The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 7, July 1903 - April, 1904 Page: 136
xvi, 340 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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136 Texas Historical Association Quarterly.
rumors had reached Nacogdoches that Edwards's grant would
be annulled, and the Mexicans, thinking that all titles acquired
through him would be revoked, set up claims to all the most
valuable places occupied by his colonists. "The shamelessness
of Norris--who was, however, controlled by James Gaines-
was such that these abominable claims were sanctioned by him. A
reign of terror followed. American settlers were dispossessed of
their homes; were arrested at midnight and dragged before the
alcalde to be punished for acts they had never committed; they
were fined and imprisoned; and every contumely and vexation that
envy and malice could suggest were heaped upon them."'
The American settlers, with remarkable self-control, endured
these outrages, perpetrated under the guise of law, until toleration
absolutely became criminal. About the close of September, they
determined to rid their country of -this pestilence; but B. W.
Edwards, still hoping for justice from the State authorities,
exerted himself to restrain them yet a while longer. October 2d, he
addressed a letter to B. J. Thompson, saying, "Let us wait and not
prejudice our prospects by premature operations on our part. The
government may yet act with faith and justice toward the Ameri-
cans. . . . The eyes of the government are at this moment
upon us all, and much may depend upon our present deportment.
Gaines and Sepulveda have been represented to the proper authori-
ties, and in a little time an investigation must take place."2 How-
ever, they waited in vain for a month and a half; then, on Novem-
ber 22, a party of thirty-six armed Americans entered Nacogdoches
under the leadership of Martin Parmer, and arrested Norris, the
alcalde, Sepulveda, the commander of the militia, and sought to
arrest James Gaines and one or two others of those who had become
intolerable to all law abiding citizens. They declared the alcalde's
office vacant, and appointed Jose Doste alcalde ad interim until an
election to fill the vacancy could be held. Parmer and his officers
constituted themselves a court-martial which offered one hundred
dollars for James Gaines dead or alive." They preferred charges
'Baneroft, North Mexicarn States and Teas, II 102.
2Yoakum, History of Texas, I 244.
"Proclamation issued by the court-martial, dated November 25, 1826.
Bexar Archives. It is signed by Martin Parmer, colonel and president
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 7, July 1903 - April, 1904, periodical, 1904; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101030/m1/140/: accessed May 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.