Papers of Mirabeau B. Lamar, Volume IV, part 2
TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
THE PAPERS OF MIRABEAU :BUONAPARTE LAMAR :1
Edited from the original papers in the Texas State Library
by
Charles Adams Gulick, Jr.,.
and
Winnie Allen, Acting Archivist, Texas State Library
Volume IV Part II
~ VON BOECKMANN-JONES CO., PRINTFRS AND BOOKBINDERS, AUSTIN, TEXAS. 1925
FOREWORD
Volume IV was prepared for publication during the fiscal year 1923-24 by Miss Winnie Allen. Owing to the increased cost of State contract printing, only a part of this volume appeared in 1924. The present volume is the second and final part of Volume IV.
Papers of Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar
No. 2483 1853 Dec. 1, ANONYMOUS. EARLY HISTORY OF SAN ANTONI0 76 Early History of San Antonio. The times of 1811 and 1812.-First rising of the .Mexicans against the Spanish Government.-Padre Ydalgo.--The brutal murder of Salcedo and Hierra..-Gutierrez condem�d.-Interesting incident, connected 'with the sites of Guilbeaii's and Callaghan's houses-of the Postoffice-of Military Plaz(J,-{)f Courth011.se and the Plaza House.-Battles of the Salado and Medina, &c. In the issue of the San Antonio Ledger of date the 17th of Sep-· tember last, I perused a historical sketch of the foundation and early events of the City of San Antonio de Bexar. Having been an eye witness of nearly all the occurrences therein detailed, I cannot forbear the temptation to correct many substantial errors contained in such narration. The mistakes to which I refer, undoubtedly resulted from inexact information, gleaned perhaps from mutilated documents which rarely preserve the historic chain. It is ever desirable to procure the most correct information of these events, for they present to posterity the customs, capacity, character and moral qualities of the men of that particular era. In 1813, the writer of this communication w&s eighteen years of age. He was then in San Antonio and retains the most vivid recol lection of the transactions of that period. This drcumstance, and a desire that every thing appertaining to that city (dear to him for many reasons), should be related with a rigid regard for truth, induces the present effusion. You will discover no rhetorical flourish or attempts at excellence of style, but rather an unvarnished detail of stirring and bloody times. A Mexican Curate, by the name of Don Miguel Ydalgo y Costilla, was really the first individual who raiRed the cry of Independence in the towil styled Dolores. The Priest Don Jose Maria Morelos since �o celebrated for his military talents, was likewise a hero of Mexican Tndepenrlence. He it was, who after the ex'!cution of Father Ydalgo, convoked the first Mexican Congresf', f't_yled A pacingan. General Don Felix Maria Calleja, afterwarrls the Spanish Viceroy of Mexico, was particularly distinguished for his sanguinary pursuit of the Patriots Ydalgo, Guerrero, Morelos, Brabo and others. Calleja was. however, · the most formidable foe of the MPxicans. Morelos was taken ·prisoner, and after the mot"t ignominiouf' treatmPnt, was finally shot in the ancient fortress of San ChristoYal, distant four leagues from the Castle
?•Clipping from The Western Texan.
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of :Mexico. Don Jose Bernardo Gutierrez, a native of Bebilla of Tamau lipas fled to the United States immediately after the patriot heroes were imprisoned in Acatita de Bajan near Monclova in ihe year 1811. Gutierrez went to Washington and other parts of the United States. Finally he collected together in the State of Louisiana about four hundred and fifty American volunteers with whom he entered Texas in the month of October, 1812. He succeeded in capturing without op position Nacogdoches, the military post of the Trinity, and subse quently took possession of La Bahia del Espiritu now called Goliad. The military Governor of Texas, Don Manuel de Salcedo, and the Gov ernor of Nuern Leon, Don Simon de Herrera, left Bexar with about two thousand soldiers and laid eiege to La Bahia about the 15th of No,'ember, that same year of 1812. General Gutierrez, assisted by McGee, Kemper and Ross resisted the siege for the space of three months. Tired at last of their inanition, they sallied forth from the walls of Goliad with their meagre force composed of American volun teers and a few Mexicans. After a short conflict, sustaining but little loss themselves, they returned to the fort, leaving upon the field about two hundred of the enemy dead and wounded. After twenty-seven hand to hand encounters, which had transpired during the siege, Sal-• cedo and Herrera fell hack upon San Antonio. The siege was aban doned the latter part of March. Gutierrez, Kemper and the others, encouraged at their hasty retreat, followed in pursuit. Salcedo had scarcely reached San Antonio with his army, ere he was compelled to abandon it by the order of Don Simon Hierra, who had met the Patriot army (if it deserve that name) consisting of nine hundred men under Gutierrez on the Salado, at a point called Rosillo. The two forces encountered here in th(;' latter part of the month of March. The conflict was a bloodv one. Herrera lost in killed and wounded four hundred, while G11tierrez had only five killed and fourteen wounded. The Royalist Army now fled in terror to San Antonio, which Salcedo and Herrera fortified with the intention of resisting Gutier rez. The fatter having collected the spoils of the battle field and buried their dead, followed on to the Mission of Conception, which is situated about two miles Southeast of the City. Here he assumed temporary quarters. On the second day thereafter, in their route towards San Antonio. the Patriot armv was formed in double column on the Labor called de Abajo, at present the !side of the residence of Messrs. Callghan and Gilbeau and Dr. Devine. From these memor able precincts Bernardo Gutierrez demanded an unconditional surren der of the town from the two Governors, Salredo and Herrera. This summons was made on the 13th dav of l\farrh, 1813. On the 31st about noon, these commanders advanced towards Gutierrez and his vic torious army. They proceeded on foot, accompanied by their staff and other offirers of rank. Brief, however, was the conference. The van quished only asked a i,iaranty of their li,,es. The reply of Gutier rez was eva;:ive, but conveyed an intimation that their request would he complied with. These Spanish rhieftains then surrendered at dis cret;on and bv such cowardice sealefl their fate. Having- delivered up their swords, they were secured between fileR of soldiers. Gutier rez now crossed to the Eastern bank of thi> riYer, while his prisoners marched in front of the army to the sound of martial music. They
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PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
were then consigned within the walls of the Alamo - that same Alamo which in 1836, became the cradle of Texas Liberty, and the scene of prodigies of valor. There the gallant Patriots Gutierrez, Hoss, Kemper and the others slept their first sleep of triumph on the night of the 31st of March. There they sealed a legacy which was reYealed in such bright and beautiful colors in 1836. On the first of April at 9 o'clock in the morning the Republican Army, at the beating of the drum, proceeded from the Alamo to the Main Plaza. They crossed the river on an execrable bridge, where now is a most excellent one at the termination of Commerce street. The Spanish army having disbanded and fled the night previous, only a few terror-stricken persons and some c·itizen families of that party, were visible. Gutierrez immediately took possession of the Public Buildings, lately supplanted by the magnificent stone-house of the Messrs. Vance, now in progres8 of erection. He forthwith formed a Junta or Council from the citizens who were Yiolently opposed to the Spaniards and of course mostly in favor of the establishment of Mexi can Independence. This Junta was compo�ed of eight or ten indi viduals with a President and Secrehlry. · According to the written memoranda of Gutierrez himRelf, it was formed for the sole purpose of passing judgment upon the military prisoners. The Secretary of this Junta, Don Mariano Rodriguez still survives. -At the time of which I speak he was a youth of lively parts. At present he vege tates in San Antonio, an obsolete septuagenarian, with extremely lim ited recollections of the past and most decided carelesimess for the future. On the night of the second, or it may be on the fifth .of April, a party of sixty Mexicans in command of Capt. Antonio Delgado took from San Antonio, the fourteen Spaniteh victims including four of Mexican origin. Arriving on the East side of the Salado near the spot where the battle of Ro;,illo had been fought, they hastily dis mounted from their horses and with no other weapons, save their blunt knives, which these monsters carried in their girdles for camp use, they cut the throats of their prisoners, previously heaping upon them the most insulting expre�i::ions and outrageous epithets. Some of these assassins, with brutal irony, whetted their knives upon the soles of their shoes in the presence of their bound victims. 0 shame of the human race! 0 disgrace and affront upon the <le1>ren<lants of a christian nation! Who can retain his compoi:ure and pass in silence this hideous episode in the annals of Bexar? We owe to posterity a faithful his torv. It beconws us to reveal to our descendants these horrible trans pirations, that thev by their futnre conduct may wash out the foul stains that rorrode our beni gn soil! The <lay following the as;as1,ination, I myself saw this band of mur rlerers, lerl hv their chief Antonio Del g' ado, halt in front of the Gov ernment buildings. I myself heard them inform Bernardo Gutierrez, that thn fonrteen victims hri<l heen put to cleath. On that very morn ing, with a concourse of other �xpertant youths, I stoo<l before thnsr same buil<lings. I saw Captain Dehrn<lo enter the room anrl salute Gen eral Gutierrez. He hastily uttered some words mingled with shame an<l terror an<l placed in his han<l a paper whirl! I was le<l to beliew, con taine<l a, list of those who had been exeC'uterl.
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The following are the names of the victims:
RPANIARDS.
Manuel de Salcedo, Governor. Simon. de Herrera, do. Geronimo Herrera, Lieut. Colonel. Juan <le Escheverria, Captain. ,Jose Mateos, do. ·Jose Groscochea, do. Francisco Pereira, do. Juan Ignascio Arrambi<lc, do. Gregorio Amado, Lieutenant. Antonio Lopez, Farmer, (Paisano).
MEXICANS.
Miguel de Arcos, Captain. Louis, his son, Lieutenant. Francisco, his son, Ensign. Juan Caso, Lieutenant.
I myself saw s. uspended from their saddle;; pieces of bloody garments and jewelry which reveale<l the ;:;hameless fe" rocity of these tigers. The ensanguined fiends had divided the spoils among themselves. It is thus seen that Gutierrez receiwd in his own Government Palace the information given by Delgado of this terrible massacre, although he sub sequently sought to deny any participation in the bloody transaction. In a manifesto which he C;aused to be published in the City of Mon terey the 25th of May, 1827, Gutierrez declares that he never ordered the execution of these fourteen unhappy men - that the extrem-:! cruelty of the Spanish Governors influenced the majority of the Junta to decree, that the guard who held them prisoners should deliver them up. "The Guard" continues Gutierrez, "were not forced to obey, without waiting, as they should have done, for my consent and order. Having taken possession of all the prisoners, they immediately con ducted them to their inhuman and cruel slaughter, which they per petrated without my knowledge and without the temporal and spiritual dispositions that the holy church establishes. God thus permitted their deaths, in signal punishment of the barbarities which these unfortu nate victims ha<l preYiorn,l.Y perpetrated." To one who can form eYen an imperfect idea of the men of that period -their extreme degree of ignorance and the wild fen·or of their pas sions - to one who is aware, that with but few exceptions, there was not a single correct political �rntiment, and that the true meaning of the words Independence and Liberty was unknown, and that the causes of the rising of the Curate Ydalgo, were not understood except as a cry of death and war without quarter against the Gachu,pines, (for thus wer� the Spaniards callrfl) -·- To suC;h an one there can be no doubt that this band of so-called patriofa, aF Rernar,lo Gutierrez has said, devoured of their own accord these fourteen victims. Yet is the excuse of Gutierrez so frirnlous, 8(1 cowari\lv, so unworthy of a Gen eral, that we are led to lwliPve he would not lrnYe avoided a similar
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scandal did an opportunity oceur. He should at least have abandoned a command when he saw his cause stained with a crime more infamous than ever characterised a Vandal Chief. Gutierrez did participate, though it may be indirectly, in that bloody act. He sentenced, by his dissimulation, and then, like another Pilate, assumerl to wash his hands of the criminality. It was not a Court Martial that condemned those fourteen wretches as has been erroneously published. Kempe1· and the remainder of the American auxiliaries, horrified at this atrocity, im mediately made active preparations to leave the country, demanding of Gutierrez their dues. Upon the request, however, of Col. Miguel Men chacha and other Mexican officers they continued to remain in San Antonio, to aid the cause of Mexican Independence. It is known with certainty, that a few days after these events Col. Don Ignacio Elisando, wai; on his march from. the Rio Grande towards San Antonio, with an army exceeding two thousand men. Already informed of the massacre of the Governors, and employing the ut most expedition, he arrived at a place called Alazan situated about two miles West of San Antonio. Gutierrez and Perry sallied from the town and encountered him ori the 5th of June 1813. From the towers of the Catholic church, a party of curious boys, in the num ber of which was myself, were regarding through glasses the glitter ing armor and burnished sheen, and listening appalled to the boom ing sound of the cannon. After a combat of four hours, Elisando was defeated. He retreated hurriedly, having i;ustained a loss of four hun dred in killed 1md wounded. He likewise left some prisoners. Gutier rez had but 22 killed and 42 wounderl. Among the killed was his field adjutant, Monsieur Maricot, a young Frenchman, who for ac complishments, valor and per!'onal beauty. could worthily be ranked among- the noblest of Napoleon's Marshall I". Scarcely had Gutierrez and Perrv returnr,d to San Antonio, ere it was known that the Com mandant·General of the Provinces, Joaquin de Arredondo, was en route from Laredo to Bexar, at the head of three thousand men, com prising-the best Mexican troops, and that the defeated Colonel Elisando with the refuge('S from the battle-fielil of Alazan, had aheaclv joined him. At this time, notwithstanding- his victories, Gutierrez began to lose the confidence of his officers and soldins. The barbarous conduct of Gutierrez towards the RSsMsinRte<l Spaniards and the political move ments of Don Jof'e Alvarez cle Tol('do. f'onduced to this result. Thifl Toledo was a Spaniard hy birth, who had been sent from the Court of Cadiz to the Island of San Domingo. PosseRsed of liberal smtiments Rnd disaffected towards the Govern- ment of the kin!!, he now. hailing from the State of LouisiRna, arrived to deprive Gutierrez of his com manil. The star of Gutierrez culminated from its zenith with the same rapidity it had ariR('n. Diflh�artenrd at seeing himself abandoneil,, bv J,is former friends, he left Bexar with a few comrades for th(' United States. - A few days after Gen('ral Toledo took command of the Patriot armv. Gutierr0z haR declared in his manifest of May 25th, J 827, that the patr.iotism of Genrral Alvarez de Toledo was mere pre tence, while in truth he was engaged in Rccret correspondence with the kini; of Spain, for thr purpose of obstructing the progresfl and triumph of the Patriots. - He assigns for proof, that subsequent to the year 1813, Alvarez Toledo returned to Spain, and was not only cordially
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received by Ferdinand the SeYenth, but was rewarded with the appoint ment of diplomatic Minister to one of the European Courts. Whether this he so or not, is a mystery which time has obscured, and which at most, does not disprm·e the patriotism of Toledo in 1813. A subse quent weakness and vacillation may have driven him to have recourse to the pardon and favor of his king. The opinion of Gutierrez in re gard to .his successor in command, I must confess materially conforms to that entertained by his own countrymen. They declare him "a poli tician without principle - a judge without learning - a soldier with out subordination and cruel by instinct." He was a young man of but thirty-two summers, apparently pm,sessed of liberal principles fluent in speech, of handsome exterior, of extreme affability and happy con ceits. With such an asgemhlage of fascinating traits, he took by i,torm the hearts of the army, and extended his captivation to the population of San Antonio, and thus, as has been already stated, assumed without opposition the command of the arm�·. At last General Arredondo arriwd, raging to aYenge the death of the two governors, his countrymen. Upon the 18th of August, 1813, and not the 13th as has been stated, 'Toledo offered him battle on the Medina. Toledo h11d but fifteen hundred men, including the six hun dred American volunteer,;, while Arredondo's force exceeded four thou sand. The Ameriean ,;olunteers under Tole<lo, consiste<l . of infantry and artillery troops, reinforced by nine pieces of cannon of calibre from four to eight pound balk The residents of San Antonio and its vicin ity, with an addition from Tamaulipas and the Rio Grande, composed his cavalrJ. A stratagem of Arredondo soon caused the Patriot cavalry to abandon the field in a tumultuous panic. This stratagem was noth ing more than a simultaneous �hout of the whole army, followed by the notes of martial music proclaiming an assumed victory. The phleg matic American troops, however, stood their ground and for a full half hour with their nine small field pieces, sustained the deadly fire d Arredondo's eighteen pieces of heavy ordnance. It is not for mortals to conquer impossibilities. A force numerically so inferior must yield at lm,t to numbers inordinately so superior. The Americans in haste abanclonrd their artillerv. In their retreat they shattered their rifles against the trees to prevent ·them falling as trophie·s in the enemv's .hands. Meanwhile the cavalrv of Arredondo vigor onslv pnrsuecl them with i-word and hmce for a distance of more than six miles. A dreadful carnage ernrnecl in which perished the greater portion of tho�e six hunrlrecl braves. Two clay'A after Arrendondo fsic] entered San Antonio in trinmph, followccl by his wa:rons laden with !he wouncle<l and <lvinir. And here my pen tremhles in transcribing scenes of horror that would came the most hitter rnemv of Bernardo Gutierrez to rt'memher with feeling,; of leniency his rruelti0s. With infnmons malice Arre dondo rmlered sewn lrnndrecl paf'ifil' inhahifonts of 8a11 Antonio with out disrriminatio11 to hr ,-eize<1 mH1 impri,-0necl. In the. horn,e now temmt�d bv the Catholi<• pri01-ts, more than three l111nrlre,l of thrse un fortunate beings were eonfin0d on the night of the 20th of August. Crowd�d torrether lik0 �he0p in th0 shamhle;:, in the �corchillg heat of summer. eighte<'ll "·ere diseoYerr<l the next mornin<r <lt•acl from suffoca ton. The remairnler were �hot from day to 11ay without otlw:- form of
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trial than the most trivial accusation that they were in•favor of Mexi can lndependence. By a most inexplicable coincidence, it would seem that those very places which in other times were the scenes of the rankest cruelties in t:,an Antonio, are consecrated by a High Providence, at a happier period, to purposes of devotion, of administration of Justice, of imparting i:µ struction and of recreation. Where the Court House of Bexar County now stands, and on the area fronting the present Plaza House (the one the sanctuary of law, the other the abode of the most delicious gas tronomy) at the time of which I speak were daily enacted military ex ecutions. Where now is heard the harrangue of the advocate and the voice of contentment and mirth, in that gloomy period pealed forth the imprecations and groans of dying men. The site of the present Post Office, so much resorted to for friendly and business communica tions, the reservoir in fact of distant knowledge, Arredondo adopted M a prison for femalel'l. It was styled the Quinta. Here were incarcer ated some five hundred souls, consisting of married ladies and maidens whose husbands or parents were ranked among the insurgents. Daily were they forced by a brutal guard of soldiery, to convert twenty-four bushels of corn into tortillas to supply the wants of the officers and privates of Arredondo's army. To this ignominious employment were they doomed for more than four long months. Those delicate and re• fined ladies were here exposed to the derision of that depraved army and were constantly compelled to endure the lascivious looks and brutal taunts and jests of those officers and soldiers who reveled in this spec tacle of horrors. Donna Juanna Leal de Tarin and Donna Conception Leal de Garza, who now reside at their Ranchos on the River San An tonio, were among those innocent and maltreated prisoners of the· Quinta. They sustained their horrible captivity with fortitude truly masculine, rather than submit to the threats or nefarious proposals of their jailors. After the battle of the Medina, Colonel Elisando left Bexar at the head of five hundred mm in pursuit of the fugitives who were bend ing their course towards the United States. Following on in the old San Antonio Road, he overtook on the Trinity River a number of men and families and shot one hundred and five persons. Though expos ing myself, perhaps, to the charge of exaggeration, I will state the mode of the trial accorded to those who were condemned and executed. The Chaplain of Elisando was an execrable priest who bore the title of Padre Camacho. As �oon as the Royalist troops had captured any of the fugitives who were called Insurgents, they were· ordered to con fef;s to this pnest. in accordance with the Catholic rite. Christian feel ing and the pressing thoughts of eternity would force the unhappy peni tents to reveal without reserve the share they had taken in the Revolu tion. Satisfied with such statement, Pa<lre Camacho would signal the officer of the guard to lead the victim to execution. A still more re volting circumstirnce, and one more Rhockin� to the reader remains to be told. This priest Camacho had hC'en slightly woun<le<l by a spent ball at the battle of Alizan, by which the muscle of his leg was broken. More than once at the Trinity when a poor victim condemned to death implored pardon, this monf;ter, elevating-his clerical habits would say to him, "Go, my son; suffer thy puniflhment in the name of God, for
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perhaps the ball. that wounded me on this leg may have been discharged from thy gun!' After the barbarities on the Trinity, Elisando returned to San An tonio with the widows and orphans of thos.e who had been so piteously massacred. Those lovely ladies, enriched with exquisite forms and sparkling black eyes, tethered together, were compelled to traverse the whole distance on foot. 'fhey were forced to cross the waters of the San Antonio at the spot now tenanted by the luxurious bathing prem ises of Mr. Hall. Where now in voluptuous ease the ladies of San Antonio lave their graceful persons, the ill-treated of their sex of a previous day were driven to moisten their delicate and care-worn limbs. Who would have predicted to the famous spies of Gen'! Gutierrez, Culas Botas Negras and Tyamontes whom Arredondo caused to be shot at San Antonio, and their decapitated heads, enclosed in an iron grate to be elevated upon a high pole, - who would have predicted to those two patriot spies that where their decaying heads were once elevated on the Military Plaza as objects of terror and disgust, now proudly floats, after the lapse of thirty-three years, the flag of freedom, an emblem of dread to tyrants - a flag that the world respects? In 1822, after the achievement of Mexican Independence, Governor Trespalacios, on 'crossing the Medina on his way to Bexar, saw with emotion a field covered with human bones. He caused them to be col lected together and buried with military honors. I distinctly recollect the tablet with its inscription that he placed upon a large oak that towered above this memorable battle field:
"Here lie the Braves who, imitating The immortal example of Leonidas, Sacrificed their fortunes and lives, Contending against tyrants.
Such is the imperfect but truthful history of the events of that epoch. San Antonio continued in quiet submission to the King of Spain after the entry of Arredondo. This Chiefta_in at once confis cated and sold all property belonging to the Patriots, styled Rebels, who never recovered back any portion of the same, even after the establish ment of Mexican Independence in 1821. The noble citizens of Bexar ·sacrificed their lives and fortunes and performed prodigies of valor in 1813 for their country's cause. They transmitted to their descendants but a single legacy, the indifference and ingratitude of the embecile gov ernment of the Mexican Republic. From that government and their fellow-citizens they received neither indemnification nor rewards, or even sentiments of respect. Their only boon and recompense was a sav age coldness, an absolute ohliYion of the virtnes and heroism of their benefactors. No wonder then, that, with similar germs of discontent, the men of Texas, whoi,c eastern bounds are fanned by the breezes emanating from a Repnhlican nnd grateful nation, should have desireu a new order of things. Thus sprung into existence Texas Independence
which severed us foreYer from an inapt :::ro,·crnmcnt. Perhaps at a future time I may pursue this snbject.
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No. 2484 [1853, M. B. LAMAR, RICHMOND? TEXAS] "THE FIUST EMIGRANTS IN'rO TEXAS.m 1 The first emigrants into Texas Andrew Robertson, Abner Kuykendall, Robt. H. Kuykendall, and Joseph Kuykendall, and families, all making 22 old and young. Some young came along as hirelings, and returned. - They left Ar kansaw September 1821 - reached the Brazos & crossed it October, 1821 where Washington now stands. - Roberson remained at that place, Abner K. went 4 miles below; Robt. & ,Joe K. - left 1st. Day Janry 1822 for the colorado & stopped 12 miles below Lagrange; remained there 2 or three years, sold his place to Ross and removed 5 miles below Richmond where he has lived ever since. this was Joe; Abner went to the head of peach creek where Dr. Williams now resides. - Robinson remained in & about Washington until he died; Abner K. was killed by a stranger called Clayton, at Sanfillippe, Robt. [About seven lines torn from document J Peebles being Judge, & Mosely Baker counsel Clayton was tried & hung - Dr. Miller was Kirkendall's physician. - Robt. and Joe Kirkendall saw Moses Austin near Nacogdoche,; - they had just been routed from· Arkensaw by the US granting the land to the Choctau & Chickesaw Indians; they were ripe for remov ing, and were then looking a home, when they met Austin, who ex plained to them the object of his visit to Sanantonio [sic]. -As soon as Moses returned, he made a proclamation for settlers, and the Kirken dalls & the company above named came over immediately a11d settled as we have �tated. Robt. Kurkendall died in Matagorda two years after the settlernt of that place. - R 1 wkner & Peter Powell came to the Colorado soon after Joe Kuy kendall - Fitzg-erald settled on the Brazos, below Richmd; his son John now lives 1853, 'I'respalacios; and Mrs. Cox, his daughter still resides on the Brazos near Watrou's plantation. --, Wm. Little settled at Fort Rend 1822 - made a fort there - Wiley Martin Oliver Jones, & others· settled about the same time in Fort. Bend Co. Martin Varner, followed the Kirkendall in and �ettled near Wash ington.
Wrn. S. Jones, now rel'liding 12 mile� below Richmond ( 1853)
"A. Df.
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was the first child born among the Emigrants in Texas - Born on the Labahia road, 8 miles from Washington. Bill Gibbons & Chas. Garret, came with their families with the Kuy kendalls - They parted near the Trinity, Gibbons and Garret took the upper road and settld at the A tusca.sito crossing on the Brazos. - Garrett died 1849 at Joe Kuydndal on the Brazos These emigrants remained in the country while Stephen Austin went to Mexico to get his grant confirmed by the new Govt. During his absence, there was great suffering, much difficulty with the Indians - in so much that many returnd to the US - Henry Jones, on the Brazos, came with Varnum into the country 1822 - his son was the first child born among the emigrants - l:le still lives on the Brazos, and his son William below him. Col. Wm Ryan married one Henry's daughter, Thos. Barnett married another younger.
[Endorsed]
Information
derived from Joe Kuykendall [In pencil] The first Emi gr ants into Texa&
No. 2485
1853 Mar. 13, F. M. GIBSON, RICHMOND� [TEXAS] TO M. R. LAMAR, [RICHMOND, TEXAS]7 8 Richmond March 13th. 1854 My Dear General, You ask me to furnish you with the incident of the snuff box, which transpired during the imprisonment of Santa Anna, on board the Schooner of war, Invincible. , It is this; the illus trious prisoner, was in high spirits, at the prospect of a speedy return to his native land. He, Almonte Dr. Kelton, and myself, sitting in the stern of the vessel, were engaged in free and familiar conversation. He told me among other things, that he had, near Vera Cruz a haci enda, the gates of which, should always swing open at my approach. He drew from his pock�t a snuff box, the richness of which attracted my attention and I asked lcaw to examine it. With true Castilian grace he presented it, and through his interpreter, General Almonte, said, "sir, accept this as a slight memento of my esteem for �·ou and permit me to indulge the hope, that the friendship commenced between us, mav be as lasting-, as on my part, it has been pleasurable." I re plied "that as an offi<'er on board his prison ship. his situation forced me to fleeline the profferril so\'rnirr ;" hut that whrn we delin•red him to his family. unrestrainecl and frre I would not object to the accept ance of some less costly token of his regards." This occurred while the
"A. N. S.
PAPEHS OF MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAM.AR
Invincible was at anchor opposite the Town of Velasco, I being at the time, as my commii,sion run Captain Commandant of Marines. When the order came for the return of Santa Anna to the shore, the prisoner quaked with fea. r and in vehement language, disputed its justness and propriety. "The government" he said "had pledged its faith to his restoration to liberty. It would be base and treacherous to violate the solemn agreement." Intent on self destruction and in the phrenzy of despair, he seized the gun of the sentinel, appointed to keep watch over him. Baffled in this attempt, he essayed to plunge overboard, in which. he was also prevented. With the landing and the occurrences on shore, I believe dear General, you are familiarly acquaint!•d.
Very respectfully &c FM. Gibson
[Endorsed] Letter from F.· A. Gibson about snuff box of Sant Anna
[Addressed] General M. B Lamar
Present.
No. 2486
1854 May 28, [MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR] RICH MOND, [TEXAS] TO WILLIAM -. The past unavailing efforts of his friends to save him from the con sequences of habitual drunkenness; their inability to help him farther. A. Df. 1 p. No. 2487 1855 Jan. 2, MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, GALVESTON, [TEXAS] Resolution, appointing Hugh McLeod as delegate from Galveston to the Southern Commercial Convention to be held at New Orleans on [Jan.] 8, and inviting W. H. Stevens to co-operate with McLeod. Copy. 2 p. No. 2488 1855 Jan. 10, J. S. THRASHER, NEW ORLEANS, [LOUISIANA] TO M[IRABEAUl BfUONAPARTEl LAMAR, [RICH MOND? TEXAS] Sending, with comments upon arrangement and subject-matter, man . uscript bearing upon the life of Santa Anna. A. L. S. 3 p. No. 2489 [185-5? Jan. ?] [MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE] LAMAR, NEW ORLEANS, [LOUISIANA] Address to the Southern Commercial Convention upon his retirement from the presidency before the close of the se$sion. Df. 3 p.
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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
No. 2490 18.55 May 24, G. I. DURHAM COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, AUS TIN, [TEXAS] TO L. M. H. WASHINGTON, [NASH VILLE? TEXAS]7 9
(Comptrollers Office (Austin May 24/55
To
L M H Washington Esq Sir
In reply to yours of the 9th. inst, I have to say that owing to the temporary absence of the Comptroller, I am unable to furnish you with such information in relation to the public <lebt under the administration of Gen'l M B Lamar as you desire. Although I have examined with considerable care, the official reports -0f the accounting officers of his administration, it would amount to an almost impossibility to glean from them such facts as would be service .able to you in the compilation of your work, or show to anything like an accurate extent, the amount of the public debt contracted under him. The only reliable data I can at present furnish you with is, the amount disbursed in each year, during his term of Office, and which is as follows: For the year ending 30th. September 1839. " Do Do 1840. " Do Do 1841. $1,504,173.58 2,174,802.74 1,176,288.72
$4,855,265.04
Making a total disbursement of
for that time; but what proportion of this amount, was in liquidation ·of debts contracted under former administrations or what amount was for specific purposes I am unable to inform you To this amount should also be added the cost of the Navy, as contracted for by Messrs Holford & Dawson of the respective sums of $195,907. and $560,000. this latter sum is, as you are probably aware, double the amount of the contract price, owing to the Govt. having failed to pay at maturity. I should also observe that the disbursements of the Govt. in the three years stated was in the issues of that day, with which you are well acquainted excepting however the sum of $310,037 in par -funds, received from Messrs Hamilton & Burnley, Commrs to contract a loan of $5,000,000, and which is included in the sum as stated on the preceding page. Regretting my inability to contribute the desired statistics and which would doubtless be of importance in your laudable enter prise I remain •
Yours Yery respectfully George I. Durham
Chf. Clk. Compts. Off.
••A. L. S.
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PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
No. 2491 1855 M ay 29, J. HAMILTON NEW RIVER, BEAUFORT DIS TRICT, SOUTH CAROLINA TO [M. B. LAMAR, RICH- MOND, TEXASJ 80
J Hamilton May 29/57
New RiYer - Beaufort Dist. So. C. May 29 1855
My Dear Genl.
----- I did myself the pleasure a few Days since of sending you a Copy of my Pamphlet 81 on the adjustment of the Public Debt of Texas. I do not know whether I haYc any thing to add to the reasons I have therein set forth for its adoption. But the recent act" 2 of Congress appropriating seven million - seven hundred & fifty thousand Dollars for the payment of the Debt is such an enormous boon to the promissory Note Holders and in cash too that I entertain but little hope of their concurrence in my Plan of Settlement. -Without indeed Texas may resor.t to measures to coerce their acquiescence. A measure of doubtful policy. ------ I feel entirely satisfied that if the Plan could be car ried thro' it would place Texas in advance on the high Road of her certain destiny and give to ,the Creditor equivalent to par for their respective Debts.-' I fear if not adopted we shall be as far from a definitive settlement of this vexerl Question as eYer and that I shall be little able to haYe my claims paid before my death. - ------ If I am so fortunate as to get them settled at par I shall after paying all my Debt have some thing left for my frienrls. I should therefore hope it might be in my power to assiE>t one so valued as your self in the purchaRe of some Lands or Ne,g1·oes which even you might most want howewr limited but limited alone by the extent of my ability. Pray My Dear Grnl lrt me hear from you & let me know how you are prog-ressing in the opening of Your new farms whether. you find the Lanrls produrtfre and the climate salubrious? I should feat for the purposes of domestic comfort it was too near the Sea Coast yet not nearer enough for the enjoyment of the Gulf Climate. The moE>t delightful portion of TexRs I hnYe visited Rnd examinerl is in Northern part of tlie Stnte in the Valley of the Leon between the San Gabrielle & the Brazos. In fertility & henuh it is unsurpnsserl I shall make a thoron)!h reronnoisanre of the Country the appronching Autumn as far as the Tnclians will permit & in my Route up from Oyster Creek I will endeavor to pav YOU a visit. Let me know how far from Richmond your farm is & �h- at distance from Houston
'°A. L. S. "'This pamphlet is no longer with the Lamar papers. 82 See Brown, J. H., History of Te::cas, II, 3611.
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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
Direct your reply to Bluffton Beaufort Dist. So C -
via Savanah Geo
Believe me My Dear Gen! with esteem very respectfully & faithfully your
Gen! M B
friend & obsevt
Lamar
J. Hamilton [rubric]
P. S. Do you think the people of Texas will ratify the SeYen Million Act. The creditors say with the pledged support of Houston & Rusk it is certain [Endor:,1ed] Letter from Gen Hamilton May 29th. 1855 No. 2492 1855 June 10, [M. B. LAMAR, GALVESTON? TEXASl INFOR MATION DERIVED FRO:vr ,T. CAMPBELL CONCERNING HIS NAVAL SERVICE, HIS PRIVATEERING CAREER WITH RAPP AND WITH LAFITTE, LAFITTE'S LAST DAYS, LONG. 83 Information derived James Campbe}l Born in Ireland, Derry Co. came to the United States at 4 years of age - Raised in Baltimore until 21 years old. - was of age in 1812.- shipped himself in the servise as sailor in the war of 1812-in Com. Perry's squadron & was transferred to the Constitu tion afterwards.-& Constellation in Boston 18 months in the Con stitution - balance of his time in the Constellation - Was in the Constitution when she captured the Guerrero - sunk the Guerrero - Returned to Boston - refitted the Constitution - then joined the Constellation - 3 weeks after made Cruise oi' three months; but found nothing- that was willing- to fight - After this cruise the vessel lay in port until Campbells' term of servise expired - he was then hon orably discharged - He then shipped with Capt. Rapp, in the Rot spur - Rap was on furlough and, obtained a privateer's Commission in the Mexican service - Comodore Patterson was Commodore - Rapp was Capt. of a US ves sel - in New Orleans - Campbell shipped with him in the US - servise - Rapp applied for a furlough - Patterson granted it - Rapp then, obtained a private's Commission in the Columbian servise and took command of the Hotspur - The Hotspur was a Columbian vessel. - This was in N. Orleans - Sailed from the Levee in the Hotspur -passed the Bilese 28 now residing on the Gah·eston Bav 10th June 1855 -·----
83 A. Df.
PAPERS ol<' MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
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day of May - got back again 29 June after getting a damn bad whipping - On leaving the Balise, they discovered a 11 sa.il off of Cape Catouch - the Hotspur made sail in pursuit - night came on thick & hazy, lost sight of them - Hotspur sheered off for Moroe Castle, Cuba - to intersept them supposing they were bound thither - On the 3rd day after losing sight of the 11 vessels, reached Moroe Castle, but nothing of them were seen - run Colose in, and the Castle gave the Hotspur a shot - lay in 1½ gun shot of the Castle all night to intercept whatever vessel might attempt to enter. Next morning, the Spanish vessels - Casador and Consalado - 22 guns the latter & 21, the other - These vessels were in port, and on sailing out, they come down upon the Hotspur - they had the windward, and the Hot spur could not escape. Rapp, seeing his predicamt would have avoided the conflic.t; but the other vessels, came down upon him. Rap coun seled with his officers, and the word was fight - Hotspur was a good vessel, but had only 7 guns 120 men; Casadora had 180 - Consalado 220 - the latter came upon the Hotspur, grappled her-the Casadora, came on the lees, gave a raking fire and grappled on the other side. The sea was smoothe. Hotspur had to fight both - she took the deek of the Casadora; but had to relinquish it to meet the Consalado - Close fighting, on both sides, with pistols Culasses [sic] guns & all kind of weapons: The contest was fierce - the deck of all the vessels were strewed with the dead - after 20 minutes, Hotspur cut the grap ples of the Consalado, her masts, riggin &c being cut to pieces she drifted a stern - but still kept up a galling fire on the Hotspur, . broad-sides - while the Hotspur was still engaged with the Casador which was still hanging on with her grapples - Hotspur finally cut her grapples - and finding herself free, hoisted all sail and shot a head of both, much crippled, and many of her men dead - The Casadora, was too much crippled to pursue; but the Consalado, hav ing repaired some of damages, to�k after the Hotspur, and a running fight ensued, for two miles, of the fiercest kind; but the Hotspur escaped 8 oclk at night and returned to Balise, where she arrived 29th June, with most of her crew killed - (only 14 remained unwounded) • The deck of the Consalado was literally covered with the dead-they had to walk on the bodies - The Hotspur, buried her dead; landed her sick and wounded at the Balise all except 4 who were so badly off that they could not be landed; and were taken to Galveston, whence the Hotspur proceeded from the Balise. Campbell was one of these four wounded - The Hospur, was unable to go to sea, and had to lay out side of the Bar at Galveston, (drawing too much water) 51. days. - Rapp stuck to his craft; got carpenters from N. 0. repaired it; went on a new cruise, and his after history is not known - Campbell, after recoving [sic] from his wounds, went to New Or leans; where he met with Aury & Mina. He was introduced to both; liked them; and agreed to sail with them - (Aury & Mina had come to New Orleans during the cruize of the Hot Spur; and hence Camp bell found them there when he first left the Hotspur - They were not at Galveston when the Rapp, retreated there after his fight at the Moro Castle-) Campbell, havig joined Aury & Mina in New-Orleans, they now
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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
sailed.for Galveston - the Hotspur had gone in the mean time --: bringing. with them large supplies of ammunitions arms, provisions &c - remained from five to six weeks, when Lafitte made his first . appearance at the Island. -- Aury & Mina sailed for Santandar - Campbell did not accompany them ; but becoming attached to Lafitt, and Lafitt with him he remained on the Island with Lafitte - Camp bell was now placed in command of Schooner, called Concord, 120 tons, 5 guns, & 75 men all told. - Campell run down the gulf, took five prizes - 100000$ in cask and the same amount in dry goods, and returned in 6 weeks. - Sailed again on a second took a guina-man, 308 slaves, brought them to Galveston, wh�re Guy Champlain bought 200 of them - He was a planter on the Mississippi, and noted dealer in smugled articles. - About this time Capt. Juana, came from N. 0. with a schooner and wanted Lafitt to commission him. Lafitt had no confidence in him, and refused a commission; but being afterwards prevailed upon by Campbell and others, he finanally [sic] agreed to commission Juana; and did so; stating to Juana at the same time, that he had but little confidence in him; and that if he ever com mitted depradations upon any other than Spanish vessels, he would most assuredly hang him, if ever caught. Juana, took his commission and sailed the next day. In a few weeks, tidings were brought to Lafitt that Juana had sailed to the Balise, was stealing negroes on the coast, robing plantations and committing all kinds of depredations upon the American Citizens - The US. Officers, pursued him in gun boats, and pushed him so closely that Juana and his crew had to abandon their vessel hy jumping in the mud flats where fourteen of them perished; of those got out of the mud, all perished except Juana and 4 others - These made their appearance at Bolivar Point; where Lafitt found them in a state of starvation. They were immediately ironed; a gallos was erected on Campeche point, where Juana was hung; and the 4 men, were delivered to the Lynx US man of war, and taken to N. 0. where they were tried and executed. While this was going on, a man named Capt Marott came from N. 0. with a schooner, which he sold to Lafitte, and afterwards was placed in Command it, and he and Campbell sailed together on a cruise about Mantanzas, and after several unsuccessful sallies, suc ceeded in capturing a vessessel [sic] with 40 negroes and some goods on board - which they sent into Galveston, while they continued their cruize. They captured 2 other prizes of considerable value, consist ing of dry - goods - plate, silver and gold watches, amounting to one or 2 hundred thousand dollars. With this they made to for Gal veston. On arriving there Marott, who had at the capture taken pos session of the plate and watches, did not give them in the list of cap tured articles. This attempt to swindle was reported to Lafitt, who arraigned Marott. Marott said that the hoxes containig these things had fallen overboard, in attempting to transfer them from one vessel to another. 'l'his Campbell contradicted, having himself seen the boxes placed aboard Marott's vessel. On being reprehended by Lafitt for his conduct, l\farott, spit in Lafitt's face. Lafitt made a grab at him; but failed to get hold of him. Several present were for hanging Marott; but Lafitt, opposed this, and contented himself w�th challenging Marott. Campbell was Lafitt's second - The parties met on the south end
PAPERS OJ<' MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAM.AR
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of Pelican Island. Marott; stripped himself of all his clothing except his pantaloons, tied a handkerchief round his waste & another round his head, and then marched to his stand, pistol in hand, not however to tight, for his courage had oosed out, like Bob Acres at the end of his fingers; and he signified to his second, - Shebal - that he would prefer to make the amende honorable, rather than that the matter should proceed, as he felt himself to be in error, and was ready to restore the secreted Boxes. Upon this Lafitt, caught him by the shoul ders, turnig him right about face, gave him a kick and dismissed him - So ended the affair After the dismissal of Marott, Campbell set out on another cruize the last he made - He ran down the gulf, around Cuba, then to the Trinidad, and thence to the Isle of Pines, where he got infor mation of there being there 800 negroes guarded. by a barrax of 50 men, Campbell, played about until dark when he anchored near the beach, and marched with 90 all told, three leagues to the Barrax, which he surrounded, having a skillful pilot who knew the premises and after some severe skirmishig and much confusion, he succeeded in capturig 140 negroes; but before he could make them secure and reach the beach, he was hotly pursued and a running fight was kept up until he reached his vessel, bearing off with him (as already said) 140 o·f the negroes. - He concluded to make another turn around the Gulf before returnig to Galveston ......:. Correction - Before this adventure, Campbell had captured a small vessel, on the south side of Cuba, at a small place ( Batacano) or some such spanish name - It was from the pilot of this vessel that he learned of the 800 negroes at the Isle of Pines; after the capture of the 140 of the same, he placed them in this captured vessel & sent them to Galveston; while he concluded to make another turn round the gulf before returnig to Galveston. He ran to the .Island of Muger, for wood & water; run down to Sisal, Campeachy, made several small prizes, amounting in all to 40 or 50 thousand dollars. This was late in the fall; and it was time for the nothers [sic] to commence, which makes the gulf rough; he accord ingly sailed for Galveston,-pretty well satisfied with his cruize; made the west-end and the wind & tide high - let go anchor; having one of his stoutest captured vessels in tow; and a fine prize she was, be ing laden with provisions, much needed at the Island. He became, that night restless & unable to sleep, both on account of the threat ing aspect of the weather a a [sic] sort of indefinable presentiment of evil - Clark was second officer in command & had charge of Deck from 4 to 6 ; & Cox second Lt. from 6 to 8. - . During both watches Campbell was frequently up and down from anxiety - The night was dark -insurrection took place headed by Duval, First Lieut. - About three months after the dismissal of Marott, Lafitt recd. orders from the US. Government to leave the Island - This was in 1821. In the latter part of April (probably) Captain, now Comodor Karney, commanding the Brig Enterprize, arrived at GalYeston, with orders
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