The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 14, July 1910 - April, 1911 Page: 49
348 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Reminiscences of Henry Smith.
49
All Government had now ceased, and Texas was like a vessel on
the rolling billows without compass or helm, and anarchy and con-
fusion reigned without controll. The speculating party were anx-
ious to raise troops and rally to the rescue of the Governor and bring
him into Texas. In this however they were opposed for it was easy
to fathom their motives The inhabitants were so scattered and the
means of disseminating information so limited that it was very
difficult for us to act in unison on any general principle. The
Government had previously sent one company of troops which were
stationed at the post of Anauhuac. Col. Travis having been once
maltreated at that Garrison raised a small company of volunteers
in the neighborhood and took them prisoners without opposition1.
This seemed to have been done without consultation and was by
many disapproved. Genl. Cos was at this time recruiting an army
at Matamoris, and at the same time endeavoring to lull the colonies
into security by his deceitful publications and was greatly incensed
at the reduction of Anauhuac and demanded the ringleaders in
the matter to be given up. The act had been disapproved by many
and excitement run very high. Myself with a number of others in
the lower jurisdiction had determined to sustain the act, and if
possible get up a convention. A public meeting was called a com-
mittee appointed resolutions adopted and again by designing per-
sons defeated and many efforts were made before we could get the
people united on any thing definitively, and only by dint of indefat-
igable perseverance could we succeed.2 We had already called one
convention which proved abortive and the people seemed to dread
the name. I therefore substituted what seemed to them a softer
term which I have ever since regretted and that was Consultation
in the room of Convention. Confusion jealousy and prejudices
prevailed to a great extent and it was very difficult to get any
thing done. We however continued our unceasing perseverance
and raised a committee of fifteen persons entered up resolutions
and drew up a patriotic and spirited address calling on our fel-
low citizens to send representatives to meet us in general consul-
'For an account of Travis' capture of Anahuac, see THE QUARTERLY,
II, '22-26. and IV, 199-202.
"For an account of the efforts to call a convention, see Publications of
the Southern History Association, V, 464-474.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 14, July 1910 - April, 1911, periodical, 1911; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101054/m1/57/: accessed March 29, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.