The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-10-17

waite friendly relations with til Indians
An old soldier by the name of Johnston
was sent with a small force to establish
post on the Brazos, and Smith, with
forty picked men, undertook to estab-
lish an outpost at Coushatta, on the
Trinity. A fearless man by the name Of
Walker built another fort on the Brazos,
and restless, daring soldier of fortune
named Cook fortified Pecan Point. on
Red River. President Long took great
pains to forcibly impress upon the minds
of all his subordinate officers the neces-
sity of making friendly treaties with the
Indians. The new Governments set out
on the pa th Of nations under the most
favorable auspices, and the colonists
were in high spirits.
President Long .srly In his career saw
the urgent necessity Of having an I'M
| Outstanding with the pirate Lafitte. who
Was at that time pretty firmly estab-
lished On Galveston Island. and as soon
as his affairs would permit of his alb
sence he set out on horseback with a
mere handful of followers to inform the
opulent and fearless pirate OF the exis-
tenoe of his peighbor. La6tte was HIM
self at that time engaged In the bust
ness of forming new republics. He was
in command of about 1000 men. and
claiming to hold letters Of msrque from
Venezuela to destroy Spanish commerce.
he was rapidly accommodating hn i'm
mense fortuna and literally rolling in
luxury. He had formed a Government
which he called the Republic of Mexico,
and proclaimed himself the chief execu-
tive officer. A little town had sprung up
around the pirates palace, and he lived
in princely style, frequently apipg and
airing many of the follies Of royalty.
DR.. Long was astonished at the cordial
reception extended to him by Lafitte.
The pirate listened patiently to all his
plans, and plainly told him that, while
he heartily wished him SUCCESS, 1t was
not in his power to extend him aid. He
| could not, he said, make waR against
Mexico, of which his own Government
was part, and he limited that he doub t-
ed the ability Of the President to main
tain his position In the new country un-
less he could summon to his aid a large
and well-equipped military force. After
short stay at Galveston, President
Long set out for the capital of his re-
public, intending TO profit by the advice
of the pirate. Had he acted earlier his
name would doubtless today occupy a
| much more conspicuous place in the his
toy OF Texas, He intended TO push rap
| Idly on to Mississippi and recruit his
army, bus his good fortune had deserte
him. On his way home he met courier
afteFsoourier, each successive one bear
| ing news of disasters more tsrribIe than
the one who preceded him. All his foro-
es had been defeated and every post
abandoned. Nacogdoches. she capital,
had been captured, sacked and burned.
Fl is brother had been slain in battle.
Accompanied by few colonists he
pushed on to the ruins Of Naoogdoohes.
The ashes were still hot, and the smoke
| from the smoldering fires was yet in the
tree tops. While the Presidents eyes
were wet with tears, he took ian oath to
re-establish the Republic of Texas.
Mounting his horse, he rode to the anil
malls utmost speed. and socn overlook q
flying column of HIS little army, where,
to his unspeakable joy. he found his
wife gand child. at the head of this
small force he retook Bolivar Point.
After fortifying this place he collected
the scattering remnant OF the colony
there, and leaving the fort under COM
msnd of one of his ablest lieutenants he
to obtain help TO defend the Rapu blic of
Texas. The Crescent City at that time
was full to OVERLOOKING with adventurous
spirits who were eager to enlist in any
enterprise that Bpresented any hope for
lettering their fortunes President Long
was welcomed with great enthusiasm,
while his plans and the glowing accounts
of the rich country were themes of dis
oussion in every place of public resort.
He soon found himself once mole at the
head of considerable force. Don Felix
Trespalacios, distinguished Mexican ex-
lis who possessed large fortune, joined
him and eagerly offered his services and
his gold to aid in establishing the new
republic. The patriots, as they now
called themselves, sailed away from New
Orleans in three small vessels that had
been purchased with the money of the
patriotic exile. They efec ted landing
on the coast not far from Galveston.
Here Don Threspalacios left President
Long for the purpose. as he said, of rails
ing an army in Mexico, and marching
into Texas fro N the Rio Grande. Presi-
dent Long made forced march into the
interior, and suddenly appeared at the
gates of Goliad. The town surrendered
without firing shot. Three days after
ward the republican forces were attacked
by Mexican royalists, and after stub
born conflict, which lasted for several
days, the TexanE surrendered. 1t rs
recorded that the Texans fought with
desperation, and that the capitalization
was obtained tbrouah 6uplicitv Under