ERA II

ERA OF FILIBUSTERS1

(1800-1819)

To understand the events that during this era happened in Texas, some knowledge of the state of affairs in Mexico and the United States is necessary.

Affairs in Spain. At this time Spain was in a distressing condition. Wars from without and plots from within together with fear of Napoleon gave her little time to attend to her possessions in the New World.

Hidalgo's Revolution.- The Mexicans, on their part, were weary of Spanish rule and desired independence. They could not ask for a more favorable time. As is ever the case, many martyrs were offered on Liberty's altar before definite results were reached. The first general revolution 2 (1810), which was led by the gentle scholar and priest, Hidalgo (e-däl'go), was opposed by the great mass of the priesthood. The revolution failed; the brave Hidalgo was executed. José Maria Morélos (mō-rā'lōs), a priest and a patriot, next aroused the people, but he too was captured and put to death.

Mexico becomes Independent.- In the course of time, Spain passed certain laws, making sweeping changes in many matters that concerned the priests. This caused the holy fathers to go over to the side of the revolutionists. "If Mexico becomes an independent country,"

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they reasoned, we shall be able to make such laws as we wish for our control." A second revolution occurred. After a few battles, the Mexican patriots were victorious. An empire was formed and General Iturbide (e-toor-be'da) was made emperor.

The Republic of Mexico.- The Mexicans longed for still more freedom. But Iturbide granted nothing, his desire being to make himself absolute ruler. The empire was overthrown, and in 1824 a republic was established.

The United States. While the outlook in Mexico was dark and overshadowed by war clouds, in the land where our "bonny blue flag" waved, there were peace and prosperity. The war of 1812 was the only event. that disturbed the nation. After Louisiana became the property of Spain, a dispute arose as to the rights of Americans to navigate the Mississippi. The whole nation was aroused over the plans of Aaron Burr,3 formerly Vice President of the United States; it was thought that he would lead an expedition into Texas, press on perhaps to Mexico, conquer the country and establish a new government. These causes brought Texas prominently before the eyes of America and made it a most attractive place to daring adventurers. Settlers from every direction were pushing toward the frontier, and already some- with longing eyes were looking toward the broad prairies of Texas.

Nolan's Expedition.— In 1797, Philip Nolan 4 obtained permission from the Governor of Louisiana to enter Texas, for the purpose of getting wild horses for a Louisiana regiment. While on the trip, Nolan was keen enough to make a good map 5 of the country, and to open trade with the Indians. Meeting with success, he decided (October, 1800) to repeat the experiment,

By this time, the Spaniards began to fear that the Americans were seeing too much of Texas, and resolved to prevent Nolan's expedition. He, with about twenty companions, the most of whom were Americans, managed in spite of Spanish opposition to enter Texas, to journey as far into the interior as Waco, and to catch some three hundred mustangs. Early one morning (March 21, 1801) the little company awoke to find themselves surrounded by one hundred Spaniards under

Peter Ellis Bean

the command of Lieut. Musquiz (muskeecé). Though their guards had been seized, and some of their men had deserted, the Americans decided to fight. Nolan was soon killed." His place as commanding officer was taken by Peter Ellis Bean.8 After a desperate struggle, their ammunition being exhausted, Bean and

his men surrendered, with the understanding that they were to be returned to the United States.

Fate of Nolan's Men.- Instead of being sent back to their homes, for many long, weary years these poor men were held as prisoners in Mexico awaiting the King's decision concerning their fate. This suspense was ended (1807) by a royal decree ordering that every fifth man should be hanged and the rest sentenced to

ten years' labor. As the hardships inflicted upon them had caused the death of all but nine, the judge decided that only one man must die. The Spanish officer in charge wrote: "Having caused the nine prisoners to assemble in a room in order to draw lots, so that one of them might be executed, after they knelt I read the decree of his Majesty the King. The prisoners agreed to throw dice, and that the oldest of them should throw first, and that the one who threw the smallest number should be hanged. A drum, a crystal tumbler, and two dice were brought, and I ordered the prisoners to kneel before the drum and be blindfolded." Ephraim Blackburn threw first, and to him fell the fatal number; two days afterward (November 11, 1807) he was hanged.9

Louisiana Purchased by the United States. In 1800 Spain secretly returned Louisiana to France. Napoleon, being in great need of money, sold Louisiana, in 1803, to the United States.10 Spain objected to this; and when the Americans claimed all land east of the Rio Grande as a part of Louisiana, she grew indignant.

Neutral Ground. It soon seemed that war was certain, for Spain not only claimed Texas, but even wanted to cross the Sabine and take a part of Louisiana. At last the matter was peacefully arranged (October, 1806) by making the land between the Sabine and the Arroyo Hondo 11 (är-ro-yo'ön'dō) neutral till the boundary question should be settled.12 As in this strip of ground no law ruled, it soon became the home of criminals and desperadoes, whose occupation was robbery.

Lieutenant Augustus Magee. For nearly twelve years after Philip Nolan's death, no other American expedition came into Texas. Augustus Magee was a gifted

young lieutenant in the U. S. army, who had been stationed at Natchitoches, Louisiana, to protect Americans crossing the Neutral Ground.

Magee and Gutierres Meet. At this time the Royalists (those who preferred belonging to Spain) of Mexico were in power, Hidalgo had been defeated and the Republicans were in exile. Many of them had taken refuge in the United States and in the Neutral Ground. Having met some of the most talented of these Republicans, Magee became infatuated with the idea of freeing Texas from Spanish rule. He and Gutierres (gōō-te-ér-es),13 a noted Spanish exile, formed a plan to effect this purpose. They gained support from four classes Mexicans who lived in Texas, free-booters of the Neutral Ground, Indians and adventurous spirits in the United States.

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Preparations.- Resigning his commission in the United States army (June, 1812), Magee went to New Orleans to obtain men and supplies. Nor were men hard to obtain, for then, as now, the youth of our land were ready to enter upon any hazardous undertaking. It is said each volunteer was promised forty dollars per month and a league of land.

In the meantime Gutierres with a group of adventurers from the Neutral Ground pushed into Texas, took Nacogdoches from the Spaniards and passed on to Spanish Bluff on the Trinity. Here Magee joined him. Their combined forces, called the "Republican army of the north," numbered about eight hundred; Gutierres was made commander-in-chief, and Magee second officer, though really Magee was the ruling spirit. Most of the officers were Americans, among whom were Major Kemper, Captains Lockett, Perry, Ross and Gaines.