The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-10

ment Of feeling of enmity which she had for some
years entertained towards the colonists and which
the British government did all in its power to
strengthen The difference in language manners
and customs also tended greatly to widen the breach
between the two people, and prstext was not long
wanting TO bring them into open hostility
Forgetful OF the compact which they
had entered into with the eolonists,
the Mexican government established Gus
tom Houses and posted troops along the frontiers.
The Texans complained of this new order of things
as violation Of faith and the refusal of the govern
ment to recede from its action aroused spirit Of
opposition that nothing could subdue. Resolved to
enforce obedience to its authority, the government
arrested some of the leading colonsts abolished the
official acts of the authorities and committed other
outrages upon the people, The Texans were now
'uy aroused and determined to be their own rulers
Organizing an armed force, they compelled the re-
lease of those who had been imprisoned, and driving
out the garrisoDs took possession Of all the Mexican
forts in the territory.
In 1888 a Convention of the colonsts was held at
San Felipe, for the purpose of forming State con
stitution. memorial drawn up by this body, and
asking permission to establish State government
was presented by Austin to the Mexican Congress-
The reception of Austin was rather unfavorable and
fearing that his mission would not be successful he
wrote back to that effect, advising the colonists to
right themselves Information in regard to this letter
having reached Mexico, Austin was arrested and
thrown into prison, where he remained till Septem-
Der, 1885. In March of that year new Texas Legis
lature was elected, and an act was passed for the
benefit Of several SPECTATORS authorizing the sale OF
some vacant lands The act was dSapproved Of by
Santa Anna who ordered the forcil 2reaking up OF
the Legislature and the imprsonmeh9f its members
General Cos entrusted with the execution OF this
order. The settlers now resolved absolute inde-
pendence, took up arms once more, and seized seve
raj important fortresses, among which was the
Alamo. The first struggle of the revolution took
place at Gonzales, where The Mexicans were re-
pulsed.
In October the Texans had over six hundred
men in the field and were victorious in all their
engagements. battle was fought at Concep
con by one hundred Texans agains. q greatly
superior Mexican force in which the latter were de-
feated with loss of one hundred in killed and
wounded. The year 1885 crowned the Texan arms
with success but the year following they lost every
advantage they had gained. General Houston was
at the head of the army, and was generally censured
as the cause Of the disasters and defeats which the
Texans suffered Fort after fort was taken from
them yielded up, and the army whchin 1885 had
driven the Mexcans out of the territory was now in
its turn forced to retreat through the want of
luton IN It's general. A reinforcement of thousand
volunteers with arms and ammunition arrived from
the United States but up to the battle of San Jacno
the reverses of the colonsts continued. The Alamo
had again exchanged possessors, and was now in the
hands of MeXicans and the Texan garrison of Fort
Goliad, numbering about three hundred men, were
mssacred in cold blood after giving up their arms
on condition of being sent back to the United States
General Houston, who adopted the idea that he
must fall back TO the Red River continued retreat
ing before the forces of Santa Anna until President
Burnett wrote to him that he must fight, and sent
Gen. Rusk who was then Secretury Of War, to see
that he did so. Pausing in his retreat, Gen Houston
exclaimed, Le the responsibility rest on those who
urge me prenaturey into battle and on the 2ist Of
April the battle of San Jacinto fought. The
rolt of the Mexicans was complete. although Hous-
ton having received a slight wound, endeavored to
stop the fight, exclaiming, IL am wounded-halt!
Glory enough has been gained and blood enough
she'd for one day" General Rusk and the other
officers who saw that to obey mis- command would
change victory to defeat, pushed on and the Mexi-
cans were closely pursued byf amars cavalry Santa
Anna himself was captured, and subsequently, sent
to the United States and placed at liberty. 1t is
worthy of remark that General Qutman, whose ma ne
has subsequently been so much connected with these
movements, reached the Texan army three days
after the battle of San Jacinto was fought he having
marched across the country from Natehez with a
body Of reinforcements. AS the war mad been Just
closed hy the capture Of Santa Anna he returned to
the United States.