Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-10-20


"a Ing nnihrr Of about two thousand) were ordered /"
march uPon Texas, lake military possession, place her
unGr iidiiia a" aud hold her, until further orders
from tiir Commanded Iu.chief. That detachment, obs
dent To nrder entered the territory OF Texas marched
nnorro.ed by The population of the country, from IT'S
Wes,en boundary the city Of San Antonio de Bexar,
the capai-iorlIiied thai place, and commenced The
work of subuga"n, by demanding the only peIce oil
ordnance on The Western frontier of The white settle
mens. 10 tins demand, the citizens OF Gonzales "a
small Town the East Of the RIO Grande) addressed,
Ia the commanding General, respectful remonstrance;
setting forth The necessity they under of leaving
IL that poiuI; being exposed TO daily attacks
by tribes OF hostile Indians then towering about it
Their remembrance was dIsregafded. In few days
after, detachment Of two hundred troops was DIS
patched with take forcihe possession Of the
gun, and bear i, away San Antonio, where General
Cos held his head quarters. ] will now pause, pur-
posey 10 submit, most respectfully, coodna!urrdy, in
deed ncosely, TO Mr. Adams and others, (passon and
prejudice asde,) whether the time had not arrived,
when the people OF Texas should mould their bullets,
I'LL their powder horns, grind their swords wipe their
rifles, pick their hns, prime, load fire; fall back, wipe
anIs prime load, and fire, again, and again, to the end
Of the conflict Baltic return The citizens al Gonzaes
experimenting such result, resolving not to surren-
der their gun without fight regarding 1t necessary TO
the safety of their wives and children; notified their
neighbcrs to and lend aid, should be neces
sary From seventy five TO eighty resnlute men, as
sembeG in Gonzales determined no longer 10 submit
TO lawless force. This historical fact brings up
10 about the middle Of September, 30, when the
first act of hostility occurred between the Anglo
Americans of Texas and the tribes Of Mexico
For the correctness Of these historical Details chal
enge contradiction they are matters ct record, and
can at any time be established To close historical
events in Mexico, from the subversion Of the Cons;i
tuition, TO September, "a, it may be proper to ment'on
that the Colonel, commanding two hundred Mexican |
troops, sent 10 Gonzales 10 and carry way can
Stationed there for its defence, was met by com
ire o! citizens, and urged by every motive OF per-
snason not to force them 10 acts OF violence. He IN
all the pomp of military parade, and strict observance
Of military duty answered. that he had not been charged
with discretionary powers His order was TO take from
n,cno; which order he compelled forthwith to ex-
e:ute. The issue made between the parties present.
an battle ensued The Mexican troops were charged
by less Than half their number OF Texans, and
we totally routed, horse, foot and dragoons-nne
lie KAN only slightly wounded. This action (Mr
da and others may rest assnred) opened the war
betw Texas and Mexico, without the knowledge
D! the United States Government, or any depart
uent pr officer tiiereul-wthoul the knowledge or con
oil The people OF Texas, for, at that time, there
vas he i,her concert understanding agreement be-
Tween them. The battle Of Gonzales, resembling, in
most OF particulars, The battle Of Lexington, decided
The ques ton of peace war Intelligence OF this bat
lie, travelling with despatch usually attendant IN bad
news rea ched in almost ncnnceivhhle lime, all the
white setJeme ns Of Texns. An mPusIve rush to the
rescue edia eiy followed. The hight had commenced
between the yellow mn,ons Of power and the lree-bo.n
white mana blow had been struck-bood drawn
No time was lost in Idle deliberations In few
ia rs after tins first battle the Texan ranks could be
found men seventy FIVE years of age, and boys OF
Twelve, armed equipped and ready for the conflict
willing aud ready yield up their lives IN the cause cf
liberty and in defence OF country redeemed by their
enterprise and valor. Yes, cay, redeemed by their
enterprise and ya!or-in which ascertain, have M
ioubt, MIR. Adams himself will concur, when he recol.
ect that pend ng the so,atons between tbe United
States and Spa u for the cesson of Florida to tins ma
ion, he (Ar. dams) had occasion To consult with
General Jackson TO the probable value OF that sec
OF country, lying between the Rio Grande on the
West, and river Sabine on the East, marked on Me |
lsh map, published in 1918, az Texas. Ahes tins
consultation with Gen Jackson in 1919, MIR Adams
brought to the conclusion, that this country CIex-
Isl arid waste unfit for the habiiaion OF cir'i
zed man 1t was, perhaps, at that time toerably tar
conclusion for there we- not in this vast and fertile re-
ZION, ten thousand civilized souls Texas was then, truly
md cmphat'cally, the haunt OF wild beasts and the
iomc of savage Mexican enterprise and valor
lad been fairly tested and was found unequal TO the
expulsion Of the numerous, fierce, hardy, active and
marIke tribes of Indians, occupying the whole coun
ny between the Rio Grande aud the Sabine. II !
vas doubted in Mexico, whether any power could
xpe these Indian tribes They having ascerained their
,wn inability for the task il ultimately concluded
the thing was practicable, that the free born white
men OF the United States were the only people equal 10
such an Undertaking. They were, therefore, invited
BY Mexico TO engage in the enterprise and be It re-
me mbered, that under the free Constitution of eighteen
twenty four that in ytation was accepted and, here
permit me TO remark, that the settlements were made
without aid of any sort from Mexico; and under perils,
orIvatlons and suferIngs unexampled IN the settlement
of any portion OF this conference.-the Plymouth ROCK
settlement not excepted. For the first two or three
years, war; pestence aud famine, were sometimes the
combined the alternate visitors of the set
efs. They, however, with persevering and resist
ess 6rmness characteristic of their race entng al
ways manly front 10 The dangers by which they were
pressing regularly forward 10 the accom-
olshment Of their stupendous untcrtakIng-havP,
through untiring zeal, and unyieldng courage, aid
ID and inspired By Divine Providence, reclaimed and
reduced TO civilization, the faes portion of the hab'-
able globe. II is their property by tenure sacred,
rs righteous and holy, as the tenure by which the
original settlers Of the Plymouth Rock, or their pure,
lineage, $50 much esteemed and rever-
'nced by Mr.. Adams,) hold their landed estates BE-
assured, Mr. Adams, that Texas is the r'gniu pro
,eriy OF the presen: incumbents. II has been pur
biased and paid for in tears blood and scaps, of
Anglo-A american men, women aud children. FAR as
he country may b., blooming il does, in all the nxu
nance and sprndnr, Of former garden or promised
and, would seriously ask Of you, MIR. Adams, and
hers, whether has not been purchased at price too
ugh? Though IT, gentlemen, you III the fair exercise
e your honest judgments, think the price too low,
eg of you, your next address to the people OF the
States of the Union, TO state the rig htiul balance
ue, and 10 whom payable; whether TO the Indians,
n tears, blood and scalps-wheher to the U. States
in money! in consideration of her sacrifice IN the
ear lSI0-or, whether TO Mexico, who had never the
hllity TO reclaim H. Be assured, that the people OF
Texas will be extremely obliged TO you, gentleman
gu will diligently and faithfully examine the above
ubecs, make full and fair sateme mt of The ncconnts
e,ween Texas and the Indians. the United States or
exico. in order that the people of that country may
e afforded opportunity of demonstrating 10 the
sor!d that they not the outlaws and ie!ons Tree
oo,ers and insurgents, aPpeilaons by which you
ave been pleased 10 distinguish hem-but, on the
onrary honest Anglo Americans, disposed 10 set
lie fairly, whether able or not at present to pay
sill, however, here premise, for the information OF
IT. Adams and others, that should balance be iouno
D favor OF the United States or Mexico, payment
n money cannot at present be made Texas IS young
oor and harrassed by Mexcan and Indian wars, and
herefoe constrained to husband we'll her little means
hough, To evince her willingness TO make prompt
ayment when able--should the balance be found IN
ivor OF lndiansshe has The tears blood, and scaps,
nd will pay them down. This think, ought to sa-
sfy Mr.. Adams and others, who have really worked
themselves into most unnecessary and desperate pas
ION.
permi; me, however, 10 make this passing remark,
hat The rldicule to which gentlemen may expose
their own matter, and should disturb no.