in november, just before the fight at concepcion, houston, wharton, and other delegates left austin’s army to take their seats as members of the general consultation at san felipe.
branch t. archer was elected president of the consultation.
many of the members were in favor of an outright declaration of independence; but the more prudent advised against a step so decisive. a temporary government was therefore agreed upon, and a declaration of adherence to the republican constitution of mexico of 1824 was signed and sent out. this declaration also gave the reasons of the colonists for taking up arms against military despotism, and stated that “they would not cease to carry on war as long as mexican troops were within the limits of texas.”
the convention then elected henry smith governor, and james w. robinson lieutenant-governor of the provisional government. branch t. archer, william h. wharton, and stephen f. austin were appointed commissioners to the united states. houston was made commander-in-chief of the texan army “to be raised.”
sam houston, placed in so responsible a place by the consultation, was born in virginia, but removed when a child to tennessee with his widowed mother. he had a strong imperious and wayward disposition which showed itself from his early boyhood. at the age of fourteen he left home and joined a band of cherokee indians, was adopted into their tribe, learned their language, and wore their costume. in 1813 he served under jackson in the creek war; and at the battle of topo-heka,[21] he was struck in the thigh by an indian arrow; the barbed head buried itself deep in the flesh. he ordered the man by his side to pull out the arrow. after two vain attempts the man, who was the lieutenant of his company, turned away. houston drew his sword and commanded him again to draw out the arrow. “if you fail,” he declared, “i will kill you on the spot.” the arrow on the third tug came out, leaving a gaping wound. at this battle he received also two bullets in his shoulder.
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sam houston.
he became in rapid turn major-general of the tennessee militia, member of congress, and governor of his state. while he was governor, and in the full splendor of his brilliant career, he resigned his office in consequence of some private and domestic trouble, which has ever remained a secret, and took refuge among his old friends, the cherokees, with whom he dwelt for years, living the life of an indian warrior.
in 1832 he went to washington, d. c., in the interests of the cherokees, and while there was appointed special indian agent for the southwest. the same year he visited texas. at san felipe he met james bowie and went with him to san antonio to treat with the comanches. in 1833 he settled in san augustine, whence he went as a delegate to the consultation of 1835.
governor smith and his council continued in session at san felipe. they provided for the raising and equipment of an army of twelve hundred soldiers, and made arrangements for a small navy.
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in december major william ward of georgia arrived at san felipe. he was in command of three hundred newly enlisted volunteers, known as the georgia battalion. he obtained from governor smith commissions for his officers and returned to velasco where he had left his troops. thence they marched to goliad. about the same time colonel wyatt, with two companies of recruits, came from alabama; and a little later the red rovers, a company from courtland, alabama, landed at matagorda. doctor shackleford, the captain, sent a messenger to the governor to say that the red rovers placed themselves at the service of texas to remain, not for a term of three, six, or twelve months, but as long as a man was left of the company, or there was an enemy to be found on texas soil. this offer was accepted by the governor with gratitude, and the red rovers, as well as colonel wyatt’s volunteers, were ordered to report to colonel fannin at goliad.
bitter quarrels, however, soon arose between governor smith and his council and almost put a stop to all public business. governor smith was deposed, and lieutenant-governor robinson was placed at the head of affairs. finally, after providing for an election for delegates to a convention to be held at washington on the brazos march 1, the council adjourned.
about the last of march the following year (1836), the texans, to keep san felipe from falling into the hands of santa anna, set fire to it themselves. the flames spread from cabin to cabin, roaring around the hearthstones so long noted for their hospitality. they swept past the one-room building where the conventions had been held and devoured the rude, unchinked log-hut in the black-jack grove beyond, where henry stephenson had preached, and where the first sunday school had been organized; they consumed roof-tree and picket and garden-fence, so that in a few hours a heap of blackened ashes alone remained of the cradle of texas.
