History of Texas, Together with a Biographical History of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson Counties. Page: 15
[7], iv-vii, [2], 10-826, [2] p., [56] leaves of plates : ill., ports. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this book.
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15
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
by many that they were either fabricated, or
at least countenanced, by the Spanish authorities,
to prevent intercourse with the province,
which it was not easy to guard by a military
for,.e. [
' Thus, the whole of this country remained
for ages unknown to the world; and instead of
being converted into an abode of industrious
and happy freemllen, as it might have been,
it was doomed by the selfishness of men to
continue a howling wilderness. No maps,
charts or geographical notices were ever allowed
by the Spaniards to be taken of it. The
map compiled by Colonel Austin and published
by Tanner, is the first and correct geographical
information of the country that has
ever been published. Tlhe persons who were
engaged in the expeditions under Generals
Bernardo, Gutierrez and Toledo, in 1812-'13,
knew nothing of Texas except along and near
the road they traveled, for they were too much
occupied by the war, during the short time
they had possession, to explore the country.
It is uncertain how long this expensive and
valuable land would have remained unknown
and unsettled had not the bold enterprise and
perseverance of the Austins torn away the
veil that hid it from the view of the world
and redeemed it from the wilderness, by the
settlement of a flourishing colony of North
Americans on the Brazos and Colorado rivers.
With the settlement of this colony a new era
has dawned upon Texas. The natural riches
of this beautiful province have begun to be
unfolded, and its charms displayed to the
eyes of admiring adventurers. A new island,
as it were, has been discovered in these latter
days at our very doors, apparently fresh from
the hands of its Maker, and adapted, beyond
most lands, both to delight the senses and
enrich the pockets of those who are disposed
to accept of its bounties." Without any assistance from the government
or fostering care of any sort, but simply
under a permission to enter, some thousands
of industrious farmers and mechanics, with
their families, lhave already located themselves
here. Their numbers are rapidly increasing,
alnd there cannot be a doubt that in
a few years Texas will become one of tlhe most
populous of tlhe Mexican States."
Said De Marbois early in the present century:
" Texas is one of the finest countries in
the world, and yet the Europeans, eager as
they have been to make conquests in America,
have seemed almost to the present day ignorant
of its existence."
With reference to the political aspects of
the country in 1833, Mrs. Holley said:
" It is not difficult to determine what in all
likelihood will be the future destiny of Texas.
Should the Mexican government adopt a correct
policy, it will form a valuable and efficient
State of the Mexican confederation; for under
ajudicious system of administration it would
not be the interest of the inhabitants to dissolve
the prese.it connection, and they could
feel no motive to do so.
" It is very possible, however, that an unwise
course of administration might provoke
a separation; and what might be the result
of such a separation I shall not attempt to
conjecture.
i" All the attention and vigor of the settlers
appear to be now, as it ought to be, directed
to their own individual private concerns. If
unmolested in their lawful pursuits of industry
and protected by equal laws from the imposition
of the federal officers, they will be
satisfied; for I cannot conceive that they
should be so blind to their own interests as
wantonly to resist the laws of the Republic.
One thing is certain, that no greater calamity
could befall them than the intrusion of partyI
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History of Texas, Together with a Biographical History of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson Counties. (Book)
Book containing a brief overview of the state of Texas and more specific focus on six specific counties, with extensive biographical sketches about persons related to the history of those places. An alphabetical index of persons who are included follows the table of contents at the front of the book.
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Lewis Publishing Company. History of Texas, Together with a Biographical History of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson Counties., book, 1893; Chicago, Illinois. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth29785/m1/16/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.