The Texas Almanac for 1861 Page: 46
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46 TEXAS ALMANAC.
An event of some significance at the time, but of little historic importance, has
been overlooked; but slight anachronisms will be excused in a hasty compend.
Some time previous to hearing of the new attempt at invasion, the executive
received a communication from General Rusk, soliciting the appointment of a
Commander-in-Chief, and suggesting General Felix Huston for that high office.
General F. Huston had but recently come to Texas, and although an accomplished
and gallant gentleman, had no experience in war, and was but partially known to
the Government or any member of it. President Burnet therefore, with the con-
sent of the Cabinet, appointed Colonel M. B. Lamar with the rank of Major-General.
It is a somewhat singular fact that Texas never had, from the beginning of her
struggle for Independence to its termination, a single man who was sufficiently fami-
liar with the art of war to be safely intrusted with the lead of her armies. The
Government knew, at least, that Lamar would never weary the muscle and the
patience of the army, or sacrifice the country by inglorious retreats.
Gen. Lamar proceeded to the camp, then at Victoria. The rank and file at that
time consisted principally of new-comers, recruited in the United States, and of
course ignorant of the country, its citizens and its interests. Such are usually the
most plastic materials for the handicraft of demagogues. Gen. Lamar soon after
reaching head-quarters, ascertained that there was a strong faction arrayed against
him, and being himself devoid of .dissimulation and trickery, he openly addressed
himself to the army in full muster. He had not estimated the force of the under-
tow that had been secretly set in motion by the factionists. On taking the vote he
found a large majority opposed to his assuming the command. He relinquished
his pretensions and returned to Velasco. An army addicted to politics, is a little
more pernicious than a perverted pulpit-the danger is more imminent.
The Commissioners, Austin, Archer, and Wharton, returned to Texas early in
July. They had been absent several months. We have no official data by which
to ascertain the value of their fiscal operations, but they accomplished much good
by diffusing a warm and effective sympathy for Texas, throughout the populations
they visited, and indeed throughout the United States. Their return was greeted
with an universal welcome.
Some time in July, the prisoners, Santa Anna and his suite, were committed to
the charge of Capt. Patton and a competent guard from the army. They were
removed to Columbia, and from thence to Orozimbo, the plantation of the late
Dr. Phelps on the Brazos. Early in August a small schooner ascended the river,
and as the event showed, had on board one Pages, sent by the Mexican Consul at
lNew-Orleans, to effect the clandestine release of the prisoners. Happily the plot
was discovered in good season, and in consequence of it Santa Anna and his at-
tendants were put in irons. They were detained in this onerous condition until
some days after the meeting of .Congress in October, when that body requested
President Burnet to resume the charge of the distinguished captive. The Presi-
dent had then but one coadjutor in the Government, Col. Barnard E. Bee, a gen-
tleman of high character from South-Carolina, who was Secretary of State. With-
in one hour after receiving the Congressional request, an order was issued and
dispatched to have the irons stricken from the prisoners. Santa Anna remained
at Orozimbo until he was finally liberated by.President Houston, and transmitted
to Washington City. It will not be out of place to remark that the liberation of
Santa Anna at that period, could have no beneficial results to Texas, as under the
Treaty. That contract had been unhappily violated by Texas, and Santa Anna
was fully justified in regarding it as abrogated and of no moral or political obliga.
tion on his part. And the event proved, as President Burnet predicted, that his
enemies in Mexico had supplanted him in power and deprived him of all ability to
perfect his engagements with the Government of Texas, had he been disposed to
do so. On his arrival in Mexico he found it convenient to retire to his hacienda
at Mango de Clavo, where, doubtless, the recollections of his captivity and the
chafings of his iron fetters, often goaded his spirit to a burning thirst for revenge.
Flow fi th!,t thirst might have been gratified, had circumstances favored him, no
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The Texas Almanac for 1861, book, 1860; Galveston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth123767/m1/46/: accessed May 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.