USA > Texas > Indian wars and pioneers of Texas, Vol. I > Part 33
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
"Gen. Chambers and myself immediately com- municated with the most respectable and influential citizens of that place and explained the situation and unhappy condition of our country. In a short time the most enthusiastic feeling was found to . prevail there -- and large meetings were held by the inhabitants to manifest this feeling, and offer aid to suffering Texas. And at that time (in the month of March last) I had the high gratification to learn from Judge Quitman and Gen. F. Huston that they would visit Texas, and enlist in her war ; and men of their influence, wealth and distinction, I knew would induce much efficient aid from Mississippi. At Natchez I received further orders to proceed forthwith to the eastern country to explain the cause of the war, the situation of our country, and obtain men and means for her aid; which order is here attached in copy, marked No. 4.
" In obedience to said order, I set out on the first of April last for Louisville, where I arrived on the 12 th of that month. When I made known the object of my visit, and consulted with many of the lead- ing gentlemen of that place, as to the best course to pursue, I found the best of feeling prevailing for our cause and in a few days a mass meeting was called, which I bad the honor, by invitation, to address on behalf of Texas, and had the pleasure to have the most generous responses made to the call for aid. By unremitting efforts I procured to be raised and dispatched, Col. C. L. Harrison's Louisville Battalion, the van of which, was Capt. Wiggonton's company of near one hundred men, and the balance soon followed, being aided to do so by the munificence of the generous citizens of that city. From there I proceeded to Lexington, by invitation to meet a State convention then being held in that place.
" To the convention and inhabitants of Lexington and the surrounding country, I proclaimed the
cause of Texas, their condition and want of aid, in a publie address. Here I remained for two weeks making constant exertion for our cause and having many meetings upon the subject, which resulted in a display of the most generous and noble sympathy and friendship in our favor and, ultimately, the raising and dispatching of the Lexington Battalion of about three hundred men, and the money for their outfit and transportation to New Orleans, fur- nished by the generous donations of the high-minded and chivalrous inhabitants of that city and its vicinity. From Lexington I proceeded to Cincinnati, where I made known my objects, and, by the aid of the most influential gentlemen of that place, a very large meeting was convened, which I addressed in favor of our cause; which resulted in the raising of a fine company of about eighty men, who were furnished with an excellent outfit and means for transportation as far as New Orleans, by the dona- tions of the well-tried friends of our cause in that great metropolis. In all of these four named places I had the good fortune to be aided by ad- visory committees, composed of gentlemen of dif- ferent places, of the first standing and influence ; and the different corps were raised and dispatched and the means procured by superintending com- mittees for that purpose in each place, appointed by the citizens of the same, who procured the means by donations and also disbursed the same for the purpose of purchasing the supplies and out- fits for the different corps and if any surplus re- mained, the respective committees paid over the same to the persons who took command of the different detachments.
" This course was adopted and pursued by my own request and suggestion, to secure the influence of the committees, and secure as far as possible entire satisfaction. All this was done and the most of the different corps had set out for Texas during this period, when the melancholy news was daily reaching the United States of the fall of the Alamo the massacre of Fannin, of Ward and of King, and that Santa Anna was passing triumphantly over the country, burning and devastating as he went and that he was in a short time to be looked for on the banks of the Sabine. It was not until late in May last that the news arrived in that part of the United States, in such a shape as to be believed, of the glorious battle of the San Jacinto, and the capture of the monster, Santa Anna, or as his own vanity induced him to call himself, " the Napoleon of the West." Many delays necessarily took place from the confused and distorted statements concerning this country, which frequently got into circulation there, and much time was lost and operations had
.
174
INDLIN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS.
to be delayed in order to obtain counter-informa- tion to correct them, but every effort was made to get our men on as rapidly as possible, and I gave written information of all done, to Gen. Chambers at Nashville, where he was stationed, and to President Burnet, through the Texas agent in New Orleans, and as fast and in the order in which I progressed, but I am surprised to find that nothing exists in the archives of this government to show that I have done anything or communicated any information to this government.
" My own communications may have shared the fate and miscarriages of those of Messrs. Carson and Hamilton, who I am fully sensible addressed the government frequently and from different parts of the United States, for I saw their letters ; but, like myself, I am told, not a word has been heard from them.
"Shortly after my effort before the public in Cincinnati, I fell sick and was confined with a fever and painful illness for near a month. During this time I received orders to proceed to Pittsburg, to purchase some cannon, and from there to Phila- delphia and New York and, if practicable, to effect a loan on the credit of Texas for fifty thousand dollars to complete the outfit of the division then being raised, which order is herewith submitted in a true copy and marked No. 5.
" In obedience to the last named order, I set out from Cincinnati on the first of June, that being as soon as I could travel, or information from this country would authorize it; passing by Pittsburg but found that no cannon could be procured at that time, inasmuch as the only foundry which made them had a large contract on hand for the United States, and would not make any others before fall. From there I proceeded to Washington City on my way to the East, and for the purpose of learning the disposition of that government in relation to Texas; thinking at the same time that such infor- mation might be wanting, on my attempting the loan I wished to make, and my anticipations proved true. In Washington I found our commissioners, "Immediately on seeing the proclamation, be- fore alluded to, we withdrew all propositions for money and made no further exertions of that nature. In a short time after this, which was about the latter part of July last, I set out for the South on my way home, and met Gen. Chambers at Cin- Messrs. Hamilton and Childress, making every possible exertion for our cause, and with happy effect, Gen. Austin, Wm. H. Wharton and Dr. Archer, the former commissioners, then being on their way home, and all as I found having produced by their able efforts impressions of the most en- , cinnati, to whom I communicated the result of my couraging character in favor of our cause. From mission and who I found had sacrificed a large portion of his private fortune to advance the cause and aid the country. I found there that another famous proclamation of his Excellency President Burnet, had issued that no more volunteers were wanted from the United States, which I found had there I proceeded to New York, by way of Balti- more and Philadelphia. There Imade propositions for the money I wanted, and with the aid and under the auspices of S. Swartwout, Esq., and James Treat, E-q., two of the most noble and devoted
friends that Texas ever had, or ever will have, I was told that the money could be had if the gov- ernment of the United States would recognize our independence, or take action upon the subject, which would be tantamount thereto, or manifest a favorable disposition; and at this point did my negotiation for a loan cease for a time. Also one other proposed loan of another commissioner, Mr. R. Hamilton, for five hundred thousand dollars, and which had been set in operation by the first commissioners with a heavy banking house of that city. During this suspension I was advised by some friends of Texas to return to Washington City, and see what was likely to be done there, which I did, and had the gratification of meeting our Secretary of State, Col. S. P. Carson, there, but in bad health, notwithstanding which he gave great aid and assistance to the cause of Texas, and much credit is-due him for the successful passage of the favorable resolution in the Congress of the United States concerning Texas. From Washing- ton, Messrs. Carson, Hamilton, Childress, and myself went up to New York, for the purpose of concluding, if possible, the two loans which had been proposed previously. In a short time after we reached there, and as everything was assuming a highly favorable aspect in relation to our busi- ness, there appeared in public prints that famous proclamation of his Excellency, President Burnet, denouncing, without distinction, all agents and com- missioners then in the United States and announc- ing that Mr. T. Toby was the only Texas agent. The same mail which announced his appointment, also brought the intelligence of the failure of Messrs. Toby & Bro. ; all of which was well calculated to produce what followed, namely, that state of confusion and distrust in the public mind which prevailed in the United States, after conclu- sion of the late administration of Burnet, and a loss to Texas at that time, of more than half a million of dollars, which aid she was on the eve of obtaining.
175
INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS.
produced great confusion and dissatisfaction in that country, particularly to those (and there were many within my knowledge ) who had prepared and determined to emigrate to Texas, from " the dark and bloody ground " of our existence, and when to every rational mind it was supposed the war would be prosecuted with vigor.
" But in a short time after the proclamation, last alluded to, other threatened invasions by the Mex- icans became imminent, and produced another proclamation calling on the generous and sympa- thizing of the world to come to the aid of suffering Texas, but then it was too late in the season, as the people of the North were afraid to come South until fall.
" General Chambers made and was still making, preparations to bring on a fine band of gallant emigrants (in addition to those already in this country ), who were to start in a short time after Messrs. Wilson and Postlethwaite's return from Texas.
" I think their slanderous publications destroyed all these efforts and for a time turned the tide of feel- ing against Texas. On the first of September, I left Louisville on my way home, but unfortunately was taken sick on the river, and after I reached Natchez was confined for near a month. After my recov- ery I had some private business which detained me for a short time, and news of an unfavorable char- acter after that was concluded, I proceeded home- this month.
wards, and arrived at this place on the eighth of . kindness and sympathy, which I found prevailing
" The last service I did for the cause of Texas was in Natchez, when I aided the quarter-master general, at his request, in selling land scrip, and assisted in obtaining some fifty thousand dollars for the government to purchase provisions for the army ; and that of refuting the pamphlet publication con- taining the calumnies against Texas of Messrs. Wilson and Postlethwaite. I hadthe pleasure of see- ing before. I left the United States, that the highest friendly feeling was again up for Texas and perfect confidence was displayed throughout that country, on the receipt of the news of the election of the hero of San Jacinto to the presidency, and the appointment of his able Cabinet, and the policies of the same.
" The present Congress I contracted no debt for, or on account of this government, nor made it re- sponsible for one thing.
"The foregoing services herein related I per- formed at my own expense, and free of charge to the government in any manner whatever.
" By my absence I left exposed and unprotected all my property and effects on carth ; also my office,
papers and books of all kinds (professional and private), which were all destroyed and thereby leaving me damaged, with others (and worse than they, for most of them saved their papers at least). to a large amount of property and effects, and worse than all, subjected to incalculable difficulties and confusion, by the loss of my books and papers.
" The foregoing is faithfully submitted to your Excellency and a candid world, to show the cause of my absence from the country at a time when I should have rejoiced to have marched with your Excellency and all my countrymen in arms, and perhaps gained some of the brilliant honors by many achieved, or died with the immortal slain. And the same is submitted to account for the delays and disappointments before explained.
"In the foregoing report I have discharged a conscientious duty, in giving a plain and candid expose, but not as full as I would have given had it been required or compatible with official obliga- tion, and of this I shall content myself as in all other matters of my life with a quiet and approving conscience, knowing that I have faithfully and honorably discharged my duty to my country.
" I have the honor to be, with high regard,
" Your obedient and humble servant,
"I. R. LEWIS.
" Columbia, December 12th, 1836."
"P. S. For the high and generous feeling of in Kentucky for our cause, the highest credit is due cur distinguished fellow-citizens, Gen. S. F. Austin and Dr. B. T. Archer, two of our first commission- ers, but a short time previously had passed through that country on their way East and who, by their zealous and able efforts, had prepared the public mind in the happiest manner to respond promptly and generously to any call which might be made in behalf of Texas, and made my efforts more profit- able than I could have otherwise anticipated.
" In New York I had the pleasure of meeting one of the last commissioners sent out by President Burnet, viz., our distinguished and worthy fellow- citizen, James Collinsworth, just as I was on the eve of leaving that city."
Col. Lewis also served as a volunteer in the cam- paign of 1842 against the invasion by Woll of Texas.
After the overthrow of Mexican rule in Texas, Col. Lewis busied himself with his profession, practicing principally in the counties of Matagorda, Brazoria, Fort Bend and Wharton, until he acquired consid rable property, when he retired from the
1
1
176
INDLIN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS.
practice to plantations purchased by him and com- meneed farming with negro slaves.
Though proficient in law and literature, . Col. Lewis discovered that he was not cut out for a planter and, after meeting reverses, abandoned farming and returned to the practice, in which he continued until his death, which occurred at the home of his son-in-law, Maj. Moses Austin Bryan, at Independence, in August, 1867.
The antecedents and family history of this public servant and distinguished citizen are clearly traced and well known, as he left behind him all his private and publie papers and corresponilence, which are numerous and carefully preserved; all of which is in the possession of his descendants living in Texas, liereafter noted. These papers, if ever published, will throw much light on what are now obscure places in Texas history, during the most trying period. Col. Lewis was born in Virginia, Septem- ber 25th, 1800. His mother was a Miss Randolph,. of the Virginia family of that name, and his father was a physician, Doctor Jacob Lewis, who was born the 13th day of October, 1767, in Somerset County, State of New Jersey, and lived to a ripe old age, dying in 1852 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the then place of his residence.
The father of Dr. Lewis was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, serving under Washington in repelling the invasion of New Jersey and New York by the British.
While in the Continental patriot army he con- tracted camp fever and died.
The autobiography of Dr. Lewis, speaking of the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, relates the following incident :-
" After peace was proclaimed, the fourth day of July was appointed as a day to be set apart for thanksgiving and rejoicing. The plains where Somerville now stands, in Somerset County, New Jersey, was the place of meeting. The largest collection of people I think I ever saw was collected there to congratulate each other on the happy event of gaining our independence. A circle formed. and Gen. Frelinghuyson, on his war horse, rode in the center and gave us a truly patriotic lecture ; spoke much on our ease and comfort, and that the form of our government would be that of a Republic : and further went on and explained the meaning of a Republican form of government, viz., that our legislators would be bound to act for the good of the nation, not local or sectional."
The Lewis family are of French Huguenot descent, tracing their ancestry directly back to the flight of the Huguenots from France after the revocation of the Ediet of Nantes, A. D. 1658.
Fleeing from religions persecution in France, the ancestors of Col. Lewis settled first in Holland, then removed to Wales and then to America in about the year 1700. .
The Lewis family were of that band of French IInguenots that history records as settling in little squads in the States of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and South Carolina.
In the year 1802, Dr. Lewis, the father of the subject of this sketeh, removed to the then Terri- tory of Ohio, a part of Virginia, which was created a State out of Virginia in February, 1803.
He settled in the town of Hamilton, or rather what became the city of Hamilton, Ohio. Here he practiced his profession and prospered until the war of 1812 came on with Great Britain, called the second war of independence. He enlisted in this war against the oppression of the British, as his father had done. before him in the Revolution. By virtue of his profession he was appointed surgeon's mate, or assistant surgeon, in the First Regiment, Third Detachment, Ohio militia, on the 13th day of February, 1813, and served throughout the war.
Col. I. R. Lewis was educated by his father, Dr. Jacob Lewis, in the best schools of Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up and was reared to be a highly accomplished young man. Choosing the law as his profession, he entered upon its study under the greatest advantages and auspices, being under Nicholas Longworth, the great Ohio lawyer. His father had planned for him a quiet and prosperous career, as a Cincinnati lawyer, starting as he did as a protege of Longworth and associate and compan- ion of Thomas Corwin, who became so famous as a lawyer and statesman.
Just after coming of age, he married, in 1822, Miss Eliza Julia Hunt. Miss Hunt was a native of Mississippi, born in Natchez; November 23d, 1802, and was left an orphan at an early age. Miss Hunt's uncle, Jesse Hunt, took her to Kentucky, where the Hunt family came from, and from there she was sent to be educated in the schools of Cincinnati and met young Lewis. As soon as married and in control of his wife's property, which consisted of large landed estates and slaves. the self-reliant and venturesome spirit of his ances- tors cropped out and, to the dismay and chagrin of his father and friends, Col. Ira Lewis announced that he had quit law and would move to Mississippi and take charge of his wife's property and become a planter with slaves. Residing in and near Nat- chez, Col. Lewis operated his plantation, dispens- ing a generous and refined Southern hospitality.
After several years residence in Mississippi, he soll out and purchased a plantation near Baton
.
177
INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS.
Rouge and Donaldson, La., and continued to live there until the year 1830, when he concluded to go to Austin's Colony in the then Mexican Province of Texas. He had heard of Texas from persons he had met in New Orleans when visiting that place to purchase supplies for his plantation. Visiting Texas in 1830, he satisfied himself that it was the coming empire of the Southwest and, returning to the United States, sold out his interests in Louisi- ana and embarked his family in a sailing vessel in May, 1831, bound out of New Orleans for Texas. Passage by sea proved stormy and disastrous, re- sulting in the wrecking of the vessel off the coast of Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis with their four children, all girls, were saved in the boats and, after undergoing terrible hardships for several days at sea, tossed about at the mercy of the waves, they were landed near the town of Matagorda, in Mata- gorda County, on the coast of Texas, then a part of Austin's Colony. Everything was lost in the wreck. All that was left was on their shivering bodies. Relics and mementoes; as well as furniture and wearing apparel, luxuries and necessaries of life, were all swallowed up in the Gulf of Mexico.
With hospitality, characteristic of life in a new country, the people of Matagorda took into their arms the Lewis family and provided for them until they procured a home. This crushing blow well- nigh crazed Mrs. Lewis and she implored her hus- band to return to the United States, but he insisted on remaining. As soon as the means could be pro- cured it was determined that San Felipe de Austin, thic seat of government of Austin's Colony, was the proper place to settle and practice his profes- sion of law.
A writer of the period between 1831 and 1833, speaking of the people of San Felipe de Austin, under the head of " Early Days in Texas," says : "San Felipe was established by S. F. Austin, in 1824, on the Brazos, and was named by Governor Garcia as the capital of Austin's Colony. It was the first Anglo-American town established in Texas. Stephen F. Austin, the empresario, and Samuel M. Williams, his seeretary, lived here. Here was kept the land office; here met the Ayuntamiento, the colonists to designate their lands, and to receive their titles, and strangers who visited the country ; here resided the prominent lawyers of the colonists of Austin, among whom were W. B. Travis, W. H. Jack, Ira R. Lewis, T. J. Chambers, Luke Lesas- sier, Thomas M. Duke, Hosea League, Robert M. Williamson (three-legged Willie ) and others. The society of San Felipe at that day was good. The colonists were required by Austin to bring with them from their former places of residence, certifi-
cates of good character. By printed notices they were informed if they failed in this, their applica- tion to be received as colonists would be rejected. San Felipe could boast of elegant, refined and beautiful women, as well as noble and cultured men. Mrs. Ira R. Lewis, Mrs. James F. Perry (the sister of S. F. Austin ), Mrs. W. II. Jack, Mrs. Naney Mckinney, Mrs. Townsend, Mrs. Peyton (sister of Bailey Peyton ), Mrs. Parmer and others, from their personal attractions, lovely womanly character, would command attention and admira- tion anywhere. Here was established the first Sunday school, the first newspaper and the first Masonic Lodge in Texas. Here assembled the representative men to consult and plan for the weal of Texas, and it so continued until it was destroyed by fire on the approach of the Mexican army, under Santa Anna, in 1836. But for this destruction it would have, in all probability, have been selected as the capital of the Republic of Texas."
After practicing his profession for several years at San Felipe, Col. Lewis returned to Matagorda, which place became for many years his permanent place of residence.
Mrs. I. R. Lewis died January 11th, 1887, at the residence of her son-in-law, Maj. M. A. Bryan, and was interred in the family cemetery at Inde- pendence, Texas.
Colonel and Mrs. Lewis had four children, all girls, viz., Laura, born in 1824, at Natchez ; Louisa, born near Baton Rouge, La., in December, 1825, Cora and Stella, born in Baton Rouge, La., in the years, respectively, 1828 and 1830.
Laura married at Matagorda, Texas, Dr. A. F. Axson and was the mother of three children, viz., Lewis, Clinton J. and B. Palmer, all born in New Orleans. Louisa married Hon. Geo. Hancock of Austin, Texas, and was the mother of one child, viz., Lewis, born in Austin, Texas. Cora married Moses Austin Bryan of Brazoria, November 3d, 1856, and was the mother of six children, to wit, Gum M., who died at the age of two years, in Brazoria ; Stella Louisa, who died at the age of four years, at Independence; Lewis Randolph, born October 2d, 1858 ; Beauregard, born January 16th, 1862; Austin Y., born December 20th, 1863; Stonewall Jackson, born February 2d, 1866. Of these children the first four were born in Brazoria County, Texas, on their father's plantation on Oyster ereck, called "Retire." The last two were born near Independence on their father's plantation. Stella married Maj. Hal. G. Rumnels, of Harris County, Texas, an only son of Governor Hiram G. Runnels and cousin of Governor Hardin
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.