The Texas Republic tells the story of the settlement of early Texas from the Indian and Black settlers' point of view. Early Texas was a refuge for runaway slaves and northern Indian tribes forced south from the Great Lakes and eastern states. The eastern Cherokee, Arapaho, Ez-E-Nye, Delaware, Kick-a-Poo, and Alabama-Coushatta went there. The Cherokee found a friend in Sam Houston. As a young man he had run away from home to live with them as a member of their tribe. As a soldier, and a lawyer, he fought for the Cherokee to have land rights. When Mexico forced Texas to pay higher taxes, many could not pay and support their families. Just as the United States rebelled over paying higher taxes to England, Texas fought Mexico over an unfair tax burden. The Cherokee acted as scouts for the Texas army. The Texans fought the Mexican army's raids on their cattle and horses. Mexico's attack on Gonzales, Goliad, and the Alamo, force the Texans to take drastic measures. Sam Houston puts together an army of volunteers while the Mexican army chases the leaders of the Texas government from Galveston to east Texas, and back to the safety of waiting ships at Galveston. Sam Houston fights a decisive battle at San Jacinto capturing Santa Anna. From this battle comes the Treaty of Velasco and Texas' Independence. Santa Anna was returned back to Mexico a defeated dictator. Sam Houston becomes the first elected president of Texas. Mirabeau Lamar becomes the first vice president. Lamar's control of the Texas senate keeps Sam Houston from ratifying a treaty with the east Texas Cherokee: Chief Bowles and Chief Mush. Lamar's popularity as vice president, and his role as a cavalry leader at San Jacinto, leads him to become the next president of Texas. Lamar as president takes the opposite view of Sam Houston toward new settlements, and the rights of the Red River tribes. Lamar makes war on the east Texas Cherokee, and the Comanche at the Council House in San Antonio. Now, a terrible Indian war wages in Texas for the next two years. These prevent new settlements in Texas, allowing Mexico to renew their attacks on San Antonio. Sam Houston as the new president of Texas tries to broker a peace treaty between the Red River tribes at Grapevine Springs. This Great Council of the Red River Tribes was one of the greatest treaties made between tribes that had different languages and customs. Some tribes had little or no contact with others, so this was quite a feat to accomplish! A new battle begins within the Texas government for the true capitol of Texas. The cities of Austin and Houston fought for control of government documents. This threatened the treaty being ratified so Sam Houston has the treaty made at Bird's Fort two months later. This story tells of the Great Council and the Red Bird treaty that allowed the settlers from France, Germany, England, and some freed Blacks from the Federal States, to settle in Texas. This blend of cultures, and people make the story of Texas unique. This story is told from the eyewitness point of view. Andrew is the storyteller. He is a freed slave that comes to Texas to get a land grant when smugglers take his home in Louisiana. He comes to Texas to meet with Sam Houston a lawyer and a general in the Texas' army. Andrew learns many important lessons from life and from the Bible. Andrew tells of his life in his journal entries and drawings. Take a trip through Texas and see the people and events that made Texas, and Texans, larger than life. Enjoy the journey!
Joe L. Blevins. The Texas Republic.
Joe received the approval of Lonesome Dove Church, and its pastor,
Dr. Coy Quesenbury and his congregation to write this book. The encouragement of the Boy Scouts of America president: Mr. Milton H. Ward. Dr. Ken Steigman, curator of the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary, Incorporated, of McKinney, Texas. Also Dr. Donald Dewitt, curator of the University of Oklahoma's Historical Archives. (The Sam Houston Letter). Backed by the Sam Houston Museum of Huntsville, Texas, Dr. Patrick B. Nolan and Sam Houston IV.
Joe's family took pride in their heritage. They passed down stories of
the early days of Texas when they came here to farm as Peters' Colonists in the 1840's. Their family came from Hopkinsville, Kentucky to the newly opened Red River Settlements. The first real organized settlement, and organized church was the Lonesome Dove Church close to Dove Branch in late 1845. This was called the Cross Timbers of the Trinity River, some of the best land for farming. My close family prized these stories. I was very fortunate to hear these stories and pass them down to others who love Texas, and True Stories of early Texas. Enjoy the journey!