"Untitled," Civilian and Galveston Gazette, September 10, 1842

Summary: An anonymous writer submitted a very long article about the historical relationship between Texas and Mexico. Started off by saying Mexico couldn't populate Texas because of Indian threats and so called on foreigners to populate it for them. Next he related the bloody history of Mexican independence, describing each dictator's rise and fall. Then he talked about the history of slavery in Texas, in which he said Texas slavery was much more benign than the system of labor practiced in Mexico. Finally, he gave a history of the conflicts between Mexico and the European and American powers.

For the Civilian.

Mr. Editor--I have compiled a sketch of the early connexion of Mexico and Texas, which, perhaps, may not be uninteresting to some of your readers. It serves to show that Mexico has been invariably beaten up to the present time by the Anglo Saxon Race, whenever they have come in contact. On the dissolution of the connexion between Spain and Mexico in 1822, Don Augustine Itrubide established a short lived imperial Government, with himself at the head, under the title of Augustine I. On assuming the supreme power he found that portion of the then Mexican Territory east of the Rio Grande, known by the name of Texas, in the possesseion of various tribes of Indians, who not only prevented the populating of Texas by Mexicans, but committed incessant depradations on the frontier west of the Rio Grande. He ascertained that that[sic] these Savages could neither be subdued by the army, or their friendship purchased by the gold of Mexico. He moreover was convinced that, owing to their unwarlike propensities, their great dread of Indians, and their total destitution of enterprize, he could not induce his own subjects to venture into the wilderness of Texas, either as soldiers or permanent cultivators of its fertile soil. Under these circumstances, and for the purpose of protecting the inhabited part of his dominions he undertook to expel the savages of Texas by the introduction of foreigners. Accordingly a law of emigration was passed, inviting the emigration of foreigners into Texas, and promising to protect their liberty, property and civil rights. In the preamble of the law it is stated, that it was passed for the purpose of protecting the frontier, of expelling the savages, and augmenting the cultivation of vacant territory. Under the invitation and guarantee of this law, and of a constitution similar to their own, the present inhabitants of Texas quitted their happy homes and encountered the privations and perils of a wilderness. Let it be distinctly understood that the lands granted by the Mexican Government to the Colonists, were in the occupancy of the savages, situated in a region of which the Government had never taken possession, and which it could not take possession of with its own unenterprizing citizens. They were shut out from all commercial intercourse with the rest of the world, and beyond the reach of the most common necessaries of life, nor were they brought into possession and cultivated, without much toil, privation, patience, enterprize, suffering, and loss of life from indian hostilities and other causes. Under the smiles of a benignant heaven however, the untiring, perseverance of the colonists triumphed over all natural obstacles, expelled the savages, by whom the country was infested, reduced the forest into cultivation, and made the desert smile. As was before said, when the colonial settlements commenced Texas was in the occupancy of various tribes of Indians, who committed continual depradations and murdered many of the most useful and respectable of both sexes of the Colonists. Not a Mexican soldier ever aided in expelling the savages, not a gun nor an ounce of ammunition was furnished the colonists, not a dollar was paid them for their services. No one can deny that, this state of insecurity, privation, and exertion would have justified the people of Texas in casting off the Mexican yoke, and in taking care of their persons and property by the establishment of an independent Government. Yet they did not attempt to do so, they groaned and languished under these multiplied evils, consoling themselves with the pleasing but delusive hope, that a brighter day would soon dawn upon them. While indulging these dreams of felicity, the Dictator Santa Anna began to display his tyranical course. He surrounded Congress with an armed force dissolved the body, turned the members out of doors and declared the Constitution at an end. He dissolved the legislature of Texas by violence, imprisoned the Govenor, demanded the arms of the citizens, and sent on an army of mercenaries to enforce obedience and secure the destruction of the liberties of the people. When these glaring oppressions were attempted to be practiced, the inhabitants felt that they could no longer submit without relinquishing forever the appelation of freemen. They accordingly struck, and struck with the potent arm of liberty. I will briefly relate the bloody and revolting history of the Mexican Revolution, on the establishment of the Independence of Mexico in 1822. General Iturbide by fraud and force, caused himself to be proclaimed Emperor, he was soon dethroned and banished; he returned however from his exile and was put to death. This being over Victoria was elected President during whose term of service the country was torn to pieces by civil wars and conspiracies as is evidenced by the rebellion and banishment of Montino. Victoria only served four years, and General Peraza was elected his successor, but he was dispossessed by violence and Guerrero put in his place, Guerrero was scarcely seated before Bustamente with open war deposed him, put him to death, and placed himself at the head of Government. Bustamente was hardly in the chair before Santa Anna dispossessed him, by deluging the country with a civil war, which after strewing the plains of the noble state Zacatecas with her murdered citizens--murdered only because they contended for their constitution, rolled on with his unglutted vengeance and cannibal ferocity to the shores of Texas. Where however the invincible Anglo American race soon checked his piratical career.

In the letter addressed by Bombastes Furioso Santa Anna to General Hamilton, where he says he will plant his standard on the Sabine, and particularly where he endeavors to show his philanthropy against slavery, I will give some early data concerning the introduction of slaves in Texas.

The Mexican Federal Constitution is totally silent on the subject of Slavery. Moreover in 1821 when General Stephen F. Austin first contracted with the Mexican Government at San Antonio to colonize a portion of Texas, that the Government was to give a premium in lands for each slave introduced by the colonists. This Austin was authorized to publish, and he did publish it in the papers of the United States, on the faith of which many persons from Lousianna, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and other states emigrated to Texas with their slaves.--It is true that after this President Guerrero, without a shadow of authority emancipated the slaves of Mexico, especially, however, in a subsequent degree excepting the slaves of Texas. Guerrero, for this and other acts of tyranny was soon bethroned[sic] and put to death, and the masters in all parts of Mexico reclaimed their slaves. Notwithstanding this decree, and all the laws on the subject, I will show the most abhorrent system of slavery known to ancient or modern times, has always existed, and still exists in Mexico under a disguised name and form. However, prior to the decree of Guerrero, several laws were passed forbidding the introduction of slaves. The colonists of Texas, however, procured the passage of a law enabling them to bring in slaves by having them indentured. Their indentures were generally taken in New Orleans before the Mexican Consul and a notary public, by these indentures the slave acknowledged himself indebted to his master, in the sum paid for him, or for which he could be sold in the United States, where himself and posterity if sold would continue to be slaves for ever, and promising to pay this amount to his master by serving him and receiving remuneration according to the laws of Mexico. Let us see what these laws of Mexico are. Mexico is at this moment more than Russia or any other country on earth, a land of noblemen and serfs; of masters and slaves. Seven eights of her population are absolutely slaves. In a state as large one of the United States, there cannot be found more than forty to fifty land proprietors, each of those possesses many different farms, on which are located ten and in some instances twenty five or thirty thousand servants or "dependantes" as they are called. The proprietor or master is bound by law to pay these servants in some states three, in others five dollars per month for their services. Out of this miserable and wholly incompetent pittance, the dependant has to feed and clothe himself and pay his medical bills. Moreover he is not allowed to purchase any thing except from his master, who will of course fix his own price, nor can he leave his master while he owes him a single cent; and worse than all, the debt of the parent is entailed upon the posterity to the ten thousandth generation. I would ask the pretended philanthropist, who mourns over the prospect of contaminating free and happy Mexico with the curse of slavery, if the system already existing there is not far worse than that existing here, or that established by the constitution of the Republic of Texas. In our case it is undisguised, and the slave whether sick or well, old or young, helpless or useful is sure to be clad, fed and attended to. In the other case, when through age or disease, he becomes incapable of labor he will be "whistled down the wind, a prey to fortune."

I will proceed to give a condensed history of the conflicts between the Mexican and Anglo American Race, from the capture of Baton Rouge by Col. Kemper in 1810, down to the brilliant victory of San Jacinto and Corpus Christi.

As early as 1810 the Military post at Baton Rouge, whose commandant had committed many wrongs against Col. Kemper, was attacked by 40 Americans under General Thomas, and the Garrison with Col. Lassus and 120 men subdued. The Mexicans about that time had commenced a revolution against Spain, and Col. Ross with 500 men proceeded into Texas to aid the Patriots. He attacked and took the strong fortress of Goliad without any loss, and soon after defeated and captured 1,500 Mexicans. This army determined upon the conquest of Mexico, and routed and cut to pieces 3,000 men near San Antonio. A reinforcement of 4,000 Mexicans assaulted Bexar, in the absence of the American Generals, but the troops resolved to act for themselves, and defeated the assailants with the loss of only three men.

In 1812 General Toleda, who had revolted from the Spanish Government, took command of San Antonio, and with Ross's force of 400, and 300 indians, routed another Mexican army of 4,000 men.

These events led to the general revolution which separated Mexico from Spain, and ever since then, whenever the Texians have been engaged, either with the Mexicans to establish a Republic, or against them to defend it, they have almost invariably prevailed.

In the year 1832, when the Texians, near Nacogdoches, had been agrieved by the military at that Post, and had ineffectually endeavored to procure their removal, they took up arms for the purpose, and with 150 undisciplined men defeated 375 under General Piedras.

In 1832 during the administration of Bustamente and after the violation of the federal constitution, a detachment of 132 Texian settlers, under Capt John Austin, besieged and reduced the fort of Velasco. Garrisoned by 173 Mexicans under Colonel Ugarticha, with great loss to the besiegers.

In 1835 the Mexican Garrison at Anahuac under Col. Bredburn surrendered to Col. Travis commanding a small force.

In October of the same year the Mexican Cavalry from the fortress at Bexar were completely routed, at Gonzales.

A few weeks after 92 Texians under Colonels Bowie and Fannin fought the battle of Conception and defeated 450 Mexicans.

The Battle near Bexar was fought in the same month, and 400 Mexicans were obliged to retire, under cover of the artillery of the Town, before 200 Texians, and in December of the city of San San[sic] Antonio and the Alamo, defended by 1,300 Mexicans under General Cos, surrendered to 400 Texians commanded by Col. Milan.

On the 22st of April, 1836, the decissive battle of San Jacinto was fought, in which General Santa Anna, with 1,500 men, was defeated by General Houston, commanding 783 men; and on the 21th of the same month, all the Mexican forces retreated beyond the frontier of Texas.

And very lately a party of 700 Mexicans, under General Canales, attacked 200 volunteers near Corpus Christi, when five of the Mexicans were left dead and the balance compelled to retreat with the utmost precipitation.

It is evident that Mexico cannot rend an army of any magnitude into Texas, although the cry is that they are sending 40,000 men for the purpose. Their exhausted Treasury, the divission of troops into opposite commandancies, the contest between those who are for a cansolodated Government, and those who desire a Republic, and a partial opposition to the war, which is felt and expressed by Mexican provencis adjoining Texas, all render such an expedition impracticable. S.

Galveston, Sept. 1842,

Source Copy Consulted: "Untitled," Civilian and Galveston Gazette, September 10, 1842, p. 2