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The Texas Republic

by Joe L. Blevins

317 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); with black and white and color illustrations; catalogue #01-0542; ISBN 1-55369-140-7; US$38.00, C$44.00, EUR31.50, £22.00

The Texas Republic tells the true stories of Sam Houston as he led the struggle for Texas' Independence from Mexico's rule. See the story from the viewpoint of Andrew, a freed slave that fought for land of his own.

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About the Book

About the Author

Excerpts/Table of Contents

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About the Book

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.

www.thetexasrepublic.homestead.com

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About the Author

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!

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Sample Excerpts and Table of Contents

PREFACE

The TEXAS REPUBLIC tells the history of early Texas. As a Republic, it grew by leaps and bounds by the Peter's Colony settlements. These were possible by the Red Bird Treaty made by General Sam Houston, and the Red River tribes in September 1843. This is the story of how this treaty came about. The story is told from the point of view of Andrew, a freed Black man from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Andrew learned to read by copying the alphabet from an old Bible he found. He started writing a journal to keep track of the crops he raised. In time it told of the events in his life. Andrew wrote about his freedom, his move to Texas when smugglers took his home as a hideout. He tells of his trip to Nacogdoches to meet with a lawyer, General Sam Houston, also the head of the Texas Army. Andrew signs up for the land grants in east Texas. He must serve two years as a soldier to get his land grant. He must see if a freed man can own land in Texas. There was a dispute pending in the Nacogdoches. Circuit Judge Ellis B. Thomas held a hearing for William Goyens, a freed man that traded horses with the Cherokees. He is having trouble with his neighbor over water rights. His status as a land owner was in question. Andrew's hearing came at a good time because William Goyens won his case to keep his neighbor from damming up the water to his land. Andrew's case was passed because he has a Freed man's letter stating that he belongs to himself, and God. Sam Houston represents Andrew. Andrew gets a map of the land grants to go to east Texas to put up a cabin on his land. Sam Houston gives him six weeks to put up a cabin since winter is soon to come. He is then to report to Nacogdoches for military duty. He will be a citizen-soldier for two years to get his land grant. On his way to the land grants, robbers attack them at night. His wife Delephine is killed . Andrew is badly wounded. He hides in some brush until daylight. Some Cherokees on a hunting party find him. They first think that he is their friend, William Goyens. They then tend to his wounds, and they take him in as a member of their tribe, since he has no tribe of his own. William Goyens comes to the Cherokees to trade horses, and he meets with Andrew again. He explains to Andrew that the Cherokee want him as a part of their tribe. From now on his life will never be the same. The Mexican army invades Texas to take horses and cattle for their use. General Sam Houston asks the Cherokees to act as scouts for the Texas Army. Andrew is now in the army as a scout. His new wife Say-te-Qua, and family make him determined to protect his home from the Mexican army. His faith in God pulls Andrew through the tough times ahead. His path leads him into the heat of the San Jacinto battle, and Texas Independence. Each time you read the TEXAS REPUBLIC, You will learn of the people, and events that made Texas great.
Joe Lesley Blevins.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1. "Life in Louisiana, and Texas." Pages 14-35.
Chapter 2. "The Road to Goliad, and San Jacinto." Pages 36-49.
Chapter 3. "The Battle of San Jacinto." Pages 50-62.
Chapter 4. "The Texas Constitution survives the first Year," Page 63-82.
Chapter 5. "The Kick-a-Poo meet for the Summer Solstice Celebration." Pages 83-123.
Chapter 6. " The Texas' capitol moves from Houston City to Austin." Pages 124-140.
Chapter 7. " The Garlic and Onions are Harvested." Pages 141- 166.
Chapter 8. " The Red River Tribes meet for the Great Council." Pages 167-206.
Chapter 9. " Chief Coyote Scouts for Commander Jacob Snively." Pages 207-249.
Chapter 10. "The U.S. Talk for Texas' Annexation Fails." Pages 250-279.
Chapter 11. " The Winter Count, March 1845." Pages 280-312.
Bonus: "The new map of the Red River settlements, 1845." Page 313.
"The room in the cabin," Color plate one. Page 316.
"Portrait of General Sam Houston," Color plate two. Page 318.
Portrait of Say-te-Qua, "Morning Star." Color plate three. Page 320.
"The Flags of the Texas Republic to statehood." Color plate four. Page 322.
"Radish and her colt." Color plate five. Page 324.
"President Sam Houston's letter Caddo Chief Bintah. Color plate six. Page 326.
Glossary of Unfamiliar Texan Terms. Pages 328-337.
Acknowledgements for The Texas Republic. Page 338.

TABLE OF ILLUSTRATIONS:
Page 15- Mr. Jeremy's new rifle. Plate #1.
Page 17- The Room in the Cabin. Plate # 2.
Page 20- Picture of Delephine. Plate # 3.
Page 22- The Plowman. Plate #4.
Page 25- Map from General Houston. Land Grants. Plate # 5.
Page 27-Trail and Camp Markers. Plate #6.
Page 31-Portrait of Chief Walking Stick. Plate # 7.
Page 37- Horses for a Bride. Plate # 8.
Page 40- Say-te-Qua , "Morningstar". Plate # 9.
Page 59- Portrait of President Sam Houston. Plate #10.
Page 65-. OUR COMMANDER, Colonel Stephen F. Austin. Plate #11.
Page 68- Eagle's Eye View of the San Jacinto Battle. Plate #12.
Page 72- Our Commander Captain William Goyens. Plate #13.
Page 76- Our New Cabin, at Mosier Valley. Plate #14.
Page 89- Our First Born, Josiah. Plate #15.
Page 91- Doctor Anson Jones. Plate #16.
Page 93- Prickly Pear fruits, and Mesquite Beans. Plate #17.
Page 95- Ke-Ke, "Happy Bird," Plate #18.
Page 101-Cherokee Chief Bowles. "The Bowl," Plate #19.
Page 107- Kick-A-Poo Chief Blanco Coyote. "White Coyote," Plate # 20.
Page 108 ŠThe Kick-a-Poo Traders, Plate #21.
Page 114- Indian Signs. Plate # 22.
Page 123-Say-te-Qua's Dream of the African Queens. Plate #23.
Page 130- The Storm at Bird's Fort. Plate #24.
Page 135-The Wind Mill. Plate #25.
Page 150- The CAPTURED Kiowa Leader BUFFALO HUMP. Plate #26.
Page 161-The Cross Formation, The Leaders of San Jacinto. Plate #27.
Page 168- The Fish on the Bank. Plate #28.
Page 175- The Map of the Texas' Forts. ( one page map.) Plate #29.
Page 184-The New Map of the Texas Republic, Top half, Plate #30
Page 185-The New Map of the Texas Republic, Bottom half, Plate # 31
Page 187-The Meeting at the Caddo's Bent Tree, Plate # 32
Page 188- Ke-Ke and Red Bird resting in the shade, Plate #33
Page 191 - General Summervelle's Troops, Plate #34
Page 195- Captain John Elliot, and Georgia, Plate #35
Page 199- Red Sun, the Kick-a-Poo Chief. Plate # 36
Page 200- Black Bear, Cherokee warrior. Plate # 37.
Page 203-The White Buffalo. Plate #38.
Page 215 -Portrait of Chief Bintah, reading the letter from President Houston, Plate #39
Page 216- Letter to Chief Bintah, from President Houston. A real letter. Plate #40
Page 220-Natchitoches, and Nacogdoches. (Nack-A-dish, and Nack-A-Doches.) Plate # 41
Page 230-Nadarka Chief, Lone Oak. Plate #42
Page 231- The Eagle Dancers, The Ez-E-Nye Tribe. Plate #43
Page 232- San-See, the Elder, Cherokee, Medicine Chief. Plate # 44
Page 233-The Magic Circle. The tribes meeting at Grapevine Springs.Plate #45
Page 239-Big Stars, and Stone Hand, 2 Tawakoni Chiefs. Plate #46
Page 242-President Sam Houston speaks with the Kiowa Chief To-ha-sa, "Little Mountain," Plate #47.
Page 243-Kick-a-Poo Chief Red Sun does the Buffalo Dance, Plate #48
Page 244- President Sam Houston talking to the Great Council, holding Chief Bowles' Talking Stick." Plate # 49.
Page 251-Drawing of the new stock of Long Horn Cattle. Plate #50
Page 252-Comanche Chief Peta Nacona, Plate #51.
Page 260-Our church at Mosier Valley. Plate #52.
Page 263-Mirabeau B. Lamar, and Vice President Edward Burleson, Plate #53
Page 266- Josiah, Phoebe, and Say-te-Qua. Plate # 54.
Page 288 - Phoebe's First Winter Count, 1845. Plate # 55.
Page 313- Doctor Anson Jones at Austin. Texas becomes the 28th State. Plate #56.
Page 316-The Warrior Stand of Arco-Ear-is. "The Rainbow." Plate # 57.
Page 318-"The New Dove Map." The 1845 map of the Red River settlements. Plate #58.
Page 326- The Flags of the Texas Republic to Statehood. Color Plate # 59.
Copyright 2001. Text, and Illustrations by Joe Lesley Blevins.

EXCERPT

After San Jacinto things have been so different! The people that have badmouthed us so terrible in past are now praising us like we could do no wrong! The members of the temporary government have sent their messenger to tell us that David Burnet has been named to be the temporary president until there could be an election. Then they praise us for our victory over Santa Anna's splintered army. There was a roster of wounded and dead from the Alamo, and Goliad battles added to the names of those killed at San Jacinto. Letters are being written to their families praising them for their bravery and valor in protecting Texas from being taken back by Mexico. General Houston was praised most of all for his bravery, and wisdom in leading the Texans against great odds with the battle against the Matamoros, and Guerrero Battalions!

Doctor Anson Jones consulted with Doctor Branch T. Archer. They recommended that General Houston take the next ship to New Orleans. He is to have his right leg fixed by a surgeon that had a better hospital, and more skill. General Houston has suffered with terrible pain, and head aches since his horse Star was shot out from under him. The fall from his horse did not help him any, as did his leg from that rifle ball strike. General Sam was relieved from command by General Rusk. He was happy to be relieved from the burden of command for a while. We went into his tent and welcomed him with some fresh corncakes that the women had made today. He was pleased to see us and he showed us what project that he was working on. He unrolled a number of maps to show us the progress being made with the Republic Road. He was in a sunny mood talking about the first graded road going from Waco to the Red River! He said that this road was the first real sign of progress. He said that making Texas a good place to live was going to take some real work, and a great deal of planning. We have our work cut out for us to make some progress here! All these people that have came here too late to fight need to be kept busy so they will not add to our problems! The people that arrived so late have a great deal of energy that needs to be put to some good use. We need some relief, for we are still weary from all the stress of battle, even before the fight. General Sam asked if I would ride with him to Galveston. He was in a talking mood, so I told him that I would go. I told Red Bird that I was going to ride with General Houston to Galveston. He sent word back home so the wife would not worry too much. He said that they would have her stay with them while I was gone. He will keep an eye on things, and keep some of my chores caught up, so I would not be too far behind on things. We left at sunrise with General Sam. His wagon was made special with springs that make the rough roads not so terrible as a regular wagon would. We stopped the wagon every 10 miles to rest the horses. We found a cool watering hole to rest by during the hot time of day. During our rest General Sam unrolled a big map of east Texas. He says that he feels that the Trinity River could be used as a trade route as the Caddo and Cherokee Nations have done for over 100 years. Deaf Smith has spent the past week on Lake Caddo, and Cypress Bayou looking for a boat route to the Red, and Mississippi Rivers! This could be a quick way to get goods from the Federal States of the North if war was to break out again! We hope that would never happen, but who knows what the future hold for us here! We want to be prepared for war in case it comes back again. General Sam has many plans for the future. We asked him if he has plans to run for president of Texas. He smiles his friendly smile, and he says that he will have to see how his health is doing when he gets back from New Orleans a month from now. He says that he is amazed by the number of people that have come here since Mexico has backed down from attacking us for the time being. General Sam was tired and short tempered with the new men that have come here. He said, "Where were all these people when we needed them, a few months ago?" I said for him to not blame himself for those that died at the Alamo, and Goliad! We won our fight against Santa Anna! General Cos was not able to muster his forces against us after we defeated him. We have achieved peace in Texas. General Sam said that we cannot let our guard down until Mexico accepts our peace treaty, and sees us as independent from them. Until then, General Cos can come back to plague us looking for revenge for San Jacinto! General Sam said, "General Cos might be the least of our problems! I will have to run for president. I pray to be healed, so I can get off on the right foot in dealing with our growing pains. If our government goes broke, we will have even bigger problems! Our tax burden from Mexico has just about broke those that have tried to make a living farming. That is why so many Mexicans joined the Tejanos in our fight against Santa Anna. We need people that are determined to fight like they do! We all have a stake in our Independence." We set back to riding. We will reach Port Galveston by nightfall. It is a busy place full of ships, and people.

Tonight we read: AMOS, Chapter 3. "God's Discipline shows His Love."

May 1,1836. General Houston gets ready to leave Galveston for New Orleans. This morning there was a large crowd of people gathered to see General Sam off. Waiting here were a large group of over 100 men that have just arrived on the ship called the Brutus. General Sam limped about sizing up the group of men. These men came to Texas looking for a fight. General Sam told them to get behind a plow, and help gather all the loose livestock, and horses together. A few of the men mocked General Houston. He stayed very calm. He told them to do as he asks for this is the best way to help us! The men said that they were looking for something more exciting than rounding up a herd of someone else's cows. They could have stayed home and done the same thing. General Houston said, "if you men are not helping us you would just be hindering us by being in the way. Strangers here with nothing to do will just have time on their hands to get into trouble! If the men have come here to get land grants they will need to learn to take orders, for land grants require three years service in the army!" The men listened to reason realizing that General Sam was right. Commander Fannin came up about that time to make a duty roster for the new men to follow. We wished General Sam well, and parted company with Commander Fannin's new troops. The new men got signed up. We traveled back to San Jacinto. The trip back went fast from all the company we have. We are to go to Groce's Plantation to take the new men to their training. We have a tough row to hoe!

Tonight, we read: DEUTERONOMY, Chapter 6, Verse 5. "The Great Commandment."

May 12, 1836. David Burnet, the President of the Temporary Government has come to draw up the Mexican peace treaty. He is to go to Velasco tomorrow, after reviewing the new troops. Secretary of War William Rusk officially takes the reins of command from General Houston while he recovers in New Orleans. A petition signed by 2,500 men is brought before President Burnet. He is alarmed, and he reads the petition out loud. The men are demanding that General Rusk to take revenge for all the lives that have been lost at the hands of Santa Anna, and Cos. The men also demand that Santa Anna be executed for war crimes done for executing the soldiers that surrendered at Goliad, and at the Alamo. Santa Anna is to sign the treaty, we heard.

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Catalogue Information

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