Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1912-06-19

After the battle OF San Jacinto,
General Sam Houston became the
logical candidate for the presidency
OF the Texas republic, and in The
year 1886 he was elected first con
stitutional president over Stephen f.
Austin, the father of his country.
Many supported Houston for pres
ident. believing that he would be
more, aggressive than Austin, who,
though much loved, it was feared
would temporize with the Mexicans.
Houston permitted Santa Anna to
go free under the belief that the lat
ter would consult President Andrew
Jackson at Washington and that the
treaty SO solemnly promised by him
to the Texas would be executed.
Santa Anna after his liberation
laughed at the Texans, and nothing
tangible was effected during the re-
mainder Of houston's term.
General Mirabeau b. Lamar was
chosen as the next president. He
built a navy and maintained the
mastery Of the Gulf, beat back the
Indians and extended the frontier.
but with all this, the energetic ac-
ton against the M~eXicans, so much,
desired, was not forthcoming.
Sam Houston was elected. over
David g. Burnett, 10 succeed Lamar.
Houston's second administration was
unsatisfactory 10 an element who
were for war with Mexico. He
promised absolution from MeXico's
despotic acts in trirty days. In
rapid succession follows Santa
Annals letter Of ridicule Of Sam
Houston and Gen. Arista's procla-
nation to the people Of Texas.
Gen. Vasquez' capture and plund-
er of San Antonio, and his carrying
away OF many %peaceable ci liens,
took place on March 6, 1912.
Before April !, 1912, 500 Texan;
under the command of General Ed
ward Burleson had assembled Z
pursue VasqueZ, and the enemy flet
before them to the Rio Grande, 15C
miles distant.
The Texans were. anxious to pur
sue under Burleson. Houston sen
General Somerville to command. The
whole camp expressed their dissat-
isfaction. S~omerville, retired, bu'
having started one days journey
homeward, learning that some let.
tiers had gone on for him TO San An
tonic, from President Houston, he
returned there. Burleson, not wish
ing to thwart the government $ lega.
|" orders, left the command 10 Somer'
vile. Most Of the citizen soldier:
also abandoned the expedition anC
went home.
Captain Hays later was ordered x
raise a anger company for the pro
lection Of the Western frontier. bu
with no means at his comamnd la
was unable to do as he wished, an'
met with such small success that il
the following September, Genera
Woll. Of the Mexican army, entere,
and took possession Of San Antoni
without his knowledge.
Under date Of April IA, 1912
President Houston published in tn
Houston Telegraph of June 20, 1912
his war proclamation and address
Congress was convened to provid
revenue. General NJ. Hunt, as in
spector general. was sent to organic
the militia and TO muster severe
thousand troops.
In spite of President Houston
preparations. Santa Anna again or
dered the invasion Of Texas, an'
General VOL took possession Of Sal
Antonio on September ~. after
determined resistance from the fifty
three Anglo-Americans. who tried Z
hold the place against him. The be
sieged finally surrendered under
promise that they should be treate'
with the honors and consideration Q
prisoners Of war.
General VOL. who was a French
IAN. cQm.1 d with his promist- ~
gh TO threaten TO re
army Of Mexico m
eernment rescirded it
execution Of three 0
;anta Fe prisoners
.'ptured in the Santa
September. Colone
bis two hundred anC
come in and en-,
Ees in the SaladC
jim. nTa VSan Antonio, Vol
0oastingly $ rted TO smoke then