Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-10-08
A SKETCH OF THE GREAT TEXAS
CoMMoNER,
STATESMAN AND WARRIOR
Called out by New Book on "sam
Houston aud the War OF independ-
cnee in Texas" by Alfred NJ. Will
Jams.
on w. II. III N. Y. SUM

1t was toward the close OF 1882 that
Houston went to Texas with a commits
sion from President Jackson to arrange
treaties with the Comanches and other
wild tribes for the protection of American
settlers ON the border. The biographer
deems Il probable that there was also
secret understanding that he was to
examine the condition OF the country,
with the view of asccrtaining the power
Of the people TO throw on the authority
Of Mexico, and their disposition in re-
gard to annexation 10 the United States.
The existence Of such IN understanding
may be Inferred from letter TO Jackson
printed In this volume. in which Houston
declares that Texas would undoubtedly
separate from the Mexican confcdcracy'
and, unless annexed TO the United States,
would become an English province. lie
informs Jackson Of his purpose to az
crpt the invitation of the citizens of
Naooglochcs the principal town in East-
crn Texas, to take up his residence
among them. This he aid, and soon after
ward. ON the outbreak OF the struggle
FOR independence, he was elected com
manderin-chcf of the forces In Eastern
Texas. aud ut once engaged in organz
ing and forwarding volunteers. llo took
part IN the organization OF q civil govern.
ment for Texas at san Felipe, aud il
was with reference 10 his appearance
ON this occasion, when he still wore his
Indian dress Of q blanket and huckskin,
that Jackson is reported 70 have Hnd
that he thanked God that there was
one man. az least in Texas whom The
Almighty had the making OF, and not
fbb Tailor II was due to d speech
made by Houston that the convention
AT San Felipe, instead Of declaring ahso-
lutte Independence, issued u manifesto IN
tended TO conCiliate the Liberal party
In Mexico, as well as to correct the I'M
precision current in the United States
That the revolt oil fhr TeXnus was
hlbustcr movement originating in II con-
gpiracy Of shareholders. Under tue pro-
ylsinna government established by mis-
convention Stcphea y. Austin was made
u commissioner to the United states
and sam Houston was made commander
iu-chicf Houston proceeded 10 dra " mp
plan for The organization of the army,
nud he had the active assistance OF the
governor. but the council delayed passing
the necessary ordinances for recruiting
service, and the quarrel which presently
Q
ehy IN Texas pnralyzed HouslOn's Of
forts, and prevented the creation Of any
adequate force TO resist Santa Anna's
expected invasion. Then came the cap
iure OF san Antonio by the forces Of
Santa Anna, and the siege OF the for
trcss of the Ammo, where $500 MeXl-
cans were held at bay 10y 40 Texans
until an of the latter lost their lives.
1t N said that the loss Of the AlexicanB
IN this affair was between 300 and oOl
Killed. 1t is certain that the cost Of
taking the Alamo ought TO have taught
Santa Anna that the subsection of the
Texan cnlnnisls was An impossible task.
By the new convention, which met on
March /, 1895, delegation of indcpen-
dence was adopted and Houston was
unanimously reelected cGmmandcr-in-
chief lie now experienced less difficulty
IN collecting soldiers, owing to the out.
burst Of wrath aud indignation caused
by the fall Of the Alamo and the subse-
quent massacre at Goliad. where $50
prisoners of war were murdered In cold
blood by the Meyicnns, II was uous-
ton who commanded az San Jaeinto,
where $50 MeXicans were killed and
POS wounded ont of total Of between
1900 and 400 engaged The number
OF Texans In this baitlo which achieved
their Independence, was only Il3. All
the arms, baggage and emp equipage
Of the Mcxicuns fell into the hands Of
the victors, and Santa Anna himself,
the president Of the Mexican republic,
was made a prisoner, The first words
OF Santa Anna when he was brought
into Houston's tent were. That man
may consider himself born to no COM
mon destiny who has conquered the M
poleon OF the West II now remains for
him to be generous 10 the yauqushed."
Houston replied; You should have re-
inemhered that at the Alamo" aud went
on TO inform him that he had no author
ity TO treat for his release or for terms
VI peace, but that the matter must be
referred 10 the government of Texas. a |
treaty was ultimately made, providing
for 4 cessation Of hostlities and IN ln- |
terchange Of prisoners, and supplemented
with q secret agreement that Santa Auna
should procure the Acknowledgement Of |
the independence Of Texas. But for the |
protest, however. which Houston sent
from New Orleans, whether he had been !
cdrfid for the ciire az wound, this |
agreement would not have been fulfilled, |
the Texans cAmoring for the execution |
Of Santa Anna. whom they justly held |
responsible for the slaughter Of the |
Alamo and the massacre al Gollad II |
WIS foreseen that Santa Anna, as soon
as he Returned to Mexico, would repndi- |
ole the agreement, and, ss a matter Of |
fact, the Mexican congress had previous |
ly passed a decree that all trentics and |
conventions subscribed 10y Santa Anna |
whiie he was a prisoner would be null |
aud void.
At the general election held on July |
20, 1896, for a president aud congress |
10 take the place Of the provisional gov |
eminent Houston hFas chosen chief |
magistrate by very large majority. |
and. IN the subsequent October tool, |
Possession Of the office. He administered |
the executive functions with remarkable /
sagacity. II was d1e 20 him that Santa |
Anna was eventually released and semi |
under an escort 10 Washington by way |
OF New ORLEANS. few months affcg |
he btcame pr sideut The, independence
Df Texas was recognized by the United |
States. hui ibis aci was ACCOMPANIED lyy |
q notification that the question OF annex |
alton conid not then BE- considorded by |
the American government. The British |
ministry. although for The time beiny /
they refused 10 recpgnze the new ~. |
nahlie. agreed 10 make n special com. |
marciai treaty Nth it, and a slmilar |
Arrangement was made with Frnnce /
IRA. ke,rw which Wak fnaul..,.li.....'