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 9

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 9
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 9

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John S. Roberts.

James Gaines.

60 Virginia.

John Turner. 34

John White Bower James B. Woods.

30 South Carolina. Lonisiana.

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

Besides the above, the following were del- egates who failed to reach the convention in time to sign the Declaration of Independence: Jolm J. Linn, from Victoria, born in Ireland in 1802, and came to Texas in 1830; James Kerr, from Jackson, born in Kentucky in 1790, and came to Texas in 1825; and Juan Antonio Padilla, a Mexican from Victoria. Also a few of those whose names are given in the table were not present at the signing.

On March 16 the convention adopted the executive ordinance by which was constituted the government ad interim of the Republic of Texas.

The constitution of the Republic of Texas was adopted at a late hour on the night of the 17th, but was neither engrossed nor en- rolled for the signature of the members prior to the adjournment noxt day. The secretary was instructed to enroll it for presentation. He took it to Nashville, Tennessee, where it was published in one of the papers, from which it was republished in a Cincinnati paper, and from the latter copied into the Texas Telegraph of August, that year, 1836, this being its first publication in Texas. No enrolled copy having been preserved, this printed copy was recognized and adopted as authentic, and became the " Constitution."

During the sitting of the convention Gen- eral Sam Houston took leave of the body in order to take command of the army, then con- centrating at Gonzalez.

At eight o'clock on the evening of the 18th of March, the convention assembled for the last time. and elected David G. Burnett Pres- ident ad interim of the Republic, and Loronzo de Zavala, a patriot Mexican exile, vice-Pres- ident. They also elected the members of the cabinet, namely : Samuel P. Carson, Secretary of State; Bailey Hardeman, Secretary of the Treasury; Thomas J. Rusk, Secretary of

War; Robert Potter, Secretary of the Navy; and David Thomas, Attorney-General.

At eleven o'clock the convention adjourned sine die.

THE FLAG OF THE LONE STAR.

It was once generally believed in Georgia, that the Lone Star flag was the workmanship of a Miss Troutman, of Crawford county, that State, who afterward married a Mr. Pope of Alabama; and that she presented the same to a Georgia battalion commanded by Lienten- ant-Colonel Ward. It was of plain white silk, bearing an azure star of five points ou either side. On one side was the in-eription Liberty or Death, and on the other side the appropri- ate Latin motto, Ubi Libertus Habitat, ibi Nostra Patria est.

This flag was unfurled at Velasco January 8, 1836, and proudly floated on the breeze from the same liberty pole with the first flag of independence, which had just been brought from Goliad by the valiant Captain William Brown, who subsequently did such daring service in the Texas navy. On the meeting of the first Congress, the flag of the Lone Star was adopted as the national flag of the young republic.

But another authority denies the Georgian belief, and insists that the first Lone Star flag ever unfurled in Texas was presented by Mrs. Sarah R. Dawson to a company of volunteers raised in Harrisburg, Texas, in 1835, and commanded by Captain Audrow Robinson. The flag was a tri-color of red, white and blue, the star being white, five-pointed and set in a ground of red.

FOREIGN RELATIONS.

The people. of the United States now felt more free to a-sist, both morally and materi- ally, the young and struggling Republic of

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

Texas. This ineroasod sympathy immediately began to find expression in public utterances, and naturally the Texans, by way of sympa- thetie response, began to talk np annexation to our Union. Iu view of this general sym- pathy, President Burnett, May 30, 1836, ap- pointed James Collingsworth and Poter W. Grayson as commissioners to proceed to Washington and ask the friendly aid of our Government in procuring from Mexico the recognition of independence, and to endeavor to obtain a like recognition from the United States Government itself, and also to state that annexation to this Government would be ac- ceptable. The commissioners accordingly presented these matters at Washington, but as Congress had just adjourned, no action was taken. President Jackson sent Henry M. Mortit to Texas to inform himself and report as to the military, political and civil condition of the people there. He accordingly made his report, stating that Texas had a popula- tion of 58,500 sonls, and expressing surprise that that country had carried on a successful war so long, against so great odds, at so little expense. Ile estimated that the probable total amount of her outstanding debts did not exceed $1,250,000.

Gorostiza, the Mexican minister at Waslı- ingtou, representing a displeased government, maintained that the United States had vio- Inted nontrality during the preceding struggle, naming the instance of United States soldiers fighting on Texas ground, etc .; but this was explained by the United States officers on the ground that they were only fighting hostile Indians, who had invadod our territory, ex- cepting that General Gaines at one time oe- eupied Nacogdoches, and at another took Fort Parker, on the head-waters of the Navasota.

The admissions at the conclusion of the above statement were enough for Gorostiza.

Hle repented his representations, and, not satis- fied with the assurance of our Government, -- that the measures adopted were of a tem- porary and purely defensivo character,-do- clared his mission at an end, October 15, and left for home. Thus ended diplomatie rela- tions between the two countries.

By July the Texan army had increased to 2,300 men, and the commissioners-Austin, Archer and Wharton-returned from Wash- ington, reporting that they had aroused inch sympathy in the United States. On the 23d of this month, assured of tranquillity for a time by internal dissensions in Mexico, Presi- dent Burnett issued a proclamation for the election of president, vice-president and sen- ators and representatives in Congress, on the first Monday in October. The election offi. . cers were also requested to obtain from each voter his sentiment as to constitutional amendments and annexation to the United States.

For the presideney three candidates were' nominated, -- Stephen F. Austin, Sam Hons- ton and Henry Smith, lato governor. IIons- ton at first deelined, but as the other two can- didates represented factions, it was finally decided that he, being neutral as to thein, should be retained as a candidato; and he was elected by a large majority. Mirabean B. Lamar was elected vice-president. The eou- stitution already draftod was adopted almost unanimously, as also the proposition of annex- ation.

EARLY LEGISLATION.

The first Texan Congress met at Columbia October 3, and the following day President Burnett delivered his message, a long docn- ment, describing particularly the deficiency of their army and navy, the judicial system, etc. After ondeavoring to his utinost to con-

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

eiliate the Indians, Houston left Nacogdoches for Columbia, arriving October 9; but ac- cording to the constitution he could not commence the duties of his office until the second Monday in December. However, as both President Burnett and Vice-President Zavala were both equally willing to retire from office, and sent in their resignations, Congress considered it judicions to inaugurate the new president immediately.

In his inaugural address Houston insisted upon harmony between the legislative and executive departments of the government, as the situation was peculiarly a delieate one; recommended that the friendship of the In- dians be obtained by treaty and a strict main- tenance of good faith with them; urged ab. stinence from all acts of aggression, and the establishment of commerce with the different tribes; contrasted the barbarons mode of war- fare practiced by the enemy with the human- ity and forbearance displayed by the Texans in the honr of victory, citing the fact that the moral effect of such conduct had done more toward the liberation of Texas than the defeat of the army of veterans, and dwelt upon the question of annexation to the United States, -a consummation unanimously wished for by the Texan people, who were cheered by the hope that they would be welcomed into the great family of freemen. General Lamar, as president of the Senate, delivered nn nddress breathing the same spirit and deprecating party antagonism.

According to the spirit of the above specchies, President Honston appointed as members of his cabinet eminent men from the principal parties. Stephen F. Austin was made secretary of State; Henry Smith, secretary of the treasury; Thomas J. Rusk, of war; S. Rhodes Fisher, of the navy; Rob- ert Burr, postmaster general, and J. Pinckney

Henderson, attorney general. General Felix Houston was given command of the army.

On November 16 Congress empowered the president to appoint a minister to the United States, to negotiate with this government for the recognition of the independence of Texas and her annexation to this republic. The president accordingly appointed William Il. Wharton to that position.

A writer relates an interesting anecdote in this connection. It seems that Wharton, by being tendered this appointment, felt that the president was endeavoring to send him into honorable exile, to get him out of some oue's else way. Houston did not hear of this till some months afterward, when three com- missioners were to be appointed to purchase a navy. John A. Wharton, brother of Will- iam H., was one of the candidates, and, to the surprise of many, was not appointed. Meeting the latter after his return from the United States, the president could not refrain from delivering a home thrust, saying, " I did not appoint John A. Wharton one of the three naval commissioners, because I did not wish to drive any more of the Wharton family. into exile!"

This Congress also ordered the issue of bonds to the extent of $5,000,000, to bear in- terest at ton por cent. and bo redeemable iu thirty years. Two commissioners were ap- pointed to negotiate these bonds, $1,000 each, either in the United States or Europe, and holders were to be allowed the privilege of purchasing public lands of the Republic at the lowest goverment price, payable in bonds.

This Congress continned in session until the elose of December, passing many bene- fielal laws and performing many embarrassing duties. Provisions were made for the in- crease of the navy, by the purchase of n twenty-

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

fonr gun sloop of war, two armed steam vos- sels and two eleven-gun schooners. Rules and articles were established for the govern- ment of the army and navy, the army to be reorganized by the president; measures were adopted for the protection of the frontier and for the national defense by the organization of militia; courts were also established, and their powers defined; revenue provided for by import duties; salaries of the government officers established, and a general post office and land office created. A national seal and standard for the Republic were adopted. The seal consisted of a single star, with the letters REPUBLIO OF TEXAS in a circular line on the seal, which also was cirenlar. The national flag was to have an aznre ground, with a large golden star central. .

This first congress also chartered a gigantic company, called the Texas Railroad, Naviga- tion & Banking Company, with a capital stock of $5,000,000, etc .; but this met with considerable opposition, and the company, not being able to raise the million dollars re- quired for their bank, went down.

The boundary line of the young republic was thins defined by this congress: From the month of the Sabine to the month of the Rio Grande, thence up the principal stream of the latter to its source, thence dne north to the forty-second degree of latitude, and thence along the boundary line as defined in the treaty between the United States and Spain, to the beginning. But this line included the greater and best portion of New Mexico, to which Texas had no right, and sho had after- ward to rocede from it.

At the opening of the new year the pe- cuniary situation of Texas was very gloomy. Although the country was temporarily re- lieved from invasion, it was still threatened by the old enemy. In respect to agriculture

it had somewhat recovered from the wide- spread desolation brought upon it by the wars and unfriendly legislation of the old government, but still much land remained abandoned, and the people were all poor. The army was in good condition, but not the navy. Outside encouragement, however, be- gan to be manifest. It was morally certain not only that the struggling republic would soon be recognized as a nation by the United States, but that also from this conntry thore would pour forth a stronger emigration to the new-born land. Of course, no public measure can be adopted without its bearing hard on some parties, but these hardships are seldom as great as feared. Some Northern- ers objected to the annexation of Texas to the old Union because it was spreading slave territory; others, because their trade would be interfered with by a new application of the tariff laws, etc. President Jackson himself was personally in favor of recognizing Texan independence, but as president he made the . following statement: " Prudence therefore seems to dictate that we should still stand aloof and maintain our present attitude, if not until Mexico itself or one of the great foreign powers shall recognize the independ- ence of the new government, at least until the lapse of timo or the course of human events shall havo proved, beyond cavil or dispute, the ability of the people of that country to maintain their separate sovereignty and to uphold the government constituted by them." The senate of the United States, on March 1, 1837, passed a rosolution recogniz- ing the independence of Texas, but negotia- tions for annexation were not listened to by the government. But soon afterward the Texan minister was recognized at Washington, and Aleeo Labranche was appointed by the presi. dent as charge d'affaires to the new republic,

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

and the house of representatives made an ap- propriation for a diplomatic agent to the samno.

William HI. Wharton, on bis return from Washington on the ship Independence, was captured by the Mexicans, conveyed to Mata- moras, with others, and cast into prison. His brother, John 11. Wharton, having obtained permission and a flag, proceeded thither with thirty Mexican prisoners, hoping to effect his release; but on arrival he was seized and thrown into a dungeon. William Il. Whar- ton, with the aid of Captain Thompson, of the Mexican navy, escaped and reached home; and John H. also escaped after an imprison- inent of six days. Thompson, who had agreed to desert the enemy's service, had previously left Matamoras, his departure being hastened by information given against him to the au- thorities.

May 1, 1837, the congress reassembled at the town of Houston, and the president on the 5th read his message, wherein he referred to the recognition of the independence of Texas by the United States with an eminent degree of satisfaction, and said that the re- publie was now unwilling to invoke the me- diation of other powers; but with regard to the financial position of the government it could hardly have assumed a much worse state. On account of the nnfavorable con- dition of the money market in the United States, no portion of the $5,000,000 loan had been realized, and the land serip (for which the sale of 500,000 acres had been anthor- ized) had produced nothing, owing to the questionable action of the agents at New Or- leans, who would render no account of their transactions to the exceutive, and dishonored drafts drawn upon them by the latter.

Sectionizing the public domain met with a difficulty, the old settlers preferring their old

"leagues " and "labores." At this time the Caddo Indians on the northeastern frontier were under treaty with the United States. They had boon very troublesome, showing u disposition to nnite and amalgamnate with the wilder tribes.

The most important question which oceu. pied the attention of the congress of 1837 was that of the land bill. During this and the called session in the fall the matter was repeatedly brought up, and several acts amendatory to the original one were passed. Besides the problem of surveying the public land into sections, there were many other kuotty difficulties as to the disposition of the lands, to titles, grants, etc. Since the closing of the land offices in November, 1836, ques- tions concerning imperfect titles had in- creased in the commissioners' offices, and the grants to empresarios and titles depending thereon had to be considered. To distinguish legitimate claims and guard against frand was a most difficult matter, and to frame a . bill that would defeat the ingennity of land stealers withont violating the rights of citi- zens of Texas, justly acquired under the old Mexican legislation, and even under old Texan legislation itself, was almost an im- possibility. Moreover, land bonnties had beon granted to the volunteers who had so valiantly stepped forward to aid Texas in her direst need, and land scrip had been sold in the United States. To protect the soldier and colonist in the priority of choice of loca- tion, against unprincipled speculators who supported their prior claims by perjury, was no easy matter. Head-rights of individuals were purchased by numbers of persons who never intended to make Texas their home. Names of natives, to whom exceptional privileges as to the area of grants were ex- tended, were used to substantiate claims, and

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

in default of this recourse fictitious names were supplied, and head-rights obtained under them. No legislature has ever had the task of unraveling a more complicated entanglement of just with unjust claims, or has been called upon to devise a law that could discriminate between rights almost « quipoised in the scale of justice. After some temporary legislation a general land law was at length adopted, with the following provisions: For each county a surveyor was to be appointed, and a board of commis- rioners whose duty it was to investigate claims for head-rights, and grant certificates upon proof of right being established. Per- sons advancing claims under the old colon- ization laws were required to take oath that they were resident in Texas at the time of the declaration of independence, that they had not left the country during the campaign of the spring of 1836, and prove by two or wore ereditable witnesses that they were actually citizens of Texas at the date of that declaration. In this provision widows and orphans were excepted. Conflicting claims were to be tried before the nearest justice of the peace and six disinterested jurors. Em- presario contracts having ceased with Mexi- can domination, all vacant lands within such grants were declared the property of the Re- publie. On the whole this law was a very good one, though somewhat imperfeet.

Among the aets of this congress, one was for the sale of Galveston and other islands in lots of ton to forty aeres, and the result was an impetus to the growth of Galveston, soon making it the most important seaport in Texas.

During the last session of this congress, this year (1837) much attention wus paid to the incorporation of towns and to the boun- daries of old counties and the creation of new

counties. The towns of Shelbyville, Bra- zoria, Richmond, San Felipe de Austin, La- grange, San Antonio, Victoria, Gonzalez, Matagorda, Mina, Houston, Washington, Crockett, Refugio, Columbia, Clarksville, Lexington, Milam, Goliad, San Patricio and Jonesborough were all incorporated during this session; and the new counties of Mont- gumery, Fayette, Fannin, Robertson and Fort Bender were created. Some of the above mentioned towns, however, had been incorporatod once before.

As to the general condition of Texas at this time, and the outlook, it may be said that there was a promise of permanency and success; the crops had been unexpectedly good; immigrants were flocking into the country, and the revenno froin tariff duties proportionately increased; lands were rising in price; commerce was assmining a prosper- ous condition; nothing was to be feared from Mexico for the present, as that nation was in a difficulty with France; and the western frontier was enjoying a rest from war, al- though Indians kept up their asua! depreda- tions. (See a subsequent section, to be fond by the index.)

From the reports of the State officers, it is seen that 10,890 certificates of land title had been issued by the different county board, up to November 1, 1838, representing 26. 242,199 acres; that up to October 15, 2.990, 000 acres hai been distributed to soldiers a- land bounties; that the issues of land serip. amounted to 2,193,000 aeres, of which scrip to the amount of 870,000 acres had been re -. turned by the agents, and a portion, repre- senting 60,800 acres, had beon funded. But financially, the outlook was bad. The public debt had been increased, and the eredit of the Republic was nearly exhausted. Consider- able legislation was enacted with reference to

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

the public finances, with the prospect that immigration and the increased interest taken in Texan securities by persons in the United States, the way ont of their difficulties would be found in due time.

By the constitution the term of office of the president was limited to two years, with- out his being eligible for re-election; sne- ceeding presidents were to hold their office for three years. Consequently Houston's term expired on the first Monday in Decom- ber, 1838. The election was held in Sep- tember, the candidates being Mirabeau B. Lamar, Peter W. Grayson, James Col- lingsworth and Robert Wilson; but before the election Grayson and Collingsworth both committed suicidel Lamar was chosen pres- ident almost unanimously, and David G. Burnett, vice-president.

In his inaugural address Lamar opposed annexation to the United States very decid- edly, claiming that such an act would be " the grave of all hier hopes of happiness and great ness." In his message, which was a long one, he urged the speedy adoption of a sys- tem of public education, the promotion of a general diffusion of knowledge and industry by the appropriation of lands for educational purposes and the establishment of a niver- sity; and lie also recommended reform in the municipal code. He advocated severe meas- ures against the hostile Indians, considering that they had broken their treaties, and that the whites were therefore under no further obligation to observe them. With regard to the savages, " extinction or expulsion " was his policy. For the protection of the fron- tier ho proposed the establishment of a line of military posts, and, as a general protec- tion against Mexico, the organization of a inilitia and the encouragement of volunteer associations. While he was a free-trader in 1

the abstract, in view of the financial distress of the Republic, he recommended a continu- anco of the tariff system then in vogne for a short time longer, in order to maintain the good credit of the country.

But with all that Texas could do, her debt frightfully increased. One historian says that during the three years of Lamar's ad- ministration the public debt increased from $1,887,526 to $7,300,000, and that the se- enrities doereasod from 65 and 85 to 15 and 20 cents; but, according to ex-President Houston's subsequent report, matters wero not quite so bad as that. Great allowance had to be made for the peculiarity of the sit. uation.

A REBELLION.

During the latter part of 1838 the Nacog- doclies rebellion occurred, when a consider- able number of Mexican settlers assembled on the banks of the Angelina, with 300 In- dians, under the leadership of Nathaniel Norris, Vicente Cordova, and others. Their numbers soon increased. President Hous- ton, who was thon at Nacogdoches, received a communication from these leaders, dis- claiming allegiance to Texas. The malcon- tents then directed their march to the Chiero. kee nation. President Houston sent out General Rusk, with the main body of the army, to the headquarters of Bowles, the Cherokee chief, while Major Augustin, with 150 men, followed the trail of the malcon- tents. Rusk presently discovered that the Mexican leaders had gone to the lead-waters of the Trinity river, his followers had dis- persed and many of them returned to their homes without any blood being shed. The precise object of this attempt at revolution has never been fully explained. Cordova

HISTORY OF TEXAS.

had been in correspondence with the enemy at Matamoras, and appears to have held a commission from Filisola to raise the Ind ans as auxiliaries to the Mexican army. Early in 1839, Filisola was succeeded by General C'analizo, who, February 27, issued instruc- tions to the captains and chiefs of the friendly nations, inciting then to wage incessant war against Texas, and laying down a plan of campaign for their guidance. He said that Moxico was engaged in a war with France, and could not at the time resume operations against the revolted province; but the friendly tribes had it in their power to pre- vent the enemy from taking advantage of fortunate circumstances. They were, how- ever, cautioned not to advance too near the frontier of the United States, bnt should oc- eupy the lines of San Antonio de Bejar abont the Guadalupe, and from the heads of the San Marcos to its mouth. This po- sition would have the advantage of keeping the enemy in front and a friendly nation in the rear, besides cutting off the enemy's commerce with the interior of Mexico, and furnishing abundant spoil. They were "not to cease " to harass the enemy for a single day, to burn their habitations, lay waste their fields and prevent them from assembling in great numbers, by rapid and well concerted efforts. In case they should succeed in nnit- ing in a considerable number, they were to be harassed day and night, and operations to be directed with the greatest vigor against distant points. Manuel Flores was appointed commissioner to the Indians, to operate with them as allies, and also to enlist the services of Cordova.

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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 9

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