State of Texas,
The first
European settlement made in
Texas was by
La Salle, in 1685, by accident.
In 1689
Captain De Leon, a Spanish officer, was sent to drive out the
French.
He found them scattered, and the next year he returned with 110 men and some friars, and on the site of a fort built by
La Salle, on
Matagorda Bay, established a Spanish mission.
A Spanish governor, with troops, was
sent thither in 1691, but Indian hostilities and menaces of famine caused the settlement to be abandoned in 1693.
In 1714 the
French again attempted to plant settlements in
Texas, under the direction of
Crozat, of
Louisiana.
Soon afterwards (1715) Spanish missions were planted at various points in the present domain of
Texas; the name of “New Philippines” was given to the country, and a governorgeneral was appointed.
The
Indians slaughtered the people at some of the missions, and in 1765 there were not more than 750 white inhabitants in
Texas.
Texas was a part of the
Spanish province of
Mexico which had declared itself independent of
Spain.
In 1824, when a considerable number of colonists from the
United States were there, the
Mexican government united Coahuila, previously a separate state, with
Texas, and placed a Mexican as governor over the
united states.
He treated the
Americans there with great injustice, and some of them, engaged in a revolution, were compelled to retreat into the
United States in 1827.
In 1830
Bustamente, who had made himself dictator of
Mexico, issued a decree forbidding the people of the
United States to enter
Texas as colonists.
The American settlers in
Texas then numbered about 20,000, and in 1833 they held a convention, determined to separate
Texas from Coahuila, prepared a State constitution, and requested
Santa Ana, then at the head of the government of
Mexico, to admit them as a separate State of the republic.
Col. Stephen F. Austin (q. v.), representing the
American colonists, went to
Mexico, where
Santa Ana detained him until 1835; during which time—keeping the
Texans quiet by promises of compliance with their desires—he prepared to occupy the country with his troops.
A committee of safety was created in
Texas, which assumed governmental powers.
The people armed.
A skirmish took place with some Mexicans, near
Gonzales, Oct. 2, 1835, and other battles followed.
On Nov. 9 a provisional government was formed in a delegate convention, called the “Consultation,” and a governor and lieutenant-governor were chosen.
At the same time
Samuel Houston
[
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(q. v.), of
Tennessee, who had settled in
Texas, was chosen commander-in-chief of the forces, and
Austin was sent as commissioner to the
United States.
After
San Antonio de Bexar was captured (Dec. 10), the entire
Mexican force was driven out of
Texas, and on the 20th a
declaration of independence was adopted, and issued at
Goliad, by
Capt. Philip Dimitt and others.
Santa Ana, with a well-provided army of 7,500 men, set out for the recovery of
Texas.
He invested the
Alamo (q. v.), a strong fort near
San Antonio with 4,000 men, and, after bombarding it eleven days, carried it by storm.
It was garrisoned by about 170 men, under
Capt W. B. Travis.
The whole garrison was massacred (March 6) by order of
Santa Ana—only one woman, a child, and a servant were saved.
“Remember the
Alamo!”
was a Texan war-cry after that.
The
Mexicans lost, in the attack, 1,600 men.
On March 1 a convention issued a dec laration of independence, and a provisional president (
David G. Burnet) was chosen.
On the 27th the command of
Colonel Fanning, at
Goliad, were massacred in cold blood, and successive defeats of the
Texans produced a panic.
Houston, meanwhile.
in order to scatter the
Mexican forces, continually fell back, until he reached
San Jacinto.
There, at the head of a force of 800 troops, he gave battle (April 21, 1836) to about twice that number of Mexicans, and in the pursuit of them killed 630, wounded 208, and took 730 prisoners. Among the latter, captured the next day, was
President Santa Ana.
His force was annihilated.
The survivors fled westward in terror.
The war was practically at an end. The
Mexicans did not again invade
Texas.
Houston was elected president of the republic (September, 1836). The independence of
Texas was acknowledged by the
United States in March, 1837, but
Mexico did not give up her claim to it. See
acquisition of Territory;
Benton, Thomas Hart.
Annexation of Texas.
The Southern people were anxious to have the
State of Texas annexed to the
United States, and such a desire was a prevailing feel ing in that sovereign State.
The proposition, when formally made, was opposed by the people of the
North, because the annexation would increase the area and political strength of the slave power, and lead to a war with
Mexico.
But the matter was persisted in by the
South, and, with the approbation of Presi-
 |
|
Map of the battle of San Jacinto. |
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 |
|
The Alamo. |
dent
Tyler, a treaty to that effect was signed in
Washington, D. C., April 12, 1844, by
Mr. Calhoun,
Secretary of State, and
Messrs. Van Zandt and
Henderson on the part of
Texas.
It was rejected by the Senate in June following.
The project was presented at the next session of Congress in the form of a joint resolution.
It had been made a leading political question at the Presidential election in the autumn of 1844.
James K. Polk had been nominated over
Mr. Van Buren, because he was in favor of the annexation.
The joint resolution was adopted March 1, 1845, and received the assent of
President Tyler the next day. On the last day of his term of office he sent a message to the
Texas government, with a copy of the joint resolutions of Congress in favor of annexation.
These were considered by a convention in
Texas, called for the purpose of forming a State constitution.
That body approved the measure (July 4, 1845), and on that day
Texas became one of the States of the
Union.
The following is the text of the joint resolution of the
Congress and of the
Texas ordinance:
committee room, July 4, 1845.
Hon. Thomas J. Rusk,
President of the
Convention:
The committee to whom was committed the communication of his
Excellency the
President of the republic, together with the accompanying documents, have had the same under consideration, and have instructed me to report the following ordinance, and recommend its adoption by the convention.
Abner S. Lipscomb,
Chairman.
Whereas, the Congress of the United States of
America has passed resolutions providing for the annexation of
Texas to that Union, which resolutions were approved by the
President of the
United States on the first day of March, 1845; and
Whereas, the
President of the
United States has submitted to
Texas the first and second sections of the said resolutions as the basis upon which
Texas may be
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ademitted as one of the States of said Union, and
Whereas, the existing government of the republic of
Texas has assented to the proposals thus made, the terms and conditions of which are as follows:
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, that Congress doth consent that the territory properly included within, and rightfully belonging to, the republic of
Texas, may be erected into a new State, to be called the
State of Texas, with a republican form of government, adopted by the people of said republic, by deputies in convention assembled, with consent of the existing government, in order that the same may be admitted as one of the States of this Union.
And be it further resolved, that the foregoing consent of Congress is given upon the following conditions, to wit: First, said State to be formed, subject to the adjustment by this government of all questions of boundary that may arise with others governments, and the constitution thereof, with the proper evidence of its adoption by the people of said republic of
Texas shall be transmitted to the
President of the
United States, to be laid before Congress for its final action, on or before the first day of January, 1846; second, said State, when admitted into the
Union, after ceding to the
United States all public edifices, fortifications, barracks, forts and harbors, navy and navy-yards, docks, magazines, and armaments, and all other means pertaining to the public defence belonging to the said republic, shall retain all its public funds, debts, taxes, and dues of every kind which may belong to or be due and owing to the said republic, and shall also retain all the vacant and unappropriated lands lying within its limits, to be applied to the payment of the debts and liabilities of said republic of
Texas, and the residue of said lands, after discharging said debts and liabilities, to be disposed of as said State may direct; but in no event are said debts and liabilities to become a charge upon the government of the
United States; third, new States, of convenient size, not exceeding four in number, in addition to said
State of Texas, and having sufficient population, may hereafter, by the consent of said State, be formed out of the territory thereof, which shall be entitled to admission under the provisions of the federal Constitution; and such States as may be formed out of that portion of said territory lying south of 36° 30′ N. lat., commonly known as the Missouri Compromise line, shall be admitted into the
Union, with or without slavery, as the people of each State asking admission may desire; and in such State or States as shall be formed out of said territory north of said
Missouri Compromise line slavery or involuntary servitude (except for crime) shall be prohibited.
Now, in order to manifest the assent of the people of the republic, as is required in the above-recited portions of said resolution, we, the deputies of the people of
Texas in convention assembled, in their name and by their authority, do ordain and declare that we assent to, and accept the proposals, conditions, and guarantees contained in the first and second sections of the resolutions of the Congress of the United States aforesaid.
Adopted by a vote of 56 to 1, July 4, 1845, in the tenth year of the republic.
Thomas J. Rusk,
President.
James H. Raymond,
Secretary.
After the cession of
Louisiana to the
United States a controversy arose about its western boundary, which was amicably settled, in 1806, by
General Wilkinson and the
Spanish commander, establishing the territory between the
Sabine River and Arroya Honda as neutral ground.
In 1806 revolutionary movements, incited by those of
Aaron Burr (q. v.), began in that region, and many skirmishes and battles occurred, chiefly by invasions of
Americans.
In conflicts in 1813 the
Spanish lost about 1,000 men; and in a conflict the same year, a force of about 2,500
Americans and revolted Mexicans was nearly destroyed.
Only about 100 escaped.
The
Spaniards murdered 700 of the peaceable inhabitants of
San Antonio.
After the close of the
War of 1812-15
Lafitte made
Galveston Island his headquarters, established there a town named Campeachy, and remained there until 1821, when the settlement was broken up by United States forces.
In 1819 the
Sabine was established as the eastern boundary of
Texas,
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but dissatisfaction caused disturbances to continue, and the territory was almost deserted.
In 1820
Moses Austin, then living in
Missouri, received from the
Spanish authorities of
Mexico a grant of land in
Texas, and dying, his son, Stephen F., received a confirmation of the grant in 1823.
Emigrants from the
United States flocked into
Texas.
A thousand families were soon there.
Spanish rule was harsh towards the
American colonists, and they were so oppressed that, in 1833, they took the measures to obtain the independence of the
State already described.
The annexation of
Texas to the
United States led to a war with
Mexico (see
Mexico, War with), begun in 1846, and ended by treaty in February, 1848.
It then embraced an area of 376,163 square miles.
In 1850 the
State ceded to the
United States its claims to all territory beyond its present limits (274,356 square miles), in consideration of $10,000,000 in bonds, with the proceeds of which the
State debt was paid.
In 1860 politicians began to move for secession.
The venerable governor,
Samuel Houston, opposed the movement with all his might; but members of the
Knights of the Golden circle (q. v.) were working secretly and effectively.
Among the Knights were many members of the legislature, and active politicians all over the
State.
Sixty of these irresponsible persons, early in January, 1861, called a State convention, to meet at
Austin on the 28th of that month; and a single member of the legislature issued a call for the assembling of that body at the same time and place.
When they met, the legislature, by a joint resolution, declared the convention a legally constituted body.
Governor Houston protested against the assumption of any power by the convention, except to refer the matter of secession to the people.
The convention assembled in the hall of the House of Representatives, on the appointed day, under the chairmanship of
Judge John H. Reagan (q. v.). A commissioner from
South Carolina (
McQueen) was there
to assist.
Not one-half of the 122 counties in the
State were represented.
On Feb. 1, 1861, an ordinance of secession was adopted by a vote of 166 against 7.
It declared that the national government had failed “to accomplish the purpose of the compact of union between the States,” and the chief grievance complained of was that the national government would no longer uphold the slave system.
They therefore abrogated, in the name of the people of
Texas, the ordinance of annexation adopted July 4, 1845.
They talked of a “resumption of sovereign powers” with some plausibility, for
Texas was the only State in the
Union that had ever possessed them, as an absolutely independent State.
They decreed that the ordinance should be submitted to the people, but the day named (Feb. 23) was so early that no opportunity was afforded the people for discussion.
The convention appointed a committee of safety to carry out its decision before the people could think or act upon the
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ordinance of secession.
The committee was immediately organized, and appointed two of their number (
Devine and
Maverick) commissioners to treat with
Gen. David E. Twiggs, then in command of the
National troops in
Texas, for the surrender of his army and the public property under his control to the authorities of
Texas.
Twiggs performed that act. In counting the votes cast on Feb. 23 concerning the ordinance of secession there seemed to be fully 23,000 majority in favor of the ordinance, when it is asserted that really a very large proportion of the people of
Texas were opposed to it.
Governor Houston, in his address to the people of his State, early in March, 1861, revealed what he called its usurpations.
He had denounced the convention as an illegal body, gathered through fraud and violence.
“To enumerate all its usurpations,” he said, “would be impossible, as a great portion of its proceedings were in secret.
This much has been revealed: It has elected delegates to the provisional council of the
Confederate States at
Montgomery before
Texas had withdrawn from the
Union; and also, on the 2d day of March, annexed
Texas to the
Confederate States and constituted themselves members of Congress, when it was not officially known by the convention until the 4th of March that a majority of the people had voted for secession.
While a portion of these delegates were representing
Texas in the Congress of the Confederate States, two of them, still claiming to be
United States Senators, have continued to represent
Texas in the United States Senate, under the administration of
Mr. Lincoln—an administration which the people of
Texas have declared odious and not to be borne.
Yet
Texas has been exposed to obloquy and forced to occupy the ridiculous attitude, before the world, of attempting to maintain her position as one of the
United States, and, at the same time, claim to be one of the
Confederate States.
It has created a committee of safety, a portion of which has assumed the executive power of the government, and, to supplant the executive authority, have entered into negotiations with federal officers.
This committee, and commissioners acting under it, have caused the
Federal troops to be removed from posts in the country exposed to Indian depredations, and had them located, with their arms and field-batteries, on the coast, where, if their desire is to maintain a position in the country, they cannot only do so successfully, but destroy the commerce of the
State.
They have usurped the power to withdraw these troops from the frontier; but though in possession of ample stores, munitions of war, and transportation, have failed to supply troops in place of those removed.
As a consequence, the wail of women and children is heard upon the border.
Devastation and ruin have thus come upon the people; and though the convention, with all the means in its power, has been in session two weeks (adjourned session), no succor has been sent to a devastated frontier. . . . The convention has assumed to appoint agents to foreign States, and created offices, civil and military, unknown to the laws, at its will, keeping secret its proceedings.
It has deprived the people of a right to know its doings.
It has appointed officers and agents under its assumed authority.”
“It has declared,” he said, “that the people of
Texas ratify the provisional government of the
Confederate States, requiring all persons then in office to take an oath of allegiance to the same or suffer the penalty of removal.”
It had changed the
State constitution and established a test-oath of allegiance to the
Confederate States, and, “in the exercise of its petty tyranny,” had required the governor and other officers to appear at its bar at a certain time to take the oath.
It had assumed to create organic laws, and to put the same into execution.
“It has overthrown,” he said, “the theory of free government by combining in itself all the departments of government and exercising the powers belonging to each.”
The governor concluded by saying: “I have refused to recognize this convention.
I believe it has received none of the powers it has assumed either from the people or the legislature.
I believe it guilty of a usurpation which the people cannot suffer tamely and preserve their liberties.
I am ready to lay down my life to maintain the rights and liberties of
Texas.
I am ready to lay down office rather than yield to usurpation and degradation.”
[
59]
In 1863
General Banks sent
General Franklin, with 4,000 troops, accompanied by four gunboats, under
Lieutenant Crocker, to seize the
Confederate post at
Sabine Pass, on the boundary-line between
Louisiana and
Texas, preparatory to an attempt to recover the latter State from Confederate control.
The expedition sailed from New Orleans Sept. 5.
A premature attack was made by the gunboats on the garrison at
Sabine Pass (Sept. 8), and the expedition was a disastrous failure.
Two of the gunboats were captured, and the transports, with
Franklin's troops, fled back to New Orleans, the Nationals
having lost 200 men made prisoners and fifty killed and wounded; also two gunboats and fifteen heavy rifled cannon.
The garrison attacked consisted of about 200 men, and only forty were present.
Banks now concentrated his forces on the
Atchafalaya, for the purpose of penetrating
Texas by way of
Shreveport, on the
Red River; but this design was abandoned for a time (see
Red River expedition), and it was determined to attempt to seize and hold the coast harbors of
Texas.
To mask this movement,
Gen. C. C. Washburne, with a considerable body of troops, advanced from
Brashear City to
Opelousas, to give the impression that a march upon
Alexandria and
Shreveport was again begun.
When, in obedience to orders, he began falling back, he was suddenly and furiously struck by Confederates under
Gen. Richard Taylor, and a regiment (23d Wisconsin) on which the blow fell was reduced from 226 men to ninety-eight, most of them made prisoners.
Meanwhile about 6,000 National troops, under
General Dana, with some war-vessels, had sailed for the
Rio Grande.
Banks, in person, accompanied the expedition.
The troops debarked (Nov. 2) at
Brazos Santiago, drove a small Confederate cavalry force stationed there, and followed them to
Brownsville, opposite
Matamoras, which
Banks entered on Nov. 6.
At the close of the year the
National troops occupied all the strong positions on the
Texan coast excepting
Galveston Island and a formidable work at the mouth of the
Brazos River, and the
Confederates had abandoned all
Texas west of the
Colorado River.
Notwithstanding the downfall of the civil and military power of the
Confederacy east of the
Mississippi, the insurgents west of it, under the command and influence of
Gen. E. Kirby Smith, were disposed to continue the conflict longer.
He addressed his soldiers on April
[
60]
21, 1865, telling them that upon their prowess depended “the hopes of the [Confederate] nation.”
He assured them that there were hopes of succor from abroad.
“Protract the struggle,” he said, “and you will surely receive the aid of nations who already deeply sympathize with you.”
Public meetings were held in
Texas, where resolutions to continue the contest were adopted.
To meet this danger,
General Sheridan was sent to New Orleans with a large force, and made preparations for a vigorous campaign in
Texas.
His appearance dismayed the trans-
Mississippi insurgents, and they refused to longer follow their leaders in the hopeless struggle.
General Smith formally surrendered his whole command to
General Canby (May 26), but exhibited “the bad faith,” said
Grant in his report, “of first disbanding most of his army, and permitting an indiscriminate plunder of the public property.”
So ended the
Civil War in the field.
Andrew J. Hamilton was appointed by the
President provisional governor in the summer of 1865, and measures were taken for the reorganization of civil government there.
Under the reconstruction acts of 1867,
Texas, with
Louisiana, was made a military district, and subjected to military rule under
General Sheridan.
A convention assembled Dec. 7, 1868, adopted a constitution, which was ratified at an election (Nov. 30 to Dec. 3) in 1869, and a governor and legislature were chosen at the same time.
The Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the national Constitution were ratified (Feb. 23, 1870), and on March 30, by act of Congress, the
State was entitled to representation in Congress.
On April 16 the government was transferred to the civil authorities.
Population in 1890, 2,235,523; in 1900, 3,048,740.
See
Benton, Thomas H.;
United States of America, Texas, in this volume.
State governors—Continued.
| H. R. Runnels | assumes office | Dec., 1857 |
| Samuel Houston | assumes office | Dec., 1859 |
| Edward Clark | assumes office | March 20, 1861 |
| F. R. Lubbock | assumes office | Dec., 1861 |
| P. Hurrah | assumes office | Dec., 1863 |
| A. J. Hamilton | assumes office | July 21, 1865 |
| J. W. Throckmorton | assumes office | Aug. 13, 1866 |
| E. M. Pease | assumes office | July 30, 1867 |
| E. J. Davis | assumes office | Jan., 1870 |
| Richard Coke | assumes office | Jan., 1874 |
| R. B. Hubbard | assumes office | Jan., 1877 |
| Oran M. Roberts | assumes office | Jan., 1879 |
| John Ireland | assumes office | Jan., 1883 |
| Lawrence S. Ross | assumes office | Jan., 1887 |
| James S. Hogg | assumes office | Jan., 1891 |
| James S. Hogg | assumes office | Jan., 1893 |
| Charles A. Culberson | assumes office | Jan., 1895 |
| Charles A. Culberson | assumes office | Jan., 1897 |
| Joseph D. Sayers | assumes office | Jan., 1899 |
| Joseph D. Sayers | assumes office | Jan., 1901 |
