WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1839
329
If this did not give the Indians permission to settle in the country and to hold land, he did not know the meaning of lan- guage. No guarantee could be plainer and more forcible than this. By an express stipulation, the Cherokees were to settle in the East, and Col. Masthar was sent to put them in possession of their land. He did not understand the Spanish language, but he had seen an instrument, written on parchment, under seal of the Mexican nation, executed in 1832, and signed by Jose Felix Truspalacio [ Trespalacios]. He had been told that this was a deed to the Cherokees for their land, and he had never doubted it. But he would again revert to the consultation-he could not give it up. At the time of their meeting at San Felipe, the war had commenced, and if they had not originally been clothed with legislative powers, they were made legislators by the necessity of calling some other legislative body together. After adopting such measures as they conceived the necessities of the times required - they adjourned and recommended a convention of people. The convention accordingly assembled - the acts of the consultation were approved of - and no one pretended to doubt their authority. At the meeting of the convention, the affairs of this country were rapidly approaching a crisis. The army of Santa Anna was before the Alamo, which was defended by a handful of brave and determined heroes. Express after express was coming in from the West - and many of our citizens met them and took the other end of the road. Ten thousand Mexican troops were in the country- commanded by the hero of Vera Cruz, whose fame as a General extended throughout the land. The other officers were composed of the chivalry of Mexico, and we did not understand the prowess of a Mexican army at that time as well as we do at present. We expected the Mexican to wage an exterminating war, and "death 01· victory" was the watchword of every Texian. Our situation was not to be envied, but the struggle had come and it must be met. Our women and children had been sent out of the country as the only place of safety, and many men who were capable of bearing arms and doing battle for the country, were found wending their ways towards the Sabine. The chosen spirits of Texas flew to arms, and though they were far inferior in numbers to their insolent invaders, they were determined they should not gain a bloodless victory. And it is well, now that ·we are enjoying the blessings of peace, and a free
Powered by FlippingBook