Indian Wars and Pioneers of Texas Page: 158 of 894
762 p., [172] leaves of plates : ill., ports. ; 30 cm.View a full description of this book.
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HENRY ROSENBERG,
GALVESTON.Grotius and Vattel, among the earliest and most
erudite of modern writers upon international law,
who from the pandects of Justinian, the maritime
code of Louis XIV, the laws of Oleron and the Hanseatic
League and other sources, with wonderful
brilliancy of genius and depth of philosophy, laid
the foundation of that science hlich now regulates
the intercourse of the community of nations, enriched
their pages by illustrations drawn from the
history of many peoples, and from none more than
from that of the people of Switzerland, to which
they turned for the most striking examples of
fidelity to treaty obligations, jealous defense of
national honor, humanity, magnanimity and courage.
Vattel declares that for more than three centuries
prior to his time, Switzerland, although surrounded
by nations almost constantly at war and eager for
the acquisition of new territory, had preserved her
independence, and enjoyed the confidence and
respect of her neighbors. It is related that in the
olden time, fifteen hundred Swiss, acting as the
advance guard of a French army, came suddenly
upon the full force of the opposing Austrians; and,
disdaining to retreat, although overwhelmingly outnumbered,
charged into the midst of the enemy
and, no re-inforcements coming up, perished, all
save one man, who saved his life by flight and was
subsequently driven from his native canton to die
a despised wanderer in a foreign land.
Who does not remember the story of Martha
Glar? Her country invaded and the men to defend
it few in number, she called upon the women to
arm and strike with them for the liberties of Switzerland
and, later, fell sword in hand with her husband,
sons, daughters, and granddaughters upon a
hard contested fiel(l. Famous for their valor and
love of freedom, the Swiss are no less renowned for
their kindliness, justice and simple and unaffected
piety. Of this race was the subject of this memoir.
While his native land may well be proud of such
a son, she cannot alone lay claim to him. The
best years of his ripened manhood were spent in
Texas. Such men are true citizens of the worldand the memory of worthy deeds that they leave
behind them is the heritage and common property
of mankind. Deeply attached to the institutions
of the United States and to the people of Texas
and of Galveston especially, he never ceased to
love the land of his birth and his friends of long
ago.
"There is a land, of every land the pride,
Beloved by Heaven o'er all the world beside;
There is a spot of earth supremely blest,
A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest.
" ' Where shall that land, that spot of earth be found?'
Art thou a man?
a patriot?
look around!
O! thou shalt find, where'er thy footsteps roam
That land thy country and that spot thy home! "
With this love of country was coupled a veneration
for the great and good of all climes. As will
be seen further on in this brief sketch of his life,
he has paid the most substantial tribute that has
yet been paid to the men who fought for Texas
independence, an act peculiarly fitting, as there is
a bond of common brotherhood that binds together
the hearts of the sons of Switzerland and the
defenders of liberty in all lands and that neither
time nor distance can affect.
Broad-minded, generous and true-hearted
a
genuine lover of his kinl
the memory of Ilenry
Rosenberg is dear to the people of Texas. His
name will forever be associated with the history of
the city of Galveston, a city in which he spent more
than fifty of the most active and useful years of his
life. He was born at Bilten, Canton Glaras,
Switzerland, June 22, 1824. His early educational
advantages were restricted. He was apprenticed
when a boy and learned a trade which he followed
until past eighteen years of age, when he came to
America with oneof his countrymen, John Hessley,
reaching Galveston in February, 1843. He was
afterwards associated with Mr. Hessley in the mercantile
business, which he enlarged and carried on
for about thirty years, during which time he laid
the foundation for the fortune which he afterwards
accumulated. His latter years were devoted chiefly
(143)
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A history of pioneers in Texas and their confrontations with local American Indians.
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Brown, John Henry. Indian Wars and Pioneers of Texas, book, 1880~; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth6725/m1/158/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.