Texas State Gazette. (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 44, Ed. 1, Saturday, June 22, 1850 Page: 3 of 8
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TEXAS 'STATE GAZETTE:
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The last Legislature and the Santa Fb Question
While alluding to the sins or commission and omission It mny bo well for our
Legislature that the latter are not viewed as being quite 83 criminal as the for-
mer; for if they were the voice of Indignation would arise throughout the length
and breadth of our State and would eventually send back to the retiracy f pri-
vate life tome o our members accompanied too. with the execration ol their
constituents for omitting through perverseness md obstinacy making the neces-
sary provisions for this contingency although fully warned of It by the Exec-
utive. South Western American.
.We aro sorry that the South- Western American should have
deemed it proper to animadvert in llio forogoing terms upon ihe
omission of the last Legislature to adopt the measures recom-
mended by the Govornor in relation to Santa Fe. As' much as
wo regret such omission we think it would bo altogether unfair
to ascribe it to ' pcrverseness and obstinacy.1' Wo certainly can-
not doubt that the last Legislature was composed of men as pat-
riotic ns could have been assembled from the body of the peoplo ?
and wo can seo no ground on which to base a charge of derelic-
tion to the rights or honor of the State. That every member in
either House was truo in his allegiance to Texas we do consci-
entiously believe. And in passing judgment upon their failure
to provide for the contingency which has occurred we must look
to tho circumstances which would naturally influence their ac-
tion and determine the policy they might adopt. If tho present
state of things had existed at tho time of their adjournment and
they had still forborne to take the necessary stops to preserve the
integrity of our territory and to repel the encroachments of the
General Government they would have been manifestly without
the shadow of excuse. But it must be remembered that although
much had been done by both the authorities of the General Gov-
ernment and by tho poople of the Santa Fe district which was in
palpable violation of the rights and dignity of this State yet it
was not positively known that this was the result of the direct in-
terference of tho administration. We admit that enough was
known to have justified tho Legislature in voting instructions to
the Governor requiring him to demand tho abolition of the milita-
ry government then in existence at Santa Fc and in clothing him
with the whole power of the State to suppress rebellion and en-
force the laws. This wo can now seo they ought to have done.
And from the tenor of the subjoined report of u joint committee
of the two Houses made on the 25th of January it is plain that
at that time they were impressed with the necessity ot tho most
decided and energetic course of action on the part of the State.
By reference to the journals it will bo found that on the 30th of
Jan. the bill reported by the committee embracing the recommed-
ations of their report was duly passed by the Senate. Immediate-
ly subsequent to this however intelligence of the introduction of
bills into the Congress of the United States by both Senators
Benton and Foole proposing u purchase of our Santa Fe territo-
ry was received ot Austin with assurances from various sources
of the probable passage of one or the other in a satisfactory shape.
This had the effect to dispel in a great measure the anxiety
which had been previously felt by the Legislature upon the sub-
ject of Santa Fe and was really the solo cause of their omission
to carry out the recommendations of the report. Were they now
in session no one doubts that they would without hesitation and
with "entire unanimity adopt the suggestions of the committee or
tho advice of tho Govornor as might seem .to them most fit for
the vindication and preservation of the lights atidhouorof tho
State in their fullest extent.
Thus much we have thought it our duty to say for the sake of
truth and justice as well as for the purpose of forestalling the
impression abroad that our. last Legislature was actuated by any
spirit of " perverseness and obstinacy" in regard to a matter of
-paramount interest and importance to all their constituents the;
people 'at large. . .: .
Committee Room January '25' 1850.
Hon. John A. Greer
President of the Senate.
'The special joint committee ot the Senate arid House of Rep-
resentatives to whom were referred resolutions upon the subject
of the existence within the territory of the State of Texas of a
military- government countenanced and maintained by thcFed.
oral Government of the United Stoics have given the same that
deliberate consideration which the importance of the subject de-
mands ; and they herewith report that from every source of offi-
cial information to which your committee have had access they
are forced to the conclusion that there exists a settled determina-
tion oil tllelpart of the Federal Government to destroy the Stato
sovereignty and civil jurisdiction of Texas Within the limits of
the comities of Santa Fe Worth and n portion of El Paso.
The official information which justifies this conclusion is con-
tained in tho correspondence of Spruce M. Baird Judge of tno
11 Hi judicial district with the State Department which
discloses the positive existence of a military government main-
tained within that territory by the government ol the United
States : in the; orders of the Secretary of War of tho United
States establisbiugthc 8th military department apd in the late
annual message of tho-Presidentof the United States to Congress.
The information derived from these and other sources in con-
nection with the studied silotico of tho Federal Executive upon
the communications addressed to him ou this subject from the
Executive Department of this State leaves no doubt in the
minds of your 'committee that the Federal Government have al-
ready exercised and are attempting yet further to usurp unjusti-
fiable and high-haHded power over a portion of the territory of
Texas in violation of the constitution and laws ot the United
States and of this State and in utter disregard of tho terms con-
tained in tho solemn compact of annexation. .
Ypur committee regard any Author discussion ot the right ot
tho Stato to that territory as' useless and unbecoming in connec
tion with existing circumstances Facts beyond cavil and dis-
nutc arguments unanswered and unanswerable havo from time
to time been presented in the establishment and defence of our
claim and have as often been treated as unworthy of considera-
tion. A resort to petition would bo unwarranted and improper
as that would imply tho right and power to grant. .Evory art ot
persuasion has. already been exhausted and -remonstrance hus
.hitherto proved unavailing.. ' ' ' 4
. While a prospect of future hope existed the Stato forboro to
murmur believing it would Ultimately bo realized aild her rights
secured ; tho illusion has vanished and thu time for action has
arrived.
Tho Stato must now adopt measures to assort and maintain
her sovereignty in her own territory or embrace tlje degrading
altornativcof submission to arbitrary power. It is but" neces-
sary to mention tho latter alternative to dismiss it forever from
consideration. The acknowledged chivalry of tho people of
Texas forbids us to entertain it for a single moment. Tho only
course remaining is the firm assertion of our rights and ihe de-
termination to maintain them at every hazard.'
Tho committee therefore recommend that iho Legislature de-
mand of tho General Government of iho United States Iho im?
mediate abolition of military government over any portion of.tho
territory of Texas; and in the event that such demand should
not bo acceded to or that the United States should attempt to es-
tablish territorial government over any portion of said territory
or establish tho oflico of Surveyor-General therein as recommen-
ded by the Executive of the United States that tho Governor iu
such case be authorized and required to employ tho whole force"
of the militia of the State to sustain her righful sovereignty and
and jurisdiction and that the entire amount of money in the
treasury of the State bo appropriated for that object.
Your committee believe thai a. crisis has arrived which rend-
ers tho proposed legislation necessary and that it is tho only
available policy remaining to secure tho rights of the State in a
manner consistent with her dignity.
They therefore report a substitute for tho resolutions embra-
cing these provisions and recommend its passage.
D. U. VAN L)EKLILJ Uhm'n part of Senate.
DAVID Y. PORTIS
B. RUSH WALLACE. ' "
J. M. CLOUGH Chvhi part of House
W H. STEWART
W- M. WILLIAMS . "
r-t
James B. Shaw.
Fdr Uie State Gazette.
Mr. Cushney: I make free to ask tho privilege of a little
space in your paper to offer to the public a few words on tho sub-
ject of the choice of a Comptroller at the next August election.
I do not do so however iu a spirit of dictation fbrLam no more
than one of the untitled citizens of the State whefceame to Texas
from our fatherland nearly a score of years sinceKand do not
claim any right to do anything more than suggest my own opin-
ions in a respoctful mannor for the unprejudiced consideration Qf
my fellow citizens. If they do uot agree with me I shall not
presume to complain of their motives or their judgment concede
ingas I do in cases of this kind tho most extended freedom of
opinion and action.
I would say then Mr. Cushney that the choice of a Comptrol-
ler at our next election is in my judgment by no means inferior
in importance to the choice of any other officer then to be elected.
Those who have considered the complexity of the duties to be
performed by that officer and the amount of business to bo trans-
acted by him for sometime tojiome will agree with me I doubt not
in the-opimon that it is amongst our first obligations to select some
one who will faithfully and intelligently discharge oil his official
obligations whether they relate to individuals or the public. The
welfare and interests of the State are -to a great extent practical-
ly involved in these considerations -and to them it is proper wc
should refer the propriety of our votes when the. day of election
arrives.
But aside from the principles which will govern us in iho
choice to bo niadethere is another question which relates -to the
particular individual to be selected by our ballots. And on this
point there will be more difference of opinion than upon any
other ; for our notions of men depend more upon contingent cir-
cumstances than do our abstract notions of right.
We may very well agree upon the qualifications necessary to
constitute a good Comptroller when at the same time wo moy
differ widely as to the particular individual who is alleged to
possess.these qualifications. On this account we find men equal-
ly honest and patriotic casting their votes in opposition to each
other at every election;; and this will always be so while our op
portunities ot acquaintance onu intormntion vary one 4roin an-
other. I havo no doubt that many persons will differ from me in
the opinion that the intorest of the' State and individuals dictates
the re-election of.the present Comptroller James B. Shaw. But
as I think I have substantial reasons for this opinion I will be
free to express them intending however no jnvidjousior dispar-
aging comparison with his worthy and meritorious competitor.
1 have known James B. Shaw since -the year 1837 While yet a
mere boy became with patriotic ardor to connect his destiny
with the fortunes of the Lone Star Republic. Iu the county of
Harris ho assumed the duties of citizenship by taking the oath
of allegiance prescribed by the constitution. And shortly after-
wards entered the military service ot the country and served a
tour of duty on the .frontier The inhabitants .of the upper Bra
zos at that day will remember him as I do a youthful bin a wil-
1: 1 u'! i.- r u TViiU n..wio i a;A 1:
IllJg ailU UlUUIUIJl IWUlJlUai ui wiu luuuiil uuiii.u wnu uiw 1110-
duty faithfully and rendered good service to his country.
And I take it upon myself to say that there is uot a surviving
member of that company who will not testify to the faithful anD
honorable conduct of this boy as ho then was throughout this
entire service. But this is not all ; I know that in subsequent
years ho was ever ready to perform his duty in the same way.
In 18'iOj when the western country was overrun with Indians
and in 1842 when tho Moxicans penetrated as far as San Antonio
he did not hesitate to abandon the clerkship which ho then held
in the Treasury Department of the Republic and throw himself
in the face of danger to defend tho rights of Texas.
But to his service in tho field I would not refer as his chief
claim to tho favorable consideration of his fellow citizens for re-
election to the office ho now so honorably and competently fills.
But I would rather point to the mannor in which ho has fulfilled
all his official duties. He has ever been fround at his post an
attentive accommodating faithful officer against whom no word
of suspicion has never been breathed and against whom nb
charge of remissness has ever been brought. '
To justify the opinion I entertain of his superior qualifications
for this office I need only refer to tho representatives of Iho dif-
ferent counties of the Republic during the days of our separate
independence and subsequently to our Stato legislators. A term
often or twelve years of actual experience and insessant labor
without a fault being found or causo'of complaint given (a fact
which all must admit) in my opinion justifies our casting our
votes for Mr. Shaw iu.the corning contest.
A CITIZEN SINCE 1835. '
TLtftTlltlirinu (InnKABlrsHnw
There are says tho Western Texan p( tho 0th inst. seven or
eight hundred Indiana encamped! on the Llaho. under tho com-
maud of Wild CaSeminoles Mpans Wacoes and Tanca-
huas. This party ot Indians have assembled for the ostensible
purpose of making war with their united forces upon tho Ca- '
manches but we havo no doubt that future developments
will show that their barbarous combination will result in robbe-
ries and treachcous assassinations df our own. citizens Upon
tho confirmation of tho above intelligence the followiuw drOer
was issued from headquarters : "' :
Headquarters 8th Departmet )m.
San Antonio Juno 2 1850. X
1. In consequence of increased Indian depredations evento
tho very neighborhood of this city as well as the rrinch'os iu
this vicinity Brevet Brigadier General Garland will order a scout-
ing party at least twice a Week 16' scon r tho country on tho Lc- $
on San Antonio and Salado rivefrs' frotn five to twenty miles 'rind
in such othor direction as lie may deem best. i "''
2. To carry this order into execution tho Chiof Assistant
Quartermaster of this Department Will furnish' to such' officers
as the Brigadier General may select two horses for officors1aftd
twenty for tho same "'number of nbn-comrriissioned officers and
privates with equipments' complete; and art experienced 'guide
will be employed. ' ' Vv. mi.
3. Lieut. Benton ordhopce officerwill furbish on-the p'roper
requisitioiisarms and ammunition for the number of officers 'and
men mentioned above! i ' ' J(1f.
By order of Brevet Major General' Brooke. . " ;ws.'
GEORGE DEASp
Asst. Adjutant General1.
t i)i
Another Fight between Capt. Ford and the Canianchc Incliaiis--!
' One of the Rangers killed t
In addition to the accounts of Indian news' which Wo'hayo
published in our paper wo aro again called upon to record. an-
other serious conflict between Capt. Ford's company of Range ns
consisting of twenty-seven men besides himself and a party? of
nineteen uamancno muians including one squaw noque yie
celebrated guide of Copt. Ford has just arrived in towrt. From
his report of tho engagement wo condense the following particu-
lars of the fight which beenrred on the 29th nit. about thirty-.
five miles from Corpus- Chiisti Capt. Ford had left Fort
Merrill for tho Rio Grande and came upon the trail Meadiftg
in the direction of Corpus Christi. After following .it two
leagues they came upon tho Indians. Capt. F. immediately or-i
dered a charge. The Indians fought desperately resisting
every inch of ground. The Rangers soon put them to flight
but not without the loss of one man killed and another wound-
ed though slightly. Two Indians were killed three wound-
qnd one taken prisoner. ' !
William Gillespie tho unfortunate individuat'who was killed
is a cousin of the gallant Gillespie who fell at the storrhing'qf
Monterey. He was ono of those fearless and bravo spirits .who
had become hardened to a frontier life and rushed into danger
regardless of the consequences. He had charged on an Indian
and instead of shooting him with his revolver as he intended
missed him killing the Indian's horse which instantly fell. "
Gillespie at this juncture not being able to restrain his om
horse rushed over the dead horse just as the Indian was recover-
ing from his fall who having his bow drawn shot Giflespie
through the heart. ' !i Vt!
The Indian who has bcen'tdkon prisoner was captured;!)'
lloquc so the latter informs us. He is a young warrior about
eighteen years old. Roquo informs us that lie learned from'.'the
prisoner that n largo force of Indians numbering- 950 had "left
their homes the same time his party did for the purpose of. ipa-
king a campaign upon the settlements of Texas during this
moon. ' ''""
Capt. Ford captured several horses shields bows and arrows
together with a great variety of paraphernalia belonging to 'me
Indian dress which trophies wp are informed are to be forwarded
to Gen. Brooke at San Antonio. Nueces Valley 1st in'st'. . ' '
Late from California. .."'
Accounfsfiom San Francisco up to tho 20th April" have been
received.- "' ' '.'' " ' '' ' : "-w?';
Sacramento city has again Been inundated ;ahd nearly .des-
troyed' by fire the loss is $6U000; Business in Calffornia'is
generally depressed. ' ' . '"u
The steamer Tennessee arrived' nt'Paharnd pivtlie litlrulr.;
bringing abbut $1000000 itrgpld atid manyassengers Real
estate lias fallen about one-third its former vvrilue. Geti. Tl'JerX
Green formerly of our S.tate has been elected a Major General
of militia. The accounts frptn the- mipiiig'region tre still f'yery
satisfactory an'd of -those employed 'in' the ppei;a'tion:Dfairgiiih'
for the precious metal tho majority aro realizing a 'fair 'rejmurier-
atlon. " ' ' ' ' .' .."' :.?
" - ' ': '. it t .; r.nt
K33 The following gentlemen have been elected by thctpc'oplu
circuit judges for the State of Alabama ot tho late election. .
l'gt'circuit"John D. Pielon.; 2d Ezekiel Pickons .5. 3dj George
D. Shortridge-. 4th L. P. Walker : 5th Thomas A.; Walker;
Gth John Bragg; 7th William.!!. Smith; 8th Georgcfioldr
thwait; and 9th Robert l)oug'herty ;: S
E3 'Half tho plantations ou tho Mjssissjppi between thmpufli
of; the Phip and Now Qrleans wero lately unrjer water.! mh
iO-Thotyon.'Vranlriin H'.' Elrnprp U.. S' Senator from Sqii'th.
roli tin file successor of Trtr Calhoun died(iti."Washiugibn"ph
S3-'
Cat
the
seut
at.
mil him loner to occtipv it. Their apprehensions havo boeh.trti-
lyreaized: and South Carolina is again called upon to mourn
j .ium u 1 l mr. v'if"uu mjjw uiu. ucimy uuteu jue vacant
Of Mr. 'Calhoun and. tears wore entertained by his Jriends.
tlinf timo that his feeble and declining health would hbt'ner-
i-.f-
tlie loss of ope of i?r most devoted and abe slatesmpri..'
&3rTho 'Ranger of tho 18th inst. says that the Brazos had'fbk
ken another sriso and was then as high asit was a-taontli'since."
Several plantations Wore overflowed. ' ('7V"
KjP Immediately on tho arrival of Gen Lopez at Savanhrih
from Koy West .he was .arrested by theJJnited States marshal
under .instruction? from Washington mi wns very sooiiiafier?
wards released no eyjdonce appearing against him-. . i. !
td'Goo'd'mlddling cottoii Was qtioted'inNeybrleans'on"(lfe
Tili ihst. oiVr Infest ftiha at from' 12 to' 12cents.':" VliT
Kjr.WhQii.lhe(nrosent lines nro completed there will u'etven-
ty'Americanstenmers.iin thbil'awfic-oceaii'. ; 4i'-! '' :-'? utor ":
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Texas State Gazette. (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 44, Ed. 1, Saturday, June 22, 1850, newspaper, June 22, 1850; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80934/m1/3/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.