The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1869-11-24
The Annexation Of Texas-A Histor-
icai Reminiscence.


In our article of Yesterday upon the
death Of Robert J. Walker we omitted
TO notice il III prominent connection
with the annexation Of Texas in 1915.
1t is indissolubly associated with the
greatest incidents Of our history. 1t
was under the Administrator Of John
Tyler-who succeeded by the death of
General Harrison to the Presidency of
the United States-that theinitial steps
were taken. Texas was originally Il
province Of Spain. Mexico acquired it
from Spain by her successful revolt in
1924. The Spanish title rested upon a
previous cession. Texas was included
in the famous Louisiana Purchase,
made by the United States from France,
in 1903, for the sum of SO, 900, 900.
There are few who can now appreci-
ate the fact that under the term Louis
lana was then embraced the whole Mis-
sissippi Valley and all our western pos
sessions beyond and up to and taking
in Oregon.
During the war Of 1872 with Great
Britain the United States suffered i'm
mensely, by incprsions from Southern
Indians, in the Gulf States-or in the
settlements which have since become so
viz: Georgia, Alabama and Missis-
sippi. The real head of these incur
sions was in the then Spanish province
of Florida, from which, through for
eign and British influences, the Indians
derived their supplies Of ammunition.
This territory became such nuisance
that, after the British war was conclud-
ed, General jackson felt himself called
upon, by a sence of duty, while in
command of the Southern Department,
to invade it, and capture its principal
town, St. Augustine. While there he
hung two British traders, who, as he
suppose d, were stirring up the Indians,
viz; Arbuthnot and Ambrister
The Importance Of Florida by these
during the Admins
tration of President Monroe-obtained
a factious Importance. 1t was deemed
Indispensable to our Southern interests
that we should possess it. Spain, with
proud Hidalgo and Castilian arrogance
never sells her territory. A treaty was
however. finally concluded by which,
for the sum Of S3,000,O00, we pur-
chased Florida. But, in the mean
time, for such annexation, we ceded to
Spain the Texas province.
Thus the matter remained for twelve
to thirteen years. In 1880 or 1881,
we think it was, impeled by spirit Of
saventure, Mr.. Benjamin Austin, of
Connecticut, established an American
settlement in Texas. Accessions from
time to time were made to it.
The frequent revolutions in Mexico,
ending IN Santa Anna being made Die
-ator, aad the harsh measures with
which Texas was afflicted, at last in
1uced tie people to; raise the standard |
Of revolt. \ war of many years dur
ltion was the result. The leading |
Eexans were from this country, and |
from this obtainedtheir principal means
IF support. At their head they placed |
General Sam Houston-an old mill
,ary comrade Of General Jackson's
n the Creek Indian wars, and a form
er member of Congress from Tennes-
'ee-as President of the Republic.
The conflict was. long and desperate. /
IN its earlier stages (1S35 Or 1880 it. |
vas attended with the death of. Colon
i Davy Crockett, member of Congress
rom Tennessee, of whom such inimi-
able anecdotes are told, with Colonel
Bowie, the inventor of the celebrated
,nife, which. has given renoKn1 to his
lame, with Colonel Travis, equally
distinguished in the Southwest, and
Colonel Fanning,- another celebrity of
hose times. Crockett, Bowie and
travis, with their commands, were all
in the Fortress of Alamo,
which they defended to the last extrem,
ty- Tanning was cruelty hutcherad,
nth his troops, after s,urendering, up
n the Mexican plains at Goliad. In
is division were the representatives of
ONE Of the best families of Cincinnati.
These massacres were signally ayen-,
ed. General Houston, .at the head
f the Texas army, met Santa Anna
San Jacinto, in March 1887. and
routed him, with an infe- F
ior force. Santa Anna was not onlylt I
but was taken prisoner-be- Y
lg found up a tree at the time. 1t II