History of Texas, together with a biographical history of the cities of Houston and Galveston; containing a concise history of the state, with protraits and biographies of prominent citizens of the above named cities, and personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families, Part 11

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing co., 1895
Number of Pages: 1532

USA > Texas > Harris County > Houston > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of the cities of Houston and Galveston; containing a concise history of the state, with protraits and biographies of prominent citizens of the above named cities, and personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 11
USA > Texas > Galveston County > Galveston > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of the cities of Houston and Galveston; containing a concise history of the state, with protraits and biographies of prominent citizens of the above named cities, and personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 11

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What were left of the Texan prisoners, 107 in number, were finally liberatel by Santa Anna, September 16, 1844, in commemora- tion of Mexico's national day.

In 1842, another unsuccessful expedition was made by 180 Texans, under Colonel Jacob Snively, and authorized by the presi- dent, against a Mexican caravan crossing territory far to the north claimed by Texas.

During the year 1843, and the most part of 1844, Texas enjoyed an armistice frou Mexican hostilities, pending consultation with the great powers, concerning a final settle- ment of difficulties, and the s'avery question, to a slight degre .: , entered into the contro versy. England was willing to mediate alone,

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

rather than with the aid of the United States and France, and her motives were supposed to be selfish.

TEXAS ANNEXED TO THE UNITED STATES.

The Texas presidential election of Septem- ber, 1844, resulted in a victory for the anti- annexationists, being a choice of Anson Joues for president, who was known to be opposed to annexation. Kenneth L. Anderson was chosen vice-president. Edward Burleson was the defeated candidate for the presidency. Houston, in his farewell message, gave a very cheerful view of political affairs. But, being yet weak, Texas was in fact only a shuttle- cock for the stronger powers. Honstou, by his pacific policy, had brought the Indians to terms of peace, and by his economical ad- ministration had improved the financial con- dition of the republic, while in agricultural and commercial respects Texas began to thrive. In his inaugural address President Jones said that his policy would be the main- tenance of the public credit; the rednetion of the expenses of government; the abolishment of paper issues; the revision of the tariff law; the establishment of public schools; the speedy attainment of peace with Mexico, and just und friendly relations with the Indians; the introduction of the penitentiary system; and the encouragement of internal improve- ment. Not a word did he say with reference to annexation.

But annexation loomed up so rapidly that Jones' administration was destined to be short. February 28, 1845, only three months after his inauguration, the United States Congress passed a joint resolution in favor of incorporating Texas into the Union. May 5th, President Joue - proclaimed an election of delegates to a convention to consider the adop-

tion of the proposition of the United States, and, meeting at Austin, July 4, they recom- mended anuexatiou, and submitted to a pop- ular vote the proposition of the United States Congress, along with a proposed State con- stitation, which, ou October 13, were ratified by a vote almost unanimons! February 19, 1846, President Jones surrendered the ex- eeutive authority to the newly elected Gov- ernor, J. Pinckney Henderson, who was in- angurated February 16, 1846. Thus the lone star of Texas became oue of a glorious con- stellation.

TO ARMS.

Of course, this act of annexation meant war with Mexico on a larger scale than ever. In Texas, at this time, there were. probably about 75,000 inhabitants, abont 4,000 of whom were Mexicans. The nationality of the new State was very composite. As to the criminal element, there was no more of that than in any frontier settlements, which gen- erally have a class of ruffians that disappear on the approach of more settled civilization.

When the resolution of Congress in favor of annexation was published, March 7, 1845, General Almonte, the Mexican minister at Washington, demanded his passports. War with Mexico, indeed, the Government had been preparing for, and General Zachary Taylor was ordered to move from the Sabine with a strong force to Corpus Christi, at the mouth of the Nueces, at the end of June, 1845. In the meantime the Mexicans, too, liad been preparing for the contest, establish- ing their first base at Matamoras. We have not space liere to give a full account of the " Mexican war," bnt let ns be content with a tabular view of the principal battles, etc., which, in general, is more satisfactory for reference than an extended account:

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

At the battle on tho Rio Grande, above Matamoras, April 26, 1846, Captain Thorn- ton, with sixty-three men, was captured by General Ampudia, after a loss of sixteen lives.

Palo Alto, May 8, General Taylor and Major Ringgold, with 2,300 men, were en- gaged with Arista, who had about 6,000. American loss, 4 killed and 40 wounded; Mexican, 100 killed and wounded.

Resaca de la Palma, May 9, General Taylor and Captain May, with 2,000, were engaged with General La Vega, who had about 5,000. American loss, 120 killed and wonaded; Mexican, 500 killed and wounded.

Monterey, September 21 to 24, Generals Worth, Quitman and Taylor, with a force of 6,600, opposed General Ampudia, with 10,000. American loss, 120 killed and 368 wounded; Mexican, the city of Monterey itself.

Bracito, east of the Rio Grande, December 25, Doniphan, with 500 men, was engaged with Ponce de Leon, who had 1,200.

Buena Vista, February 23, 1847, General Taylor, with 4,750 men, was engaged witlı General Santa Anna, who had 17,000. Tay- lor's loss, 746 killed, wounded and missing; Mexican, 1,500 killed and wounded.

Sacramento, Doniphan, with 900 men, seenred the surrender of Chihuahua, defended by Trias with 4,000 men.

Vera Cruz, March 12 to 27, General Win- field Scott and Commodore Connor, with 12,000 men, engaged with General Morales, who had 6,000, and secured the surrender of the city, withi only a loss of 19 killed and wounded.

Cerro Gordo, April 18, Generals Scott and Twiggs, with 8,500, were engaged with Santa Anna, who had 15,000. American loss, 500 killed and wounded; Mexican, 3,000 prisoners and 43 guns.

Contreras, August 20, General Scott, with 4,000 men, engaged by Valencia, with 7,000. American loss, light; Mexican, the batteries.

Churubusco, Angust 20, General Scott, with 8,000 men, against Santa Anna with 25,000; 700 killed and wounded on oach side.

Molino del Rey, September 8, General . Worth, with 7,500, against Alvarez with 14,000. American loss, 787 killed and wounded; Mexican, 230 killed and wounded.

Chapultepec, September 13, General Scott, with 7,200, against Santa Anna and Bravo, with 25,000. American loss, 863 killed and wounded; Mexican, citadel and outworks.

Mexico city, September 14, General Scott, witli 6,000 men, against Santa Anna. Mex- ican loss, the city.

Huamantha, October 9, General Lane, with 500 men, against Santa Anna, with 1,000. American loss, 34 killed and wounded; Mex- ican, not known.

In this general war the Texans took the following part: The Texas legislature ap- pointed Governor Henderson to take com- mand of the Texans who might be minstered into the service of the United States. On May 2, 1846, a requisition for two regiments of infantry and two of cavalry was made on Texas. Henderson reached the army of Gen- cral Taylor at Comargo, after the war had begun. The limited means of transportation, and uncertainty with regard to supplies, induced Taylor, while on his march against Monterey, to leave a large number of volnn- teers on garrison duty in towns on the Rio Grande, and only the first and second regi- ments of the Texan division accompanied the main army on that memorable campaign. In the attack upon Monterey, the first regi- ment of mounted volunteers under Colonel Jolm C. Hays, familiarly known as "Jack "

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

Hays, the celebrated ranger, was detached and sent with General Worth to make a demonstration on the western side of the town, while Taylor assaulted the east side. The city, which was strongly fortified and garrisoned, was assailed by Taylor September 21, and the attack lasted three days, on the last of which Henderson led in person the second regiment of Texans, who, dismount- ing, acted as infantry. Being ent off from his command by a murderons fire, he narrow- ly escaped death.

In the meantime Worth, making a detour, had gained the other side of the town. On the 21st he engaged a body of Mexicans 1,500 strong; and it was mainly owing to the strategy of Hays and the deadly fire of the Texan rangers, who were in advance, that a furions cavalry charge was repulsed and a victory gained.

To the west of Monterey were two fortified heights, one on each side of the river, known by the names of La Federacion and Cerro del Obispado, and commanding the approach to the place. On the afternoon of the 21st a force of 300 men, half of them Texans, stormed and occupied La Federacion on the south side, and before daylight on the follow- ing morning 200 Texans, led by flays and Walker, with three companies of the artillery battalion and three companies of the Eighth Infantry, sealed in two columns, under cover of a mist, the almost perpendicular height of El Obispado, and nearly reached the summit before the alarm was given. Then a volley was poured down upon them; but the work was soon taken, and as fresh troops ar- rived in support, the strong fort of El Obis- pado was assaulted and taken. The Texans, however, had to mourn the death of Captain Gillispie.

Thus the investment of the city on the west side was complete; and during the next two days the Americans so successfully pushed their way into the city that on the 24th Am- podia capitulated. The Texans bore a promi- next part in the above engagement.

Indeed, all through the war the Texans characteristically exhibited their valor, main taining the extraordinarily high reputation they had gained in former years. Hays' regiment, for example, of which the rangere formed the neleus, was transferred to Scott's command, after serving in Taylor's campaign on the Rio Grande, and the efficiency of these men was marked wherever the army went. Serving equally well on foot or on horseback, they would storm a beight or charge the enemy's cavalry with the same indifference, intrepidity and success. On the road they were the terror of the guerrilla bands, and in the town they were objects of dread to antag- onists and of awe to non-combatants. As Bancroft says, " their unconth, wild, and fierce appearance, their strange garb and their reputation for contempt of every form of danger, gained for them in Mexico the belief that they were more than hminan, -that they were beings intermediate between man and devil! In the city of Mexico, some of these brave, single-hearted and patriotie men fell beneath the knives of assassins, and the re- mains of many others lie buried in Mexican soil all the way from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico."

Mexico was forced to the terms dictated by the United States, and in the treaty of peace, signed at Guadalupe Hidalgo, Febru- ary 22, 1848, not only Texas was given up, but also what is now New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and California were ceded to the United States.

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

EVENTS AFTER THE WAR.

While Governor Henderson was absent in command of the Texan volunteers, his place was filled by Lientenant-Governor Horton. December 21, 1847, George T. Wood was inangurated as the second governor of the Stato, and John A. Greer as lieutenant- governor.

During Wood's administration a dispute arose which miade many a Texan sorry he voted for annexation. When war was de- clared between the United States and Mexico, General S. W. Kearny took possession of Santa Fé in the name of the latter govern- ment; and when, by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, New Mexico was ceded to the United States, Colonel Munroe was placed in command there. In 1848 the Texan legisla- tnre sent a judge (Beard) to hold court there, still maintaining that that part of the coun- try was a portion of Texas, as at first de- cided by them. Colonel Munroe, however, ignored the Texan judge, and ordered the election of a Territorial delegate to the gov- ernment at Washington. The controversy grew violent, and Governor Wood threatened force. The Washington goverment an- nounced that it would resist it. The matter entered into national politics as a new side issue between the North and the Sonth, the latter sympathizing with the claims of Texas. This matter was at length "settled" by ab- sorption into another question, namely, that of the public debt of Texas, soon to be men- tioned.

The election of 1849 resulted in the choice of I'. Hansborough Bell for governor, while John A. Greer was re-elected lientenant- governor. For the next presidential term Governor Bell was re-elected. During his administration two absorbing questions were

settled,-the boundary line and the public debt. The particulars in regard to these delicate and complicated matters are thus carefully worded in H. H. Bancroft's His- tory :

"On the incorporation of Texas into the Union, the United States Government, of course, acquired the revenue derived from the customs. These receipts, however, had been pledged by the late Republic as security for the payment of a certain portion of her debt; and when they were passed over to the Federal Government the bondholders elamor- onsly maintained that the United States had become responsible for the liabilities of Texas, and pressed for a speedy settlement. That portion of the debt, however, for which the revenue from customs was specially pledged, amounted to only $868,000 ostensible value, or $611,784.50 par value. This matter, as well as the boundary question, was discussed at great length in both houses, and January 29, 1850, Ilenry Clay introduced, among other 'compromise resolutions,' one designed to solve the perplexing questions of dispute with Texas.

" Meantime the excitement with regard to the question of ownership of that part of New Mexico lying east of the Rio Grande, increased both in Texas and the United States. To show her serious determination not to yield hier claim, a joint resolution was passed, February 11, 1850, by the legislature of the new State, asserting not only her right to the disputed ground, but declaring her in- tention to maintain the integrity of her ter- ritory. The several resolutions of Clay's bill. were slowly discussed, and August 5, 1850, James A. Pearce, senator from Maryland, in- troduced a bill making definite propositions to the State of Texas relative to her bound- ary and the payment of her public debt.

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

They were to this effect: Texas was to agree that her boundary on the north should com- inence at the point at which the meridian of 100° west from Greenwich is intersected by the parallel of 36° 30' north latitude, and should run from that point dne west to the meridian of 103º west from . Greenwich; thence the boundary line should run due south to the 32° of north latitude, thence on said parallel to the Rio Grande, and thenee with the channel of that river to the gulf of Mexico. Texas was to cede to the United States all her claim to territory ontside of these limits, and to relinquish all claim on the United States for liability for her debts, or compensation for the surrender of her ships, forts, customhouses, customhouse reve- nue, publie buildings, etc. The United States, in consideration of the establisInnent of said boundary and relinquishment of claims, would pay to Texas $10,000,000, in stock bearing five per cent. and redeemable at the end of fourteen years. No more than $5,000,000 of said stock was to be issued until the creditors of the State of Texas had filed at the treas- ury of the United States releases of all claims against the United States on account of Texan bonds.

"This bill passed the senate Angnst 7, by a vote of 30 yeas and 20 nays, and on Sep- tembor 4 following passed the houso by a vote of 108 against 97. A copy of the bill, called the Boundary Act, was forwarded to Governor Bell, who forthwith called an extra session of the legislature. In his message Bell advised the occupancy of Santa Fe with a military force, suggesting, however, that the vacant lands of that district might be sold to the United States provided that Texas re- tained jurisdiction over it. Apart from the unwillingness to yield territory on a general principle, there was one feature in the bill

especially repulsive to the Texans, and that was the retaining of half of the $10,000,000 in the United States treasury until the cred- itors of Texas were paid. This self-protective condition imposed by the United States was regarded as a reflection on Texas, since it seemed to insinuate that she would not be disposed to meet her liabilities promptly if she obtained possession of the whole amount. Then again, agreement to the propositions was required to be given on or before De- cember 1, 1850,-a proviso which, taken with the general tone of the document and the unconditional assent expected, was re- garded as a symptom of domination to which a sovereign ought not to be subject. The question having been discussed with much warmth and at great length, the propositions of the United States were finally accepted, November 25, 1850, and a law passed to that effect. By this act Texas waived her fictitious claim to abont 98,380 square miles of the territory of New Mexico;" and thus it seems that all the important questions were settled regarding the evolution of Texas from an unprogressive province of Mexico to a com- plete membership in the American Union, with every prospect of prosperity and peace.

"This matter having been settled, " con- tinues Bancroft, "the $5,000,000 was paid into the State treasury in February, 1852. The amount of the indebtedness of the late republic had been determined previously by the State. According to the report of the anditor and comptroller, dated November 12, 1851, the ostensible indebtedness of Texas was $12,436,991, including interest; but the State, in view of the low price at which a large portion of the bonde issued by the re- publican government had been sold, did not consider itself bonnd to pay their full face value, and in January, 1852, the legislature

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

reduced the amount of her apparent obliga- tions ($12,436,991) to nearly half ($6.827,278), over the president's veto, by a strong vote."

As soon as Texas was annexe I to the United States, immigration began to increase, and in- crease more and more rapidly after peace was established. The only drawback to uninter- rupted prosperity was Indian depredations. Though the main body of each border tribe professed friendship, the outlying settlements suffered considerable damage, especially on the Western frontier. These depredations for the most part were committed by the Comanches, who generally did their mischief on return- ing from raids into Mexico. On several oc- casions white men were killed and captives taken. Also the Choetaws, Chickasaws and Kickapoos made raids from the north. In the spring of 1854 a band of Kiekapoos killed the special agent, Stein, and a Mr. Lepper- man from Ohio, near Fort Belknap. The affair was reported to the Government at Washington, and aid invoked.

INDIAN COLONIZATION, ETC.

The Indians were the more incited to pred- atory raids on aceonnt of the diminution of wild game on the approach of the white raee, and they were in danger of being reduced to destitution, since their manner of living made them dependent upon flesh food; and they were unwilling to adopt the white man's method of raising domestic animals for a sub- sistence.

As a remedy for the evil, a system of col- onization was applied, bnt this system, too, was quite unwelcome, being more a white man's method of managing affairs than the Indians'. Means were to be provide I by the United States Government to aid and instruct Indian settlers in the enltivation of land. In

carrying out this policy two Indian colonies were established in Texas in the spring of 1855, on reservations granted by the State in Young county, one of which, consisting of eight leagues of land, was located on the Brazos river, below the junction of Cler" Fork, and fifteen miles from Fort Belknap This reservation was called the Brazos agency. The other, comprising four leagnes, was sit- uated on Clear fork about forty-five miles above its confluence with the main river. In the first colony were placed Anadarcoes, Cad- does, Talwacorroes, Wacoes and Tonkawas, numbering in all 794 souls. At the other reservation were 277 northern Comanches.

At first the reports of the agents at these points hield ont every prospect of success. The Indians of the Brazos settlement, in good bohavior, morality and industry, surpassed the most sanguine expectations. They vol- untarily abstained from the use of ardent spirits. By the end of August, public bild- ings had been erected,-store rooms, houses for agents and employees, and a blacksmith's shop. Two farmers, with assistant laborers, were employed to instruct the Indians, and 295 acres of land had been plowed and planted with corn. At the other reservation the Comanches were too late in arriving for corn- planting, but from the disposition evinced by them the agents looked forward to the suc- cess of the settlement. Within three years these settlements attained a high degree of prosperity. The Brazos Indians, however, on account of their always having had more familiar and friendly intercourse with the whites, were more apt in the new arts, and their settlement accordingly made more rapid progress in the arts of civilization. They erected comfortable dwellings, had school houses, and were accumulating a goodly num- ber of live stock by honest methods. Besides,

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

they helpel in the protection of the white frontier, as they furnished from fifty to a hundred warriors for ranging service. For example, in the spring of 1858, a band of these went ont with the Texan rangers on au expedition against the Comanches, and fought gallantly.

But alas! this tender bud of civilization was nipped by white people! The ronglier ones, inconsiderate and over-zealous, continned to encroach upon them, until they were driven entirely away. In 1858 the number of these natives this reclaimed from barbarie life was 1,483; and among this unmber, es- pecially of the Comanches, some were ad- dieted to horse-stealing, and sometimes would participate with the wilder tribes in general predatory incursions. Some white men even assisted them in these nefarious trans- xetions. The crimes of the few had to be visited on all, such is the inconsid- erateness and haste of human nature generally. In the counties adjoining the reservations many of the whites were so ha-ty as to believe that all, or nearly all, the depredations in their neighborhood were com- mitted by the Indians at these reservations, and they accordingly determined to get rid of them some way. In 1858 several parties of these innocent Indians went hunting out- sido of their reservations, ns they Ind often been permitted to do by the agents on former occasions, and a number of roughs among the whites determined on a cruel massaere. In a bend of the Brazos, just above the month of Keochi creek, a party of In- dians,-men, women and children,-en- eampod, for several weeks, peaceably engaged in hunting. On December 21, between forty and fifty men, mostly of Erath county, as- sembled in conclave on Bosque river to con- sult upon a general extermination policy.

They appointed a committee to organize a company, the command of which was given to Peter Garland. Then the order was given to kill any Indians found south of Cedar creek. The company proceeded to the Indian enmp on the Brazos, which at the time con- taived eiglit men, eight women and eleven children. Approaching stealthily early in the morning in December, while their victims were sound asleep, they poured into them a volley of buckshot and rifle-balls. Seven were killed outright, of whom three were womenl Three men, two women and three children were severely wounded, and nearly all the rest more or less injured. The wounded succeeded in escaping to the reservation.

This atrocity naturally caused great excite- ment. A proclamation issued by the gover- nor, denouncing the act and warning all per- sons against joining organizations for hostil- ities against the friendly Indians, had no ef- fect. The newspapers published prejudicial stories and inflammatory philippics on the subject, and the citizens at varions points held meetings and resolved that the Indians should be removed. In the adjoining coun- ties bands of armed citizens were organized, who spent much time scouting around the reservations. Civilized Indians found outside the reservation limits, it was snid, could not be distinguished from the savage oues, and would therefore have to suffer their fate. The removal of the reservation Indians was per- emptorily demanded, under threats of ex- termination. In vain did the agents endeavor to avert the coming blow, and their efforts in this direction even gave offense to the citi- zens of the frontier, who, on April 25, 1859, boldly demanded their immediate resignation. All the agents could do then was to acqui. esee as soon as they could safely remove the Indians to a better place; but before they had

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Author: Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing co., 1895 Number of Pages: 1532

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing co., 1895
Number of Pages: 1532