Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/884685
the United States government. 2 It was an odd combination of political enemies. Austin (fig. 2), originally from Missouri, was known as "the father of Texas." In the 1820s he had obtained permis- sion from Mexico to introduce the first 300 Anglo set- tlers into the territory as an "empresario." In 1835, he was a member of what was deemed the "Peace Party," which sought to maintain a working relationship with the Mexican government. Wharton (fig. 3), from Nashville, Tennessee, arrived in Texas in 1827. He soon thereafter married Sarah Ann Groce, the daughter of the richest man in Texas. For a wedding present her father gave the couple a 16,000- acre plantation in Brazoria County. He was a prominent member of the so-called "War Party," which had given up getting along with Mexico. Branch Archer, a Virginian, was a graduate of the College of William and Mary and had a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He came to Texas in 1831 after killing a cousin in a duel. 3 Austin thought that Archer was "wild in his politics" but he especially despised Wharton, who he believed lacked political integrity. "Associated with such men," he complained, "what have I to expect? Or what has the country to hope?" Wharton reciprocated in his con- tempt for Austin. The empresario, Wharton publicly stated, combined "disgusting self conceit—arrogant dictation, and … inconsistent stupidity." 4 Yet, united by their common mission, they became close friends on the voyage from Velasco, on the Texas Gulf Coast, to New Orleans. Austin wrote home that Dr. Archer was a "noble fellow" and he and Wharton were on the "best terms." Their earlier conflict, he said, was simply due to misunderstandings. 5 As they made their way to Washington, the commis- sioners spoke to enthusiastic crowds in New Orleans, Nashville, and Louisville, while dramatic events occurred back home. Texas declared independence on 2 March 1836. Just over one week earlier, Mexican Gen- eral Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna led an army of 5,000 men into San Antonio and raised a red flag on the tower of the San Fernando church, signifying that no quarter would be given to the 200 Texan rebels who had occu- pied the Alamo mission. The Alamo fell on 6 March, and the few who sur- vived the battle were executed. Three weeks later, on 27 March, 400 Texan troops surrendered to a superior Mexican force at Goliad and were executed by order of Santa Anna. Then, at San Jacinto, on 21 April, amid shouts of "Remember the Alamo" and "Remember Goliad," Sam Houston's army inflicted a stunning defeat on Santa Anna's army, killing 650 Mexican soldiers and taking 300 prisoners. Santa Anna fled the field dressed in the uniform of a private, but was recognized and taken prisoner. The Mexican leader signed two treaties, one public and one secret, at Velasco on 14 May 1836. In the public treaty Santa Anna agreed to withdraw Mexican forces beyond the Rio Grande and not to take up arms against Texas again. In the secret treaty he promised to "so prepare matters" in Mexico that Texas independence would be recognized. In exchange the Mexican leader would be freed and returned to Mexico. Many wanted to execute the Mexican leader, but President David Burnet objected that Santa Anna dead was no more than "Tom, Dick, or Harry," but alive he might be of some use to Texas. Fig. 3. William H. Wharton (c. 1850) 38 THE CAPITOL DOME