La Fitte required all on the island, and captains and crews of vessels in the harbor, to take the oath of allegiance to the Mexican Eepublic; appointed a military and marine commandant, judge of admiralty, notary public, secretary of state and treasury, administrator of revenue, and mayor du place. This organization was made on board the Carrnelita, a vessel lying in the harbor, and without a seal of office. He provided for the distribution of their gains, and agreed to pay the expenses of Aury's administration, "provided they were residents."

By the close of the second year the population had increased to about one thousand. They were of all nations and languages, many of whom, fleeing with their families from justice or oppression, found refuge or employment in the prosperous colony of the pirate.

Both Spain and the United States complained of La Fitte's interference with their commerce, but neither took measures to suppress this until, in 1820, an American vessel in Matagorda Bay was seized by one of La Fitte's cruisers, robbed, and sunk in the bay. The United States Government sent a commissioner to investigate the transaction, with positive, instructions to break up the settlement.

La Fitte tried to soften the officer's rigid requirements with the greatest display of hospitality, but he was compelled to make ready his little fleet and bid final adieu to the shores of Texas in 1821.

Questions.—What noted character arrived in Galveston in 1817? Where was he from f Why had he come to this country? What was his occupation? What was the beginning of his career as pirate r What was the second step? How and by whom was this business broken up? Why did he not accept a commission in the British Navy? Who was Bean? How did La Fitte conduct himself? What did President Madison do for him? What was his next exploit' Where were his headquarters? What flag did he adopt? How did he live on the island? What did he claim? How did he organize his community? Where was this organization made? For what did he provide? What did he promise Aury? Of what classes was the population composed? What was the immediate cause of La Fitte's being driven from Galveston Island? When did this occur?

CHAPTER XV. Long's First Expedition.

The next expedition into Texas for the purpose of wresting it from Spain and making it an independent republic was led by Dr. James Long, a Tennesseean by birth, but residing in Natchez, Mississippi. He was familiar with the plans and fate of Nolan's expedition, and also of the Magee, Kemper, and Perry; but flattered himself that, profiting by what he considered their mistakes, he should succeed. Dr. Long, taking with him his wife and one child, left Natchez on the 17th of June, 1819, with seventy-five men. Others joined him on the march, among them Davenport and Gutierez, and several who had been exiled from Texas on the disastrous failure of their enterprise. They reached Nacogdoches with about three hundred men. At Nacogdoches they organized a provisional government with a supreme council, and issued a proclamation declaring Texas a "free and independent republic." They enacted liberal laws for the disposition of the public lands, and established a newspaper; and, to spread over and occupy the country, David Long, the doctor's brother, established a tradinghouse among the Indians on the lower Trinity, Captain Johnson another at the Falls of the Brazos. Captain Walker was to build a fort on the Brazos; Major Cook another at Pecan Point on Red River; while Captain Smith, who had come by water, bringing forty additional men, was ordered to the Cooshattie Village on the Trinity.

Dr. Long had sent a request to La Fitte that he would join him in his enterprise; but as La Fitte rejected the proposition of the messenger, Long determined to visit him and urge his acceptance in person. He had reached the Cooshattie village on his way, when he learned that the Royalist colonel, Perez, was advancing from the west with a large force. He immediately sent to his wife instructions to recross the Sabine into Louisiana without delay. Perez, on the 11th of October, 1819, surprised and captured Johnson and ten of his men. The remainder fled to Walker's camp oil the lower Brazos. Perez pursued, and, on the 15th, attacked them with such fury, that they abandoned everything excepting their arms, aud escaped to Smith's camp on the Trinity. David Long was killed at his trading-house on the Trinity. His men, closely pursued, escaped to Nacogdoches, when the whole population, with Long and the garrison, crossed the Sabine as speedily as possible. Colonel Perez, enraged to find the place depopulated, proceeded across the country to Smith's fort on the Trinity. Smith's force, with the refugees, amounting to seventy-five men, retreated, were pursued and overtaken. They lost several of their men in a sharp encounter, and made their escape to Bolivar Point, where they established a camp.

Questions.—Who led the next expedition into Texas? Who was he? With what was he familiar? What did he think would be of benefit to him? When did he leave Natchez? How many joined him? Who were among them? How many arrived at Nacogdoches with him r What did they accomplish at Nacogdoches? What laws did they enact? What was their plan for occupying the country? Where was Captain Smith ordered? What of Long's visit to La Fitte on Galveston Island r What tidings met him on the way? What did Perez do? What did the Americans do? What can you tell of the fate of David Long and his men? What can you tell of Smith and his men?

CHAPTER XVI.

LONG'S SECOND EXPEDITION INTO TEXAS, TAKEN PRISONER, RELEASED, AND ASSASSINATED.

Dr. Long now determined to penetrate the country from the sea coast. He coasted around from Louisiana with a few followers, and joined the men under Smith at Bolivar Point, then returned to New Orleans to secure additional aid in men and means.

Dr. Long met with encouragement from General Ripley, Colonel Christy, and other men of wealth, and also with Benjamin R. Milam, John Austin, and Don Felix Trespalacios, a patriot exile from Mexico. These last were cooperating in a plan to procure aid for the Patriot cause in Mexico. Dr. Long decided to join these men. Accordingly, with Mrs. Long and child, and the addition of a few other patriotic spirits, they embarked on three or four small vessels and lauded first at Bolivar Point.

It was agreed that Milam, Trespalacios, Christy, and others should sail down the coast, effect a landing near Tampico, and, with the patriot forces which they hoped to raise in Mexico, move north and meet Dr. Long in his march by land from Goliad. They sailed, leaving Dr. Long to complete his arrangements.*

An unfortunate affair happened about this time. Among Long's men was one Mordella, a nephew of Trespalacios, who was detected in a conspiracy against the expedition, for which he was tried and executed on the east end of Galveston Island.

When Long's preparations were completed, he left his wife, child, and negro servant woman, also Mrs. Allen, Dr. Edgar, and three other men, with a mounted cannon, small arms and ammunition, and a supply of provisions, at Bolivar.

Making his way along the coast with three small vessels

* Soon after the separation a French vessel, freighted with wines and other supplies for the Mexican trade, stranded on Galveston Island. The Carancahua Indians, numbering about two hundred, were encamped in the vicinity, and at once attacked and butchered all on board, plundering the craft, drinking the wine, and indulging in a general carousal. Long determined to chastise them. After nightfall, with thirty men, he passed over to the island in small boats and surprised them. Not daunted by the surprise, they, numbering nearly seven to one, turned upon their assailants with such fury, that Dr. Long, after losing three of his men, retreated to his boats. Thirty-two Indians were killed. He took two Indian boys prisoners.

and fifty-two men, Long debarked at Mezquit landing on the Guadalonpe River. Leaving his boats in care of Mr. Black, who was soon after killed by Indians, he marched to Goliad, and found the fort garrisoned with a small force of Royalists. After a feeble resistance they surrendered, and Long remained in peaceable possession for three days.

On the morning of the fourth day they were aroused by the reveille of the Royalists. There were about seven hundred cavalry, with four pieces of artillery, under General Perez, besides some irregular troops from the vicinity, under Rodriguez.

The first attack of the Royalists was repulsed with severe loss to the enemy, when they drew off and demanded a surrender, which was promptly declined. The second attack was more vigorous, lasting two hours, the enemy gaining the housetops, from which they fired into the fort; but the deadly effect of Long's rifles told upon every soldier who raised his head above the palisadoes. They again sounded a parley, when a messenger appeared to say that the attacking party had been misled; they were not Royalists but Patriots, and had fought under that flag to deceive a Royalist party in the vicinity.

Long was caught in this trap, and allowed himself to be persuaded to evacuate the fort, leaving his arms stacked, "to quiet the fears of the inhabitants." An escort was promised to conduct him to his comrades in Mexico, while his men remained under their care until he should indicate by express to what point he wished them sent.

The men were taken as prisoners to San Antonio (Long, Burns, and John Austin on horseback, and the men on foot), and finally sent to Monterey. In the meantime the Patriots were in the ascendant in Mexico, and in the City of Mexico Long rejoined his friends, Trespalacios, Christy, and Milam. Here they were hailed as brethren, and Trespalacios was made Governor of Texas.