Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1844-05-11
GRANT GO. HERALD.
IL. 1874.
. TExAS-ITs HISTORY.

tsrests, so warmly cherished by the presu-
ming dic,a,ion of the South, as to render de-
feat very improbable event. II it is no. the
work of This, it will almos. certainly become
the policy Of some succeeding Congress. in
defiance of those violent, moral convulsions
that mus. inevitably shake, if they do no, sew
er the Union. In view Of this fac, we have
been led 10 think that few gimpsesa at the
more important evelts ia she history OF that
Republic, would not be received with indifisr-
ence BY our readers.
During period which reached up to 1891
and that extended through many years, an i'm.
por,snt trade was conducted by the Spanish
between the city Of Mexico and New Orleans.
This trade was carried on by means Of pack
mules, and was SO long prosecuted that the
track or trail thus made is as distinct a, this
day as the plainest road Of the country. The
tail crossed the Rio Grande--now claimed by
the Texans for their southern boundary-a a,
Preside and passed San Antonio and Nacog-
doches; first extending for more than TWO humid
red miles along tho base of the Cordilleras,
mex. crossing the beautiful uplands lying be.
tween the Colorado. and Trici,y and a, last
through .ha, highly fenile'secsion nov known
as the Texan red lands. Nearly the whole
extent of this trail was through country in
habi,ed by the Comanche Indians one of The
most numerous tribes Of indians extant, and
one which perhaps should rank at the head Of
all others in point Of physical power and sym
metry, and in dexteriiy and valor. These In
dams. a, Grst perhaps in!inidaied by the long
train Of loaded mules and the cavalcade by
which they were accompanied, or BY that
huge gothic structure known as the .aEm0 Of
tho Texan rev pollution and the scene Gifts two
bloodies, conflicts, soon learned that both the
trade and the town Of San Antonio were at
their mercy. From tina. day the former was
subject 10 every danger, the latter TO constant
annoyance and insult. The former was rob-
bed, and the latter ransacked-the Governor Of
the town being often compelled 10 hold The
horse of a Camanche Chief while the latter
riied his house, and then to hold his strip
and otherwise TO assist him in remouniing
with his plumber.
Abou, this time, or in 1929, the Government
Of New Spain, as il was then termed, under.
went two important and rapid changes. First
the Spanish dominion was subver.ed, and ere
the first emperor Of Mexico, lturbide, was
fixed upon the throne, the empire was shook
by counter revolution which resulted in the
establishment Of The Federal Republic.
One of The FIRST subjects that occupied the
attention Of the new Government. was the
bes, means OF guarding the State Of Texas and
the overland trade with New Orleans against
the constant and formidable depreda,ions Of the
Comanches. The Spanish authorities, prior
to their subjugalion, had fixed upon plan oil
protection by settlement, which plan was I'M
media,ely adopted by the Mexican Congress.
In view Of this policy they invited hilher those
bold. fearless pioneers, who had, IN less than
a quarter Of century, encountered that multi
lude OF savage tribes shat once inhabited the
eastern side of the Mississippi valley, and ell
thor ex,ermina,ed or put them aside with as
much ease as an October fros, strips northern
Vegetation Of its summer robe.
(. Stephen r. Austin Of Missouri. whose por-
srai, sdOns the Legislative Halls OF Texas,
ire, introduced Colony of American citizens
in 1928. The hood-gaIes Of migration thus
raised, colony sf,cr colony flowed 10. Texas
becoming the receptacle OF . combination Of
character from him who soughsio regain
standing 10 him who never possessed one
from tho solitary sdven,urcr 10 the renegade oil
justice, until, 10 1886, strength enough had
been acquired to strike successful blow for
Independence. Sam Houston, a living
specimen Of all that's commanding and noble
wi,hou, and all tina, is debssed aud polluted
within, was called from his Cherokee retire
men, and placed at The head of,he Texan army.
With abundeni lalen, 10 many respects. Hous-
ton possessed neither the tact or bravery Of
General. With an army that could have tn
umphsd over the Mexican force upon any ad-
vaniageous ground. be reires,ed a distance OF
nearly four hundred miles, burning every viii
lage ia his way before an enemy who came TO
resic1e aud not 10 despoil. After deserving
more Than Que impregnable post and leaving
behind him every ,eaable and dslensible spot,
and amer his amy was reduced by dsseFiion
to less than halt It's original number. be. or
rather his army, met The united Mexican force
upon IN open plain and, conquered. The bat.