The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 105, July 2001 - April, 2002 Page: 693
741 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Book Reviews
throughout the continent. He gives the issue of pandemic disease, perhaps the
single most important factor in the history of native America, only passing treat-
ment. On the other hand, his discussions of the evolution of Indian Territory, the
intricacies of factionalism within Indian communities, Indian involvement in the
Civil War, allotment, and the development of pan-Indianism and self-determina-
tion will serve undergraduates very well. In addition, Meredith acknowledges that
Texas, notwithstanding its lack of federal Indian reservations today, has its own
history in Indian-white relations, with the removal of the Hasinai/Caddo commu-
nity to Texas and the eventual establishment of the Brazos Reserve located not far
from Fort Belknap. During the latter part of the nineteenth century, Meredith
points out, Texas senator Richard Coke, who preceeded Henry Dawes as chair-
man of the Senate Indian Committee, introduced allotment legislation seven
years before the Senate passed the Dawes General Allotment Act.
As a teaching tool, this book could be put to good use. The author includes an
adequate bibliography, and the collection of source documents more than amply
illustrates significant developments in American Indian history. The teacher who
uses this book will need to supply students with a timeline and maps, since the
book lacks both.
Utah Valley State College, Orem David R. Wilson
Voyage to North America, 1844-45: Prince Carl of Solms's Texas Diary of People, Places,
and Events. Edited and translated by Wolfram M. Von-Maszewski. Introduc-
tion by Theodore Gish. (Denton: University of North Texas, 2000. Pp.
vii+344. ISBN 1-57441-124-1. $32.50, cloth.)
In the 184os, a group of German aristocrats formed a Society of Noblemen, the
Adelsverein, to lure Germans who were unable to find work to the new Republic of
Texas where vast reaches of land were begging for attention. Their scheme was to
be practical, philanthropic, and even profitable. Thousands of Germans prepared
to cross the Atlantic Ocean, and Prince Carl of Solms, representing the Society,
left his family castle on the Rhine in 1844 to oversee the venture and report back
to the Society.
Voyage to North America is the personal diary of Prince Carl, notes jotted down
with never a thought of publication, a prelude to the disappointments and disas-
ters that befell the families who arrived so full of hope. The manuscript was found
in a princely archive in Wissen by Theodore Gish, and more recently translated by
Wolfram M. Von-Maszewski, a European-born University of Texas alum.
Is it enjoyable reading? Most certainly. The Prince's brief, laconic comments
create splendid images of his tour. His first sight of the country is New York, "The
city and its shore offer a beautiful sight. Splendid location. Same latitude as
Naples but poor climate" (p. 23). Several months later he spends a few days in
Washington: "Took a stroll with Mr. Baldouin and Mr. Polk" (presumably the
president) to the Capitol, "beautiful building, mottled style, the dome is rather
tasteless, nice location. Statue of Columbus, not much imagination put into it. He
posed in armor with a naked Indian girl next to him" (p. 156).693
2002
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 105, July 2001 - April, 2002, periodical, 2002; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101222/m1/749/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.