USA > Texas > History of Texas : from 1685 to 1892, volume 2 > Part 20
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Escaped from Perote, July 2d, 1843: Daniel Drake Henry (subsequently surgeon in the United States navy ) and Charles K. Reese- 2.
Killed at Mier: James Austin, R. P. Bassett, Joseph Berry, -Dickson, Wm. H. Hannon, A. Jackson, John E. Jones, Dr. Isaac W. Towers, Calvin White, and Wm. Hop- son-10.
Died of wounds received at Mier : Lynn Bobo, Hanks Kuy- kendall, Stanley Locherman, Wm. J. McIllrea, Alexander McKendall and James Urie - 6.
Killed at the hacienda of Salado : Dr. Richard F. Brenham, Archibald Fitzgerald, John Higgerson, Patrick Lyons, Lorenzo Rice - 5.
Massacred at Salado, March 25th: L. L. Cash, James D.
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Cocke, Robert Holman Dunham, Captain Wm. M. Eastland, Robert Esty (brother of Mrs. President Burnet), Robert Harris, Thomas L. Jones, Patrick Mahan, James M. Ogden, Charles Roberts, Wm. Rowen, J. L. Shepherd, J. W. N. Thompson, James N. Torrey, - Turnbull," Henry Whaling and Martin Carroll Wing - 17.
Murdered at Huehuetoca, April 25th: Captain Ewen Cam- eron - 1.
Perished in the mountains after the escape : Wm. H. Cady, A. J. Lewis, Wm. Mitchel, Perry Randolph and Sanford Rice- 5.
Lost in the mountains : George Anderson, F. Bray (German musician), Jonathan Morehead, John Calvert and James B. Neely, recaptured on the Rio Grande and sent to Mexico - 5.
Died in prison: Robert Beard, Wm. Beard, Samuel P. Bennett, John B. Blanton, W. B. C. Bryan, A. T. Burras, Thomas Colville, Robert M. Crawford, P. C. Grosjean (a French protege of James H. Lucas of St. Louis), Daniel A. Hallowell, Charles Hill, Allen Halderman, John Irvin, E. G. Kaughman, Wm. Martin, Benoni Middleton, Wm. Miller, first, Wm. Miller, second, Wm. Morris, Peter Rockfeller, - Mc- Dade, Samuel McLelland, John Owen, Elisha Porter, Carter Sargeant, Leonidas Saunders, John Shipman, Joseph Simons, Robert Smith, Patrick Usher, Wm. H. Van Horn, James S. White, Zacheus Wilson, O. R. Willis, J. P. Wyatt -35.
Released at different times: By request of General Waddy Thompson : George B. Crittenden, Wm. Reese, Dr. J. J. Sinnickson and Robert Waters -4. By request of John Quincy Adams and Mahlon Dickerson, of New Jersey : Israel . Canfield -1. By request of General Andrew Jackson : P. H. Lusk - 1. By request of the British Minister: Charles Clarke, Jerry Lehan, Adjutant Thomas A. Murray and Don- ald Smith -4. By Santa Anna himself: Jeffrey Hill, his sons Asa C. Hill and John C. C. Hill (already mentioned), and Orlando Phelps -4. Total, 14.
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Escaped from the city of Mexico: Robert M. Crawford, Patrick Dougherty, John Fitzgerald, D. H. Gatis, John Mor- gan, Wm. Thompson, ( Capt. ) Samuel H. Walker and James C. Wilson- 8.
LIST OF THE GUARD WHO ESCAPED FROM THE RIVER.
From Buster's company : - Hackstaff, Wm. Hensley, -- Hicks, Archibald C. Hyde, Major McQueen, Thomas Ran- som, Gabriel Smith, - Turner, - Van Harm, Dr. Watson and Warren Wilkerson - 11.
Of Cameron's company : John Canty, - Donnall, - Earnest, Wm. Ward and A. J. Yates - 5.
Of Eastland's company: George W. Alley, M. Ambrose, Theodore Bissell, Oliver Buckner, - Clark, W. S. Holton, Davis Hudson, Edward Marlow, and E. A. Vincent - 9.
Ryon's company: Edward Brown, J. Buckhanan, Wm. E. Dresser, Ralph Gilpin, Moses Kuykendall, Z. Lucas, one not remembered - 7.
Reese's company: Sidney Callender, F. Hancock, Virgil A. Phelps, George Walton, Thomas Warren, and Gilford West - 6.
Pierson's company : Thomas Oldam, - Owens, George Smith, and George W. Bonnell -4. Total, 42.
LIST OF OTHER PRISONERS.
Alfred Allee, Peter Ackerman, John R. Alexander, Alfred Mathew Alexander, W. A. Alexander, David Allen, George Anderson, Alexander Armstrong, James C. Armstrong, E. Arthur, James Barber, Daniel F. Barney, T. A. Barney, D. H. E. Beasley, Thomas W. Bell, Bate J. Berry, Samuel P. Bennett, Benjamin Boone, Ransom Boswell, B. F. Beauman, John Brennen, Henry Bridger, Gilbert R. Brush, James Burke, - Bush, Claudius Buster, Wm. T. Carter, T. J. Censeleau, George Wilson Clark, Charles Clark, Wm.
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A. Compton, Thomas Coville, Willis Copeland, Campbell Davis, Daniel Davis, Wm. Davis, Thomas Davis, W. K. Davis, - Dickson, Freeman W. Douglas, N. G. Downies, Wm. Dunbar, John Dusenbery, Leonidas D. T. Edwards, Wm. S. Fisher, Wm. H. Frensley, Fenton M. Gibson, Wm. Gibson, James A. Glasscock, Cyrus K. Gleason, Stephen M. Good- man, F. Grubs, - Hanna, Robert Harris, F. W. T. Harri- son, John Harvey, Wm. H. Hasmore, Abin D. Heddenburg, Charles Hensley, John Hoffer, Frank Hughes, J. J. Hum- phries, Zed Isam, Edward B. Jackson, Jack Johnson, Wiley Jones, Henry Journey, Wm. Keigler, Edward Kean, Richard Kean, R. B. King, John Lacey, A. J. Lewis, Wm. B. Lewis, George Lord, P. H. Lusk, Patrick Lyon, Samuel C. Lyon, T. B. Maltby, Alexander Mathews, P. M. Maxwell, Wm. B. Middleton, Wm. E. Millon, John Mills, Lawson Mills, William H. Moore, Wm. Moore, H. B. Morrell, Wm. Morris, Abram Mosier, Malcolm McCanley, J. B. Mc- Cutcheon, - McDade, Daniel McDonald, Samuel McFall, John McGinley, Charles Mclaughlin, - McMath, James McMicken, John McMullen, Samuel McLelland, James B. Neely, H. Neely, Thomas Nelson, Harvey H. Oats, Wm. Oldham, James T. Peacock, John G. W. Pierson, Robert M. Pilley, E. H. Pitts, Lorenzo Rice, Francis Riley, A. J. Roark, H. H. Roberts, Mark Rodgers, Wm. Runyan, Wm. M. Ryon, John Sansbury, Wm. Sargent, Wm. Y. Scott, W. Harvey Sellers, Dr. Wm. M. Shepherd, John Shipman, Donald Smith, Ezekiel Smith, Joseph Smith, Robert Smith," Thomas S. Smith, Wm. P. Stapp, Daniel C. Sullivan, John Sweizy, John Tan- ney, Thomas Tatum, Thomas A. Thompson, Wm. Thompson, Alfred S. Thurmond, John Toops, George W. Trahern, Robert W. Turner, Wilson Vandyke, D. H. Van Vechten, Wm. A. A. Wallace, Robert G. Waters, Joseph D. Watkins, Francis White, James C. Wilson, Wm. F. Wilson, - Wilson, Levi Williams, E. B. Wright, Wm. Wynne, James Young and Isaac Zumwalt.
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THE SAN ANTONIO COURT PRISONERS.
Of these, Richard Barclay, John Dalrymple, John Forester, John Twohig (3), escaped from Perote, July 22, 1843.
Judge Anderson Hutchinson, Wm. E. Jones and Samuel A. Maverick, released at the intercession of Gen. Waddy Thompson - 3.
Released at the intercession of General Andrew Jackson: John M. Bradley - 1.
Released by Santa Anna : Lawyer James W. Robinson and Samuel Norvell - 2.
Escaped: Andrew Neill, George Van Ness, George Hatch, - Morgan -- 4.
Finally released from Perote in 1844: Isaac Allen, D. J. Davis, Augustus Elley, John Young, D. C. Ogden, A. H. Alsbury, T. B. Beck, Edward Brown, James H. Brown, Wm. Bugg, Ludovick Colquhoun, Chauncey Johnson, Johnson Lehman, A. J. Leslie, A. H. Monell, J. C. Morgan, Francis McCay, Robert S. Neighbors, S. L. Nobles, John Perry, C. W. Peterson, M. L. B. Raper, George Schaffer, John Smith, John L. Truchart, J. G. A. Goss - 26.
Died in prison: Dr. Shields Booker, - Crews, John R. Cunningham, French Strother Gray, - Jackson, John Trap- nell, Trimble ( called " Tecolote ")-7.
THE DAWSON PRISONERS.
Died in prison : Norman B. Woods.
Released with the Mier and Court prisoners: Nathaniel W. Faison, Nathaniel Herbert, M. Harrell, Edward Manton, Joseph C. Robinson, Joseph Shaw, Samuel C. Stone, Thomas Hancock, Simeon Glenn.
The San Antonio, the Dawson and the Mier prisoners were finally imprisoned at Perote and discharged in a body, and hence a few of the names may be transposed.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Letter to Foreign Courts, October 15th, 1842 -- Negotiations with Mexico.
At this period many of the newspapers of the United States were bitter in their denunciations of the Texians, and foreign papers were copying their tone. To counteract this, in October, 1842, President Houston instructed George W. Terrell, Attor- ney-General and acting Secretary of State, to prepare a com- munication to the foreign powers, including the United States, calling their attention to the nature of the warfare waged by Mexicans -" a nation of herdsmen " subsisting on their flocks and herds, against the Texians, a strictly agricultural people, whose labors were constantly interrupted and the peace and safety of their families menaced by marauding and stealthy incursions across the border; not by an invading army of Mexican soldiery in honorable warfare with the purpose of reconquering Texas, but by vagabonds and convicts, with a few officers to give authority to their movements, holding a few isolated places for a short time and then retreating. Their warfare had been characterized by brutalities and massacres disgraceful in character and at variance with the settled usages of civilized nations; while on the part of Texas all the usual observances of honorable warfare had been strictly adhered to. Texas had now maintained her inde- pendence for seven years and despite this incubus and hostile tribes of Indians to combat, which tended greatly to dis- courage immigration, all her material interests were advancing. Referring to the obligations which civilized nations have acknowledged, to regulate in a measure the mode of warfare which shall govern countries at war, it was earnestly hoped that the powers addressed would require Mexico to engage
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Texas in an honorable war of subjugation, acknowledge her independence, or declare a cessation of hostilities.
This communication, bearing the impress of the ripe scholar, the enlightened statesman, and able advocate of those high principles of national honor recognized among Christian nations, was not without its early effect. It clearly portrayed the character of the struggles which Texas was making to maintain an honorable independence, her desire on the score of humanity to be at peace with Mexico, and her willingness, if need be, to meet Mexico and settle their differences by the arbitrament of the sword. Sir Robert Peel, on the part of Great Britain, and Minister Guizot of France, became interested and the predicate was laid for the temporary peace which Texas subsequently enjoyed.
Among the prisoners captured at San Antonio, September 8th, 1842, was ex-Judge James W. Robinson, who was Lieu- tenant-Governor under the provisional administration of Governor Henry Smith. He had suffered himself to be used by the few leaders of the faction in the council, who essayed to depose Governor Smith and place in his stead Robinson. Robinson, in his confinement at Perote, yearned for personal liberty. To this end he opened a clandestine correspondence with Santa Anna, which was followed by a personal interview at Mango de Clavo, offering his services as a mediator to bring about a reconciliation between Mexico and Texas, by which Texas, restored as a State to the Mexican Union, was to enjoy special privileges. He proposed an armistice to allow the people time to consider the propositions, and that with Mexi- can commissioners and with one or two of his friends - pris- oners - whose views coincided with his own, they might return to Texas and submit the proposals to his people. Santa Anna forwarded Robinson's plans to Tornel, Minister of War, through whom he received authority, from the Sub- stitute President of Mexico, to treat with Robinson so far as it could be done without hazarding the honor of the Mexican
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nation. His Excellency was not without the suspicion that it might be a plan for securing the liberty of Robinson and his friends, but that could do no harm and the plan might succeed.
Robinson was released by Santa Anna, and, armed with propositions to this effect from the latter, arrived in Texas in February, 1843. He reported to President Houston and his mission soon became known. Although this was the darkest period ( from 1836 to annexation) the propositions were received with universal opposition and, more than once, Robinson was threatened with personal indignities. While then taking steps through foreign mediation, to bring about amicable relations between Mexico and Texas as a republic, and while regarding the propositions as wholly inadmissible, Presi- dent Houston pursued that course which he deemed most practicable in furtherance of his own views in favor of the acknowledgment of Texian independence by Mexico. It was necessary that Santa Anna should be advised of the success of this scheme, and the President saw fit to require that the an- swer, though written by Robinson, should be dictated by himself, and to provide further against any clandestine corres- pondence which might result in further complications.
We may imagine the penance under which Mr. Robinson wrote the following communication to Santa Anna at Presi- dent Houston's dictation. Far from enlightening his Excel- lency as to the questions at issue, that functionary was left under grave apprehension that Texas would choose to make her terms known accompanied by an invading army of suffi- cient force to insure their acceptance. The letter bears date April 10th, 1843, and is as follows:
" When I arrived at Galveston, it was soon understood that I had important news from you to the people of Texas, and there was a great stir to see what it was. Knowing that it would meet your views, I published the substance of the propositions in the newspapers, accompanied by remarks
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of my own, recommending them to the favorable considera- tion of the people of Texas. When I did this, I thought it would have a great effect at once, but it did not produce as much excitement as I expected.
"From Galveston I proceeded to Houston and remained there some days, with the expectation that I would see some clear manifestation of the feelings of the people on the subject of the propositions. I have the honor to inclose to your Excel- lency the Houston Telegraph of the 5th of April, in which you will see among other items, the publication which I made over my own signature, and that I presented the propositions to the people in the most favorable light. I have also the honor of inclosing your Excellency a newspaper published at Washington (on the Brazos) by which you will perceive that I arrived there on the 6th instant, and laid your communica- tion before General Houston. The paper contains various items of interesting news, which I have marked for your Ex- cellency's attention.
" On my way to Washington ( on the Brazos ) from Houston I passed through the most thickly settled and wealthy portions of the Brazos. The news of my arrival had spread with great rapidity, and, of course, there was much anxiety among the people. The first question usually asked was, " Are all the prisoners released?" On answering in the negative they asked me if I thought they would be released. I expressed the belief that your Excellency would release them if you had not already done so. The next inquiry was whether I had not brought terms proposing peace. To which I said, "I think so." They then asked me if your Excellency had pro- claimed an armistice between Texas and Mexico. I told them you had not; but that I looked upon it as in effect so, until the wishes of the people could be known upon the subject of your propositions. I found the people much engaged in the cultivation of their farms, except those who are very anxious for an invasion of Mexico, and many who are in favor of an
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invasion are improving their farms and planting their crops so as to be ready for any action the government of this country might think it necessary for this country to take.
" When I laid your communication before General Houston, he read it, and asked me if I thought the translation correct. On my replying that I did he evinced no excitement, but observed that, since the commencement of the Revolution in 1835, the affairs of Texas and Mexico had become much more complicated than they had once been ; that, since then, Texas had been recognized by foreign powers as independent of all governments and had formed treaties; and, that for Texas to act independently of the consideration of those powers would, in his opinion, be treating them with disrespect. I endeavored to find out from him what course would be adopted, in refer- ence to your Excellency's proposition, but I could not ascer- tain what his purposes were, if he had any.
" I find that your Excellency and myself were mistaken when we suspected that Texas was torn to pieces by factions. It is not so. The price of produce in the country is low ; money is scarce in the country and there is some discontent ; but that discontent I am assured does not arise from the acts of the government. There are some factious men in Texas, and they have some papers at their command. Those papers, however, are supported by the contributions of the factions or party that wishes to annoy the Executive. They are not encouraged by popular sentiment, but are used to create one, if possible, against the government. It will be impossible for them to succeed. The whole number of men, of any prominence of character, engaged in this opposition, would not exceed some thirty or thirty-five in the Republic.
" I would most respectfully beg leave to submit to your Excellency, in gratitude for your kindness to me, a few sug- gestions, which your Excellency can take into your distin- guished consideration.
" The first is, that if your Excellency had thought proper to
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have released all the Texian prisoners and let them return to their homes, and declared an armistice of some months, until the people of Texas could have time to think of your propo- sitions, if the President had submitted them to their consider- ation and action, it would have had a good effect upon the people. They would then have been free from passion and excitement, but when almost every neighborhood has an acquaintance or friend a prisoner, the people cannot act on these subjects without much feeling; and there are many persons here ready to excite them in favor of a war beyond the Rio Grande.
" The last Congress passed a law favorable to what war spirit there is in Texas ; and the President has authority to accept the services of forty thousand volunteers, which he would be authorized to land at any point on the coast of Texas, entirely beyond its settlements, and on the borders of the Rio Grande.
" You will see from the papers, that General Rusk is raising a very large expedition to march across the Rio Grande ; but it is possible that it may be delayed awhile, although the preparations will go on.
" If I were to judge from what I have heard since my return, and what I knew before I was taken prisoner at Bexar, I would think that Houston would prefer peace, if it could be had on terms he thought perfectly honorable to Texas. He has always been opposed to an irregular warfare between the two countries ; but he has now succeeded in making peace with the Indians, and, as that will relieve the northwestern frontier of much embarrassment, it is possible he may unite all the influence he may have with those in favor of prosecuting the invasion of Mexico. If this should be the case, and Texas should apply all her energies to war, I think she would be easily able to raise from her own citizens an army of ten thousand men, besides volunteer immigrants, as they are called; and, that they would take care to land within one or two day's march of the Mexican frontier. I will not be so
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presumptuous as to advise your Excellency about anything ; but as things have changed since I communicated with your Excellency in relation to the affairs of Texas, I feel bound to inform you of such facts as result from my observation.
" If your Excellency should wish to send me any instruc- tions, or make any further communications, you can have them directed to the care of Major James H. Cocke, custom house, Galveston, who will forward them to me wherever I may be. I will endeavor so to manage as to get my dispatches to your Excellency through some safe channel. Your Excellency will be aware of the discretion with which I will have to act, from the character of the communications I have made in the papers."
The propositions from Santa Anna were suffered to repose among the archives without official recognition or action.
About this time, as a result of the diplomatic appeal of the President through Secretary George W . Terrell and the friendly offices of England and France, an armistice was entered into between Texas and Mexico on the 13th of June, 1843, sus- pending hostilities, to continue until either party should notify the other, through the representative of Great Britain to its government, of an intention to resume hostilities.
On the 26th of September, Messrs. Samuel M. Williams and George W. Hockley were appointed by President Houston as commissioners to meet similar representatives from Mexico and endeavor to effect a general armistice, to continue pend- ing negotiations for permanent peace and the final adjustment of all difficulties between the two countries - the armistice not to be violated until after six months' notice, through the British embassy. The commissioners were also to agree that Texas would appoint two commissioners to meet in the city of Mexico, with power to negotiate for the adjustment of " all existing difficulties and the establishment of a permanent peace."
The commissioners, Williams and Hockley, at Sabinas, in
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Tamaulipas, met the Mexican commissioners, Landeras and Jannequi, on the 26th of October, 1843, but it was not till the 18th of February, 1844, that the armistice was signed. It only recognized Texas as a " department of Mexico." That clause caused it to be rejected. President Houston caused it to be filed in the State department and took no further notice of it.
CHAPTER XXV.
OUR INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The thrilling Mission of Commissioner Joseph C. Eldridge to the wild tribes in 1843, by authority of President Houston - Hamilton P. Bee, Thomas Torrey - The three Delawares, Jim Shaw, John Connor and Jim Second Eye - The Treaty.
Preceded by a partial treaty in the winter of 1842-3, begun at the mouth of the Bosque and concluded on Tehuacano Creek, seven miles southeast of Waco, a first step was taken by President Houston looking to a general treaty with the wild tribes, and leading to the establishment of Torrey's trad- ing house on that stream, which exerted a salutary influence among the Indians.
General Sam Houston was then serving his second term as President of the Republic and the seat of government was temporarily at the town of Washington, on the Brazos. He had uniformly favored a peace policy towards the Indians, whenever it might become practicable to conclude a general treaty with the numerous wild and generally hostile tribes inhabiting all the western and northwestern territory of the Republic. On this policy the country was divided in opinion, and the question was often discussed with more or less bitter- ness. Nothing could be more natural, respecting a policy affecting so deeply the property and lives of the frontier people, who were so greatly exposed to the raids of the hos- tiles, and had little or no faith in their fidelity to treaty stipulations; while the President, realizing the sparsity of population and feebleness in resources of the government and the country, hoped to bring about a general cessation of hos- tilities, establish a line of demarkation between the whites
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and Indians, and by establishing along the same a line of trading houses, to promote friendly traffic, with occasional presents by the government, to control the wild men and preserve the lives of the people.
It was a policy in keeping with his high character as a wise and faithful guardian of the lives of the people. The lack of confidence by many in the fidelity of the tribes was no reason why the effort, so fraught with good, should not be made.
At this time Joseph C. Eldridge,1 a man of education, ex- perience, courage, and the highest order of integrity, was appointed by the President as commissioner of Indian affairs. About the same time a delegation from several of the smaller tribes visited the President, in order to have a talk. Among them were several Delawares, nearly civilized, and among them were persons who spoke not only our language, but all the tongues of the wild prairie tribes, some speaking one and some another tongue. It occurred to the president, after frequent interviews, that he could utilize these Delawares, or the three chief men among them, Jim Shaw, John Conner and
1 Joseph C. Eldridge was a native of Connecticut, and of an ancient and honorable family. Of him General Bee writes :
"He was an admirable character, brave, cool, determined in danger, faithful to public trusts and loving in his friendships. He did more than his duty on this trip. He served as paymaster in the United States navy from 1846, and died the senior officer in that corps in 1881, at his home in Brooklyn, New York. His stern sense of duty was displayed on our way out when, north of Red River, we met and camped all night with a company of men under Captain S. P. Ross returning from the ill-fated Snively expe- dition. They urged us to return home, as the Indians on the plains were all hostile - our trip would be fruitless, and the hazards were too great for such a handful. Only Eldridge's courage and high sense of duty caused him to reject the advice and proceed; but pending our trial in the Comanche council we all regretted not having yielded to the warnings of Captain Ross. Captain Eldridge died of softening of the brain. He had a son, Houston Eldridge, named for the President after their temporary unpleasantness, a most promising young officer of the navy, who died not long after his father. John C. Eldridge, a cousin of Joseph C., also figured honorably in Texas for a number of years, and their names were sometimes confounded.
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