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 2
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 2
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west of the Cenis Indians," whose dwellings at that time were on the Trinity river.
La Salle was "saturnine in temperament, reserved in his communications, asking coun- sel of none. There was a certain hardness in his manners, a tone of lofty self- reliance, which, though it commanded the obedience of his followers, did not gain their good will. On the other hand, his capacity for huge de- signs has had few parallels. He has been called the Columbus of his age; and had his success been equal to his ability, this distinc- tion might justly have been awarded him. Cool and intrepid, never for a moment yield- ing to despair, he bore the burden of his calamities manfully, and his hopes expired only with his latest breath."
TEXAS COMPARATIVELY UNKNOWN UNTIL RE- CENTLY.
Mary Austin Holley, a resident of Texas. in 1833 penned the following, to the effect that Texas, in its merits, was not really dis- covered until a comparatively late date:
" Texas, until within the last few years, has been literally a terra incognita. That such a region existed has indeed been known, but in respect to its geography and natural resources, clouds and darkness have rested upon it. This is the more remarkable, lying, as it does, contiguous to two enlightened nations,-the United States on the one side and Mexico on the other, both by land and sea. While Britons, impelled by a daring spirit of enter- prise, have penetrated to the ice-bound region of Melville's Island, and our own New Eng- landers have encountered all the hardships and hazards of the western desert, the Rocky mountains and hostile Indians, to find a home at the month of the Columbia river, this most inviting region, lying just at their doors, has beeu altogether overlooked.
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
" Quite nnexpectedly, as it were, a report has reached the public ear that the country lying west of the Sabine river is a tract of surpassing beauty, exceeding even our best Western lands in productiveness, with a cli- mate perfectly salubrious and of a tempera- ture at all seasons of the year most delightful. The admirers of this new conntry, speaking from actual knowledge and a personal in- spection, are not content, in their descriptions of it, to make use of ordinary terms of com- mendation. They hesitate not to call it a splendid country, an enchanting spot. It would seem as if enchantment had indeed thrown its spell over their minds, for with very few exceptions all who return from this fairy land are perfect enthusiasts in their ad- niration of it. Whatever qualifications to its excellence the most cautious of them are disposed to make, have reference to those in- conveniences which unavoidably pertain to every conntry in the incipient stage of its settlement.
"So apparently extravagant have been the representations of the natural beauty and resources of this country, that many porsons are incredulous and attribute theni to the schemes of interested contractors, eager to allure the unwary emigrant by deceptive statements. Such a motive, if it really actu- ates the conduct of any one, cannot be too severely condemned. A design more crimi- nal and disgraceful cannot be, and ought not to be, lightly insinuated against respectable men. What design more cruel than that of deliberately seducing, not the confiding emi- grant alone, but also with him his wife and children, to become the certain victims of privation, disappointment and ultimate ruin in the wilderness! The character and re- speetability of the witnesses above referred to at once repel an insinuation so atrocious.
" While listening for the first time to the favorable reports of Texas, it must be con- fessed a suspicion is very apt to arise in tlie mind that so much imputed excellence, if it really existed, could not have so long been concealed from the view of the world, and we are prone to ask, how has it happened that a territory, possessing such uncommon advan- tage of climate and soil, lias not been explored and appropriated before? To this very natural inquiry a satisfactory answer is at liand.
" Two canses seem to have operated to pre- vent the earlier settlement of the province of Texas and to retard the development of its resources. In the first place the jealous pol- icy of the old Spanish government uniformly discouraged all attempts to penetrate into the country. It was the policy of the gov- ernment that completely locked np Texas and all the Spanish-American possessions, and excluded even visitors and travelers. It was a favorite saying of the Spanish captain gen eral of the internal provinces, Don Nemisio Salcedo, that he would stop the birds from flying over the boundary line between Texas and the United States if it were in his power! This rigid policy prevented any one from at- tempting to explore the country by land, for perpetual imprisonment was the inevitable result of detection and capture.
" In the second place, the Carancahua In- dians, who inhabited the coast, were repre .. sented to be of a character uncommonly ferocious. They were popularly believed to be cannibals; and many talos of most fright- ful import were told of them, -such as, if trne, it must be acknowledged, were suf- ficiently appalling to check the enterprise and damp the ardor of the most eager adven- turer. These representations of the character of the Carancalinas, though in a measure true, were greatly exaggerated; and it is believed
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
by many that they were either fabricated, or at least conntenanced, by the Spanish anthori- ties, to prevent intercourse with the province, which it was not easy to guard by a military for. o.
" Thus, the whole of this country remained for ages unknown to the world; and instead of being converted into an abode of industrions and happy freemen, as it might have been, it was doomel by the selfishness of men to continue a howling wilderness. No maps, charts or geographical notices were ever al- lowed by the Spaniards to be taken of it. The map compiled by Colonel Austin and pub- lished by Tanner, is the first and correet geo- graphical information of the country that has ever been published. The persons who were engaged in the expeditions under Generals Bernardo, Gutierrez and Toledo, in 1812-'13, knew nothing of Texas except along and near the road they traveled, for they were too much occupied by the war, during the short time they had possession, to explore the country. It is uncertain how long this expensive and valuable land would have remained unknown and unsettled had not the bold enterprise and perseverance of the Anstins torn away the veil that hid it from the view of the world and redeemed it from the wilderness, by the settlement of a flourishing colony of North Americans on the Brazos and Colorado rivers. With the settlement of this colony a new era has dawned npou Texas. The natural riches of this beautiful province have begun to be unfolded, and its charms displayed to the eyes of admiring adventurers. A new island, as it were, has been discovered in these latter days at our very doors, apparently frosh from the hands of its Maker, and adapted, beyond mast lands, both to delight the senses and enrich the pockets of those who are disposed to accept of its bounties.
" Without any assistance from the govern- ment or fostering care of any sort, bnt simply under a permission to enter, some thousands of industrions farmers and mechanics, with their families, have already located then- selves here. Their numbers are rapidly in- creasing, and there cannot be a doubt that in a few years Texas will become one of the most populous of the Mexican States."
Said De Marbois early in the present cen- tury: "Texas is one of the finest countries in the world, and yet the Europeans, eager as they have been to make conquests in America, have seemed almost to the present day ignor- ant of its existence. "
With reference to the political aspects of the country in 1833, Mrs. Holley said:
" It is not difficult to determine what in all likelihood will be the future destiny of Texas. Should the Mexican government adopt a cor- rect policy, it will form a valuable and efficient State of the Mexican confederation; for under a judicions system of administration it would not be the interest of the inhabitants to dis- solve the present connection, and they could feel no motive to do so.
" It is very possible, however, that an un- wise course of administration might provoke a separation; and what might be the result of such a separation I shall not attempt to conjecture.
" All the attention and vigor of the settlers appear to be now, as it ought to be, directed to their own individual private concerns. If unmolested in their lawful pursuits of indus- try and protected by equal laws from the im- position of the federal officers, they will be satisfied; for I cannot conceive that they should be so blind to their own interests as wantonly to resist the laws of the Republic. One thing is certain, that no greater calamity could befall them than the intrusion of party
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
politics among them. Nothing would more inevitably retard the development of the re- sources of the country, check immigration, and in every way thwart the benevolent pur- poses of heaven and blast the present sanguine expectations of the friends of Texas, than party jealousies and party intrigue.
"The question of negro slavery in connec- tion with the settlement of this country is one of great importance, and perhaps inay here- after present a difficulty. The existing con- stitution and laws totally prohibit this worst of evils. Should this wise policy be aban- doned and Texas become what Louisiana now is,-the receptacle of the redundant and jail- delivered slaves of other countries,-all its energies would be paralyzed, and whatever oppressions may hereafter arise, either from abroad or at home, must be endured, for the country would require a prop to lean upon, and from necessity would be forever depen- dent. "
Until the beginning of the present century Texas, as a part of Mexico, lay in compara- tive stagnation and was but little known or cared for, as it was mainly occupied by rov- ing Indians. The population, other than In- dian, at the opening of the nineteenth cen- tury, is varionsly estimated at 7,000 to 20,000. The inhabitants were chiefly Spanish ercoles, besides a few French, Americans and half- breeds.
With regard to later developments, it is interesting to read what Mrs. Ilolley wrote concerning the Comanche Indians, as follows:
" The Comanches are a noble race of In- dians, inhabiting the country to the north and northwest of San Antonio de Bejar. They are a wandering raee, do not enltivate the earth for corn, but depend nltogether upon the chase for subsistence. They follow the immense herds of buffalo which graze
the vast plains, often to the amount of thou- sands in one herd. These plains are also stocked with wild horses, " mustangs, " which ran together in droves of many hundreds. The term mustang is therefore used figura. tively to denote anything wild or unculti- vated, as a ' mustang girl. ' The horses are not natives, but descended from the stock brought over by the first Spaniards. Domes- tie animals, and man himself, become rude when removed from the associations of civil- ized life. The Comanches catch and tame these wild horses, and, when unsuccessful in the chase, subsist npon them.
" The Indians always move on horseback. Besides the bow and arrows, the usual arms of the Indian warrior, they are armed with a long spear, having a sword blade for a point. A war party of these Indians is sufficiently formidable. They are headed by two sqnaws, who by their shrill voices serve as trainpet- ers, and have like them various tones, to de- note the different evolutions and movements. When they descry an object of attack or pur- suit, they dart forward in a column like lightning toward it. At a suitable distance from their prey they divide into two squad- rons, one-half taking to the right and the other to the left, and thus surround it. Though fierce in war they are civil in peace, and they are remarkable for their sense of justice. They call the people of the United States their friends, and give them protection, while they hate the Mexieans and murder them without mercy.
"The Comanches have one head chief and many subordinate ones. They hold regular councils quarterly, and a grand council of the whole tribe once a year. At these councils all important matters are decided, and all prisoners taken for offenses are tried. Their discipline is rigid. If a hunting party takes
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CONCEPCION
Church of San Juan. Ruins near San Jose.
Church of the Concepcion.
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
the life of a North American after making him prisoner, without bringing him before the council for trial, the offenders are pun- ished with death. Not so with the Mexicans, who are considered as enemies and treated as such. This hatred is mutual, and fully reciprocated by the Mexicans. Hence the origin of the epithet expressing odium, so general in all parts of Mexico; to denote the greatest degree of degradation, they call a person a ' Comanche.' "
The principal Anglo-Saxon settlements at the beginning of the present century were Sun Antonio de Bejar, with about 2,000 inhab- itants; La Bahia del E-piritu Santo, now Goliad, about 1,400; and Nacogdoches, with 500.
Nacogdoches was first settled by Anglo- Americans in 1822-'23, when many of the emigrants who left the United States with the view of joining Austin's colony stopped at this placc. Ilere and there in Texas a small Catholic mission existed, around which were a few miserable Indian proselytes. The little trade carried on was effected with Mexico, by way of Monterey and Monclova, and with New Orleans through Natchitoclics; the lat- ter, however, was contraband. In 1806 Texas was allowed a port, namely, at Bahia de San Bernardo. The exchange for merchan- dise consisted in specie, horses and mules.
Most of the inhabitants wero of a roving disposition, cultivated to a still greater do- grce by the nature of their calling, which was the chase after horses and buffalo; but in 1806 the governor, Antonio Cordero, en- deavored to check this thriftless and Indian- like mole of life by encouraging agriculture, and this he did by restricting buffalo hunts to certain seasons and obliging every family to cultivate a certain amount of land. There were a few wealthy Spanish residents at the centers of population, who exhibited some of
the refinements of modern life, as they liad come from the regal cities of Spain or from thie vice-regal court. Though most of the in- habitants of San Antonio dwelt in miserable houses, with mud walls and thatelied roofs, the upper class enlivened social intercourse with dinner parties and dances, at which re- finement of manners was noticeable. This place, indeed, was probably the most pleasant ju Texas at that time.
CATHOLIO MISSIONS.
The early Spanish (Catholic) missions within the present boundaries of Texas, were established by Franciscan monks, under the auspices of the Spanish government, and were called presidios. They consisted of a chapel for worship, the cells for the monks, the dwell- ings for the inhabitants, and a fort for de- fense. The mission was of course under the control of the ecclesiastical power, and the inilitary force was under an officer of the army, who in most matters was under the control of the priest. A complete list of these missions is as follows:
In 1690 the mission of San Francisco was established on the Lavaca river at Fort St. Louis, by the Spanish under Captain Alonzo de Leon. In the same year the mission of San Juan Bautista was founded on the Rio Grande river.
In 1714 Captain Ramon established the mission of San Bernard, also the mission of Adaes, among the Indians of that name fifteen miles wert of Natchitoches.
In 1715 was established the mission of Dolores, west of the Sabine, among the Or- quisaco Indians. In the same year, one among the Nacogdoches Indians, near the , site of the present town of that name; also
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
another among the Aes Indians, near the site of the present town of San Augustine. The mission and fortress of San Antonio de Valero was soon after this established on the San Pedro river, near the site of the present city of San Antonio.
In 1721 a post and mission was located at the crossing of the Neches, and another on the bay of San Bernard, called Our Lady of the Loretto. In the same year the mission of La Bahia (the bay) was established at the lower grossing of the San Antonio river.
In 1730 the church of San Fernando, in the present city of San Antonio, was founded.
In 1731 was established, not far from the same place, the mission La Purisima Con- cepcion de Acuna.
All the buildings are yet standing.
Under the old Mexican regime Texas was a province controlled by a " commandant," who resided at Chihuahua, and whose powers in this control were independent of the vico- roy. Each province was ruled by a military and political governor, who by his delegated powers had eoguizance of all canses, being dependent as regards military matters npon the commandant general. In financial affairs he was subject to the intendant at San Luis Potosi, with recourse to the supreme council of finance at the city of Mexico. Of course, in those times of sparse settlement and poor government, it was generally difficult, and often almost impossible, for one to transact any business with either the executive or ju- dicial department of the government, so re- mote were the seats of government and diffi- cult and dangerous the methods of travel. The same difficulties were encountered in ec- clesiastical matters, under the Roman Catho- lic regime.
A NEW CIVILIZATION.
During the first decade of this century the germs of another and a better civilization be- gan to become manifest in the province of Texas. The Anglo- American race was push- ing westward and southward. Bold, restless mon, impelled by the fascination of wild ad- venture, Boone-like made their way into new regions, regardless of danger and hardships. Rough, hardy men were indeed a necessity to go in advance of a more settled and refined community, and at this period the wave be- gan to move, rough side foremost. The Mex- ican government did not like the influx of foreigners, especially of Americans, and passed laws to imprison them if found on their territory; but, while this law was in- deed sometimes executed, it seemed to serve only as an incentive to the daring spirits who wore on the crest of the west-bound wave. Like large, rongh boys at school, when the master defied them or laid down any rule which they thought nureasonable, they glo- ried in taking advantage of such an oppor- tunity to show how bravely and successfully they could defy the unreasonable regulations. The contraband trade carried on with New Orleans, and connived at by the Spanish an- thorities, opened a gateway to these intruders.
PHILIP NOLAN.
The most conspicnons of the adventurers just referred to was. Philip Nolan, engaged in trade between Natchez and San Antonio as early as 1785. In the Texas Almanac for 1868 is published the most extended account of Philip Nolan thit we have seen. We con- dense from it as follows:
Philip Nolan, of Irish origin and a citizen of the United States, residing in Natchez, Mis.
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
sissippi, obtained a passport from the Baron de Chrondelet, governor of Louisiana, July 17, 1797, to go to Texas, for the purpose of buying horses for the Lonisiana regiment then being organized at New Orleans. He repaired to San Antonio de Bejar, where he made the acquaintance of the governor of Texas, Don Manuel Munoz, and, through the kind offices of the Intter, entered into a correspondence with General Pedro de Nava, then command- ing the Spanish provinces, with headquarters at the city of Chihnahna.
A permit was granted to Nolan to obtain the horses desired, both in the province of Texas and that of New Santander (now Tamaulipas), Mexico; and abont the end of July, 1798, he took with him 1,297 head, which he kept for a while on the pasture grounds of the Trinity river. Soon afterward he returned to Natchez.
The viceroy of Mexico, Marquis de Branei- forte, February 12, 1798, transmitted a com- munication from the governor of Lonisiana, Don Manuel Gayoso de Lemos, successor of the Baron Carondelet, to General Nava, re- qnesting him, as of great importance to the service, to arrest any foreigners that might go into the Spanish provinces, because he was aware that some Americans intended to visit the country for the purpose of becoming friendly with the Indians and bringing about a revolution. Ile desired Nolan to be closely watched. At that time the movements of the English and the Americans had created some suspicions, and it was thought that even the French designed to invade Louisiana.
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On the first of June, 1799, the governor of Louisiana recommended to Don Pedro Nava that no American should be permitted to reconnoitre the territory; that he knew that some strangers had gone into Texas, and that the most dangerous was Philip Nolan,
who, through deception, had obtained a pass- port from his predecessor, Baron de Caron- delet; that Nolan was a hypocrite and a saeri- legions man; that he professed to be a Catholic among Spaniards, and langhed at this re- ligion when he was among Americans; that it would be important to seenre him and dis- pose of him in such a manner that he might never be- heard of; that Nolan was cominis- sioned by General Wilkerson -who had raised and educated him -- to reconnoitre the country, draw maps and make offers to the friendly Indians to rebel against the Span- iards.
Angust 8, 1800, the commanding general ordered the governor of Texas to arrest Nolan in case he returned to the province. October 6 following, the commander of the post at Concordia, Louisiana, informed the commander at Nacogdoches that Nolan was, under pretext of chasing wild horses, organ- izing an expedition of thirty or forty armed men to enter the territory of Texas; that he had remonstrated with the authorities at Natchez, Mississippi, but he was satisfied that they would not discountenance the plans of Nolan.
The commander at Concordia, December 13, 1800, forwarded a document from Mor- decai Richards, who therein stated, before the above mentioned military authority, that he had left Natchez with Nolan and about thirty-four armed Americans and six or seven Spaniards; that at Nogales they crossed the Mississippi, and that Nolan told him (Rich- ards) that he relied on him to guide them, which he promised; that thence they veored northwest that during their march he was obliged to hunt for the party; that about six miles from Wachita post, Nolan was detained by a party of militia-men, and Nolan sent a letter to the commander of the said post by
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
the officer in command of the party; that after the militia-men left, Mordecai Richards asked Nolan the reason why they had been stopped, when he (Nolan) had assured them that he had a permit to go into Texas; that Nolan then ealled him aside and said to him: "You are a man on whom I rely to carry out my plans; and for that reason I have ap- pointed you third in command. If we succeed, you will make your fortune. My plan is to travel northwest, and, passing the Caddo settlements to a certain distance, to build a fort, to protect us from any attack. Then we will sally forth to explore the country and its mines, and, after obtaining a sufficient num- ber of horses, we will proceed to Islas Negras and Kentucky withont finding any obstacles. There we will find many friends awaiting our arrival, and by that time I will receive anthority to conquer the province of Texas I will be the general, Mr. Fero the second, and yourself the third in command."
Mr. Richards says that he became alarmed at this and determined to desert, although he had a son and a nephew in the party. Ile finally escaped, with two others, and on his return to Natchez made the statements above recorded.
After the above events oceurred, Lienten- ant Muzquiz was ordered to start in pursuit of Nolan, and he left Nacogdoches with that object in view, March 4, 1801. The following is from Muzquiz' diary of the twenty-first of that month: "At sunrise I marched on Nolan's intrenchment. When about thirty paces from it, ten men sallied from the en- trenehment, unarmed. Among them was Nolan, who said, in a loud voice, 'Do not approach, because either the one or the other will be killed.' Noticing that the men who accompanied Nolan were foreigners, I or- dered William Barr, an Irishman who had
joined my eominand as interpreter, to speak to thein in English, and say to them that I had come for the purpose of arresting them, and that I expected them to surrender in the name of the king. Nolan had a brief conver- sation with Barr, and the latter informed me that Nolan and his men were determined to tight.
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