Galveston County, Texas - The whole text, 1895 (part 3 of 26)

May 1, 1887, the congress reassembled at the town of H<.>u*ton, and tlie president on the 5th read his nns^age, wheiein he refei'red to the recognition of the independence of Te.xas by the United States with an eminent degree of satisfaction, and said that the republic was now unwilling to invcdvc the metliation of otlier powers; but with regard to the financial position of the government it could hardly have as.sumed a much worse state. On account of the unfavorable condition of the money market in the United States, no portion of the $5,000,000 loan had been realized, and the land scrip (for which the sale of 500,000 acres had been authorized) had produced notliing, owing to the questionable acti(.)n of the agents at Ne^v Orleans, who woidd i-ender no account (d' their transactions to the executive, and di>lionored drafts drawn upon them by tiie latfei'.

"leagues "and 'labores." At this time the Caddo Indians on the northeastern frontier were under treaty with tiie United States. Tliey had been very troublesome, showing a disposition to unite and amalgamate with the wilder tribes.

The most important question which occu pied the attention of the congress of l^-'.l was that of the land bill. Daring this and the called session in the fall the matter v\'a> repeatedly brought up, and several acts amendatory to the original one were passetl. l.tet-ides the problem of surveying the public land into sections, there were many other knotty ditiieulties as to the disposition of the lands, to titles, grants, etc. Since the closing of the land offices in November, 183G, questions concerning imperfect titles had increased in the commissioners' otHces, and the grants to empresarios and titles deiiending thereon had to be considered. To ilistingiiisli legitimate claims and guard against fraud was a most diflicult matter, ami to fi'anie a bill that ,vould defeat the ingenuity ui laud stealers without violating the rights of citizens of Texas, justly acquired under the old Mexican legislation, and even under old Texan legislation itself, was almost an impossibility. Moreover, land bounties had been granted to the volunteers who had so valiantly stepped forwai'd 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 location, 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 wdiom exceptional privileges as to the area of grants were extended, were used to substantiate claims, and in default of this recont-ge fictitious names were snp|ilieil, and lica<!-riij;iits olitaini'ii nn.liT tlioai. No legislatiife has ever lial ihu task of unraveling a more complicated e'liang'ement of just with unjust claims, or has been called ujioii to devise a law that could discriminate between rights almost i([iiipoised in the scale of jvistice. After some temporary legislation a general land law was at length adopted, with the following pi-ovifion~: For each county a surveyor was to lie a[)pMinted, and a board of coinmis- .-ioners whose duty it was to investigate c'aims for he id-rights, and grant certilicates upon proof of riglit being establishol. Persons advancing claims under the old colonization laws were required to take oath that they were resident in Texas at the time of the declaratioti of independence, that they had U'lt left the country during the campaign of the spring of 183G, and prove by two or more creditable witness(^s that they were uciually citizens of Texas at the date of that declaration. In this provision widows and orohans were excejited. Conflicting claims Were to be ti'ied before the nearest jn.^tice of the peace and six disinterested Juivirs. Empre^ario coiiii'a.ts liaving ceased with Mexican domination, all vacant lands within such grants were declared the pi'operty of the liepublic. On the whole this law was a \ery good one, tliough somewhat imperfect.

Among the acts of this congress, one was tor the sale of Galve-ton and other islands in lots of ten to forty acres, and the result was an impetus to the growth of Galve.>ton, fo^n making it the most important seapoi't in Texas.

During the last session of this congre-s, this year (1837) much attention was paid to the incorporation of towns and to the boundaries of old counties and the creation of new counties. The towns of Shelbyville, Brazoria, Itichmond, Sui Felipe de Austin, Lagrange, San A'ltonio, Victoria, Gonzalez, Matagorda, Mina, Houston, Washington, Crockett, Refugio, Columbia, Clarksville, Lexington, Milam, Goliad, San Patricio and Jo:iesl)orough were all incorporated during this session; and the new counties of Montgomei'y, Fayette, Fannin, Robertson and Fort 'Bender were created. Some of the above mentioned towns, however, had been incorporated 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 revenue from tai-iff duties proportionately increased; lands were rising in price; commerce was assuming a prosperous condition; nothing was to be feared frouj Mexico for the present, as that nation was in a difficulty with France; and the western frontier was enjoying a rest from war, although Indians kept up their usual depi'edations. (See a subsequent section, to befoun I by tiie index.)

From the reports of the State ofhcers, it isee.'i that 10,890 certificates of land title had been issued by the different county boardup to November 1, 1838, repreeenting 26. 242,199 acres; that up to October 15, 2.990, 000 acres ha i been distributed to soldiers aland bounties; that the issues of land scrip amounted to 2,193,000 acres, of which scriji to the amount of 870,000 acres had bo mi returned by the agents, and a portion, representing 60,800 acres, had been funded. P>ut financially, the outlook was bad. The public debt hail been increased, ami the credit of the Republic was nearly exhausted. Considerable legislation was enacted with refei'ence to

By the constitution tlie term of oflico of the president was limited to two years, without his beinnj eligible t'ur re-election; succeeding presidents were to hnl 1 their uliice for three years. Consequetitly ILmston's term expired on the first Monday in December, l^!38. The election was lieLl in September, the candidates being Mii'abean I'. Lamar, Peter W. Grayson, James Collingsworth and Hubert Wilson; but befon; the election Gray sun and Collingswoi'th both committed suicide! Lamar was chosen pi'esident almost unanini'iusly, and David G. Burnett, vice-president.

In his inaugural address Lamar oppose(l annexation to the United States very decidedly, claiming that such an act would lie -' the grave of all her hopes of happiness and great ness." In his messatje, which was a lono; one, he urged the speedy adoption of a system of public education, the promotion of a gci eral diffusiun of knowledge and industry by the appropriation of lands for educational purposes and the establishment of a university; auii he also recommended re"oi'm in the municipal code. He ailvocated severe measures against the hostile Indians, considering t'.at 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 fr.mtier he proposed the estal)lisliinent of a line of military posts, and, as a general [)rotection against Mexico, the organization of a militia and the encouragement of volunteer associations. While he was a free-trader in the abstract, in view of the finarjcial distress of the Hepublic, he I'ecommended a continuance of the tarill' syt-tem then in vogue for a short time iongei', in order to maintain the good credit of the country.

But with all that Texas could di>, her debt frightfully increased. One liistoilan says that during ti^e three years of Lamar's administration the [)ublic debt increased from §1,887,520 to $7,300,000, and that the eecurities decreased from 65 and 85 to 15 and 20 cents; but, accnnling to ex-I'ri'sident Houston's subsequiMit report, matters were not quite so bad as that. Gi'eat aihiwiince** had to be made for the peculiarity of the situation.

During the latter part of 18,3S the Nacogdoches rebellion occurred, when a considerable number of Mexican se tiers assembled on the banks of the Angelina, with 300 Indians, under the leadership of Kathaniei Norris, Vicente Cordova, and others. Their numbers soon increased. President Houston, who was then at Nacogdoches, leceived a communicatiou from these leaders, disclaimincr allegiance to Texas. The malcontents then directed their uiarch to the Cherokee nation. President Houston sent out General Husk, with the main body of the army, to the headquarters of Powles, the Cherokee chief, while Major Augustin, with 150 men, followed the trail of the malcontents. Rusk presently discovered that the Mexican leaders had gone to the head-waters of the Trinity river, his follov\-ers ha I dispersed and many of them leturned to their homes without any blood being shed. The precise object of this attemjit at revolution has never been fully explained. Coi'dova had been in correspondence with the enemy at Matainoras, and appears to have hehi a com mission from Kilisuhi to raise tlio Ind ais as auxiliaries to tlie Mexican army. Early in 1839, Filisola was siicceedetl by General Canalizo, who, February 27, issued instructions to tlie cap'ains and chiefs of the friendly nations, inciting then to wage incessant war against Texas, and laying down a plan of iam[)aign for their guidance. He said that Mexico 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 prevent the enemy from taking advantage of fortunate cirfiinistanees. They were, however, can iic^'d not to advance too near the Frontier of the United States, but should occupy the lines of San Antonio de Bejar about ihe Guadalupe, and from the heads of the San Marcos to its mouth. This position would have the advantage of keeping the enemy in front and a friendly nation in tile 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 uniting 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 appidnted commissioner to the Indians, to ojxu-ate with them as allies, and also to enlist the services of Cordova.

But the best-laid scheme of this man went " agley ;" for as Floros was passing through Texas with about twenty-five Mexicans and Indians, he was taken by a Texan force under

James O. Eice and killed. Flores' men had committed several murders; and in the engagement, which occurred about fifteen miles from Austin, the men were put to flio-ht. The correspondence with reference to the enlistment of the India'is and Cordova thus fell into the hands of the Texans and the plot was made known.

The Indians

The Texan government then resolved to remove the Cherokees, upon whose rich and beautiful lands the whites were constantly encroaching. Accordingly, Colonel Burleson, from the Colorado, Colonel Landruni, with his regiment from eastern Texas, and General Rusk, with the Nacogdoches regiment, were ordered to invade the territory. The whole force, about 500 men, was placed under the command of General Douglass. Negotiations for the peaceable removal of the tribe to Arkansas having failed, on July 15, Douglass advanced against the Indian camp, on arriving at which he found that the Indians had retreated higher up the river. He found them, about 800 strong, and a running light with them for several days drove them from their lands. Their crops were also destroyed, with the idea that they were being raised in order to co-operate with tlie Mexicans. A few of the expelled owners, however, did not leave the country, but I'emained along the Colorado and continued to harass the settlers.

But the most hostile and troublesome Indians were the Comanches. In February, 18-10, showing a disposition to enter into a treaty of peace, twelve of their principal chiefs met, March 19, the Texan commissioners at Bejar, where General H. D. McLeod was in command. It was known that the Comanches had thirteen white captives in their power, and the release of these was deinnndi'd. The Indians hrouglit forward only one, a little (rirl. After a Lrief discussion, ill whiieli the Indians exhibited deKance, an order was sent to Captain Howard, to bring liib company into the council room; and as siioa as the men had taken their position the chiefs were informed that they would be detained as prisoners until the captives were surrendered. A terrible conflict ensued; the twelve chiefs, armed, were all Icilled in the council room, while the warriors in the yard outside maintained a desperate ticrht. All were finally slain, thirty-two in nninhcr, while seven women and children wei-e ma le prisoners.

Naturally thft Comanches in general were resolved on revenge for what they considered treachery, atid in return for the destruction of so many of their chiefs. With a band of 600 they raided Linnville and the vicinity of Victoria, which latter place they made two efforts to capture, and carried off to their homes immense numbers of live stock and large amounts of other property. During August (1840) the whites had several skirmishes with them, under command of General Felix Houston, and drove them away, with considerable loss. Furthermore, on October 5th following. Col. John 11. Jloore, with ninety Texans and twelve Lipan Indians, was sent up the Colorado in pursuit of the escaped Comanches, and on reaching them he destroyed their village and killed many of the escaping Indians. The rout was complete, and Lamar's system of extermination or extinction was for once thoroughly carried out.

Santa Fe Expedition

A comparatively long interval of peace with Mexico was occasioned l)y internal strifes in the latter country. The northern " Federalists" failed to establish their "Republic of the llio Grande," a scheme wholly ignored by the Texans. The latter, however, as has already been remarked, claime 1 all tlie territory east of the Rio Grande to its source, which was indeed much farther into the interior than they were warranted in going. Accordingly, in 1841, they sent out an expedition toward Santa Fe, in order more perfectly to establish their possession to that section of the country. This scheme was a wild one, fi-om the fact that the population of Santa Fe was thorouglily M'^xicaii, and separated fr<.im the Texas scttlenients by an Indian country fully 600 miles in width. Indeed it was not sanctioned by the Texan congress, and the scheme was wholly Lamar's. He proclaimed in ad\'anco to the autlnu-ities at Santa Fe the object of tlie e.xpcdition. If they in that section were unwilling to submit to Texas, said he, then he wished to estiblish friendly commercial relations with New Mexico. He instructed his commander not to subjugate the country if the ])eople were unwilling to submit; the military organization of the expedition was only for protection against the savages. The expedition, consisting of 270 soldiers, left Austin June 20, 1841, and met with many disasters, and, after some loss of men, was captured before it reached Santa Fe, and most of the men sei\t to the City of Mexico, where they were kept in prison for a time. Among them wag the commissioner, J. A. Navarro, who, after languishing in prison for fourteen months, finally escaped at Vera Cruz, in January, 1845.

Location Of The Capital

January, 14, 1839, Congress appointed five commissioners to select a site for the capital of the republic. The commissioners were Albert C. Morton, Lewis R. Cook, Isaac

W. Burton, "Williatn Menifee and J. Camphell, who made chok-e of tlie location where Austin now stands. Altli()iii:h at that date tjie new town, wliioli was iin mediately laid out, was situated on the extreme frontier of the settlements, the coimuissioners show'ed their wisdom in their selection. They aimed at establishing a permanent capital, which would occupy a central position when Texas had become a thickly populated country; and though the government would be near the Indians, Austin as the seat would draw settlers more rapidly westward.

During the month of November, 1840, the congress assembled there, surrounded by the wilderness. The seat of go\ernmeut for the Republic of Texas, like tliat of most other new governments, was subject to frequent chanu;e. Tlie following is the order, with the dates: feet 6 inclies, inclusive of porticos; width, 288 feet 10 inches at widest point; height, 311 feet from grade line to top of statute on dome. It contains 258 rooms, and is second oidy in size to the capitol at Washington, and is the seventh largest building in the world.

The State executive offices are located on the tirot floor, as follows: Governor, secretary ot State, comptroller, treasurer, superintendent of public instruction, adjutantgeneral, attorney-general, commissioner of agriculture, insurance, statistics and liistory, superintendent of public buildings and grounds and State geologist; also the police department and offices of the electrician and janitor.

The senate chamber and hall of house of representatives, State library and readingrooms, reception and consultation rooms of the governor, president of the senate, speaker of the house and the legislative committee rooms are located on the second floor.

The supreme court, court of appeals, law library, galleries of the house of representatives and senate chamber, and reporters' galleries, and marshal's, clerks' and other offices of the judicial department are located on the third floor.

" The building is located on a commanding elevation, near the center of the city of Austin, in the square originally selected for the capitol of the Republic of Texas. It is shaped like a Greek cross, with projecting center and flanks, having a rotunda and dome at the intersection of the main corridors. The exterior walls are built of Texas red granite, from the inexhaustible quarries of Burnet county. This granite is pronounced by experts to be equal to any in the world, both in beauty and imperishability. The stately ideas of ancient builders have beer) blended with the useful of the modern, and the whole conception ami aim seems to have been to meet the practical demands of a progressive and cultured people. Wliertver it was praeticalile Texas material has been used in the buihling, and the fuet that nearly all the material used is native, is an illustration of the woiiderl'ul and varied resources of Texas. I'esides the granite a vast amount of other material, including stone, lime, wood, brick, etc., and many otlu-r articles, were secured in Texas, a() that it may be said the State house is built for Texas laiid, out of Texas material."

During the first presidency of Mr. Houston, General J. J'. Henderson was sent to London and Paris to obtain an acknowledgment from thost' couiiti-ies of Texan independence; and fi'om the first the British government was favorably dispnsed, on account of Texas being an agricultural country and the people inclined to free trade, thus opetung new channels for English commerce. France, indeed, recognizi'cl the independence of Texas in 188'.*, l)ut this friendly relation was soon interrupted liy a ridiculous aifair until some time in 1812. Holland and Belgium recognized it in 18-iO, and England in 1841. But all the efforts made to olitain a like recognition from Mexico failed. In this connection the following passage from Bancroft's history will lie appropriate:

"In 1839 the Texan goverument, entertaining some expectation that Mf'xico would be inclined to listen to propo-als for peace, sent Bernard E. I'ee as diplomatic agent to that government. liee arrived at Vera Ci'uz in May, where he remained ten days, pending the decision of the government with regard to his recei>ti<in. i'e was coni'teously treated by (Teueral Victoria, Governor of Vera Ci'uz, during his stay in that city. The Mexican authorities finally decided not to receive him, and he embarked for Havana. Texas, liowever, had a secret atJ-ent in tiie Mexican capital, who, in 1840, under the auspices of Packenhara, the English minister in that city, succeeded in submitting to the government the basis of a treaty of peace. Packeuham, moreover, offered to act as mediator. The treaty and the otf'er were alike rejected by Mexico. In 1841 tlie British government, without waiting for the exchange of ratifications of the mediation convention, officially instructed Packeuham to bring before tlie Mexican authnrities the proffer of Great Britain to mediate between that power and Texas; and Mr. Burnley, provided with a letter of introduction to him from Lord Palmerston, proceeded to Mexico as negotiator on the part of Texas. James Webb also was sent from Texas as coirimissioner to open and conduct the ijegotiations, but he was not receive 1, and immediately returned. Mexico pai<l no nmre heed to the British nation tlian she had done to her diplomatic agent. 8he unhesitatingly declined any such mediation, refused to entertain the question of peace unless Texas resigned her claim to independent sovereignty, and p)repared for war."

The presidential election of September, 1841, resulted in the choice of Sam Houston again, by a vote of 7,915 votes against 3,61t] for David G. Burnett. Edward Burleson was elected vice-president, against Meiinican Hunt, witii a much smaller majority.

Histobt Of Texas

opened his message witli congratiilatinns upon the prosperity of the country, but iul vised hostilities with Mexico, stfitini^ tliiit he had ah'cady sent tlie Texan navy to co-operate with the government of Yucatan, which had hitely declared her independence of Mexico. Lamar's administration was a bad one. He was too military and sanguine. During hi.s administration tlie question of annexation to the United States lay quiescent. The Government at Washington consistently maintained that 60 long as Texas was at war with Mexico and the United States at peace witli her, annexation would be a lireacli of treaty with her and involve our Government in war with her; and, on account of public criticism and the labors of his othce, he obtained ]ierniission for absence from his office during the last year of the term, wliile the government was administered by the vice-president, David G. Burnett.

President Houston, on the opening of his second term, did not hesitate to announce that his administration would be guided by a policy directly opposite to that of his predecessor, advocating a kinder and more patient course with regard botli to Mexico and the Indians. Financially, he made a number of recommendations to improve the treasury and the credit of the Kepubiic. As long as Texas was ahie to borrow she had been borrowing, and as long as her paper was of any value at all she issued it and lived on the proceeds, no matter how ruinous tlie rate. On the recommendation of President Houston congress ailopted a policy of retrenchment, abolishing many unimportant offices and cutting down the salaries of tlie government otiicers to less than half. A system of economy was likewise practiced in all the departments of the government. During the aditinistration of Lamar the treasurer pjaid out $4,855,215, while dui-ing a like term, Houston's second, only $493,175, the principal difference being caused by the iuHation of low credit.

The Mexican War

As an argument for annex'ition to the United States, it was stated that Mexiro had for six years failed to reconquer Tex.is or e-en sent an army within her b irders, and that the war therefore might be considered ended, although no formal recognition of the independence of Texas had been made by the mother country. Her prolonged inactivity miirht be considered an acknovvledo-ment that reconquest was impossible.

Mexico, however, in order to make good her cLiiiti, prepared at the close of 1841 to invade Texas. On January 9, 1842, General Arista issued a proclamation from his headquarters at Monterey that the Mexican nation would never consent to the separation of tiie territory, and that it was owing only to the civil wars in Mexico that no effort had recently been made to subjugate Texas. He declared that his country was determined to recover her rights through the only means left her, namely, persuasion or war; that hostilities would be directed against only those who sustained and fought to maintain the Texan nationality; and he called upon the people to reflect and consider their own interests, and return to their allegiance.

On March 5, General Paf'ael Vasquez appeared before San Antonio de Bejar at the head of 500 men. The Texan force there, being small, evacuated when the surrender of the town was demanded. Vasquez entered the place, hoisted the Mexican flag and departed. About the same time small foices oi Mexicans occupied Refugio and Goliad,

;ind also suon I'ctired. Arousod, the Texaiis bristled up for another engagement, and Uoiiston, on the U)tli of March, issued a proclamation calling upon all citizens subject to military duty to huld themselves in leadiness to repair to the scene of action in the event of a formiilahle iiivision. On the 21st lie addressed a letter to Santa Anna, again in power, which was pul)lished far and wide. In it were criticisms incited by injudicious correspondence between him (Santa Anna) and IJernard E. IJee and General Hamilton. Santa Atma declared that Mexico would not cease her efforts until she had planted her standard upon the Sabine. Houston replied promptly and boldly, that Texas would never yield, writing a very eloquent letter to the old treacherous Mexican. He declared blockaded all the Mexican ports on the eastern coast from Tabasco, including the mouth of the Ilio Grande and the Brazos Santiago. The Texan navy at this time consisted of four vessels, the other vessels that had been purchased by authority of the congress having been wrecked. Tliese vessels were transferred to the United States the next year, upon annexation.

By the way, it may be observed that when Vasquez occupied San Antonio much alarm was felt for the safety of Austin and the government archives. The president removed his cabinet to Houston, where congress held its special session of June 27, 1842, and this aggravated the indignation of the people of Austin. A vigilance committee was formed, the records were packed in boxes and a guai'd placed over them. I3esides, a force was sent out to guard the roads, to see tliat no wagon passed with the archives. December 10, | 1842, Houston instructed Captain Thomas I. I Smith to raise a company secretly and bring the most necessary books and docninents to -

Washington, where congrchS was to convene in regidar session that inunth. Smith avoided the regular patrols by a circuitous route, entered Austin December 30, at night, and succeeded in loading three wagons wdth records. This act was a surprise to the inhabitants^ of Austin. Smith hastened back, after Jiaving been fired upon without effect by Captain Mark B. Lewis, who, having rallied a volunteer company and procured a cannon from the arsenal, fired at the intruders. Smith encamped at Kinney's fort on Brushy creek, and on the following morning discovered that Lewis, with liis cannon pointed, had taken a position in front. After some parley, Smith agreed to take the wagons back to Austin. This affair has been called the Archive war. No further attempt was made to i-emove the records. The Austin people retained them until 1845, when, on occasion of the annexation convention being sutnmoned to meet in July, they dtdivered them over to the administration of Anson Jones, on condition that the con\ention should assemble at Austin.

This breeze took place during the second administration of Bi'esident Houston, in 1842. Early in this centnry tiie " neutral ground" became the asylum of adventurers and desperate men. Land coujuiissioners, especially in Shelby county, found a profitable business in issuing "headright'' certificates. During this year one Charles W. Jackson, a fugitive from justice, arrived in Shelbv county fi\>ra Louisiana, and offered himself as a candidate for the Texan contrress. Beino- defcate I, he undertook to expose the land frauds, declaring that his de- feat was owing tu the opposition of the pni-ty connected with tiiein. He notitied tlie general land office of the illegal proceedings had tliere, and a man named Joseph Goodlirtal intimated that liis life was in danger if he did not desist. Jackson shot iiim de id on the spot. He was called to trial, the court was thronged by armed men, and the judge failed to appear. The Louisianian then organized his party, under the name of " Regidaturs." 'f Their operations were somewhat irregular, and dunljtless many honest men lost their lauds, etc., by their work. The " Moderators" wei'e therefore organized in opposition, and a kind of warfare was carried on for three years, when the two factions drew up in actual battle array in front of each other; but the President had General Smith, with a force of about 500 men, put a stop to tlie threatening strife. IIoA'ever, many a murder was afterward committed in quarrels growing out of the issues.

The Great War Cloud Again

In 1842 the Texan congress resiilved on war with Mexico, but President Houston vcl,oed the bill authorizing the undertaking, as it was then beyond their means. Violent men were angered by the president's action. Directly, in July, General Davis on the Nueces was attacked Ijy Canales with 700 men, 500 of whom were cavalry; but witli only l'J2 men he repulsed them. Two months later General WoU took possession of Antonio, after some resistance on the part of the Anglo-Texans. After some discu.~sion rheTexans, fifty-two in number, surrendered on condition that they should be treated as prisoners of war.

a force of about 220 men, under Col inel Mntthew Caldwell, assenibled in the S.ilado bottom, about six miles east of town, and they sent Captain John C. Hayes forward to draw out the enemy, and was succe.ssful. VVoU came up with the renuiinder of his forces, and maintained a fight for an hour. Meantime a company of fifty-three Texans, from Fayette county, under the command of Nicholas Dawson, hastened to the assistance of Caldwell; Imt the enemy proved too strorg, putting most of the Texa is to death, only two making their escajjc; fifteen were taken pri.->oneis, and started ou foot toward the city of Mexico.

Then, S-'ptember 16, Houston called for volunteers to cross the Pio Grande. About 1,200 men were soon collected in the vicinity of Dejar, but poorly equipped and provisioned, and there was also considerable discontent as to choice of otticers, many preferring General Burleson to Somerville, whom Houston had a;ipointed. The latter indeed proved to be a jioor general, and soon returned to Bejar, while the most of his men, about 550 in number, determined to do something to redeem the expedition from disgrace, choosing Colonel Wdliam S. Fisher as their commander. But after a ficrlit of a day or so in the vicbiity of Mier, they had to surrender to the Mexican General Ampudia and Colonel Canales. The Texan prisoners, about 2G0 in number, succeeded at the hacienda del Salado in making their escape, with some loss of life, and after seizino- sonie ammunition, guns, etc., started on their way home, but made the mistake of changing their route to that through the mountainous region, which jiroved disastrous, and, weakened by hunger and exposure, they were easily re-captured. Seventeen of these were massacred at Salado by order of Santa- A iua! One of these, James L. Shepherd by name, was at the first sliot struck in the face by the ball, but not .;erioi,?ly wouicloil, an. I ho fell forvvarJ and fei;iiiol d'aili. At wh^ln he crawled to the mountains, l)ut coinpe'lel l)y hnuLjer, after wa'ilennf for syTOi'al \veek>, surrendered himself and was taken to Saltillo, recognized and shot in the public square! Much important matter is condensed in the following paragraphs, from U. 11. [Bancroft, (|Uoteil before:

''On tlie sulij'^ct of tiie relea-e of the-e prisoners, much coi-re.-pondence was carried on between the g ivernments of Texas and those of the United States and Great liritain, throngli their representatives. Tne expedition under Fisher was conduete 1 witlmut the sanction of the Texan government, anii in direct defiance of General Sonierville's urder lo march homo. By the United States and Great Britain it was regarded as a marauding incursion, and tiiose powers remonstrated with Texas when it sought their interpo-ition in belialf of the prisoners. The defense of the Texan g(jveriiment, however, was based on reasonable gi'ounds. Admitting, said the executive, that they went without orders and were thereby placed beyond the jji'otcction of ;he rules of war, yet the Mexican olHcers, by proposing terms of capitulation to tlie men relieved them from the responsibility which tliey had incurred.

'- Tlie (ippo.-ition papers of tlie time charged the president with einleavoi-ing to prejudice Santa Anna against the prisoners by admittinir t lat the move nent across the Rio Grande had b 'en made on tlicir own responsibility. (Jn January 10, 1>H{), General Green published an adiJrcss to the people of Texas, in vvliicii iie holds Houston responsible for tlie decimation of the pi'i.-oncrs, on tlie ground that he begged the mercy of the Mexican gdvci'nment lur them, though they had entered Mexico contrary to law and authority.' Green, in his jiMirnal, expresseii himself very bitterly agaiint Houston, and brought forward charges against him which the latter considered so serious that he denounced them as calumnies before the United States Senate, in 1854-, \'ln'n he was a member of that body. Hoiis ton dealt as severely with Green, and considered that his book should receive the attention of the chairman of the couMnittee of the libraiy of Congress, ani] be condcmiie I. Houston's speech elicited a reply frciii (4i'e n, who, in scathing terms, a-s ailed hisopp uient."'

In all probaljility Houston, in the tirst place, unwittingly admitted that the Mierex- |:>e lition was unauthorized, not thinking that any serious consequences could come from it, but that tlie statement would indeed elicit greater consideratii-m for the honor of the Texan government. At the same time the Texan soldiery were too zealous, and rnslicil forward with too small nuinbei-s and too little e(piipnient foi' so forniididile an undertawig as a war with Mexico. On this subject, u c think that neither llou>t(in nor the sohlieiy were criminal, liut made mistakes.

What were lett of the Texan jirixmers, 107 in number, were ti. ally liberate 1 by Santa Anna, Stptember Ki, lS4i, in commemoration of Mexico's national ilay.

In 1842, another unsuccessful expedition was made by 180 Texans, under Colonel Jacob Snively, and authorized by tlie president, acrain^t a ilexican caravan cro.-siiig teriitory far to the north claimed by Texas.

During the year 1843, and the most jiart of 1844, Texas enjoyeil an armistice from Mexican hostilities, pending consultation with the great powers, concerning a linal settlement of dithculties, and the savery (jue^tion, to a blight degre ', entered into the contro versy. EiH'-land was willing to mediate alone,

Texas Annexed To Tue United States

Tlie Texas presidential election of September, 1844, resulted in a victory for tlie aiitiannexationists, being a choice of Anson Jones for president, who was known to be oppo-ed to annexation. Kenneth L. Anderson vvas 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 shuttlecock for the stronger powers. Houston, by his pacitic policy, had brought the Indiatis to terms of peace, and by his economical administration had improved the tinancial condition of the republic, while in agricultural and ciiiniiiereial res|,ei'fs Texas began to thrive, lu his imuigural address President Jones said that jiis policy would be the maintenance of the public cielit; the reduction of the expenses of government; the abolishment of paper issues; the revision of the tariff law; the establishment of public schools; the sptedy attain n,e:it of pence with Mexico, and just and friendly relations with the Indians; the introduction of the penitentiary system; and the encouragement of internal improvement. JSot a word did he say with reference to annexation.

Btit 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 June- jiroclaimed an election of delegates to a convention to consider the adoption of the proposition of the United States, and, meeting at Austin, July 4, they recommended annexation, and submitted to a popular vote the proposition of the United States Congress, along with a proposed State constitution, which, on October 13, were ratified by a Vote almost unanimous! February 19, 1846, President Jones surrendered the executive authority to the newly elected Governor, J. Pinckney Henderson, wlio w'as inaugurated F'eliruary 10, 1S46. Thus the lone stai- of Texas became one of a glorious constellation.

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, about 4,000 of whom were Mexicans. Tiie 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 generally have a class of ruftians that disappear on the approach of more settlcl civilization.

When the resolution of Congress in favor of annexation was published, Marcli 7, 1845, General Almonte, the Mexican minister at Washington, demanded his passports. War with Mexico, indeed, the Government had been prefiaring 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, had been preparing for the contest, establishing their first base at Matainoras. We have not space here to give a full account of the "Mexican war," but let us be content with a tabular view of the principal battles, etc., which, in general, is more satisfactory for reference than an extended account:

U I Stout Of Texas

Palo Alto, May 8, (General Taylor and Maj(.)r Ringgold, with 2,300 men, were eritjaged with Arista, who had ahout 0,000. American loss, 4 killed and 40 wounded; Mexican, 100 killed and wounded.

Re.-aea de la Palnia, May 9, Get:eral Taylor and Captain May, with 2,000, weie engaged witli General La Vega, who had ahont 5,000. American loss, 120 killed and wou:iiled; Mexican, 500 killed and wounded.

Monterey, Septemher 21 to 24, Genei-als Worth, Quitman and Taylor, with a force of 0,600, opposed Genera] Anipudia, with 10,000. American loss, 120 killed and 308 wounded; Mexican, tlie city of Monterey itself.

Puena Vista, February 23, 1847, Genc-al Taylor, with 4,750 men, was engaged with General Santa Anna, who iiad 17,000. Taylor's loss, 746 killed, wounded and missing; Mexican, 1,500 killed aiid wounded.

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

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

Molino del Rey, September 8, General Worth, with 7.500, against Alvarez witli 14,000. American loss, 787 killed and wounded; Mexican, 230 killed and wounded.

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

In this general war the Texans took the following part: The Texas legislature appointed Governor Henderson to take command of the Texans who iniglit be mustered 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 General 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 volunteers on garrison duty in towns on the Eio Grande, and only the first aud second regiments of the Texan division accompanied the main army on that meirioi-atile campaign. In the attack upon Monterey, the lirst regiment of mounted volunteers under Colonel John C. Haya, familiarly known as '-Jack"

Hays, the celeliruted raii^ei', was deUvlied and sent with General Wdi-th to make a demonstration on the western side of tlie town, while Taylor assanlted the east side. Tlie city, which was strongly fortified and garrisoned, was assailed by Taylor 8epieiiil)er 21, and tlie attack lasted three days, on the last of which Henderson led in person the second regiment of Texans, who, dismounting, acted as infantry. Being cut ofE from his command by a murderous fire, he narrowly 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 tire 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 lifiahts, one on each side of the ri\-er, known by the n-ime.-- 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 following morning 200 Texans, led by Hays and Walker, with three companies of the artillery battalion and three companies of the Eighth Infantry, scaled 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 ponred down upon them; 'but the work was soon taken, and as fresh troops arrived in support, the strong fort of El Obispado was assaulted and taken. The Texans, however, had to mourn the death of Cajitain Gillispie.

Thus the investment of the city on the west side was complete; and during the next two days the Ain(tricans so successfully pushed their way into the city that on the 24:th Am |)udia capitulated. The Texans bore a prominei't part in the above engagement.

Indied. all through the war the Texaiu ciiarartei'istically exhiliited their valor, main fiiining the extraordinarily high reputation they hail gained in fornier years. Hays' rei iiiient, for example, of which the rangers tbrined the nucleus, was transferred to Scott's conimand, after serving in Taylor's campaign on the Kio GraniJe, and the efficieney of these men was marked wherever the army went. Serving eiiually well on loot or on horseback, they would stoi'in a height or cliai'ge 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 antagonists and of awe to non combatants. As Bancroft says, " their uncouth, wild, and tierce 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 human, - that they were beings intermediate between man and devil! In the city of Mexico, some of these brave, single-hearted and patriotic men fell beneath the knives of assassins, and the remains of many others lie buried in Mexican soil all the way from Yera Cruz to tlie city of Mexico."

Mexico was forced to the terms dictated by the United States, and in the treaty of peace, signed at Guadalupe Hidalgo, February 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.

Events After The War

While Guvcu'iior Henderson was absent in conunaiiil of the Texan vohinteers, his place was tilled hy Lientenant-Govenmr Ilorton. December 21, 1847, George T. Wood was inaugurated as the second governor of the State, and John A. Greer as lieutenantgovernor.

During Wood's administration a dispute arose which made many a Texan sorry he voted for annexation. When war was declared between tlie United States and Mexico, General S. W. Kearny took possession of Santa Fe in the name of the latter government; and when, by the treaty of (-iuadalupe Hidalgo, iS'ew Mexico was ceded to the United States, Colonel Munroe was placed in command there. In 18-18 the Texan legislature sent a judge (lieard) to hold court there, still maintaining that that part of tlie country was a portion of Texas, as at first decidei] by them. Golonel Munroe, however, ignored the Texan judge, and ordered the election of a Tei-ritorial ilelegate to the government at Wabliingtcin. The conti'oversy grew violent, and Governor Wood threatened force. The Washington governmetit annonnced that it would resist it. The matter entered into national politics as a new side issue between the North and the Soutli, the latter sympathizing with the claims of Texas. This matter was at length "settled" by absor|)tion into another question, namely, that of the public debt of Texas, soon to be mentioned.

The election of 1849 i-esiilted in the choice of ]'. lI;ul^borong|] IJell fur govei'noi-, while John A. (xieer \\a- re elected lieutenantgovernor. For the next presidential term Governor Bell uas re-electerl. During his administration two absoi'bing (juestious were settled, - the boundary line and the public debt. The particulars in reg:trd to these delicate and complicated matters are thus carefully worded in II. II. Banci'oft's History:

"On the incorporation of Texas into the Union, the United States Government, of course, acipiirel 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 wlien they were passed over to the Federal Government the bondholders clamorously m;iintained 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 $(511,784.50 par value. This matter, as well as the boundary question, was discussed at great length in both houses, and January 2'J, 1850, Henry Clay introduced, among other 'compromise resolutions,' one designed to solve the perplexing ipiestiuns 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 her 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 intention to maintain the integrity of her territory. The several resolutions of Clay's bill were slowly discussed, and August 5, 1850, James A. Pearce, senator from Maryland, introduced a bill making definite ijropositions to the State of Texas relative to her boundary and the payment of her public debt.

Bistort Of Texas

They were to this effect: Texas was to agree tliat her boundary on the north sliould commence at tlie point at whii'h tlie meridian of 100° west from Greenwich is intersected by the jiarrllel of 3G° 30' north latitude, anil should run from tiiat point due west to the meridian of 103° west from Greenwich; thence the boundary line sliould run due south to the 32° of north latitude, tlience on said parallel to the Rio Grande, and thence with the channel of that river to the gulf of Mexico. Texas was to cede to the United States all her claim to territory outside of these limits, and to relinquish all claim on the United States for liability for lier debts, or compensation for the surrender of her ships, forts, customhouses, customhouse revenue, public buildings, etc. The United States, in Consideration of the establishment of said boundary and relinquishment of claims, would pay to Texas |10,000,000, in stock bearin.i? 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 liled at the treasury of the United States releases of all claims against tlie United States on account of Texan bonds.

"This bill passed the senate August 7, by a vote of 30 yeas and 20 nays, and on September 4 following passed the hoii.-e by a vote of 108 against 97. A copy of the bill, called the Boimdary 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 retained jurisdiction over it. A2:iart from the unwillingness to yield teriitoiy 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 creditors 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 December 1, 1850, - a proviso which, taken with the general tone of the document and the unconditional assent expected, was regarded 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 about 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 complete membership in the American Union, with every prospect of prosperity and peace. " This matter having been settled, " continues 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 auditor and comptroller, dated November 12. 1851, the ostensible indebtedness of Texas was $12,-436,991, including interest; but the State, in view of the low price at which a large portion of the bonds issued by the republican government had been sold, did not consider itself bound to pay their full face value, and in January, 1852, the legislature redticed the amonnt of lier apparent obligation? ($ 12,430,991) to nearly lialf (§6,827,278), over the president's veto, by a strong vote." As soon as Te.vas was annexe 1 to tlie United States, iinniiirration l)egan to increase, and in- L-rease more and more rapidly after peace was estal)lished. The only drawback to uninterrupted prosperity was Indian depreilations. Though the main body of each bordei' tribe pi'ofessed friend,-lnp, the outlying settlements suffered consiileralile damage, especial ly on the western frontier. The.se deiu'edatioiis for the most part were committed liy the(_'omanclies, who generally did tlieir mischief on retui'uing from raids into Mexici. On several occasions white men wwu killed and captives taken. Also the C'lioetaws, Chickasaws and Kickapoos made raids from the north. In the spring of iS.j-la band of Kickapoos killed the special ai^ent, Stein, and a Mr. Lepperman from Ohio, nivir Fort Belknap. The atfiiir was repoi-ted to the (Tovernment at Washington, and aid invoked.

The Indians were the more incited to predatory raids on account of the diminution of wild game on the iipproach of the white race, and tliey 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 subsistence.

As a remedy for the evil, a system of colonization "was applied, but this system, too, was quite unwelcome, iieing more a white man's method of managing aifaii-s th.-in tlie Indians'. Means were to be provide 1 by the United States Government to aid and instruct Indian settlers in the cultivation of land. In

1855, on reservations granted l)y the S:ate in Young county, one of which, consisting of eight leagues of land, was located on the lirazos river, below the junction of Olea- Fork, and iifteen miles from Fort Belknap This reservation was called the Brazos agency. The other, comprising four leagues, was situ.'ited on Clear fork about forty-five miles above its confluence with the main river. In the first colony were placed Anadareoe-, Caddoes, Tahwacorroes, Wacoes and Tonkawas, nuuibering in all 794: souls. At the other reservation wei'e 277 northern Coinanches.

At flr.-t the reports of the agents at these points held out every prospect of success. The Indians of the Brazos settlement, in good behavior, morality and industry, surpassed the most sanguine expectations. They voluntarily abstained from the use of ardent spirits. By the end of August, public buildings had been erected, - store rooms, houses for agents and employees, and a blacksmith's shop. Two fanners, with assistant laborers, were employed to instruct the Indians, and 295 acres of land had been plowed and planted with coi'n. At the other reservation the Comanches were too late iu arriving for cornplanting, but from the disposition evinced by them the agents looked forward to the success 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 number of live stock by honest methods. Besides, they lielpe 1 in the proreetian of the wliite tVoiitier, as they funiithed from tit'ty to a hundred warriors tor ranging s^ervicc. For example, in tlie spring of 1^558, a band of these went ont with the Texan rani:ers on an expedition against the Coinauehes, and f(iught gallantly.

But alas! this tender bud of civilization was nipped liy white people! The roiiglier oties, inconsiderate and over-zealons, continned to encroach upon them, until tliey were driven entirely away. In 1858 the mnnber of these natives thus i-eclainied from barbaric life was 1,488; and among this number, espet'ially of the Coinanclies, some were addicted 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- Hctioiis. The crimes of the few had to be visited on all, such is the inconsiderateness and haste of iuiman nature generally. In the counties adjoinin^^ the reservations many of the whites were so lia-ty as to believe that all, or nearly all, the depredations in their neighborhood were committed by the Indians at these reservations, and they accordingly determined to get rid <d' them some way. In 1858 several parties of tiiese innocent Indians went hunting outside of tlieir reservations, as they had often been permitted to do by the agents on former occusions, and a number of roughs aimong the whites determined on a cruel massacre. In a bend of the Brazos, just abo\e the mouth of Keochi creek, a party of Indians, - men, women and children, - encamped, for several weeks, peaceably engaged in hunting. On December 21, between forty and fifty men, mostly of Erath county, a.-.- sembled in conclave on Bosque river to consult upon a general extermination policy.

They a]ipointed a cotnmittee 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 camp on the /Brazos, which at the time contained eight 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 women! Three men, two women and three children were severely wounded, %nd nearly all the rest moreor less inj ared. The wounded succeeded in escaping to the reservation.

Tliis atrocity naturally caused great excitement. A proclamation issued by the governor, denouncing the act and warning all persons against joining organizations for hostilities against the friendly Indians, had no effect. The newspapers published prejudicial stories and inflammatory philippics on the subject, and the citizens at various points held meetings and resolved that the Indians should be removed. In the adjoining counties bands of armed citizens were organized, wdio spent much time scouting around the reservations. Civilized Indians found outside the reservation limits, it was said, could not be distinguislied from the savage ones, and would therefore have to sutler their fate. The removal of the reservation Indians wa9^^ peremptorily demanded, under threats ()| extermination. In vain did the agents endeavor to avert the coming blow, and their efforts in this direction even gave offense to the citizens of the frontier, who, on April 25, 1859, boldly demanded their immediate resignation. All the agents could do then was to ae(]uiesce as soon as they couhl safely remove the Indians to a better place; but before they had reasoiia')!*! time fur this, May 23, Captain IJaylor, an ux-aneiit, at the liead of 250 armed men, marc-lied to tlie llrazos resui'vatioii, with theavowe'l iiiteutiun uf attack iiii,' theli)dians. Captain J'luir. mei', of tlie Fij-st Inlantry, warned liini to leave the leservatioii, a:id lie did so, hut a skirmish occurred with the Indians, and several on both sides were killed and wounded.

It was now, therefore, certain that the IndiaiiS could not remain on the resci'vation they wei'e then occupving. On the repix'seiitatioiis of tlie aii'eiits, tiie government ordered the ren]o\al of the Indians as soon as tlie crops conhl he matured and fathered, hut this (lid not satisfy the hasty frontiersmen, who demanded immediate action, and at the urgent request of the supervising agent, R, S. Neighl)ors, permi.-sion was given him to conduct theui at once beyond lied river. The evil passions of the border whites wore so greatly aroused that the government had to send troops to guard the imprisoned Indians on their mai'ch to ])revent massacre! Thus guarded, these unfortunate Indians were escorted, July 30 and August 1, to a reservation on the Washita river, beyond tlie jurisdictifin of the State of Texas. The number of Indians in this exodus was 1,415, of wlioui 3S0 were Coinanches. Owing to the persistent persectition kept up l)y the whites, it was found impossible even to collect the cattle which belonged to these Indians, and they were therefore obliged to leave their stock behind! As a climax to this practical illustration of Lamar's jirinciple of expulsion or extermination, Su|ierintendent Neighbors, having returned to Texas in September, was waylaid on the llth near Fort Belknap by a man unknown to him and shot! He died in twenty minutes. It was believed that this crime was coiuniitted on account of the free opinion expressed Ity Neighbors relative to the killing ot a reserve Indian some time previously.

The last of the Alabima Indians were reported ill existence on the Trinity river, a few miles east of the town of Livingston in 1869, then about 200 or 300 in number, and half civilized.

Cdrrent Of Events

While Elisha M. Pease was governor the financial questions between the Slate and the general (Jovernment were finally adjusted, and a settlement made with the creditors of the eld Republic. Hut many new claimants arose demanding indemnity from the United States Government for loans and losses incurred during the days of the Republic in defending the country against Indians from United States territory. The general Government offered a compromise, which was at first treated very iudigiuantly by the creditors, and even by a majority of the citizens in a popular vote on the subject. The legislature, liowever, in later and cooler moments, a<irri'ed to the compromise, and the creditors received a pro rata, which was about 78 per cent. The amount thus paid was $2,750,000.

F"'rora 1852 to 1858 nine- tenths of the taxes collected were remitted to the several counties to enable them to build courthouses and jails, the remaining tenth being set apart by the constitution for the support of schools, was paid into the treasury. During this period very rapid progiess was made, both in immigration and assessable wealth.

But Texan animosity toward the Mexican population did not abate. T!ie Mexican inhabitants were mostly of the lower orders, and were cliarged with associating with " niggers," and frequently of stialing horses and negro girls, whom they would take to ^lexico. In the fall of 1856 a formidable negro cou- spiracN' was discovered in Colorado county, wliich contemplated a siinultaneon.s insnirection and tiie massacre of the white jiopnlation, with the exception of their y'-'ung wiiMien, who were to be ni ide captives. The slaves had systematically organized, with secret sitriis and pass-words, and provided themselves with bowie-knives and a few Krearms. Their intention seemed to be to fight their way into Mexico, which they called a " free State." On the detection of the conspiracy, more than 200 negroes were severely punished with the lash, two being whipped to death, and tiiree prominent leaders were hanged September 5. It was asserted that every Mexican in the county was implicated in this intended uprising, and they were ordered to leave and never return, under penalty of death. Similar measures were adopted in Matagorda county.

The Caet Wab

In 1857 Texan wagoners committed many acts of violence upon Mexican cartmen in the transportation of goods from San Antonio. The freight rates were so low as to drive the Texan wagoners from the field. The latter, moreover, were not quite so faithful as the Mexicans. Outrages became so numerous and higli-handed that General Twiggs, the United States commander at San Antonio, was compelled to furnish a military escort to trains transporting Government supplies. In October, the Mexican minister at Washington addressed the United S'.ates Government on the matter, stating that he had been assured that the number of men thus murdered was no less than seventy-live, and that many Mexii-ans had been compelled to fly to Mexico, in a state of destitution. In November, Governor Pease addressed special messages to the legislature on the matter, stating that Mexican citizens engaged in the business of teaming were not safe without a military escort. As the counties in which the deeds of violence were committed did nothing to stop them, he suggested the propriety of legislative interference. The senate referred the matter to a committee, who reported in favor of inflicting a penalty upon those counties, but introduced no bill to that effect, and so the matter ended. The legislature, however, approved the action of the governor in calling out a company of troops, which, by the way, was ineffectual in regulating a large section of country with the criminals scattered over it. When the road was abandoned by the Mexican cartmen and bodty became scarce, they began to commit depredations on the property of the citizens. The latter, though so indifferent to the rights of the Mexicans previously, were now enraged and resorted to lynching; and in the neighborhood of Goliad the traveler would sec many a corpse suspended from the boughs of the black oaks. The " Cart War" was thus brought to an end.

Political Parties

The general political parties were not definitely organized in Texas until during Pease's administration. The party factions opposed to each other previous totiiis differed only on personal or local matters. After the annexation the people naturally allied themselves gradually with either the Whig or the Democratic party, but took no zealous part in their issues for eight or ten years, on account of the greater importance of local questions; these settled, they began to become more decidedly Whig or Democratic, with a far greater preponderance on the Democratic side. Between

1854 and 1857, " Kiio\v-notliini,nsia" bad considerable influence. By tlie latter party, in 1855, L. D. Evans was elected to Gtmg'ress from the Eastern District of Te^as, and the same year Dickson, for crovernor, received 17,968 votes, against I'eafe, wiio was then re-elected.

In 1857 tlie death of two eminent Texas statesmen took jilace, - Tiionias J. Husk and James Ilainiltaii, of South Carolina. Their sketches may be found on a siibstHjueut jiage, by the index.

Signs Of The Coming Storm

My this time the old slavery question bei^an to loom up in its various relations to passing political events, and nothing so exasperating could happen to the American public, both North and South. Kunncls addi-essod a message, in January, 185S, to tha Ici^iflature, calliniT attention to the aspect of all'urs in Kansas, and clearly advocating the (loc-ti'ine of seces^ion. During the same month a Democratic State convention at Austin resolved that it su-pected the United States Government of abandoning the principle of "non-intervention" in resj)tct to the shnery question, in its de;dings with Kansas and Nebraska. T. J. Chambers offered resolutions to the effect that any act on the part of Congress tending to eml)arrass tlie admis.--it)n of Kansas as a member of the Union would be a usurpation of power, etc., and that in case Congress sliould do such a thing Texas should again declare independence. In le- BDonse to the governor's message the legislature adopted a resolution to ajipoint delegates to a general convention of the Southern States, to act in self-defense and in protection of immigrants in Ixansas from the South, who were denied the rights of citizenship there.

liunnels, at the close of his term, again ran as a candidate for governor, on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated by Sam Houston, independent, by a majority in favor of the latter of 8,757 votes, the latter being known as opposed to secession. In 1858, a vacancy occurred on the supreme bench, and the Democrats nominate 1 for it a Mr. Buckley, whose reputation was not the be-t, and was of well-known disunion proclivities; and he was d'.'feate 1 by an overwhelming majority, by liell, an avowed Unionist.

During the canvass of 1859, the Democratic convention at Houston contained members who spoke publicly and vehemently in favor of secession, and even upheld the African slave trade. Indeed, so much sympathy for Southern independence was manifest at that convention that the Democratic party of Texas was clearly known as committed in favor of secession, if the Federal (Tovfrnmeiit did not recede from its intervention policy with the great Southern institution.

Houston, therefore, took his seat as governor at a time when intense political excitement prevailed throughout the United States, as well as in Texas. By the close of 1859 the opposing parties were uncompromisingly arrayed against each other ou the slavery question, and the tire of disruption was being kindled. The victory of the Abolition ]iarty in Kansas and the John Brown raid at Harper's Ferry aggravated the feeling of dis appointment throughoui the Soutli. Accordincdy, in December, this jear, the legislature of South Carolina, famous for taking the lead for the South, passed resolutions in favor of Secession, and appropriated a contingent of $100,000 for military purposes, should it l)e required. Tliese resolutions were adilressed to the governors of all the ISoutliern States. On the receipt of them, Houston addi-essed a lonoj message to the Texas legislature, opposing secession. It had a great influence upon that body, for the members very temperately passed resolutions favoring union, except that they held that a State had the right to secede, etc. There vrere majority and minority reports of the committees of both branches of the legislature, the minority hokling that a State did not have the right to secede.

Many years p)revionsly, a secret order was formed for the purpose of establishing a Southern empire, with slavery, and known as the Knights of the Golden Circle. Its empire was to have Havana, Cuba, as its center and extend in every direction from that sixteen geographical degrees. It is said that the fllibuatering expeditions of 1850 and 1857 were undertaken under the auspices of this organization, and that now, in the antislavery agitation at the North, the disappointed Democrats began to turn to it for aid. "In 1860," says Bancroft, "two members of the order, George W. Bickley and his nephew, were employed to organize ' castles,' or lodges, in Texas, receiving as remuneration for their work the initiation tees paid by incoming members. Such castles were soon established in every principal town and village in the State, and they became a power in the land. In it were many ineiubers of the legislature and promiiit-nt ]'olitii-ians. By its influence the sentiments of the people were revolutionized; from its fold were drawn the first armed rebels in Texas under the famous ranger, Benjamin McOullough: it furnished the vigilance connuitlei-s; and to its

Even after South Carolina had positively declared secession from the Union, in Dccembei-, 1860, Houston stood true to his principles of Unionism, though it must br confessed that many Union men in the State were suspected of too great sympathy' with the Abolitionism of the North, and were hanged by vigilance committees, and that most others were terrorized into silence. So said Senator CI ingman, of North Carolina, at the time. Hemember, it is not understood that such outrages are chargeable to the Democi'ats as such, but to " mobocrats," of wliatever party. Sixty of these Knights, says Bancroft, issued a call for a State convention at Austin, to meet January 28, 1861. The mass of the people considered the proceeding as irregular, as the Knights took pains to put in their own men as judges at the primary elections wherever practicable, and barely lialf of the counties were represented at the convention by the people. The legislature, by a joint i-esolution, recognized the informally elected delegates and declared the convention a legally constituted assembly. Houston's veto was overruled, and on the appointed day the convention met. February 1, it passed the ordinance of secession, by a vote of 167 to 7, subject to a vote of the people on the 23d. This body, also, witliout waiting to hear what the result of the popular vote might be, appointed a " committee of public safety," with secret instructions, and appointed also delegates to the Confederate convention at Montgomery, Alabama. This committee of safety usurped the powers of th.e executive, and appointed three commissioners to treat with Genei-al Twiggs, in command of the United States forces in Texas, lor the surrender of his army and the na-

A few days before the pojHilar vote was taken, as above noted, Houston delivered a speech from the baleony of the Tremont House in Galve.>ton, to the excited public,on the que?tion of sci'es>ion. His personal friends, feiiritig that violence would be offered, entreated liim to remain quiet; but he was not to be stopped iiy any apprehension of danger, lie stood erect before the people, and in prophetic language pictured to them the dark fuluio. " Some of you," be said, laugh to scorn the idea of bloodshed as a result of secession, and jocularly propose to drink all the blood that will ever flow in consequence of it. But let me tell yon what is coming on the heels of sei-ession: the time will come when your fathers and husbands, your sous and brothers, will be herded together like sheep and cattle at the point of file bayonet, and your motliei-s and wives, sisters and dau<rhters, will a>k: Where are they? You may, after the saci'ilice of countless millions of tre;isure and hundreds of thousands of precious li\es, as a bare ])Ossibility, win Southern independence, if God be not against you; but I doubt it. I tell you that, while I believe with you in the doctrine of State rights, the North is detci'mined to preserve this Union. They ai'e not a fiery, impulsive people as you are, i'c)r they live in cooler climates; but when they begin to move in a given direction, where great interests are involved, such as the present issues before the country, tliey mo\e with the steady momentum and j)er.-evei'atice of a mighty avalanche; and what 1 fear is, they will overwhelm the Sontii with ij^uoble deieat." Before the close of his speech, however, he said, -' liettcu' liie freemen than live slaves. Whatever course Texas may pursue, my faith in State supremacy and Slate rights will carry my sympathies with her. As Henry Clay liad said, ' My country, right or wrong,' so say 1, My State, right or wrong."

It seems from the above that Houston was a shrewd reader of hum in nature, as also from the following remarks in his message to the legislature a year previously: "To nullify constitutifjual laws will not allay the existing discord. Separation from the Union will not remove the unjust a-saidts made by a class in the Nortli ujion the institutions in the South. Tl/ey wouhi exist from like passions and like feelings iTuder any government. The Union was intended as a perpetuity. In accepting the conditions imposed prior to beconjing a part of the Confederacy, the States became a part of the Union. In becoming a State of the Union, Texas agreed ' not to enter into any treaty, alliance or confederation, and not, without the consent of Congress, to keep troops or ships of war, enter into any agreement or compact with any other State or foreign power.' "

The result of the vote of February 23 for delei^ates to the State convention to consider the propriety of secession, was in substance as follows: Austin, the cajiital, S.m Antonio, and other western towns, as well as counties, ffave Union maiorities; the Gei'ujan colonists, too, were for the Union, while the rest of the State gave large Confederate majorities. Out of about 70,000 voters in the State. 5;3,25() cast their votes; and of this number 89,415 were in favor of secession, and 13,841 against it.

vote was known, which proved to be on the 5th. They, therefore, immediately assumed the powers of iroveriiment. It instructed its delegates at Montgomery to a.^k for the admission of Texas into the Southern Confederacy that had jnst been fonncd; it sent a committee to Governor Ilcniston to inform him of the chanife in the political position of the State; it a 1 opted the Confederate constitution, and appointed representatives to the Confederate congress. During the Confederacy, Lewis T. Wigfall and William S. Oldham represented Texas in the senate, and John A. Wilcox, C. C. Herbert, Peter W. Gray, B. F. Sexton, M. U. Graham, William B. Wright, A. M. Branch, John K. Baylor, S. H. Morgan, Stephen H. Derden and A. P. Wiley in the liouse.

In his reply to the above convention Houston faid that that body had transcended its powers, and that he would lay the whole matter before the legislature, which was to assemble on the 18th; whereupon the convention defied his authority and passed an ordinance requiring all State ofiicers to take the oath of allegiance to the new government. Hont-ton and E. W. Cave, secretary of State, refused to take the oath, and they were deposed by a decree of the convention, and Edward Clark, lieutenant governor, was installed as the executive. Houston then appealed to the ] eople, and when the legislature met, sent to it a message protesting against his removal, stating at the same time that he could but await their action and that of the people. He argued his case ably and well before both the legislature and the people, but the legislature sanctioned the acts of the convention. Houston tlien retired to private life.

Twiggs had surrendered all the United Stateforces on the frontier to the Texans; and aUo after the removal of the Indians from the reservations in Young county the hostility of the red savages was intensilied. The more peaceable Indians had been removed to' a great distance, while the more ho.-tile were next in proximity. There was one ren arkable exception, however, to tlie above oliservation: A band of emigrants from the Creek nation, consisting of Alabamas, Cosiiattatand a few Muscogees, persevered in theii' peaceful pursuits on Alabama creek, on the side toward Trinity river, despite the frequent depi'edations committed upon them by ''mean whites." As a community they set a model example of industry, honesty, patience and pe iceableness.

While the northern and western frontier was subjected to slily conducted forays by the untutored savages, the southern borders on the Rio Grande were afflicted with a more open and formidable invasion by a Mexican desperado nam ad Cortina. He and his gang liad long been known for their frequent thefts of cattle and other depredations. He and his followers, by professing sympathy with the persecuted Mexicans living in Texas, added to their numbers until they had nearly 500, and, like the old Mexican regime, began to inaugurate a little rebellion against the government. But booty was their principal object, and they made their escapes the easier by alternating in their operations between Texas and Mexico, claiming while followed in one country to be citizens of the otlier. The gang sometimes committed murder, as for example in Brownsville, in September, 1859. On the 29th of that month lie issued a "proclamation" professing that his object only was to protect persecuted Mexicans in Texas, and that an organization had been formed for the purpose of chastising their enemies. It is claimed that he was assi><ted secretly hy Mexican money ami amis. During Octoher and NovemlxT there were several collisions of Cortina and his men with tiie Wovernnieiit military forces, with loss on ooth sides. He devastated the country along the Rio Grande for over 120 miles, and back to the arroyo Colorado. This unprincipled desperado was tinally defeateil in May, 1861, when he burned a village named Rome. But he afterward revuliitionized Tamaulipas, became governor, and inti-igued both with the Confederates and the United States officials. In 1871 he was a general under Juarez, and in 1875 mayor of Matamoras and general in the Mexican army.

During the great civil war it was fortunate for Texas that she was geographically situated at a distance from the seat of the main conflict. The jiatriotisra of her sons caused all of them to lose much in property, but no battle took place in, or destructive army marched thrt)Uo-h, her territory. Although her commerce suffered considerably, she found in Mexico a fair market for her cotton, iier main staple, and her niiinerons poits on the gulf enabled her more easily to run the blockade.

The Storm Begun

Within a month after the installation of Clark as governor, hostilities broke out. On April 14, 1861, Fort Sumter, at Charleston, South Carolina, was evacuated by Major Robert Anderson, and on the follow^ing day President Lincoln issued his proclamation for 75,000 volunteers. Enlistment for the Southern cause was begun in Texas at once, and early in May Colonel W. C. Young cios.-ed Red river and captured Fort Arbuckle and other militai'v p'lstsof the United State.-^ in :he

Imlian Territory, the Federal soldiers retreating to Kansas. Cohmel Ford also, assisted by an expedition from Galveston, took possession of Foi-t I'rown, opposite Matamoras, meeting no resistance. Captain Hill, in command there, was still holding it for the United States, having disobeyed the order of General Twiggs to evacuate it, but he had too small a force to hold it against assault.

Goveruor Clark issue 1 a pioclamation June 8 that a state of war existed, and shortly afterward the ports of Texa> were blockaded. By November 15,000 Texans were enlisted for the Southern cause.

The election of 1861 showed the small majority of only 121 votes in favor of Francis R. Lubbock for governor, over Clark, candidate for re election, and he was inaugurated November 7, 1861.

Going back a little, we shouM state that in July of this year Lieutenant-Colonel John R. Baylor had occupied Fort Bliss, on the Rio Grande, and on the 25th- Mesilla, across the Rio Grande. Major Lynde, commanding the United States fort, Fillnnuv, near by, having failed to dislodge Haylor, surrendered his whole command of al^out 700 men. Lieutenant-Colonel Canby was at this time in command of the depai'tiueiit of New Mexico, and made preparations to meet the invasion, while Major Sible}', of the United States Army, had joitie<l the Confederates, and with the rank of brigadier general was ordered in July to proceed to Texas and organize an expedition for the pnijioso of driving Federal troops out of i^'ew Mexico. Sibley reached El Paso with his force about the middle of Deceniber, and issued a proclamation inviting his old comrades to join the Confederate army, but met with no response.

Iiistobt Of Texas

February 21 lie crossed the river and engaged the Texans, bnt was repulsed. Tliis was tlie battle of Valverde, in which General Siblej had 1,750 men to 3,810 on Canhy's side; but only UOO of Canby's men were regiilars, and the others were of but little service. Encouraged by success so signal, Sibley immediately marched on to Albuquerque, sending a detachment on to Santa Fe, and easily took those places, but, a part of his army meeting with defeat by Colonel Slough, he iiad to begin a retreat which did not end until he reached Texas. In this bootless campaign the Texans lost 500 men; and even General Canby afterward reported that tliat portion of the country was too unimportant to lioid by the expenditure of blood and treasure.

In May, 18G2, Commodore Eagle, of the United States Navy, demanded the surrender of the city of Galveston, but could not enforce bis demand. October 4 following he was reinforced and easily took the place without much resistance. The Texans criticised General Plebert for f^iving up tliatcity, and he was superseded during the next month by General Magrnder, who forthwith made preparations to recapture the island. He made good preparation, with great secrecy, to attack the island by both land and water, and he was successful in regaining the point, after an engagement that cost the Federals great loss. But the port continued to be blockaded.

At lirst, and during the earlier iiart of Governor Lubbock's administration, the Texans enlisted freely and cheerfully, believing that the contest would soon end in victory for them, but ere long they began to feel the tedious burden of war in many ways. Trade was interfered with, military law pruelaimed, conscription resorted to, etc. All males from eighteen years of age to forty-five were made lialile to service in the Confederate army, with the exception of ministers of religion. State and county othcers and slave-holders, the possession of fifteen slaves being the minimum number entitling to exemption. Governor Lubbock was an extremist in regard to this system. In hi~ message to the Legislature in November, 18G3, he suggested that every inale fieivon from sixteen years old and upward should be declared in the military ser\ice of the State; that no one should be jiermitted to furnish a substitute, and in the same message informed the Legislature that 90,000 Texans were already in the field. When one calls to mind that the greatest number of votes ever polled in the State was but little over 04,000, it will be seen what a tremendous drain had been made on the strength of the country!

August 31, 1861, the Confedei-ate conoress passed a law confiscating all the property of Union men, and banishing the men themselves. Many persons who had spetit their lives in Texas thus lost their property, and even temporary absentees in the North, who would have found it difficult, if not imjiossible, to return, were likewise deprived of their possessions. Many Unionists, in tb"ir attempts to escape to Mexico, were can -lit and put to death. Says the San Antonio IJtM-ald, a paper loyal to the Confederacy: '- Their bones are bleaching on the soil of every county from Red river to the Rio Grande, and in the counties of Wise and Denton their bodies are suspended by scores from the black-jacks."

By the close of Lubbock's administration, in 1803, the tide of public opinion and feelino- began to ebb, as the Confederate arms had met with serious leverses, and the dark

After the recovery of (Talvc>ton islaml, no other operation of importatice occiureil until September, 1863, when the Federals attempted to effect a lodgment at Sibine City, tlie tei-minus of a railroad. The bluekade of Sal>ine Pass was temporarily broken ijy the (-n])ture of two United States gunboats, outside tlie bar. Afterward the Confederates erected a fort at Sahine City, defended by a formidable battery of eight heavy guns, three of wiiicli were rifled. A detachment of 4,U00 men, with gunboats, from Banks' army, made an attempt in September, 1SG3, to take Sabine Cily, but met with ignominious defeat, losing two gunboats, 100 men killed and wounded, and 250 as prisoners. The garrison of the fort consisted of only 200 Texans, of whom only forty-two took part in the action. Tliese wei'e presented by President Davis with a silver medal, the only honor of the kind known to have been bestowed by the Confederate government.

The Rio Grande being a national lioundar}' line, it could nut be blockaded liy the United States; bat General Banks, after his failure to capture Sabine City, endeavored to take Brownsville, and thus at least cripple the trade between Texas and ALexico. Late in October, 1!S63, supported by a naval squadron under Commander Strong, Banks sailed with 6,000 troops from New Orleans for the Rio Grande. The immediate command, however, was given to General Napoleon Dana. By November 2 the force reached^ Brazos Santiago, and on the 6ih took Brownsville, and soon afterward Corpus Christi, Aransas Pass,

Cavillo Pass and Fort E^-peranza at the month of Matagorda bay. By the close of tlie year Indianola and the Matagorda peninsula were also in the hands of the Federals. The Texans made but a show of resistance, withdrawing from the coast defenses west of the Colorado. P.ut tliis possession of Texan forts was of shnrt duration. After a few months the Federals withdrew from all except Brazos Santiago, leaving the duty of guarding the coast to the navy, which soon afterward captured several Confederate vessels.

Banks' next scheme to obtain pos-ession of Texas was by an entrance from the northeast, from Red river; but this famous "Red river expedition " also ignominiously failed. The Texans were too much for that Yankee army. At the battle of Pleasant Hill, however, the Texans suffered a serious defeat; Sueitzer's regiment of cavalry, about 400 strong, was almost annihilated by the Federals; and they also lost the battle at Pleasant Grove; but in the great battle of Sabine Cross Roads the Texans gained a great victory.

During the month of September J'rovvnsville was captured by her old enemy, Cortina, under peculiar circumstances. A French force of about 5,000 took Bagdad, at the mouth of the Rio Grande, with the object of taking possession of Matamoras, where Cortina was then in command. Brownsville was at that time occupied liy Colonel Ford with a consitlerable force of Texan cavalry, and Brazos Santiago was still held by the Federals. On the 6th the French began to move up the right bank of the river, and their advance became engaged with Cortina, who had marched with 3,000 Mexicans and sixteen pieces of artillery from Matamoras to meet tlii-ni. There seems to have l)een some understand ingbetween Ford and the French commander, lor during the engagement the former ap- peared on the otlier side of tlie Kio Grande with a large lifrd of cattle tor the use of the invading army, and, iinmudiately crossing the river, took ])art in the contiiet by attaclcing tlie rear of Cortiua's army. The Mexican commauder, however, suceeeded in repiilsing hotii Ford and the Frencli, who retreated to Bagdad. Cortina next turned his attention to Ford. On the 9tii lie j)assed with his whole lorce and drove the Texans from Brownsville, and took possession of tlie tovvu for the United States.

(Tovernor Pendleton Miirrah, of Texas, on his accession to the executive chair, found many unusual perplexities, the State being harassed, and cui'rency down to 3 or 4 cents on the dollar, and all three branches of the t;overnment usurped by military proclamation, etc. He therefore convened the legislature in extra session, to meet May 11, 1804. But the terrible evils under which Texas was hiboring could not be remedied in a short time, and before any measure of relief could take signal elici't, the end of the great war came. Kirby Smith, hovicver, had the hardihood of protialiiig the war in Texas some weeks after the surrender of Lee at Apponuxttox, Init finally surrendered to General Canity, May 'Id. But the last engagement in ihe great war took place May 13, ueartheold battle-fitld of Bahi Alto, tlie scene of Taylor's victory over Arista.

Aftee The Wae

After the formal surrender of Smith and .M agruder. Governor Mnri'ah retired to Mexico, and June 19, General Granger, of the United States Army, assumed temporary command. On the 17th President Johnson, in pursuance (if his plan of reconstruction, appointed Andrew J. Hamilton provisional governor of

Te.xas. May 29, the president issued a proclamation granting an amnesty, with certain exceiitions, to persons who had been engaged in the reliellion, on coiuiitiun of their takiiio' an oath of alleo'iaiice. Governor Hamilton arrived at Gal'-eston near the close of July, and began the I'eorganization of the State government, under the old regime, by proclaiming an election, where loyal persons liny vote for State and all other necessary oltieers. Both President Johnson and Governor Hamilton were so liberal that the anti. Union men of Texas had hopes of gaining control of the government.

But the greatest practical question now coming up was the disposition of the freed blacks. The course of Congress soon assured the public that the negi'oes would have all the rights of citizenship, so far as national legistion could make them. PresitJent Johnson seemed to be in haste to re-install the old Confederates in power under the Federal Government. During the years 18G5-'66 he pardoned over 600 persons in Texas alone who were not included in the amnesty proclamation he had issued. He "soured" on certain prominent liepublicans in Congress, and seemed to desire to obtain a preponderance of Southern or Ueniocratic element in that body as soon as possible.

After the final victory of Northern arms, the Unionists, in Te.xas, and especially the Federal soldiers, were peculiarly exposed to the veno-eance of the more riotous element of the vanquished Confederates, and considerable persecution and some murders M'ere indulged in. Only in the vicinity of the garrisoned towns and posts was security of person and property maintained. Even the courts were warped, according to General Custer's (Federal) testimony. Said he: "Since tlie establishment of the provisional govei-nment in

Texas tlie grand juries tliroiighout the State have found upward of 500 imlirtments for murder against disloyal men, and yet not in a single case has there been a conviction."

The negro population of Texas at the close of the war was about 400.000. Great numliers had been sent hither during that struggle to get them away from Federal interference. Xow, since they had been freed, they all began to move for employment, and before they :ittaiiied it many of them suffered much, and some even killed. One man testifies that he collected accounts, showing that 260 dead bodies of negroes had been found throughout the State up to the middle of January, 18GG, - some in the creeks, some floating down stream, and some by the roadside. But soon the excitcnent died down somewhat, and the negroes beijan to find work. Plantation owners were compelled to yield to necessity and offered tiiem terms which promised to insure sttady labor. Wages, $20 a month, or twothirds of the cotton crop and one-half the corn crops. And many testified that they could net as much from their business under the new order of things as under the old.

The Reconstkuction Period

January 8, 18G8, an election was held for delegates to a State convention to form anew constitution. There was no excitement, and little interest was shown, probably not half the voters taking part. This created souje alarm in the minds of the philanthropists, but an occasion of that kind seldom draws nut a large vote, because there is no particular issue in question, and no great hero np for office, whose followers take zealous hold.

On the meeting of the convention J. W. Throckmorton was elected its president, and they proceeded to adopt every measure necessary for re-admission into the old Union. This constitution was submitted to the i>eople flune 23, who that day gave 28,119 votes for it and 23.400 against it. Of course there was many a bitter pill iu the new document for the old pro- slavery element to swallow, but they could not help themselves.

On the same day of the ratification of the constitution, Mr. Throckmorton was elected governor, and G. W. Ji.nes, lieutenant-governor. In his mss.-age to the legislature the new governor said it was desirable that all military force, and the agents of the IVeedmen's bureau, should be withdrawn from the interior of the State, and that the most certain w'ay to effect this object would be the enactment of just laws for the protection of the blacks, and their rigid enforcement. lie added that every effort should be made to impress upon the freedinen that t'leir labor was desirable, and that laws should be pissed carrying out the intention of that article in the constitution securing to them protection of person and property. He also called the attention of the legi^lature to the numerous outrages recently committed by Indians on the frontier. Upon his recomtnendation the legislature paid no attention to the question of ratifying the new clause of the Federal constitution abolishing slavery, and rejected by sixty-seven nays to five yeas the disfranchisement of the late Confederates imposed by the fourteenth article of the same constitution, wliich reads: "No person shall be a senator orrepre^entative in Congress, or elector of president or vice president, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State. who, having previously taken an oath as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial offi- cer of any State, to snppurt tlie constitntion of the United State-, sliall have eiigaged in insurrection or reljeiliun against tlie same, or given aid or comfort to tlie enemies thereof. But Congress may, bj a vote of two-thirds of each house, remove such disability." The governor maintained tiiat the adoption of such an article would deprive the State, for nearly a quarter of a century, of the services of her ablest and best men, at a time, too, when such services are peculiarly important.