Galveston County, Texas - The whole text, 1895 (part 1 of 26)

Biographical Sketches

T'HE State of Texas ha* had a career so reniarkalile that its study enchants tlie reader like the bewitching i-tories and legends of England, or of any great Enropean country. It is witii ph'a^iire. therefore, that the antlior compiles tlie t'(.)ilo\ving brief account, giving the snlistance of the best passages in liie iiiptory of the Lone Star State:

Texas has an area of 271,856 square miles of land, and 2,510 square miles of water surfa' e, the latter consisting of lakes and bays, making a total of 274,306 square nnles, equal to about 8.7 per cent, of the entire area of the Uniteii States and Territories. It is much tl)e hirgest State in the Union, being six times laiger than New York and seven times as large US ( )liio, and 100,000 square miles 1-irger than ail the EaRtern and Miiidle States, including Delaware and Mai'yland. Compa'ed to the countries of Europe, it lias 34,000 square miles more than the Austrian Empire. 62,000 more than the German Eni]iire, and nearly 70,000 square miles more than France.

It is located in tlie extreme southern part of the United States, between the 2Cth and 3i;th parallels of north latitude and the U4th and 106th meridians of longitude. The distance between the extreme northern and southern points is nearly 750 miles, anJ about 800 miles from east to west. It is bounded on tlie east by the State of Louisiana, west by the Republic of Mexico ami the Territory of IS'ew Mexico, north by the States iif Colorado and Arkansas and the Indian Territory, and on the south by the Gulf of Mexico. General custom has divided the State geographically into five parts, namely,: Central, northern, southern, eastern and we.~tern Texas, though the di\-idine- lines are not well defined.

The country lying east of the 96th degree of longitude and north of the 30th parallel of latitude, and known as "East Texas," is characterized by a long range of iiills rnnnincf in an irregular line from northeast tfj southwest, and containing large deposits of brown iiematite iron ore. It is also marked by a heavy growth of timber, consisting principally of forests of pine, oak and hickory.

History Op Texas

" The coast of Texas presents features different from tliose of any other State, for wliile in many otiier States the mainland coast is greatly cut np into large bays, extending many miles inland, it is here bordered by an almost continuous chain of islands and pininsulas (the latter having the same trend as the islands). The Gulf border of this chain is a very regular line southwest from the mouth of the Saljine river or lake to near Corpus Christi, whicii occupies the highest point on the entire coast, and thence turns witii a regular curve south and slij^htly southeast to Mexico."

The territory east of the timber region and north of the Gulf Coast, as above outlined, is a vast open plain composed of gently i-ol.ing prairies and gradual elevations. It is covered with a luxuriant growth of native grasses and dotted by an occasional mott of timber, and extends to the Red river on the north and the mountain ranges of the west and noithvvest. The watei'-conrses and ravines aie nynally fringed with a growth of hankberrv, ash, elm, Cottonwood, pecan, walnut and the various oaks.

We-t and northwest lie the hills and mountain ranges of the State, which are continuations of the mountains of Mexico, JNew Mexico and Colorado. In the extreme northwest, bordering Kansas on the south and New Mexico on tiie west, is the elevated table land formerly known as the Llano Estacado, or Staked Plains. It is now designated as the Paidiandle of Texas, and is desiined to be one of the best agricultural and stock-raising sections of the State. On a line noith of Austin and San Antonio, and running in a southwesterly direction, there is alow range of liills that mark a change in the topogi'upliy of the country. We.-tward it is more broken and the e'evations more abrn])t. The valleys are broad and the lands very fertile.

The M'ater surface of Texas is estimated at 2,510 square miles. Of this number, 800 square miles are accredited to the rivers and smaller streams which drain the State. The balance consists of bays which lie along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, and small inland lakes.

Chief among the rivers of the State is the Bi-azos, which drains an area of about 85,000 square miles, and is navigable as far up as Columbia (about forty miles) at all tinaes. It has its source in the northwestern part of the State, at the foot of the Staked Plains, and ilows in an easterly direction to Baylor county, thence southeasterly to Brazoria countv, where it empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Following its bends it is about 900 miles long. The Navasota river, which has its source in Limestone county, is its principal tributary, and drains portions of Leon, Robertson, Madison, Brazos and Grimes counties.

The westernmost branch of the Brazos has its source in an extensive salt region, - not Mr. Jefferson's "Salt mountain," of which so much was said and sung at the time of the Louisiana purchase, - but a vast plain of 100 or 200 miles in extent, charged with niineial salt and covered in patches with nitre. The salt is washed out of this basin only by freshets, through Salt branch, into the Brazos.

The shores of the Brazos are not flat, though never bold, but undulating and graceful. The trees of larger growth are sometimes covered with Spanish moss, as on the shores of the Mississippi; but these bearded nondescripts are not so frequent as to give the sensation of gloom; nor is there any cypress to increase that effect on the mind. Wliere tile land is of comparatively recent formation, the growth is of willow and cottonw^ood, with occasional sycamores.

The Brazos never overflows its banks. The water in primeval times was slightly redder than was that of the Upper Mississippi, resembling that of Red river. From the center both shores show to advantage. There is no caving-in or cut-offs, and in early days no dead timber - scarcely a snag. The surface of the gently-flowing water is generally calm and beautiful, but in floods it is of course violent and darkened with mnd.

The Red river is next in importance and forms the boundary line between Texas and the Indian Territory and Arkansas. It has its source in the Panhandle of Texas, formerly known as the Llano Estacado, and flows eastward through Arkansas and Louisiana, emptying into the Mississippi river. It drains about 29,000 square miles in Texas. The Big and Little Wichita rivers are among its principal tributaries on tlie Texas side.

The Colorado river rises in Dawson county, the highest point reached by any of its prongs, and flows in a southeasterly direction, emptying into Matagorda Bay, on the Gulf of Mexico. The Concho, San Saba, and Llano rivers form its tributaries. It is over 'JOO miles long and drains a territory estimated at 25,000 square miles.

The Trinity river has its source in Archer and Denton counties, the two forks converging in Dallas county and flowing in a southeasterly direction to Trinity bay, in Cliaiiibers county. It is about 550 miles long and drains an area of about 17.000 square miles.

The Sabine river forms the eastei-n boundary of the State from the thii'ty-secuud parallel of latitude to the Gulf (d' Mexico, aud is navigable for about 300 miks. It has its source in Hunt c(_)Uiity, in the northeastern part of the State, and drains about 17,000 square miles in Texas, emptying into Sabine lake near the Gulf of Mexico.

The Nueces river has its starting point in Edwards county and flows southeasterly into La Salle county, thence east into Live Oak county, and from thence south, emptying into Corpus Christi bay on the Gulf of Mexico. Together with its tributaries, the Leona, Frio, and Atascosa rivers, it drains an area estimated at about 16,000 square miles.

The San Antonio river has its source in Bexar county and flows southeasterly to Refugio county, wdiere it unites with the Guadalupe river about twelve miles north of San Antonio bay, into which it empties. Its principal tributaries are the Medina and Salado rivers, ia Bexar county, and the Cibolo river, in Karnes county.

The Guadalupe river rises in Kerr county and flows in an easterly direction to Gonzales county, thence in a southeasterly direction to the point of junction with the San Antonio river, about twelve miles from its mouth on San Antonio bay. The San Marcos river, v.diicli has its source near San Marcos, in Hays county, forms its principal tributary.

The Rio Grande forms the western boundary line of Texas and also the boundary line between the United States and Mexico. It has its source in the southwestern part of Colorado and flows generally in a southeasterly direction to Clarksville, in Cameron C(junty, where it empties into the Gulf of Mexico. It is navigable for small steamers for about 450 miles from the Gulf, and drains an area on the Texas side estimated at about 18,000 square miles. During the greater part of the year it is fordable above the influence of tide water.

The Fecos river rises in New Mexico, on the east slope of the Kocky mountains, flows tliroiigh Texas in a southeasterly direction to a point near Painted Cave Spring, in Crockett county, where it emj)ties into the Rio Grande. It diains an area of about 6.000 square miles.

Tiie Neches river has its source in Van Zandt eountj' and runs in a southeasierly direction parallel with the Trinity river, euiptying into Sabine lake on the Gulf of Mexico. The Angelina river, which rises in Rusk county, forms its principal tributary, and, together with tlie Neches, drains a large scope of country between the Trinity and Sabine rivers.

The Sulphur Fork runs nearly parallel with Red river in an easterly direction, passing out of the State at Sulphur Station and emptying into the Red river at Deinpsy, Louisiana, it drains a large part of the northeastern counties of the State.

On Caney creek there was originally an immense cane-brake one to three miles wide and seventy miles long. It was on both sides of the creek, extending from near its source to witliin twelve miles of its mouth, and scarcely a tree was to be found within that ocean of cane. It was called the Great Prairie Canebrake, and the stream originally Canebrake creek.

There are many unequivocal evidences that this creek was once a branch of the Colorado, constituting another mouth for that stream. The bed of the creek is of equal depth and width with the river, and the appearance of the banks, the nature of the adjacent soil, etc., are the same in both. A strongly confirmatory evidence is the abrupt termination of the deep, wide bed of the Caney within less than 200 yards of the river, in an alluvial bottom nearly ten miles in width. Thus was an island formed with a coast line of

There are a large numlier of small inlami lakes scattered throughout the State. Sabine lake, lying between Texas and Louisiana, is the largest of these and is about eighteen miles long by nine broad. It is fed by the Neches and Sabine rivers and discharges into the Gulf of Mexico.

All of the principal rivers of the St'ite flow in a southeasterly direction and empty into the Gulf of Mexico, except the Re 1 river, which flows east into the Mississippi river.

As a general rule the streams east of the Brazos river are sluggish and muddy; those on the west side clear and swift runnincr. Many of the streams in western and northern Texas contain pure, clear water suitable for domestic purposes, and abounding in tine fish. Some of the streams, however, are deceptive. The water is inviting to the eye, but is strongly impregnated with minei-als and brackish to the taste.

The streams in eastern Texas also contain large numbers of tish of the varieties common to sluggish waters. Some of the smaller streams in that section, hoivever, are fed from the springs and lakes of pure, clear water found among the sand hills.

The bays along and near the Gulf coast are: Trinity, Lavaca, Matagorda, San Antonio, Espiritn Smto, Copano, Aransas, Nueces, Corpus Christi, Alazan, and Laguna del Mad re.

Discovery Of The Region

Robert Cavalier de la Salle, the noted Frt'iicli explorer of the Mississippi valley, etc., cauie down tlie Misfissippi river in l(j^3, and returned to France. In 1685, having obtained royal letters patent, and provided with four vessels, he set sail to discover the mouth of the great Fstlier of Waters, but, drifting too far west, he landed in Texas, supposing Matagorda bay to be tiie point he was looking for. After exploring the country l]e conceived the bold project of traversing ths country northward to the Illinois river, a distance of 2,000 miles. Selecting a few of iiis friends, he started, but on March 20, 1687, fell a victim to the ti-eacliery of his own men. lie vvas slain by a musket ball tired by Duliaut, w])0 liad become jealous and dissatisfied with him and others in the party. This unjustifiable deed was committed somewhere in the region of the Brazos river: it is inj possible to identify the exact point. It "was several days' journey

La Salle was " saturnine in temperament, reserved in his communications, asking counsel of none. There was a certain hardness in his manners, a tone of lofty self-reliance, which, though it commanded tlie ohedience of his followers, did not gain their good will. On tlie other liand, his capacity for huge designs has had few parallels. lie has been called the Columbus of his age; and had his success been equal to his ability, tiiis distinction might justly have been awarded him. Cool and intrepid, never for a moment yielding to despair, he bore the burden of his calamities manfully, and his hopes expired only with his latest breath."

Texas Compaeatively Unknown Until Recently

Mary Austin Holley, a resident of Texas, in 1833 penned the following, to the effect that Texas, in its merits, was not really discovered until a comparatively late date:

" Texas, until within the last few years, has been literally a terra incognita. That such a region existed has indeed been known, but in respect to its geography and natural resources, clouds and darkness have rested upon it. This is the more remarkable, lying, as it does, contiguous to two enlightened nations, - the United States on the one side and Mexico on the other, both by land and sea. While Britons, impelled by a daring spirit of enterpiise, have penetrated to the ice-bound region of Melville's Island, and our own New Ei]glanders have encountered all the hardships and hazai-.ls of the wtistein desert, the Rocky mountains and jiostile Indians, to find a home at the moutli of the Colum Ida river, tliis most inviting region, l}ing just at their doors, has been altogether overlooked.

Histoht Of Texas

" Quite unexpectedly, as it were, a report has readied the public ear that the country lying west of the Sabine river is a tract of surpassing beauty, exceeding even our be<t Western lands in productiveness, with a climate perfectly salubrious and of a temperature at all seasons of the year most delightful. The adtnirers of this new country, speaking from actual knowledge and a personal inspection, are not content, in their descriptions of it, to make use of ordinary terms of commendation. They hesitate not to call it a splendid country, an enchanting spot. It would seem as if enchantment had indeed thrown its spell over their minds, for with very few exceptions all who return from this fairy land are perfect enthusiasts in their admiration of it. Whatever qualifications to its e.Kcellence the most cautious of them are disposed to make, have reference to those inconveniences which unavoidably pertain to every country in the incipient stage of its settlement.

" So appai-ently extravagant have been the representations of the natural beauty and resources of this country, that many persons are incredulous and attribute them to the schemes of interested contractors, eager to allure the unwary emigrant by deceptive statements. Such a motive, if it really actuates the conduct of any one, cannot be too severely condemned. A design more criminal and disgraceful cannot be, and ought not to be, lightly insinuated against respectable men. What design more cruel than that of deliberately seducing, not the confiding emigrant alone, but also with him his wife and children, to become the certain victims of privation, disappointment and ultimate ruin in the wilderness! The character and respectability of the witnesses above referred to at once repel an insinuation so atrocious.

" While listening for the first time to the favorable reports of Texas, it must be confessed a suspicion is very apt to arise in the mind that so much imputed excellence, if it really existed, could not have so long been concealed from the view of the world, and we are prone to ask, how has it happened that a tei'ritory, possessing such uncommon advantage of climate and soil, has not been explored and appropriated before? To this very natural iiu^uiry a satisfactory answer is at hand.

" Two causes seem to have ojjerated to prevent the earlier settlement of tiie province of Texas and to retard the development of its resources. In the first place the jealous policy of the old Spanish government uniformly discouraged all attempts to penetrate into the country. It was the policy of the government that completely locked up Texas and all the Spanish-American possessions, and excluded even visitors and travelers. It was a favorite saying of the Spanish captain gen eral of the internal provinces, Don Nemisio Salcedo, that he would stop the birds from flying over the boundary line between Texas and the United States it it were in his power! This rigid policy prevented any one from attempting to explore the country by land, for perpetual imprisonment was the inevitable result of detection and capture.

" In the second place, the Carancahua Indians, who inhabited the coast, were represented to be of a character uncommonly ferocious. They were popularly believed to be cannibals; and many tales of most frightful import were told of them, - such as, if true, it must be acku'iwL'dged, were sufficiently appalling to check the enterprise and damp the ardor of the most eager adventurer. These representations of the character of the Carancahuas, though in a measure true, were greatly exaggerated; and it is believed

>'Thns, the whole of this country remainetl for ayes unknown to the worhl; and instead of being converted into an al)"de of industrious and liap|)y freemen, as it mi^lit have been, it was doome 1 by tiie selfishness (jf men to continue a howling wihlerness. No maps, charts or eenirranhical notices were ever allowed by the Spaniards to lie taken of it. The map compiled by Colonel Ati.^tin and published by Tannei', is tlie first and correct geographical iuforuiation of tlie country tiiat has ever been publidied. The persons who were engaged in the ex])editions under Generals Bernaiilo, Gutiei'rez and Toledo, in 1812-'13, knew nothing of Texas except alon;^ and near the road they traveled, for they were too much occupied by the war, during the short time they had possession, to explore the country. It is uncertain how h>ng this expensive and valuable land wtmld have remained unknown anu unsetth.d iiad not the bold enterprise and perseverance of the Austins torn away the veil that hid it frcun the view of the world and redeemed it i\x<m the wilderness, by the settlement of a tlourishinu; colony of North Americans on the iirazos and Colorado rivers. With the settlement of this colony a new era has dawned upon Texas. The natural riches of this beautiful province have begun to be unfolded, and its charms displayed to the eyes of admiring adventurers. A new island, as it were, has been difcovered in these latter days at oiir very (h.)ors, appa'^eiitly fresji from the hands of its ^laker, and ailapted, lieyond most lands, botii to delight the senses and enrich tlie pockets of thi'se wdio are dispo-ei to accept of its bounties.

" Without any assistance from the governinent or fosteriiiir care of any sort, hut simply under a permission to enter, some thuifamls of industrious farmers and mechanics, with their families, have already located tliemselves here. Their numbers are rapidly increasing, and there cannot bo a doubt that in a few years Texas will become one of tlie most populous of the Mexican States."

kSaid De Marbois early in tlie present century: "Texas is one of the fine.st countries in the world, and yei the Euroiieans, eager as they have been to make conquests in America, have seemed almost to the present day ignorant of its existence. "

"It is not difficult to determine wdiat in all likeliliood will be the future destiny of Texas, Should the Mexican government adopt a correct policy, it w'ill form a valuable and efKcient State of the Mexican confederation; for under a judicious system of administration it would not be the interest of the inliabitants to tlis- Solve the prese.it connection, and tliey could feel no motive to do so.

"It is very possible, iiowever, that an unwise course of administi'ation tuight provoke a separation; and what might be tiie result of sucii a separation I slrdl not attempt to conjecture.

" All the attention and vigor of tlie settlers appear to be now, as it ought to be, directed to tiieir own individual private concerns. If unmolested in their lawful pursuits of industry and protected by equal laws from the imposition of the federal officers, they will be satisfied; for I cannot conceive that tiiey shouhl be so blind to tiieir own interests as wantonly to resist tlie laws of the liepublic. ()iie tliini^ is certain, that no tjrcater calamity could befall them than the intrusion of party politics among them. Nothing wonM niore inevitably retard the development of the resonrces of the country, check immigration, and in every way thwart the benevolent purposes of heaven and blast the present satignine expectations of the friends of Texas, tiiaii party jealousies and party intrigue.

" The question of negro slavery in connection with the settlement of this country is one of great importance, and perhaps may hereafter present a difficulty. The existing constitution and laws totally prohibit this worst of evils. Should this wise policy be abandoned and Texas become wliat Louisiana now is, - the receptacle of the redundant and jaildelivered slaves of other countries, - all its energies would be paralyzed, and whatever oppressions may hereafter arise, either from abroad or at home, must be endured, for the country would require a prop to lean upon, and from necessity would be forever dependent. "

Until the beginning of the present century Texas, as a part of Mexico, lay in comparative stagnation and was but little known or cared for, as it was mainly occupied by roving Indians. The population, other than Indian, at the opening of the nineteenth century, is variously estimated at 7,000 to 20,000. The inhabitants were cliiefly Spanish Creoles, besides a few French, Americans and halfbreeds.

" The Co man dies are a noble race of Indians, inhabiting the country to the north and northwest of San Antonio de Bejar. They are a wandering race, do not cultivate the earth for corn, but depend altogether upon the chase for subsistence. They follow tlie immense herds of buffalo which graze the vast plains, often to the amount of tliousands in one lier 1. These jilains are also stocked with wald horses, " mustangs, " wliich run together in droves of many hundreds. The term mustang is therefore used figura lively to denote anything wild or uncultivated, as a < mustang girl. ' The horses are not natives, but descended from the stock brought over by the first Spaniards. Domestic animals, and man himself, become rmle when removed I'rom the associations of civilized life. The Comanches catcli and tame these wild horses, and, when unsuccessful in the chase, subsist upon them.

" The Indians always move on horseback. Besides the bow and arrows, the usual arms of the Indian warrior, they are armed with a long spear, having a sword blade for a point. A war party of these Indians is sulKjiently formidable. They are headed by two squaws, who by their shrill voices serve as trumpeters, and have like them various tones, to denote the different evolutions and movements. When they descry an object of attack or pursuit, they dart forward in a column like lightning toward it. At a suitable distance from their prey they divide into two squadrons, one half taking to the right and tlie other to the left, and thus surround it. Thougli fierce in war they are civil in peace, and they are remarkable for their sense of justice. They call the people of the United States their friends, and give them protection, while they hate the Mexicans and murder them without mercy.

"The Comanches have one head chief and many subordinate ones. They iiold regular councils quarterly, and a grand council of the wliole tribe once a year. At these councils all important matters are decided, and all prisonei'S taken for offenses ai'e tried. Their discipline is rigid. If a hunting party takes the life of a North Ainei'ier.n after itiaki nohim prisoner, witliout briiijrinLr him before the council for trial, the offemlers are punished with death. Xot so with the Mexicans, who are considered as enemies and treated as such. This hatred is uiutual, and fully reciprocated by tiie Mexicans. IJence the origin of the epithet expres.-incr odium, so general in all parts of Mexico; to den'ite the greatest degi-ee of de^-rad.ition, they call a person a ' Comanche.' "

The principal Anglo-Saxon settlements at tlie beginning of the |u-est iit century were San Antonio de Bejar, with about 'ISM) iidiabitants; La IJahiadelE-piritu Santo, now Goliad, about 1,400; and Nacogdociies, with 500.

Nacogdoches was tirt^t settled by Anglo- Americans in 1822-'23. when many of tlie emigrants who left the United States with the view of joining Austin's colony stopped at this place. Here and there in Te.xas a small Catholic mission existed, around which \vere a few miserable Indian proselytes. Tlie little trade carried on was effected with Mexico, by way of Monterey and Munclova, and with New Orleans through Natchitoches; the latter, however, was contraband. In 1>506 Texas was allowed a port, namely, at I!ahia de San Ijcrnai'do. The (exchange for mercliaudise consisted in spi cie, horses and mules.

Most of the inhabitants were of a roving disposition, cultivated to a stbl greater degree by the nature of their calling, which was the chase after horses and bulfalo; Imt in 1806 the governor, Antdiiio ConleiO, endeavored to check this thriftless and Indianlike moie of life by encouraging agriculture, and this he did by restricting buffalo hunts to certain seasons and ohliging every family to cultivate a certain amount of land. Thei'e were a few wealthy Spanish residents at the j centei's of population, who exhibited some of ^ the refinements of modern life, as they had come from the regal cities of Spain or from the vice-regal court. Though most of the inhabitants of San Antonio dwelt in miserable houses, with mud walls and thatched roofs, the upper class enlivened social intercourse with diimer parties and dances, at which relinement of manners was noticeable. This place, indeed, was probably the most pleasant in Texas at that time.

Catholic Missions

The early Spanish (Catholic) missions within the present boundaries of Texas, were established by Franciscan monks, under the auspices of the Spanish government, and were called presidios. They consisted of a chajiel for worship, the cells for the monks, the dwellings for the inhabitants, and a fort for defense. The mission was of course under the control of the ecclesiastical power, and the military force was nnder an officer of the army, who in most matters was under the control of the priest. A complete list of these missions is as follows:

In 1690 the mission of San Francisco was established on the Lavaca river at Fort St. Louis, by the Spanish under Captain Alonzo de Leon. In the same year the mission of San Juan Bautista was founded on the Rio Grande river.

In 1714 Captain Ramon established the mission of San Bernard, also the mission of Adaes, among the Indians of that name fifteen miles wes-t of Natchitoches.

In 1715 was established the mission of Dolores, west of the Sabiiie, among the Orquisaco Indians. In the same year, one among the Nacogdoches Indians, near the site of the present town of that name; also another among the Aes Indians, near the site of the present town of San Auu;nstine. Tlie niis&ion and fortress of San Antonio de Valero was soon after tiiis estal:>lislied on tlie San Pedro river, near the site of the present city of San Antonio.

In 1721 a post and mission was located at the crossing of the Neclies, and another on the bay of San Bei-nard, called Our Lady of the Loretto. In the same year the mission of La I5ahia(the bay) was established at the lower urossinu; of the San Antonio river.

All the buildings are yet standing. Under the old Mexican regime Texas was a province controlled by a "commandant," w!io resided at Chihuahua, and whose powers in this control were indep'ndent of the viceroy. Each province was ruled by a military and political governor, who by his delegated powers had cognizaace of «^11 causes, being di pendent as regards military matters upon the commandant general. Ir? tinaiicial atfrtirs he was suiiject to tlie intendant at San Luis Potosi, with recourse to the supreme council of finance at the city of Mexico. Of course, in those times of sparse settlement and prior government, it was generally ditfii'ult, and often almost impossible, for one to transact any business with either the «xe>;iitive or judicial department of the government, so remote were the seats of government and ditHcult and dangerous the methods of travel. The same difficulties were encountered in ecclesiastical matters, under the Roman Catholic regime.

A New Civilization

During the first decade of this century the germs of another and a better civilization began to become manifest in the province of Texas. The Anglo-American race was pushing westward and southward. Bold, restless men, impelled by the fascination of wild adventure, Bo(ine-like made their' way into newregions, regardless of danger and hardships. Rough, hardy men were indeed a necessity to go in advance of a more settled and refined community, and at this pei'iod the wave began to move, rough side foremost. Tlie Mexican government did not like the inttux of foreigners, especially of Americans, anil passed laws to imprison tliem if found on their territory; but, while this law was indei;d sometimes executed, it seemed to serve only as an incentive to the daring spirits who were on the crest of the west-bound wave. Like large, rough boys at school, when the master defied them or laid down any rule which they thought nnreasonalde, they gloried in taking advantage of such an opportuidty to show how bravely and successfully they could det'y the uni'easonable regulatio is. The contraband trade carried on with New Orleans, and connived at by the Spanish authorities, 0{)eneJ a gateway to these intrudei'.s.

Philip Nolan

The most conspicuous of the adventurers just referred to was Philip Xolan. encraged in trade between Natchez and Sai Antonio as early as 1785. In the Texas Almanac foi- 1868 is published the most extended account of Philip Nolan tint we have seen. We condense from it as follows: sissippi, obtained a passport IVoia the liaroii de Carondelet, governor of Louisi.ma, July 17, 1797, to go to Texas, for the purpose of buying horses for tiie Louisiana regiment tlien being organized at New Orleans. He rejiaiied to San Antonio de Bejar, whei'e he made the acquaintance of the governor of Texas, Dori Manuel Muiloz, and, through the kind offices of the latter, entered into a correspondence with General Pedro de Nava, tlien commanding the Spanish provinces, with headquarters at the city of f'liihualiua.

A permit was granted to Nolan to obtain the horses desired, luith in tiie province of Texas and that of New Santander (now Tamaulipas), Mexico; and about the end of July, 1798, he took with him 1,297 head, which he kept for a while on the jiasture grounds of theTi-inity river. Soon aftei'ward he returned to Natchez.

The viceroy of Mexico, Marquis de ISranciforte, February 12, 1798, transmitted a com niunication from the governor of Louisiana, Don Manuel Gayoso tie Lemos, successor of the Baron Carondelet, to (Tcneral Nava, requesting him, as of great importance to the service, to arrest any foreigners that might go into the Spanish provinces, because he was aware that some Aniei-icans intended to vi.sit the country for the purpose of becoming friendly with the Lillians and bringing al)out a revolution. He desired Nolan to be closely watched. At that time the movements of the English and the Americans had created some suspicions, and it was thought that even the FreuL-h designed to invade l^oui^iana.

On the first of June, 17'.l9, ihe governor of Louisiana recommended to l>o;! Fcilro Nava that no American .--honld be pei'mitttd to reconnoitre tie' tei-i-itoi-y ; thar he knew that some strangers had gone into Texas, and that the most dangerous was Philip Nolan, who, through deception, had obtained a passport \\\ni\ his predecessor, Baron <le Carondelet; that Nolan was a hypocrite and a sacrilegious man ; that he professed to l)e a Catholic among Spaniards, and laughed at this religion when he was among Americans; that it would be important to secure him and dispose of him in such a manner that he might never he heard of; that Nolan was commissioned by General Wilkerson - wlio had raised and educated him - to reconnoitre the country, draw maps and make otfei-s to the friendly Lidians to rebel against the Sjianiards.

August 8, 1800, the ci.immanding general ordered the governor of Texas to arrest Nolan in ca^e he i-eturned t') the province. October 0 following, the commander of the post at Cloncordia, Louisian:i, inlbrmed the comnninder at Nacogdoches that Nolan was, under prete.xt of chasing wild oi'ganizing an expedition of thirty or forty armed men to enter the territory id' Texas; that he had remonstrated with the auihorities at Natchez, Afississippi, hut he -was satisfied that they would not discountenance the plans of Nolan.

The commander at C(jncordia, December 18, 1800, forwarded a document from Mordecai Richards, who therein stated, before the above mentioned military authority, that he had left Natchez with Nolan and ahout thirty-four armed Americans ai d .'-ix or seven Spaniards; that at Nogales they crossed the Mississippi, and that Ncdan ttdd him (Richards) that he relied on him to guide them, wdiich he promised; tiiat tiicnce they veered nortiiwest tiiat during their march he was obliged to hunt for the party; that about six miles from AVachita post, Nidan was detained liy a party of militia-men, and Xolan sent a letter to the commander of the said p<jst by the officer in coimnand of the party; that after tlie militia- met) left, Mordecai Richards asked Nolan the reason why they had been stopped, when he (Nolan) had assured them that he had a permit to go into Texas; that Nolan then called him aside and said to him: ''You are a man on whom I rely to carry out my plans; and for that reason I have appointed you third in command. If we succeed, you will make your fortune. My plan is to travel northwest, and, passing the Caddo settlements to a certain distance, to build a fort, to protect us from any attack. Then we will sally forth to explore the country and its mines, and, after obtaining a sufficient number of horses, we will proceed to Islas Negras and Kentucky without finding any oijstacles. There we will find many friends awaiting our arrival, and by that time I will receive authority to conquer the province of Texas 1 will be the general, Mr. Fero the second, and yourself the third in command."

Mr. Richards says that he became alarmed at this and determined to desert, although he had a son and a nephew in tlie party. He finally escaped, with two others, and on his return to Natchez made the statements above recorded.

After the above events occurred, Lieutenant Mnzc[uiz was ordered to start in pursuit of Nolan, and he left Nacogdoches with that object in view, March 4, 1801. The following is from Muzquiz' diary of the twenty-first of that month: "At sunrise I marched on Nolan's intrenchment. When about thirty paces from it, ten men sallied from the entrenchment, unarmed. Among them was Nolan, who said, in a loud voice, 'Do not approach, because either the one or the other will be killed.' Noticing that the men wlio accompanied Nolan were foreigners, I ordered William Barr, an Irishman who had jiiine'l my command as interpreter, to speak to them in English, and say to them that I had come for the purpose of arresting them, and that I expected them to surrender in the name of the king. Nolan had a brief conversation with Barr, and the latter informed me that Nolan and his men were determiiied to fight.

"Nolan immediately entered his entrenchment, followed by his men, and I observed that two Mexicans escaped from the rear of said entrenchment. Soon afterward they joined us, stating that they had brought with them Nolan's carbine, which has handed to me. At daybreak Nolan and his men commenced tiring, and continued until nine o'clock, when Nolan was killed and his men surrendered. They were out of ammunition. His force was composed of fourteen Aniericans, one Creole of Louisiana, seven Spaniards or Mexicans, and two negro slaves. Nolan had three men wounded and several horses killed. His men had long beards. After the surrender I learned tliat they had left Natchez with supplies for two months, and had been in the woods and prairies of Texas for over seven months, living on horse- meat. Nolan's negroes asked permission to bury their master, wliich I granted, after causing his ears to be cut off, in order to send them to the governor of Texas."

The precise spot where this little battle took place has ever been a matter of controversy, as the data are too indefinite to enable one to be certain. Local tradition in various ])laces is very positive that it was at this, that, or the other place. The preponderance of opinion is that it was in the vicinity of Springfield or Waco.

A list of the names of Nolan's men taken prisoners is published in the Texas Almanac of 1868. These men were tried hy the Spanish authorities as invaders of the country. The judge ordered their release; but as General Salcedo, commanding the provinces, objected, their case was referred to the king of Spain, who ordered one man out of every five to be hung, and the remainder to serve in prison at hard labor for ten years. As one of the ten men convicted died, it was finally determined by the local autliorities tliat one man from the nine remaining would answer the royal i-equireraent. After due ceremony the men were required to throw dice, and tlie lot fell upon Ephraim Blackljurn. He was accordingly hung at Chihuahua, November 11, 1807. The others were sent to different penal settlements in the provinces, where they remained until 1818. It is believed that Ellis Bean (see sketch elsewhere) returned to the United States, and that the otiiers died in prison.

Nolan was a scholar, especially in geography and astronomy, and a gentleman in his manners. He made the first map of Texas, which he presented to the Baron deCarondelet on returning from his first trip to Texas. Had he lived to see his plans carried out, Texas, the land he loved, would have been proud of him.

The events just referred to had no political significance; but the time had now arrived - the first decade of the present century - when a political move began to inaugurate a disturbing wave, involving the possibility of a revolution at some future time, and this move was the sale of Louisiana to the United States in 1803, by the first Napoleon. When France, in 1702, ceded this territory to Spain, in order to prevent it falling into the hands of the English, the western boundary line between the Spanish and English possessions in North America was clearly defined by the treaty concluded in the following Fel)ruary, at Paris, by the kings of France and Spain of one party, and the king of England of the other party. But in October, 1800, Spain ceded back the territory to France in exchange for Tuscany, with the understan<liiig that its extent should he the same as it had Ijccu during the former possession of it by that iiatiun.

The boundary line, however, between Louisiana and Texas had never been definitely settled, tliough Spain had always claimed that Red river, or rather its tributary Arroyo Hondo, was the western limit of the Fiench possessions. This stream was about seven miles west of Natchitoches; but for many years a conventional line had been recognizeii by both nations, which ran between the rivers Mermenteau and Calcasieu, along the Arroyo Hondo, passing between Adaes and Natchitoches and terminating in Red I'iver. This line was violated by the Fieuch, who encroached toward the Sabine i-iver.

Ui)on the cession of Louisiana to the United States, the question of boundary line was raised. Our Government, even at that early date, began to claim all the country east of the Rio Grande. Several propositions of compromise were made and all rejected, and Texas began to be considered disputed ground. Meanwhile adventurous Americans continued to push their way into this coveted region, and Spain continued her old-timeinhospitable policy. By 1806 she had 1,500 soldiers in Texas to withstand the American aggression. The famous and infamous scheme of Aaron

Burr at this time to set u|) an independent government somewhere in tlie Southwest, had also an agojravatirg tendency in the complication of civil affairs between the two governments, aTid served to impel Spain and iVlexico to adopt more stringent hostile measures by way of resistance. After some exchange of correspondence, General James Wilkinson, on tlie part of the United States, arrived at tiie Sabine river with a command of soldiers, and succeeded by a short bloodless campaign in establisliing that river as tbe temporary boundary line between the nations, and soon returtied to Xew Orleans to resume operations against tlie contemplated movements of Aaron Burr.

A period of calm followed the last ti-ansactioii, more thoroughly established by the diversion of public attention to war in Europe. Agriculture would have made more rapid progress in Texas iiad there not been the suspicions of unwelcome that naturally lingered in the minds of the immigrants. An unforeseen evil, however, arose out of the late compact. The neutral territory soon became the asylum of a large number of desperadoes and marauders, who organized themselves into a community under a system similar to that of the old buccaneers, and they preyed upon all who came in their way. Their bravery and audacity were unsurpassed, and their fidelity to each other w-as inflexible. Traders were convoyed across the territory of these outlaws by military escorts, which, however, were frequently attacked. The Spanish authorities made every effort to eject them, and twice the United States authorities drove them off and burned their houses; but these measures failed to suppress thera.

his place as Governor of Texas Manuel de Salcedo was appointed. In September ot that year Hidalgo raised the standard of independence, and, during the long bloody struggle which followed, the province of Texas was made the scene of deeds as horrifying as Hidalgo's massacre of his prisoners and Calleja's atrocities at Guanajuato.

In January, 1811, Juan Biutista Casas, a captain of the militia, took forcible possession of the Texan government by seizing the governor and other leading officers, and proclaiming himself governor, at the same time publicly advocating the cause of Hidalgo; but lie soon disgusted many of the revolutionary party (his own) by his despotic and disorderly administration, and Juan Manuel Zarabrano conceived the idea of restoring the old order of things. Concealing his real intention, he hoodwinked those of the dissatisfied whom he approached on the matter, by giving them to understand that his only object was to depose Casas and correct the disorders of government. He was, moreover, favored in his designs by the opportune arrival of the unfortunate Aldama, who, with a large amount of bullion, was proceeding to the United States as envoy of the Independents, there to solicit aid in arms and men. Zambrano cunningly caused the report to be spread among the lower orders that Aldama was an emissary of Napoleon, - a statement more readily Ijelieved on account of his uniform being sin)ilar to that of a French aidde-camp. Nothing aroused the indignation of the common people more than the idea of their being surrendered to the French. By casting the gloomy shadow of that danger over the minds of his Indians, Hidalgo had lately caused the Grito de Dolores to be )-aised and rung througli the land; and now this wily priest used the same guile in Texas advance tlie royulist cause. Tims tlio populace ami many in tjp^ ranks of tlu' ixnolutionists in San Aiitiniiii, ami man)' inside the barracks, were unwittinirly on his sid(^

Durinoj the niglit of Mai-ch 1. with only five of those compromised to sunnoi't him, Zainbrano sallied forth from his house and raised the signal cry. Fosses-ion was immediately obtaitied of the harra.-ks. and before niorning dawned C'asas was a prisoner, and Aldama confined under ouaid in his loi!ging. Z:tnilirano and his party imw proceeded with caution; nor did tiiey piematiirely let their I'eal design he kiwiwn. A Sjovernino; council of eleven voting members, with Zambrano as president, was elected by the ]:)rincipal inhabitants of San Antonio and vicinity, and measures adopted to secure the province without creatinj;- ahiini. A force of 500 reliable men was phiced in marching order, to be ready for any emer- and commissioners were sent out to solicit aid. Success attended this inti'i;,nie. and in a short time the viceregal government was again firmly established in Te.\a?. One writer, in a ]>rivate letter, mentions that two commissioners were sent to the Uiuted States Government to offer Texas to the Union, but the commissioners failed to reach their destination.

During the very next year (1812), however, an expedition organized by a young officer in the Uiuted States Army, in conjunction with a Mexican refugee, almost succeeded in annihilating the royalist pnwer in Texas. Tiiis Mexican refugee, liy the way, was a great charactei'. It was ileiaiardo Gutierrez de Lara, a wealthy resident of Mexico, who had joined himself to the cause of the revolutionists, and was commis^ioned by them to visit Washington to obtain aid and sympathy, but hia credentials were not recognized iiy our Government. Jieino- a fervent patriot, however, he went to New- Orleans and began to organize an ex]iedition for tiie invasion of Texas, which scheme was facilitated by his former commercial relations with that city. Augustus Magee, who had been stationed (m the JSIatchitoches to break np gangs of outlaws on the neutral ground, eidisted some of these same outlaws and ]iroceeiled to New Orleans, where he elleeted an alliance with Gutieirez, giving him the nominal command, so that the . ^Mexicans would believe the invasion was headed by i.nie ot their own countrymen.

During the summer the inva-ion actually took place, with great success and little lo.-s of blood. l!y autumn there were 800 men, with Mngee as colonel, though actually the commander-in-chief. (TO\ernor Salee<lo of course resisted them, ami laid them siege at one place for f<jur mon-lis; l)ut they succeeded in gaining other vict(n'ie-, ami capturing even S m Antoino, the cajiital, on April 1, 1S18. A provisional govei-nment was formed, consisting of a council of thirteen members electeii by a populai' \ote, Gutierrez being ap|)(.)inted gene; nlisi-inio and governor. Two of tlie-e menibeis were Ainerieans. The prisemers, seveiitten in numlier, were all condemned todt-atli; and, as their public condemnation and execution of sentence might be too exasperating to the Americans, they were secretly butchered at night, ill the bed of a stream, April 51 The matter, however, soon leaked out, and tridy enough the Americans on the nenti'al ground lost their enthusiasm for the new government, and Gutierrez was arraigned before a trilninal and deposed. The Americans, being gi'catly reduced in nundjers, abandoned themselves to indolence, but were soon aroused by the news of the approach of an-

Other army, under the command of Culuuel Ignacio Elizondo, the renegade who had betrayed Hidalgo. Gutierrez was reinstated in command for the emergency, and the invasion repulsed. Gutierrez was again deposed, mainly by tlie influence of the American element. Factions, attempts at revolution and counter-revolution, and accompanying skirmishes, etc., continued to be the order of the day, Spaniard-like, or rather Mexican - like, until by the spring of 1814 victory was established by the royalists with some degree of permanency, and another " lull " or period of peace followed; bat the condition of Texas was deplorable, on account of the devastations of the many little armies, and desperadoes,who took unusual advantage of the unsettled state of affairs in such times, and the general uncertainty that always attends such a barbarous state of public affairs. Many of the inhabitants had fled and taken refuge in other parts of the world, their crops were destroyed, cattle carried off and their houses burned. The spirit of insurrection was suppressed, or perhaps more strictly expressed, had " eaten up its own substance," so that for years the public had the opportunity to settle itself to more peaceable and profitable pursuits. But little, however, was done, or would have been done, until a new race " began again to take the field.

In addition to those already named, the men who most prominently figured in the public affairs of Texas during the above period were Toledo, Arredondo, Ferry, Taylor, Bullard, Cayetano Quintero, etc.

Sympathy for the oppressed in this region spread meanwhile throughout the United States, and attempts at further revolutionary measures were made in various plat-es within our domain. Vigilance was exercised by our

Conspicuons among these sympathizers with the patriots in Mexico was Colonel Ferry, wlio proclaimed in the New Orleans papers in 1815 that an expedition was in preparation to invade Texas; that 1,000 men were ready to engage in the enterprise; and that the undertaking was a worthy one, in respect to both honor and profit. Fresident Madison prohibited Ferry's movement, or anything like it; and during the same year several men were indicted in the United States District Court for \-iolating the neutrality laws. Perry, however, eluded the vigilance of our Government, and succeeded in making his way beyond the Sabine with a small body of men. Jose Manuel de Herrera, who had been appointed minister to tjie United States by Morelos, and was at the time residing in JSTew Orleans, conceived the idea of establishing, in connection witli Ferry's movements, a system of privateering from Galveston harbor. He established a complete system of State government, with headquarters at Matagorda, in 1816, and was supported with such a large force of revolutionists as to again intimidate the Mexican government. Frospect for a successful revolution seemed brighter than ever; Aury, who was commodore of the fleet, at length began to differ from the policy of Ferry, of the land forces, and amid other jealousies the cause of tlie revolutionists was again much weakened, and Ferry was soon compelled to flee back toward the United States with oidy about forty men, and, after several repulses of the more numerous band of Mexicans, were finally compelled either to surrender or be put to death - which latter

Comniudore Aury continueil to prey n])on the Spanish trade, with some success, making his headipuirters iVir about two months in Matagorda bay, and then he went to Florida.

At this time Jean Lalitte, a noted character from France, was established at the little island of Bai-rataria, about sixty miles west of the delta of the Mississippi, engaged as a smuggler and probably as pirate. He was ioined by a crowd of roughs, and the goods they seized found ready sale iu New Orleans. Governor Claiborne, of Louisiana, seeing the demoralizing effect of this "trade" upon his favorite city - tor many large houses there were in collusion with the marauders - issued a proclamation ordering these freebooters to disperse; but as this had no effect, he placed a r vai-d of .^500 on the head of l.afitte, wliica tlie latter trea'ed with such contempt as to offer thirty times the amount for the governor's head. Claiborne then tried force, and ai^'ain was unsuccessful. Lafitte surrounded I be troops sent against him, and dismissed them loaded with presents.

This state of affiiirs being reported to Pres ident Madison, Commodore Patterson, of the United States Navy, was ordered to destroy this hornet's nest, and in June, 1814, he arrived before Barrataria with gunboats and the schooner Caroline. The pirates, in seven line armed cruisers and a fehicr,/. inanneil by nearly a thousand men, at lirst made a show of resistance; but, tiiuilly abaiiilonin^' their vessels, they made for the land ami dispersed among the swamps. Patterson then took tlie snri'endered vessels and all the spoils of Larrataria to New Oi-leans.

Lalitte, the - Pirate of the <iulf," was still at lai-ge, however, anil the i;im in dly returning men again resu'iied their old nefarious tratKc. About this time, war e.\i^til)g between tlie United States an 1 (-treat Hritain, the latter government appi-oached l.atitfe wdth large offers of position and money if he would assist in their cause; hut he asked time to consider, and in this time he entered into correspondence with (T(>\ernor (Jlaiborne, by which it was linally agreed that the governor would not further moliist him if he would espouse the cause of the United States; and, sure enough, at the battle of New Orleans, he rendereil such signal service that President Madison pardoned him of his former offences against our govern m-nit.

During the next two years Lahtte's movements were not conspicuous; but bis followers, to the number of about 1.000, joined a politico-piratical government at Galveston island, who, for security, swore allegiance to the Mexican government. In con.--i(|uence Galveston became naturally the asylum of refugees from justice and desperadoes of every nationality. Their depredations on the gulf were carried on to such an extent that Spanish commerce was aliiKjst swept from the sea, and even the vessels of other nations suffered at their hands. The United States would have broken up this nest also had it not lieen for the ojiposition of the Spanish minister, Onis. The l)oundary (question liad not yet been settleil, and it was feared that from Galveston by armed force it would retain possession of the island. Thus for years the "Pirate of the Gulf" remained unmolested. On the site where the city of Galveston now stands he erected a fort and built himself a house, around wliieli numerous other edifices sprung up, forming a

Uist0R7 Of Texas

Octolier 'J, 1819, this point was declared a port of entry by the republic of Texas, wliich had lately been proclaimed as such bj the letders of another expixlition into the conntry, and Lafitte was made governor of the place. This cnrious man eoon afterward hancred a refngee from jnstice, in satisfaction of the United States authorities, and soon after that again indorsed another man - one of his own party - for committing the crime of seizing jjroperty fiom a suliject of our Government; and for the latter the Government sent an expedition against him, to break np the Galveston establishment, fearless of war with the Mexican government. Aware of the determitiation of the Government at Washington, Lafitte destroyed his fortifications, paid oif his men, and sailed away forever from the shores of Texas. He ever maintained that lie made war only on Spanish vessels. According to one account, he gave a sketch of himself in the following terms:

At eighteen years of age he was a merchant at Santo Domingo. Having become rich, he wound up his affairs, bouglit a ship and freighted her with a valuable cargo, including a large amount of specie. He set sail for Europe, with his wife, was captured when a week out at sea, by a Spanish man-of-war, and robbed of everything he possessed. The Spanish captain had the inhumanity to set him and the crew ashore on a barren sand key, with provisions for a few days only. They were taken off by an American schooner and landed at New Orleans, where his wife died a few days afterward from fever, contracted from hardship and exposure. In desperation, he joined some daring fellows, and they declared eternal vengeance against Spain. "For fifteen years," said he, "I have carried on a war against Spain. So long as 1 live I am at war against Sp-iin, but with no other nation. I am at peace with all the world except Spain. Altlioiigh they call me a pirate, I am not guilty of attacking any vessel of the English or French."

The above sounds very much like a piece of fiction, wiiich atiy pirate might conjure up to justify his nefarious career. Lafitte is described as a stout, rather gentlemanly personage, about five feet and ten inches in height, dressed very simply in a foraging cap and blue frock of a most villainous fit; his complexion, like that of most Creoles, olive; his countenance full, mild and rather impressive; his eyes small and black, which fiashed in animated conversation like those of an ugly customer. His demeanor was courteous. He was educated and gifted with considerable talent for conversation. He continued to cruise on the Spanish main for several years. Occasionally he visited Sisal and the island of Margarita, near the mouth of the Orinoco, and finally died at Dilam, in Yucatan, and was buried there.

Political Cuanges Continukd

After the fall of Napoleon, two refugees from France, Generals Lallemand and Riganlt, concluded to try Texas as a place of residence, although they received no reply to their request for a permission to do so from the Spanish court. In March, 1818, Lallemand, with 120 settlers, sailed from New Orleans, landed at Galveston bay and selected a spot on the Trinity river about twelve miles above its mouth, and began to fortify the post. These colonists issued a proclamation that they had settled there to remain, earnino- their livelihood by the peaceable pursuits of agriculture and the chase, and would de- fend themselves by force, if necessary, aci;;iinst any invading party; but professional soldiers iiialve poor atrrienltnrists. Tlie lirst season ilieir crops were meager on account of the dnjutii, and they maintained themselves for a time by the products of the cluise. Wiiile iluis weakened, a force was sent against them Mexico, wliich they could not resist, and . . liemand returned to the United States, while the rest of the colonists scattered, a i^rieat part of them pruhaidy to Barrataria, at tliattime controlled l>y the notorious Lafitte. Old interniitioiial (questions beino; now revived as to the ovvnersliip of theFloridas and the boundaries of the Louisiana Territory, - lany prupositions and counter propositions were made and refused, with the final result, February 22, 1819, in the form of a treaty signed by the Sparish minister Onis, and the American Secretary of State, by which the Floridas were ceded to the United States and Texas permitted to remain in the hands of Spain. The boundary line between the United States and the Spanish possessions was defined as follows: Beginning at the mouth of the Sabine river, continue north along the western bank of that river to latitude 32°; thence by a line due north to the degi'ee of latitude where it strikes Red river; then following the course of that river, westward to longitude 23° west from Washingion; crossing said river, run by a line due north to the Arkansas, following the southevn bank of that river to its source in latitude 42° north, and theuce by that parallel to the I'acitic.

The kino- of Spain, however, faileil to ratify the treaty within the six m )nths prescril)ed, and when he did ratify it, (Jctober 21, 1S20, the controversy was renewed, tlie United States being strcingly disinclined to recognize the late convention. From tlie tirst tlie treaty had caused wide-spreid dis .afisf:u!tion, ami a strong party maintained that vahiable territory had been given away by tho American government for a very inferior one, while a fundamental principle of tlie United States was violated in ceding a.vay territory of any kind under any circumstaiu-es; but after a year or two of discussion the United States Congress advised the President to ratify the treaty, and accordingly, February 2S, 1821, John Qiiincy Adams informed the Spanish envoy that President Monroe had accepted the ratification.

In natural connection with the foregoing, the angry feeling, aroused by the treaty, was exhibited in a practical manner at Natchez, Mississippi, by another atteni[)t to oi-ganize an expedition for the purpose of revolutionizing Texas. James Long was appointed leader of the enterprise, and in June he started with great enthusiasm for Nacogdoches, accompanied by about seventy-five men, which number was rapidly increased. Soon after arriving at that jibice he could muster over 300 men, among them iH'iiuii-do Gutierrez and Samuel Davenport. He immedi ately proceeded to establish a civil government, under the control of a supi'eme council, of which he was chosen pre?ident. June 23 this council declared the provinci' of Texas a free and independent repulilic, and it proceeded to enact laws for the government of the same and providing for revenue by the sale of public lands. Various agjiicies were established, at different points, for mercantile and governmental bii.^iuc.-..-.

For aid. Long left Cook in command at Nacogdoches while he histened on to Galveston to enlist the sympathy and assistance of Laiicte, who at that time was in the height of his glory there; but the wily Fre ichman told liiin that it ever had beeu useless to re- sist Mexico by land without a much larger force tlian had ever been coHected for the piirpose. On the way to Galveston Lojig heard through Indian channels that a Mexican force, 700 strong, under Colonel I^nacio Perez, was rapidly on his track, at Cochattee, and at once sent orders to Cook immediately to concentrate his outlying detachments at that place. Of all the expeditions to Texas, not one experienced a more speedy collapse or swifter ruin than that of Long's. The posts or "agencies" spoken of were suddenly destroyed and the occupants killed or dispersed.

Long retired to New Orleans, where he made the acquaintance of the Mexican patriots, Milam and Trespalacios. The next spring, 1821, still another "expedition " was formed against the Mexican government in Texas, with these men as leaders; but they, too, were soon squelched. The next year, 1822, Long was killed in a private encounter.

Of course, at this time the condition was deplorable, as the outlook for permanent peace was absolutely fori>idding. After the expulsion of Long in 1819, every intruder who had settled in the country was driven off, his buildings destroyed and his cattle driven away. Tiie populated districts altogetiier contained no more than 4,000 civilized beings. Agriculture was almost entirely neglected, and provisions were so scarce, even in San Antonio, as to be a subject of frequent report by Governor Martinez to the commandant general at Saltillo. The northeastern borders became the asylum of criminals and the abode of bands of armed desperadoes engaged in smuggling. Lafitte's piratical establishment had its emissaries about the country, who drove Africans through the land with impunity to New

Oileans, wiiere they were sold; and savage Indians, like the Comancbes, were hovering around almost every white settlement. This was the darkest hour that Texas ever saw.

"If the reader will glance back at the history of Texas, he will find that no advance in the colonization of that fertile country was made during the period of Spanish domination. The reason of this, apart from the exclusion of foreigners, lay mainly in the aversion of the Spanish Creoles to agriculture, and the dangers to which settlers were exposed. Enterprise in ' New Spain' was chiefly directed to the development of mines, while the cultivation of the soil was performed for the most part by the passive Indians. In Texas, an essentially agricultural province, the conditions were reversed. There were no mines to be developed, nor were there peaceable natives who could be made to till the ground. It therefore offered no inducements to Spanish-Americans to migrate from safe and settled districts to a remote region, where a few ill-garrisoned presidios could offer little or no protection to the cultivator against the stealthy attacks of hostile Indians. Thus the colonization of Texas was confined to the establishment of a few settlers in the immediate vicinity of these military posts. Only two of these, San Antonio de Bejar and La Bahia del Espiritu Santo, developed into towns of any considerable importance. Later attempts of Spain to colonize the country at the beginning of the present century met with no success. The undertaking projected by the Spanish government and placed under the direction of General Grimarest failed of accomplishment on account of the breaking out of hostilities between Spain and England; nor did other tettlers who were introduced into Texas about tliis time effect any expansion of tlie community. It remained for peaceai)le immigrants from tlie United States to accomplish a work of projjress which Spain had proved liei-self ineomp'.-tent to perform, and wliicli had Iteen beyond achievement by force of arms on tlie part of adventurers.

"I have ali-eady related how anxious Spain was to people T< xas immediately after the purcliase of Louisiana by the United States, and si) protect herself against encroachments by occupancy of the country. Her intentions, howevei', were frustrated by the dreadful wars, in which she soon became engaged, and the revolutiotis which broke out in her colonies. In the emergencies to which she was reduced she relaxed her exclusive policy, and official proclamations were publislied inviting colonists of all clashes and nationalities to settle in her American dominions. The treaty of amity of February 22, 1819, having cuiitiriiied her in the possession of Texas, Spain telt herself in a position to remove the exclusion of Anglo-Americans as colonists in her tei'ritory, which hitherto had been insisted on in all colonization schemes. At the same time the royalist power seemed to be firmly 1 established in Mexico, the revolution having been well nigh suppressed and the pacification of the country almost consummated. It was reasonable, therefore, to suppose that the Spanisli government would give satisfactory assurances to Anglo-Americans who mi<j;ht wish to obtain in a legal manner grants of land in Texas."

The Austins

17G4. At the age of twenty he married Maria Brown in Pluladelphia, and soon afterward established a commercial house in Rich mond, Virginia, in partnership with iiis brother. Step] e:i, who was at the head of a larg.; importing business in Piiiladelpliia. The two brothers a few years later |)iircliased conjointly a lead mine in Virginia, ami ran it for a time. Adventurous sp-.'cidatioii brought them reverses, and Moses Austin, a man of perseverance and enterprise, obtained in 17i^7 a grant from Baron de Carondeiet, governor-general of Louisiana, conferring upon him a le;igue of land in ea-tern Missouri, wliere he m.ide the fir^t settle nent as the nucleus of Waoliington county, that State, and where he won by his upright conduct the a '..I'ration of all the immigrants. But the very qtialities which gained for him the affection of all who knew him occasioned another reverse of fortune. He had become a large stockholder in tlie Bank of St. Louis, and wiien in 181S hat institution went to laiin xYustin surremiered the whole of his property for the benefit ot' his creditors. Although now in his tifty-tilth year, he conceived the bold idea of establishing an extensive colony in Texas. In this he was not moved i)y the reckless s])irit of adventure tluit had characterized former attempts of the kind. His intention from the first was to proceed legally. Accordingly he made the long journey to San Antonio de Bejar, arriving in the first part of December, 1820, and made his application to the authorities. At first he met only with rebuff and disappointment. Although in 17'JU he had become a naturalized suliject of Mexico in upper Louisiana, he had failed to provide himself with a passport before starting on his journey, and wdien he presente I himself before thegovei'noi' he was peremptorily ordered to leave the province imine liately. In bitter- nes8 of heart he left the governor's liouse to make preparations for his departure, hut on crossing the plaza he met Baron de I3a=trop, an alcalde and a native of Prussia, whose acquaintance he had made many years betcjre. In his younger days Bastrop was a soldier of fortune under Frederick the Gi'eat. He afterward entered the service of the king of Spain, who sent him on a special mission to Mexico. "While Louisiana was under the dominion of Spain he obtained a grant of thirty miles square between the Mississippi atid Red rivers, 400,000 acres of which he ceded to Aaron Burr, on which the latter intended to plant a colony as a nucleus for liis meditated expedition against Mexico. When Louisiana was re-ceded to France, Bastrop became a citizen of San Antonio de Bejar, where he was appointed alcalde and afterward land commissioner, and in 1827 he represented Texas in the legislature of Coahuila and Texas. He died in 1828 or 1829.

On meeting Austin, as before stated, he interested himself in his undertaking, and by his influence had a second interview with Governor Martinez, who, after some deliberation, forwarded Austin's memorial to Arredondo, the commandant-general of tlie eastern internal provinces, with a strong recommendation in its favor from the local authorities of the province.

While his case was pending, he started on the long journey back to his Missouri home, in January, 1821, and suffered untold hardships. He was frequently obliged to cross swollen streams by either swimming or rafting, and to suffer a great deal from hunger. Indeed, the exposures of the journey Iiroke down his healtb, and he died at his home June 10th following, in his fifty-seventli year.

On dying he left an arrangcmtnt with his sou, Stephen Fuller Austin, then in New Orleans, to prosecute the enterprise he had begun in Texas. From 1821 to 1824 there were no less than four different forms of goveininent in Texas, and of course but little was ilone by way of settlement. January 17, 1821, however, Austin's memorial was granteJ, giving liim permission to introduce 300 families into Texas. In energy and perseverance the son was equal to his father, and liK arrived at San Antonio with seventeen companions, and reeeivel po mission from the government to explore tlie country on the Colora'lo river and select an advantageous position. He also examined the country along the Brazos river. Being convinced of the fertility of the land and healthfnlness of the climate, he returned to Louisiana and published the particulars of the scheme. Each head of a family was to receive 640 acres, 320 acres in addition for the wife should there be tme, 100 acres additional for each child, and eighty acres in addition for each slave. p]ach single man also would receive a grant ijf 040 a-jros. The conditions imposed upon the settlers were tiiat they shoull be Catholics, or agree to become so, before entering the territory; that they should be provided with credentials of good character and habits; should take the oath to be obedient in all things to the government; to take up arms in defense against all enemies; to be faithful to the kino-; and to observe the political constitution of the Spanish monarchy. Ou the part of the colony itself, each settler was to pay 12^ cents per aci'e for his land to defray expenses, except tliat Austin took it upon himself to pay for all the surviving, securing of titles, etc. The money was to be paid in instalments after receipt of title. A portion of the fund was also designed tor purposes of government, defense against hostile Indian-, and to furnish supplies to poor immigrants.

The Austin Colony

The first iiimiiyrants of tlie Austin colony ivriived in Deceiiiber, 1S21, settling on tlie Iji'azos ri\'erat the lialiia crossincr, mainly in what is now Austin county; hut many ditKc'ultit'S and liai-d-hi|js were encunntered. .ShipiiH'nts of su|i|)lies tivuu New Orleans faileil to reach tlifui, and they had to sul)sist too much on the products of the chase; and this was on account of the hostile Indians.

During the spring of 1822 Austin went to San Antonio to repi>rt progress, and there learned for the tiist time that under the change in political affairs he would have to ohtain from the Mexican congress a confirmation of the ijrant conceded to liis fatlier by the Spanish L'ovei-nment, and receive special instructions relative to the distribution of land and other details connected with the grant. This was a sore disapointment. lie would have to travel 1,200 miles by land on roads infested by banditti ani.l deserters, and he was ill prejiared for such a journey. Nevertheless, in ragged clothes and a blanket, he disguised himself as a poor traveler going to iMexico to petition for compensation for services in the I'evolution, and unflinchingly started out on the long an^l perilous journey.

Wilde on his way to the city of Mexico, with but two persons in company, arriving at San Anlonio, he (Austin) was told that it was dangerous to proct'ed without an escort, for a wai- p:irty of Comanches was abroad, killiucr every uupi-otected pei'son who came in their way; that some individuals liad been murdered by them the day before; and that he, with so much baggage, being a valuable prize, could not piis-inly hope to escape. Finding, however, no opp 'rtunity of obtaining an escort, and the business of llie colony I

They traveleil the first day unmolested, but on the morning of the second day, feeling sonu'what indi-posi'd, Mr. Austin undertook to pre[!,-ii-e some colfi'(\ There were no acconiniodations on the road, and it was necessary to carry provi»ions on a pick horse, and cook by the wayside. II is comp luions wai'ued \\\n\ that if Inilians were near they woidd be attracted by the smoke. He fialtcred himself, however, that by seie-tiug a sheltered place and makini,' little smoke, it would be impossible for them to discern it. Besides, his craving for the coffee was so great, he being afflicted with a bad headac^ie, he insisted that he must ha\e it at all risks. They were upon an open ]il.iin,and ciuld see many miles around. At the niome it no liviuf creature was in view but themseive-i.

The men in compuiy went to seek the horses, which had been hopple 1 the night liefore and let loose to teed. The colonel retired to a little ravine to enjoy his coiTee. It was boiled, and in the act of putting the refreshing beverage to his anxious lips, he heard a sound like the trampling of many horses. Raising his head, with the colfee yet untasted, he beheld in the distance fifty mounted Uoinanches, with their spears glittering in tlie mornino- sun, dashing;' tcnvard hiui at fiill siieed. As the coin inn advanced it divided, according to the practice pi'eviously described, into two semi-circles, aiuJ in an instant he was surrounded. (Quicker than thought he sprancr to his loade 1 rifle, luit as his hand grasped it he felt that resistance by one against a host was vain.

Hi Stout Of Texas

ble, was greedily seized. Aui^tin's presence of mind, liowever, did not forsake him. He calmly meditaterl for a moment what cuiirse to pursue. AfSi ra i.? great composure, he went lip to the chief, and, addressing him in Spanish and the few Indian words he knew, declared himself to be an American, and demanded wlietlier their nation was at war with the Americans. "No," was the reply. "Do you like the Americans?" "Yes; they are our friends." " Where do you get your spearheads, your blankets," etc., naming all their foreign articles one by one. "Get them i'rom our friends, the Americans." "Well, do you think if you were passing throngh their nation, as I am passing through yonrs, they would rob you as you have robbed me'i" The chief reflected a little and replied, " No; it would not be right." The chief then commanded his men to restore all the a/tic'es taken. Every article came back with the same dispatch with which it had disappeared, except the saddlebags. These, which contained all his money, were indispensable to the further prosecution of his journey. No one could tell anything of the saddlebags. Almost in despair of ever seeing them again, he observed in a thicket, at a little distance, a squaw, one of the trumpeters, kicking and belaboring her horse to make him move off, while the sagacious beast would not stir a step from the troop. The colonel instantly pursued the female robber, and found his saddlebags neatly concealed under the saddleblanket and herself. The whole squadron then moved oflP, and were seen no more.

A little circumstance connected with the above affair is worth mentioning. A Spanish grammar, which the colonel cacrie 1 suspended at the saddle-bow, that he might study it as he rode along, was missing. This book was afterward found among the Indians by some traders, and as it had the owner's name on it a report spi-ea^l abroad that the colonel had beei killed by the Comanches. This report ro:iched the eai-s of his anxious mother and sister in Missouri, and it was many months before they learned that he had survived the dreary pilgrimage.

Mr. Au-tin reached the capital in safety, April 2'J, 1822, but on account of constant chimires in the government and the belief that a new law would at length have to be ado|»ted, it was not until the next January that his claim was recognized. But even then, before he left the capital, another change in the government was made, and he had to wait about three months longer for new arrangements. On his return to Monterey he had to get further instructions from the commandant general and the provincial "deputation." He was informed that he had full powers for the administration of justice in his colony, he, in the military aspect, I'auking as lieutenant-colonel. He could make war on the Indian tribes in his vieinitv who molested his colony, could introduce supplies by the harbor of Galveston, etc. He was to vender an account of his acts to the governor of Texas, and be subject to him. Bastrop was empowered to survey the lands and give title. The name San Felipe de Austin was given to the capital of the naw colony.

When Austin arrived at the settlement he found it aim ist abandoned, in consequence of his long detention in Mexico, but the news of his return and the success of his undertaking attracted settlers in such numbers that by 1824 the stiimlateil 300 families had arrived, and they then began a prosperous career. Altlioiio-I), however, Austin was exact in his administration of justice and extravagantly benevolent to tiie needy, there were many in the colony disposed to complain and make trouble. In the United States and Knrnpo tlie impression began to prevail that Austin's early colonists were in oi-i-at part fnij;itives from justice; but he maintained, with every show of fact and reason, that his cnldiiy was as moral as any community in the States.

The limits of the county were uruieiined by the law, and the immig-raiits were allowed to settle at various distances from the center according to their own free will. In response to Austin's jietition, the goverinnent allowed him to introdue;' 50IJ more families to locate upon the unocriipied lands lying between the tracts already occupied by his colonists.

Mr. Austin at one time sent a newcomer to Texas from San Felipe to the Colorado to take the census of the families in that part of his colony. The duty being performed, the messenger returned, and the following conversation occurred:

Newcomer. - "Well, general, to give you a sample of the people living up theie. I went to a log cabin, wdiere I found only a lady at home. I asked her who live 1 there. She said, 'Me and the old man.' 1 told her I hail Come to take the census. She told me to take it. I said to her, 'Have yon any children?' She replied, 'Yes; lots on 'em.' 'Please give their names, madam.' ' Well, thar's Isaiah, and Bill, and Tom, and Jake, and Ed, and John

Joe, he's gone so miieh." These being duly noted, with ages, la'^kel, 'Have you no gilds?' ' No, sir,' repliel she, em[ihatieally ; 'boys is troidde enough; but arter a while they kin take care of themselves; but gals Ialways trouble, and laner kin take eare of themselves. ' General, tliose p-'0])le are too rough to live uitli."

Austin. - " AVell, Mr. , those are exactly the people we want for the pioneers on our frontier. They are hardy, h(Uiet-t and l>rave. They are not your kid-glove so; t. i\> the settlement becomes denser, they « ill .-trike farther out upon the boi-ders. I wish we ha 1 ujore of tliem.''

The following anecdote, in regard to me:nhers of the colony, illustrates the ur,i\-er.-al tendency of retaliatory mea-ures to increas in gravity far beyond reason. In rebruaiy. 18-tl, a pig belonging to Mr. Ihilloek, an Austin landlord, found his way into tin,' stable of M. de Saligny, the French eliarge, aii<l a e some of the corn. For this <dl'eii>e a ser\ant of the Frenchman slew the little animal, and in return for this the irate l.mdh'i-d horsewhipped tlie servant. Thereupoti Saligny complained, and Bullock was arrested and bound over to the next term of court. Afterward the landlord ordered the envoy oil' his premises. These indignities to French honor were not to be passed unnoticed by, and the Texas government, failing to give satisfaction, the French minister abandoned his post. A conciliatory letter fr(.m l're>ide:it lliniston sub.-eijuently healed the bre.-ieli and brought the testy Frenchman baek. ()ei'asion8 as trirting as this have, in the history of tnan, been the initial j)oint of a .-er;e.> oi acts which terminated in war.

Many persons employ an imlividual in the business of huiitincr in all its branches, and tliiis are constantly sufiplied with provisions of every description, even to egg"^, wloeh are furnished by the iniaiense numbers of wild fowl. These hunters are very profitable to their employers, and much cherished in the family, and often l)eoome spoiled by f<imiliarity and indulgence. A roni^'hness of manners and a rudeness of speei/h are tolerated in them vihich would not be brooked in other servants. They area sort of privileged charac'er. Indians and Mexicans are considered the best qualifie 1 for this important office. But it sometimes happens that a white man from the States, who has !>ucome somewhat decivilized (to coin a word), is substituted. The dress of these hunters is usnally of deerskin; hence the appropriate name 'Leatherstocking.'"

Tue Empkksario System

After the Mexican province^ ha'l declared tliemscives fi'ee and sovereign, an 1 sniiject only to federation, a natioiial colonization law was adopted August 18, 1824, one ]iro\ision of which authorized the legi^latures of the different States to form colonization laws for the occupancy of the public domains within their respective territories, on terms that were not at variance with the fedeiai constitution. Accordingly, the newly -formed State of Coahuila and Texas, having organized its government, the legislature, on March 24, 1825, decreed such a law, one provision of which required, in order to people the land by the colony system, a certain number of families to be introduced within a given time, at tlie expense of the immigrants themselves. The particulars of the system were as follows, in brief: The empresario first presented a memoj'ial to the State Government asking for permission to colonize certain waste lands which were designated, as well as the number of families he proposed to inti'oduce. To atibrd ample choice to settlers, the tract designated and usually conceded by the government was greatly in excess of the appropriation to be finally made-; but after the establishment of the settlement and the completion of the allotments of the colonists, ar.d the assignment of the "pi'emium land" to the empresario, all the surplus land re\'erttd to the State. The distribution of the allotments was under the control of a commissioner appointed by the State, l)ut he had power to make an assignment without the approval of the contractor. If the contractor failed to introduce the stipulated number of I'amiles within the term of six years, he lost his rights and privileges in proportion to the deficiency, and tjie contract was totally annulled if he had not succeeded in settling 100 families. Tiie premium giantcd to a contractor was five square leagues of grazing land and five laljores of tillage land fV)r each hundred families; bnt he could not acquire a premium on more than 800 families. (A square league was a tract of 5,000 x'ara? square, and contained 4,428 acres. A labor was 1,000 varas square, and contained 177 acres. Twenty-five laborcs were equal to one sltlo, and five sitios composed one hacienda ) Every family whose sole occupation was farming received 177 acres (one lahoi) of au-. ricultural land, and :f it engaged in stockraising also a grazing tract sutficient to com plete a square league was added. Those families whose sole occup-ition was cattle raising received each a square league, less one labor (177 acres). An unmarried man received one-fourth of the above quantitv. The State government alone could increase the i]nantitie? in proportion to tiie size ot'a faiiiilv and the industry and activity of the colonists. Eleven square leagues was the limit of land that coidd be owned by the same hands as prescribed hy the national colonization law. For each square leat;ue, or sitio, as it was denominated, the colonist ]iaid an emption sum of $30 to the State, S2,.10 for e:ich A/A"/- not irritable, and $3.50 tor each that was irrigable; but tlie.-e jiaynients were not dema'uleil until after the exidration of six years from the time of settlrment, ami tlicn unly in three installments at long intervals. Couirai-tors and the military were exempt from this tax. Thus the terms oH'cred settlers wei-e very liberal, except that tiitiy required them to be of the Caiholic faith and gave prefei'ence to Mexicans. However, after the promuli;ation of the above laws an increased tide of imuiigration set in fi'om the United States, and little or no rei^ard was paid to the religious character of tiie law. In a few years iicM''ly the whole of Texa-; was ])arceled out to empresarios, though none fulfilled their conti-acts except Austin. Settlers, howevei', continued to come in and improve the lau I, manly from the United States, with the iuevital)le result, as aluiost any otie mii;'ht liave of turning eventually the province of Texas into a nieuiber of the American LTnion. The population increased from 3,50lJ in 1821 to about 20,000 in 1830.

Government

1-iy this time it began to become apparent that the old regime tif governmeut to which the Spaniards and Mexicms w&vn accusioiried, was obsolete, or " btdiind, the times." The new people iu Texas were of broader gau^e than the "old fou;ies " could iuiHiziue, and would not broiilc th" e\-ei'l istino- series of revolutions and connlev-revuliitions in which the Mexicans delighted. P.at before we proceed with the causes of the .nnal revolution, let us glance at further <letaiis in re'ereuce to the condition of the people in Texas anil Coahuiht.

i^rior to 1824 Texas |i;id no polifical ctuinection with ('oahuila. 'I'he la^^er was a ricdier and more populous country, and tem[)- tations greater there to a corrupt ruler. Oppression was exercised thereon a much larger scale than in Texas. The commandant ueneral ruled as it suite! him, and while pi-sessing even superior power to the \-icei-oy, there was no check wdiatever upon his authority, except the pi-esence of his legal adviM-r, the auditor de guerra, who generally di I nothing more than approve and siij)pi>rt his npinions. (xreat distance from the seat of the general government rendered loc d government more independent and ii'iespoiisilile, and corrupt rulers an almost nnlimiced opportunity to exploit the interests of the peopkv Evei-y enormity was practici' I that enmity or covetousness suggested. Under a le-s oppressive government the province of C'oaliuila, with its fertile soil, its genial climate and exhilarating atmosphere, w<.iuld have beju all that man conM desire: but the incubus of commercial and agricultural monopoly presseil heavily on the land. Tlie prince merchants smothered development. Xo factories or invention stimulated industry. Primitive and crude methods continuei.l their C)ld and monotonous way along with lui h(jpe of (diaiige. Wine and brandy were about the luily exports. Dut the inhabitants of Goahuila were almost exclusicely j)istord and Here were to be found simplicity and insensibility to intrigue, untiring' industry and patience under severe laljor, the endurance of privations without tnurmur, and a deep-rooted love of liberty. Both the social ;md political morals of this rural population were of a higher standard than those of the inhabitants of the maiinfacturing and mining districts of New Spain.

While the jealous fears of the State government that its liberal policy had overshot the mark became move and more confirmed, certain legislative acts, which it was expected would be corrective of past mistakes and preventive of foreshadowed trouble, irritated the settlers. The slave laws of 1827 and the prohibitory one of 1829 respecting foreign merchants, caused greit offense. By decree of Septetnbcr 15, 1827, the constituent congress manifested its intention to acquire the HTadnal eniaucir)atiou of slaves already introduced. Town councils were ordered to keep a list of all slaves in their re^pective municipalities designating name, age, eex, etc. Sla\es whose owners hail no apparent heirs wei'e to become free immediately on the decease of their masters ; and on each change of ownership, even in the case of heirs immediately succeeding, one-tenth of the number of slaves inherited was to be manumitted, the individuals being determined by lot. By another decree it was provided that any slave who wished to climge his master con Id do so, provided the new owner indemnified the toriner one for the cost of the slave according to the bill of sale.

Although the colonists kept themselves aloof and were indifferent to Mexican legislation so long as their own immediate interests were not attacked, their anger rose when a di:ect blow was struck at their prosperity. "Without ."lave-labor the colonization of Texas Would have been retarded many years, as nearly all the colonies were established by men of means from the old South, and knew no other way of managing business than by slave labor. The immigrants would have been limited exclusively to the class of laboring farmers who, by their own hands, would have reclaimed some small portions only of uncultivated wastes. No capitalist of that day, going to Texas, would have engaged in a ventnrc which would reduce him and his family to the condition of laborers. But the labor system of Mexico, long established, was not affected by this legislation in regard to African slaves. It was indeed far less expensive than that of African slavery. The peon, or Mexican laborer, was in perpetual servitude, practically, although he did not bear the name of slave. He bound himself to his master by a written contract on entering his service, and immediately became his debtor for money advanced, sometimes to tlie amount of a year's wages. The law did not permit an advance of more nujney than that. Rarely did the account with his employiu- .-how a balance in his favor. If he gavf offense, committed a fault or failed in the fullillment of his duties, confinenient, shackles or the lash could be meted out to him; and should he desert his master's service he could be reclaimed through the alcalde, who had authority to compel him to return and punish him; in short, he was never out of debt, aird therefore ever a bondman, with but little more liberty than a slave. His wages varied from one to three reales per day, providing for himself; and as his woi'king days were rebice'i by the numerous church holidays observed in Mexico to about 200, the average cost of a peon was about §50 a year.

Under this system it was not ditiii'ult for tlw Anglo-Americans to evade t!ie law proliibiting the further importation of slaves; and under the appellation of indentured servants they continued to introduce them into Texas. The negroes were apprenticed for a term of ninety-nine years. Arguments were brought to bear upon the Me.xiean government, inducing it to make an exception in favor of Texas, under the law providing for tlie immediate manumission of slaves.

In legislation, as might have been expected, there was acui'ious mixtiirc of wise measures witli unwise, the latter growing- out of the old prejudices, and but a dim foresight of modern requirements. The restrictions on the sovereignty of the jieople laid down in tlie constitution, tlie intolerance of any religion but the Roman Catholic, and the excessive tjower vested in the chief of the department of Texas, were incompatible with free republicau institutions. In strong contrast with the lilierality manifested in the State colonization law was the persecution to wliicli resident Spaniards were subjected. Ly a law, passed June 23, 1827, they were excluded from all civil and ecclesiastical office^ until Spain should acknowledge the independence of Mexico; and, in Novemberof the same year, all Spaniards, e.xcept those domiciled in tlie State thirty years, were bainslied; travelers of that nationality could not remain more than three days in any town, e.xcept in case of sickness or other recognized impediment; those who remained were required to piisent tliemselves monthly to the local authorities, and were forbidden to carry ai'i]is_ except those cus'omarily worn for pei'sonal defense; and a strict surveillance was kept over their conduct. During the invasion of Spanish forces in 1829. Coahuila and Texas displayed its patriotism by exacting a heavy forced loan from the resident S])aniards, while the property still remaining in the State of those who had fled to other countries was confiscated. Unmarried Spaniards and widowers without children were called upon for one-third of their capital; those who were married and without children, and widowers with only one child, for one-fifth; and those of both classes with more than one child, for one-eighth.