar, captured and imprisoned at Matamoros - His brother, seeking his release, also imprisoned - Both escape and reach Home - Texas withdraws her Application for Annexation - Naval Matters - Loss of the Invincible in a Fight off Galveston - Purchase of Naval Vessels by Samuel M. Williams - Indian murders.
In the meantime, President Houston, with the view of more effectively urging annexation, also commissioned Memucan Hunt to the government at Washington; but, before our recognition, Mr. Wharton had asked leave to resign and return home. This leave reached him a few days after that result was achieved and he left for Texas. He arrived in New Orleans on the 20th of March, and, after considerable delay, sailed for Texas in the schooner of war Independence, Captain George W. Wheelwright, with a crew of thirty-one men. About thirty miles off Velasco, on the 17th of April, the Independence was attacked by the Mexican brigs Libertador, carrying 16 eighteen-pounders and 140 men, and the Vincedor del Alamo, carrying six twelve and one eighteen-pounder and 100 men. After a severe fight of two hours, in which the Texians acted gallantly and Captain Wheelwright was severely wounded, the Independence was captured and carried into Brazos Santiago, whence the prisoners were carried into Matamoros and imprisoned. Learning of this, Colonel John A. Wharton with the President's permission, and with thirty Mexican prisoners and a flag of truce, sailed for Matamoros, to effect exchange for his brother and other captives ; but, on landing, was seized and imprisoned. After an imprisonment (123)
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of six days, he escaped and returned home, his brother having escaped a few days before.
To dispose of the question of annexation at that period it may be said that Mr. Hunt urged the matter in communications to Mr. John Forsyth, Secretary of State under President Van Buren, with much zeal; but the elements of opposition were too strong, especially from New England. A feeling in the north and east bitterly opposed to adding more slave territory to the Union, was responsible for the delay that attended the consummation of that measure.
The result was that late in 1838, Texas formally withdrew her application for annexation and resolved to work out her destiny as an independent nationality. At least one of her eminent men, Vice-President Lamar, rejoiced at the result and very distinctly gave his reasons on succeeding to the presi- dency soon afterwards (December 10, 1838). He believed the protective policy in vogue in the United States would impoverish the agricultural States, and build up dangerous and corrupting monopolies in the manufacturing States. The wisest and purest men and a majority of the American people at the end of half a century, seem now to entertain the same opinion.
On the 25th of April, 1837, all the Mexican prisoners at Liberty, after a captivity of one year and four days, were dis- charged from custody by President Houston with permission to return home; but many of them preferred remaining among the Americans in Texas and did so. President Hous- ton sent six by water to Matamoros, hoping thereby more cer- tainly to secure the liberation of Minister Wharton, Captain Wheelwright and the crew of the Independence.
The archives and officers of the government were removed to Houston, where a spacious capitol building had been erected by the proprietors of the new town, the brothers A. C. and John K. Allen, and on the first day of May, 1837, the first
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Congress assembled there in adjourned session and SO remained till the 13th of June, when it adjourned sine die.
On the 21st of June ex-Governor Henry Smith, Secretary of the Treasury, tendered his resignation. Among other causes that impelled him to this action was that he felt that Congress, in its two sessions and contrary to his recommenda- tions, had failed to grapple wisely with the financial question, and had fallen into a policy of issuing treasury notes without imposing proper safeguards and hence he feared that the country would be flooded with depreciated paper, than which no greater financial evil can occur. In his letter of resigna- tion he said to the President:
" I am satisfied that my services in the department, to which you have had the goodness to call me, cannot, under existing circumstances, be productive of any good to the public."
After referring to his public services for years past, to the neglect of his private affairs, he said:
" In asking permission to retire from your cabinet, I assure you that I am influenced by no other motive than a sense of duty to myself and growing family, whose prospects in life depend entirely upon my own individual exertions."
To this request President Houston replied, among other things, saying :
" That you should retire at this time would, in my hum- ble opinion, be inauspicious to the interests of the country. Your steadfastness and integrity of character are calculated to inspire confidence in the community, and this is necessary to the success of our cause. Without national prosperity there can be no hope of individual happiness.
" That you have paternal ties which must operate power- fully, I have no doubt, and that your life and attention to business (since I had first the pleasure of your acquaintance ) have been most patriotically devoted to the public service and
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interest, none can doubt. Then, if you and those in whom the people have confidence should resign, a want of confidence, if not despair, would seize upon the public mind, and anarchy would be the consequence.
" That you had much to dishearten you in the course pur- sued by the last Congress, I am satisfied most fully, but let us look out for better days and cherish the hope that the next Congress will adopt such measures as will save the country and redeem us from embarrassment."
This appeal to the patriotism of Governor Smith deter- mined his course. He continued at his post, and was the only member of the cabinet who served from the beginning to the end of the term.
On his retirement, at the expiration of his term, Decem- ber 10, 1838, the House of Representatives passed the follow- ing resolution :
" Resolved, That the thanks of this house be voted to the Honorable Henry Smith, late Secretary of the Treasury, for his able and statesman-like report furnished this house, in accordance with its resolution; and also for the ability and integrity with which he has managed the finances of the country and presided over the treasury department during his connection with it."
This was the third Congress ( convened November 5, 1838), sitting during the period covered by Houston's administration and the beginning of Lamar's administration.
At the same time and by the same force that captured the Independence, with Minister Wharton on board, the Texian schooner Julius Cæsar, with a cargo worth thirty thousand dollars, was captured and carried into Brazos Santiago.
The Mexican government proclaimed a blockade against the ports of Texas, and in attempting to enforce it, interfered with vessels of the United States. The Mexican war brig Urrea captured several American vessels and was herself captured and taken into Pensacola as a pirate, by the Ameri-
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can sloop of war Natchez; but, after some delay, she was released and resumed her place in the Mexican navy.
In May the Texian navy made a cruise to the mouth of the Mississippi, in the vicinity of which they hovered for a week without encountering Mexican vessels, and then sailed down the coast of that country. Near the small island of Muger ( woman ) they captured several small prizes ; and next ap- peared in front of the insignificant village of Sisal, in Yuca- tan, which they ineffectually bombarded, that place being shielded by shoal water so far in its front as to bid defiance to ordinary guns on ship board. They made, however, repeated landings on the coast and burned eight or nine vil- lages. The only places on the immediate coast, above the rank of villages, were Vera Cruz, El Carmen and Campeche, which they avoided. After this the Invincible, Captain Thompson, captured the Mexican schooner Arispe, of eighty tons, and the Brutus captured the schooner Telegraph. Both prizes were sent into Galveston. The Invincible, off the Al- licrane Islands, also captured and sent into Galveston the brig Eliza Russell, of 180 tons; but she belonged to British sub- jects, carried nothing contraband of war, and was released with proper explanations, and payment of damages.
The Invincible and the Brutus, Captain J. D. Boyland, arrived off Galveston on the 25th of August, having in tow an armed Mexican schooner which they had captured near the banks of Campeche. The Brutus and the prize entered the harbor the same afternoon, but the Invincible failed to get in. On the next morning she was attacked by two Mexican brigs of war. The Brutus in going out to her relief, ran aground and this left the Invincible to contend alone with two larger vessels. She made a gallant fight till late in the day and then attempted to cross the bar into port, but struck on the breakers near the southeast channel and, during the night, became a wreck. Her indomitable crew, however, effected a safe landing in the small boats. Their escape was hailed
1
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with a joy as deep as was the lamentations at the loss of the Invincible, a favorite craft with the people.
On the 4th of November, 1837, an act of Congress was passed for increasing the naval force of the republic. To carry it into effect, President Houston appointed Mr. Samuel M. Williams 1 to contract for the number and character of vessels required. On the 13th of November, 1838, he con- tracted with Frederic Dawson, of Baltimore, for one ship, two brigs and three schooners, to be fully armed, furnished with munitions and provisions and delivered in Galveston.
In accordance with this contract deliveries of vessels were made in this order: on the 27th of June, 1839, the schooner San Jacinto ; on the 7th of August the schooner San Antonio ; on the 31st of August the schooner San Barnard ; and on the 18th of October, the brig Colorado. The contract still called for a corvette and a brig. General James Hamilton also pur- chased for the navy the steamship of war Zavala. These vessels, including the Charleston, then undergoing repairs, in addition to the receiving brig Potomac, then constituted the Texian navy, of which, in a report, the Secretary of the Navy expressed the opinion that very soon after receiving orders for captures and reprisals, it would be a source of revenue to the government and re-imburse the Republic for the amount expended in its purchase.
1 Mr. Williams was a well-known and useful man in Texas. He was a Baltimorean and settled in the colony in 1822. He understood the Spanish language and was valuable as a translator. From 1824 to the revolution in 1835, he was secretary of Austin's colony, and it is conceded that Austin owed much of his success to the ability and peculiar qualifications of Mr. Will- iams. He lost his popularity, however, when in 1834-5, under the notor- ious land law of 1834, he purchased one hundred of the four hundred league schemes. In defense he published a long explanatory address to the people which somewhat mollified the public displeasure. As one of the firm of Mckinney and Williams, in aiding the revolution, he regained public confi- dence. In 1839 he represented Galveston in Congress. As a merchant and banker in that city and in other capacities he maintained an honorable posi- tion till his death in 1858.
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The Indians were very troublesome and threatening late in 1836 and through 1837. President Burnet had placed Captain Robert M. Coleman in charge of a small ranging force in three or four detachments at different points ; one on the Trinity, one at the Falls of the Brazos and one at the three forks of Little River, and one near the mouth of Walnut Creek, on the Colorado. President Houston, presumably in consequence of an abusive and vituperative pamphlet published against him in regard to the San Jacinto campaign by Coleman,1 removed the latter and placed Captain Smith in command. These de- tachments had numerous encounters with the Indians. With 14 men and boys on the 7th of January, 1837, eight miles west of Cameron, Milam County, Lieutenant George B. Erath fought a hundred Indians in the Elm Creek bottom, killing about fifteen and losing two men, David Clark and Frank Childers. Lieutenant Wrenn fought and defeated a party near where the city of Austin stands, capturing all their horses and losing one man. Captain Wm. M. Eastland made a campaign to the head of the Leon and return down the Colorado. Twenty-two of his men, however, under Lieutenant Van Benthuysen, continued across the country and, in Wise County, had a bloody fight, in which Lieutenant Miles and eight men were killed and several wounded. Those who sur- vived escaped on foot and, after much suffering, halting for two or three days where the city of Dallas now stands, reached
1 Captain Robert M. Coleman was a gallant soldier, but an impetuous man, governed too much by passion. His tirade against General Houston, after having served on his staff at San Jacinto, was as unseemly as unjust. He was drowned in 1837, while bathing at the mouth of the Brazos. His death was a great loss to the frontier, for despite his faults, he was a most valuable man, and none realized it more than General Houston. The death of his widow, an excellent lady, and his heroic son Albert (a boy of four- teen), and the captivity of a son of five years by Indians early in 1839, clothes his memory and that of his family with a melancholy interest. That this allusion is void of prejudice or unkindness is evidenced by the fact that he who pens this note, more than twenty years after his death, named the county of Coleman in his honor.
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the settlements below. Lyons, Nunley, Smothers and Stiffler were killed at different times in Lavaca County. Warren, a son of Mr. Lyons, who lived in the southwest corner of Fayette County, was carried into captivity and remained among the Indians ten years. On Cumming's Creek in Fayette County, John G. Robison, then a member of the first Congress, and his brother (on a visit from the United States) were killed. A Mr. Davis was killed sixteen miles east of Gonzales.
On the Trinity, west of Palestine, David Faulkenberry, his son Evan, and Columbus Anderson, were killed, and in sev- eral localities in east Texas massacres by savages occurred.
CHAPTER XII.
The second Congress and its members - More of the Army - Felix Hous- ton and Albert Sidney Johnston fight a Duel - Murder of Henry Teal and execution of the Murderer - Opening of the Land Office, with John P. Borden as Commissioner - The Origin of the term " Cow Boy."
The election for the second House of Representatives, in- cluding one third of the senators, whose predecessors had drawn the short term of one year, took place on the first Monday in September, 1837.
President Houston called them together in special session on the 26th of September.
In the House of Representatives twenty-three new members appeared, only seven of the former members having been re- elected.
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