The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 59, July 1955 - April, 1956 Page: 57

Notes and Documents

aqrugral Address of the
South texas -istorcal Associatio
oVoweiter 6, 1954
HOBART HUSON
N DETERMINING to stress research and study of the Tamauli-
pecan background of the imperial area of present-day Texas
in which it is our privilege to live, the South Texas Historical
Association has not only embarked on a long-range historical ex-
ploration, but from its inception has assumed an international
rather than a local or regional character. If the course adopted
by it is consistently adhered to, there can be little doubt that it
must at no distant time occupy a unique, and, perhaps, authorita-
tive, position among the historical associations of North America.
The Tamaulipecan background naturally, harmoniously, and
definitely, fixes alike the geographical bounds from which its active
membership is to be drawn, as well as the area which will engross
its principal historical research. This territory may be generally
described as extending along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico
from the PAnuco River to the San Antonio and lower Guadalupe
rivers; and northward across the Rio Bravo to the Medina River,
almost within sight of Bexar, and to the west up the Rio Grande
to some indefinite point above Laredo. This vast area is literally
packed with history, the major portion of which has not been
greatly explored either in this country or in Mexico; consequently
is interesting alike to Texans and to Mexicans; thus inviting un-
limited possibilities of correspondence, collaboration, sociability,
and friendship between members of our society and members of
historical societies of our good neighbor to the south. Naturally,
we of Texas will be interested principally in the history of the
area lying above the Rio Bravo; but as much of the history is
common, the international aspect of our society is inescapable.
The Tamaulipecan background simply delimits or demarks our
historical territory, but does not limit or restrict the scope of our
historical interest within such territory. Thus we are not limited