was, under the circumstances, is of itself sufficient to repel and silence the false charges which the priests and despots of Mexico have made of the ingratitude of the Texians. In what does this ingratitude consist? I cannot see, unless it be in our enterprise and perseverance, in giving value to a country that the Mexicans considered valueless, and thus exciting their jealousy and cupidity.

"The true interpretation of this charge of ingratitude is as follows:-The Mexican government have at last discovered that the enterprising people who were induced to remove to Texas by certain promises and guaranties, have by their labors given value to Texas and its lands. An attempt is therefore now inade to take them from us and to annul all those guaranties, and we are ungrateful because we are not sufficiently docile' to submit to this usurpation and injustice as the docile' Mexicans have in other parts of the nation.

"Another interesting question which naturally occurs to every one, is, what great benefits and advantages are to result to philan thropy and religion, or to the people of these United States from the emancipation of Texas? To this we reply, that ours is most truly and emphatically the cause of liberty, which is the cause of philanthropy, of religion, of mankind; for in its train follow freedom of conscience, pure morality, enterprise, the arts and sciences, all that is dear to the noble minded and the free, all that renders life precious. On this principle, the Greeks and the Poles, and all others who have struggled for liberty, have receiv. ed the sympathies or aid of the people of the United States; on this principle the liberal party in priest-ridden Spain, is now receiving the aid of high-minded and free born Englishmen; on this same principle Texas expects to receive the sympathies and aid of their brethren, the people of the United States, and of the freemen of all nations. But the Greeks and the Poles are not parallel cases with ours--they are not the sons and daughters of Anglo-Americans. We are. We look to this happy land as to a fond mother from whose bosom we have imbibed those great principles of liberty which are now nerving us, although comparatively few in numbers and weak in resources, to contend against the whole Mexican nation in defence of our rights.

"The emancipation of Texas will extend the principles of selfgovernment, over a rich and neighboring country, and open a vast field there for enterprise, wealth, and happiness, and for those who wish to escape from the frozen blasts of a northern climate, by removing to a more congenial one. It will promote and accelerate the march of the present age, for it will open a door through which a bright and constant stream of light and in

telligence will flow from this great northern fountain over the benighted regions of Mexico.

"That nation of our continent will be regenerated; freedom of conscience and rational liberty will take root in that distant, and, by nature, much favored land, where for ages past the upas banner of the inquisition, of intolerance, and of despostism, has paralized, and sickened, and deadened every effort in favor of civil and religious liberty.

"But apart from these great principles of philanthropy, and narrowing down this question to the contracted limits of cold and prudent political calculation, a view may be taken of it, which doubtless has not escaped the penetration of the sagacious and cautious politicians of the United States. It is the great importance of Americanizing Texas, by filling it with a population from this country, who will harmonize in language, in political education, in common origin, in every thing, with their neighbors to the east and north. By this means, Texas will become a great outwork on the west, to protect the outlet of this western world, the mouths of the Mississippi, as Alabama and Florida are on the east; and to keep far away from the southwestern frontier-the weakest and most vulnerable in the nation-all enemies who might make Texas a door for invasion, or use it as a theatre from which mistaken philanthropists and wild fanatics, might attempt a system of intervention in the domestic concerns of the south, which might lead to a servile war, or at least jeopardize the tranquillity of Louisiana and the neighboring states.

"This view of the subject is a very important one, so much so that a bare allusion to it is sufficient to direct the mind to the various interests and results, immediate and remote, that are involved.

"To conclude, I have shown that our cause is just and righteous, that it is the great cause of mankind, and as such merits the approbation and moral support of this magnanimous and free people. That our object is independence, as a new republic, or to become a state of these United States; that our resources are sufficient to sustain the principles we are defending; that the results will be the promotion of the great cause of liberty, of philanthropy, and religion, and the protection of a great and important interest to the people of the United States.

"With these claims to the approbation and moral support of the free of all nations, the people of Texas have taken up arms in self-defence, and they submit their cause to the judgment of an impartial world, and to the protection of a just and omnipotent God.

CHAPTER VII.

Delegates chosen-arrival of Cos with additional troops—affair of Gonzales-beginning of hostilities-Texians proceed to San Antonio, and encamp below the town-capture of Goliad-battle of Conception-Texians make a successful assault upon the town of San Antonio-surrender of Cos-official bulletin and articles of capitulation--affair of Lepanticlan-campaign

closes.

THE intelligence brought by Austin from Mexico, far from relieving the apprehensions of the people of Texas, served only to create additional alarm, and confirm their worst fears of the designs of the Mexican chief. The few who were before incred. ulous, and who had refused to aid in preparations for the defence of the country, were now found among the foremost.

Austin entered warmly into these measures, advised to hasten the call of a general consultation, to organize a provisional gov. ernment, and devoted, promptly and without reserve, all his private resources to the service of his country.

Meetings for the choice of delegates were immediately called by the committees of safety; and the 15th of October was ap pointed for the general consultation to assemble.

The arrival of General Cos at Goliad, with four hundred additional troops, and a demand of the citizens to surrender into his hands all depots of arms, at once seemed to give a new impulse to the people, and a new direction to affairs. It "sounded the tocsin" and "lit the beacon fires." It was every where received as a signal call to use the arms whose surrender had been demanded.

In this highly excited state of public feeling, which as yet had exhibited itself only in a "burnishing of arms," and which might perhaps have subsided for the time being, if nothing had occurred to direct it to a definite point, came an appeal from the people of Gonzales, for aid against a threatened attack, for refusing to surrender a piece of ordnance, which had been demanded by order of the Mexican commandant at San Antonio; thus proving that the demand for the surrender of arms was not a vain ceremony, but was to be enforced, or at least followed up by an effort to take them. This appeal, if it had not found the torch already

in a blaze, would of itself have been sufficient to kindle the flame, in the feverish state in which it would have found the public feel. ing, at any time during the previous summer.

They needed no General now, to point to the object of the contest, nor the place of rendezvous. Gonzales was to be the "Lexington of Texas." This town is on the extreme western limit of the American settlements in Texas. It had just sprung into existence, and contained at the time some twenty or thirty log houses. The nearest American settlements were on the Colorado, distant about sixty miles. Gonzales was also a northern frontier, and the gun in controversy had been procured for its defence against the Indians. Below this, on the same' river, (Guada loupe,) was the Mexican town of Victoria, and some few scattering settlements, principally, if not exclusively, Mexican. In a north westerly direction, distant about eighty miles, is the old Spanish garrisoned-town of San Antonio, or Bexar, whence the order came for the ordnance, and whence the force must come to take it.

"As was expected, when the cannon was refused, a detachment was ordered from the Mexican garrison to come and take it, and punish the citizens of Gonzales for daring to refuse it. This de. tachment, consisting of 150 men, (cavalry,) reached the banks of the Guadaloupe, opposite Gonzales, on the evening of the 28th of September; and so promptly had the appeal of the citizens been reponded to, that on the same evening, nearly one hundred Texians, mostly from the neighborhood of Mina, on the Colorado, had collected in town (in the language of one of the number,) ready for fight. The Mexicans finding a force ready to repel them, made no attempt to cross the river.

Several conferences were held with the commandant of the detachment. He was told if he wanted the cannon, he must "come and take it." Both parties remained in their position until the evening of the second day, when the Texians resolved to cross the river, and compel them to fight, surrender, or run away. Accordingly, about one hundred crossed over, and advanced upon the enemy. At the first fire the Mexicans retreated at full speed."

The Texian force was swelled by daily arrivals, and in ten days amounted to five hundred men. Austin, who had been among the first to hasten to the spot, was chosen general by acclamation; and it was decided to march upon San Antonio, and if possible, to capture or drive out the present invaders, before others should be introduced into the country. Accordingly, on the 12th of October, they commenced their march westward, and on the sixth day afterwards, encamped in the neighborhood of the

The capture of Goliad by a little band of heroes, headed by the immortal Milam, having preceded in time any active operations against San Antonio, and having contributed largely to the complete success of the campaign, we shall here insert an account of it, and then resume our narrative. Our account is from the correspondent of the New Orleans Bulletin. It has the vigor and freshness of a first impression, and the brief episode upon Milam will be read with deep interest.

"While all eyes were directed with intense anxiety towards the military operations near Gonzales-supposing that to be the only point from whence we might expect important news—we were astonished by receiving information of the capture of the fort and town of Goliad, (La Bahia) by a party of colonists. These were volunteers from the transcendently fertile banks of the Caney and from the town of Matagorda, a place destined to become an important city.

"Before this party entered the field, most of the volunteers were at Gonzales; and fearing that the harvest of honors would be reaped before they could arrive there, they struck off from La Baca with the daring determination of taking Goliad by surprise.

"Goliad is situated on the southwest side of the San Antonio river, thirty leagues below Bexar, and it is fifteen leagues from Copano, the landing place of Aransas bay, and about the same distance from the La Baca end of Matagorda bay. The fort is built upon the point of a very steep and high hill, formed of rock, with a deep ravine upon one side, and a low prairie upon the opposite, while a broad elevated prairie extends towards the south

west.

"The walls of the fort are of stone and lime, and bear in places the marks of the storms of an hundred winters, but are still proof against any thing less than the batterings of heavy artillery.

"A long forced march brought the van-guard of the colonists to the San Antonio river fording below the town, at 11 o'clock on the night of the 9th inst. Here they halted for the main body and to make arrangements for the attack. A very small party were sent into the town, and they brought out, with the utmost secrecy, a worthy citizen friendly to the constitution of 1824; and by his assistance guides were procured, perfectly acquainted with the place.

"The main body of the colonists missed their road in the night, and before they found out their mistake, were at the upper ford, immediately opposite the town. They then struck across, for a short cut, to the position occupied by the van-guard. Their route led through a muskeet thicket. The muskeet is a tree of