William Carey Crane

“ Between the first of January, 1836, and the first of May, 1836, Texan struggles culminated, Texan martyrs won immortality, Texan liberty was won, and Texan independence was secured. The Convention which made the declaration, met March 1, 1836. Gen. Houston having been returned as a delegate to this Convention, arrived at Washington on the last day of February. The Convention assembled, composed of true men; men tried by every standard of character: great,, heroic, and patriotic; men not inferior in many elements of character to any others of any similar assembly. ”

“ At the same time, Sam Houston was chosen General of Texas, east of the Trinity River. The people of Brazoria, well satisfied that there was little to hope for from Santa Anna, the despot of Mexico, invited the other municipalities to co-operate with them in electing delegates to meet for a general consultation, for the purpose of providing means of safety in case of imminent danger. General Austin with the forces under his command advanced to San Antonio de Bexar and invested the place. Eight hundred armed men from all parts of the province flocked to his standard. ”

“ One moment his mind wandered away to the deep solitudes of nature; to a life of communion with the Great Spirit and His sublime creations, as in the days of his boyhood and exile, where the world's treachery and persecution would not reach him. ”

“ Citizens, residing near Victoria and Matagorda, after his advance upon San Antonio under the command of Captain Collinsworth, formed a company, advanced on Goliad, reduced and obtained possession of the town. On the first meeting of the delegates in consultation, General Austin sent a message to General Houston to send forward his division of troops. General Houston, immediately on receipt of the message, took the only five dollars he possessed, gave it to a good rider with dispatches to his division, which, as soon as received, caused the East Texans to march to the scene of war. ”

“ Governor Smith highly disapproved of the plans of the Council, and on that account incurred their hottest displeasure. Gen. Houston obeyed the Governor's orders, and reported to him at San Felipe. Receiving orders to repair to Refugio, where a junction of the troops of Grant and Fannin was to be effected, after he had returned to Washington, and arranged pressing matters at headquarters, he proceeded to Goliad, about the middle of January, 1836, and made known to the troops his orders, and enjoined obedience on his authority. ”

“ Texas Triumphing — Struggles under Austin and Houston — Consultations — Collisions in Council — Houston appointed Commander-in-Chief— Commission Revoked — Grant's Effort to Capture Matamoras — Troubles Connected with Governor Henry Smith's Administration — Siege and Capture of San Antonio by General Edward Burleson— Declaration of Independence — Houston again appointed Commander-in-Chief. Taxation had become oppressive. Commerce was placed under the most oppress restrictions. The administration of the customs was committed to the worst men. ”

“ Smith detected the secret intrigues of the Council with Grant, Fannin and others, while General Houston was at the headquarters of the army at Washington; and, about the ist of January, 1836, he ordered General Houston to repair to San Felipe de Austin. General Houston had with his usual sagacity, issued orders for all troops arriving in the country to report to Governor Smith as nominal commander-in-chief and to himself on their arrival as commander of the army. Volunteers from Alabama and Col. ”