The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-05-04

While the interesting part or the early
ktory Of Texas has been written by some
4 the early historians. still many of our
'hders OF today are entirely unacquainted
ith the facts Of an episode that came near
plsng a serious rupture between the lie
ubc of Texas and the United States
D. particulars. as near az can be gather
4 are as follows:
IN lS42 information was received in Texas
Tough gentleman OF Missouri that
ehly laden caravan OF Mexicans having
Any mules and other property and Sloo-
n in specie had passed from Santa re
II Independence and would then proceed
1.-THE Eastern cities to convert their money
u merchandise and then return to Santa
4 In the spring of 1s43.
As they would on the route pass through
Y territory of Texas many Of the Texans
tre anxious to capture them. Accordingly
n the 2Sth of January, 1913, Colonel JACK
Nvley made application to the Texan gov
Hment for authority to raise men Tor inc
p pose Of proceeding to the northern poF-
n of the Republic of Texas and capture
~ caravan On the 10th of January the
Nition was granted by the war depart
fnt and Colonel Snlyley was authorized
raise such force, but not to exceed 3oo
IN; The expedition was to be surety
9tsan, the troops to mount, arm, equip
~ provision themselves and to nave an
~ SpoilS-but this was to be taken only III
Worable warfare. They had permission
cooperate above the line of settlements be
Wen the Rio del Norte another name for
" Rio Grande) and the United states
q hdaly, but were to be careful not TO
3lnge on the territory of that govern
mt. Such was Colonel Sniviey's instruc-
as and such his authority
4he troops gathered at Georgetown SIX
YES from Coffees Station, Williamson
WITTY, which was then the extreme
nnlier; On the oath of April, a sur
vent force having arrived, the orders or
~ secretary of war were exhibited. COL
Mi Snlvley was unanimously chosen TO
II command; but so much Of the orders
q the war department as proNhSd
~ one-half of the spells should be paid
Nr to the government was unanimously
10y Of bylaws and decided that the army
~ ulatlons should govern them when not
II conflict with the bylaws.
w April %, having about 175 men In the
"a lihdnd, they set out on the march. Ihe
eeheral course of travel was west on me
y 'dlng ridge between the waters OF Trim
Il ana Red rivers on the old Chihuahua
#L Occasionally they had accessionS 70
HI ranks and learned on the LIST OF May
"A me news of the expedition had been
pushed in the Missouri papers. AZ
u n, after various adventures, amid the
"a nqld scenery OF the prairies ana the
"A mia mountains, on May II, 70 thetr
Nat JOY they reached the Arkansas river
II eneamped on its right bank about forty
Il below the crossing Of the Santa Fe
80 AZ this time they had scanty
y ply or provisions and were In want OF
n per knowledge of the country they we're
y aud the distance to their destination.
80 OF them were sick and borne on 1T
n Others whose horses hah been lost or
N We're on foot; vet they were checred
y ne sight os The river.
Z, ~<lowlug day they sent spies
N ~ lhe stream TO seGch for the santa
n oad. who returned aud reported 1t 10 he
"a in,eS distant on the opposite side
II ~ signs Of extensive travel were seen
Ine road. hut Ii WIS unknown whether
fsple from Rents FORT Ia miles higher
81 Near the Arkansas crossing they met
or Rents men. who Informed them
Ine hexican caravan was expected "a