A new history of Texas for schools : also for general reading and for teachers preparing themselves for examination Page: 73 of 412
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-ERA OF FILIBUSTERS.
59
What do you mean by smuggling? Why did the English want
such a man as Lafitte to become an officer in their army?
Why did Lafitte not assist Long in his expedition?
G-ive the various reasons why, 135 years after its discovery, Texas
had so few inhabitants.
SOCIAL LIFE.
While History tells of little during this era except war and deso-
lation, yet even at this date there was something of the pleasant social
life we now enjoy. In 1806, the only towns of importance in Texas
were San Antonio, numbering about 2000 inhabitants, Goliad with
1400, and Nacogdoches with 500. In spite of the dangers that con-
stantly threatened them, many excellent American families had set-
tled near Nacogdoches, and these, with the officers in the Mexican army,
formed the higher circles of society. Elaborate dinner-parties were
given, at which the conversation was bright and sparkling, the toast-
speeches witty and eloquent: toasts were always given to the King
of Spain and the President of the United States. In San Antonio
lived many descendants of aristocratic Spanish families; the army
oficers were generally men of polished manners, as they often came
from the Vice-regal Court of Mexico; the priests were men of learning
and refinement. The governor gave frequent receptions, while each
night on the public square the people met to dance, to converse, to
promenade, and to visit. Captain Pike, who (in 1805-6) was sent out
by our government on an exploring tour, reported San Antonio to be
one of the most delightful places in the Spanish colonies.
ADVENTURES 0F ELLIS P. BEAN.
Strange as some tale of the Arabian Nights is the story of the
adventures of Ellis P. Bean, who upon the death of Nolan became
leader of the Nolan Expedition. After throwing dice to see which
one should die (see topic, Fate of Nolan's Men), Bean and some of
his companions were marched, oftentimes in chains, to Mexico. On
reaching Acapulco on the Pacific coast, Bean, who was considered a
dangerous fellow, was placed in solitary confinement. Day after day
passed; Bean saw no one save the guard who brought him food, and
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Pennybacker, Anna J. Hardwicke. A new history of Texas for schools : also for general reading and for teachers preparing themselves for examination, book, 1895; Palestine, Tex.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth2388/m1/73/: accessed May 6, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.