Page 8A • The Vindicator • Thursday, March 28, 2013
Sam Houston Center exhibits original Turtle Bayou Resolutions The Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center in Liberty currently has the original 1832 Turtle Bayou Resolutions document on display for a limited time. The document is on loan from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission in Austin. This is the first time that the original document from the Mirabeau B. Lamar Papers has returned to Liberty County since 1832. The resolutions at Turtle Bayou were written in response to the AngloAmerican rebellion against Mexican rule in Anahuac. In 1832 the fort and port of Anahuac were in the Liberty District. The Sam Houston Center is located at 650 FM1011, open free of charge Tues.Fri. 8-5, Sat. 9-4. For further information, contact 936-336-8821 or email SamHoustonCenter@tsl. state.tx.us. The Turtle Bayou Resolutions, June 13, 1832, by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. In June 1832 a group of Anglo-American settlers staged a rebellion against Mexican rule in the town of Anahuac, near Galveston. John Davis Bradburn, a Virginia-born soldier of fortune who had become a lieutenant commander in the Mexican army, had been appointed by Mexico to establish the town two years earlier in order to collect tariffs and duties, stop smuggling, and bring unruly Texans under Mexican law. William B. Travis, a newly arrived young lawyer from Alabama, led the opposition to Bradburn and Mexican rule. Travis and his law partner started what they called a “civil militia,” supposedly to fight Indians but in reality to organize a military force that could
courtesy of the Texas State Archives
Page 1 of the 1832 Turtle Bayou Resolutions fight Bradburn and his garrison. Bradburn arrested Travis and other leaders of the opposition, leading to an armed uprising by Travis’s friends in order to free him. Travis’s friends captured some Mexican cavalrymen and held them hostage for a day in hopes of exchanging them for Travis and the others. When Bradburn ordered a counterattack against the rebels, they withdrew to an area known as Turtle Bayou, near the ranch house of James Taylor White, one of the first cattlemen in Texas. Here they released the Mexican captives and waited for reinforcements from like-minded hotheads in the Brazos settlements. While they were waiting at Turtle Bayou, the rebels drafted a set of resolutions explaining their actions. Ironically in light of later events, they identified themselves with the cause of Antonio López de Santa Anna, who was leading a
so-called reform movement against the administration that had appointed Bradburn. In the Turtle Bayou Resolutions, the rebels first articulated ideas that would become central to the Texas revolutionary movement, including allegiance to the Mexican constitution of 1824. The resolutions were published in a Brazoria newspaper in July 1832. In the meanwhile, Colonel José de las Piedras marched to Bradburn’s relief from Nacogdoches. After speaking with some of the insurgents, he decided that the situation was explosive and had been handled badly and relieved Bradburn of command. Shortly afterwards, the Anglo-Americans brought enough intimidation to bear on the Mexican garrison that Mexico decided to pack up and withdraw. The rebels had won a temporary victory.
The Document “Col Jose Antonio Mexia Sir
Having understood that the causes which impelled us to take up arms have been misrepresented, or misunderstood, we therefore make you the following representation. The Colonists of Texas have long since been convinced of the arbitrary, and unconstitutional measures, of the administration of Bustamente, as evidencedFirst By Their repeated violations of the constitution, laws, and their total disregard of the civil & political rights of the people. 2 By their fixing and establishing among us, in time of peace, military posts, the object of which totally disregarding the local civil authorities of the state, and by committing various acts, which evinced, [oppositidity?] to the true interests of the people in the enjoyment of civil liberty. 3 By the arrest of Juan Francisco Madero, the commissioner on the part of the state Government to put the inhabitants east of the River Trinity, in possession of their lands in conformity with the laws of colonization. 4 By the interposition of a military force, preventing the Alcalde of the Jurisdiction of Liberty from the exercise of his constitutional functions. 5 By appointing to the revenue department of Galveston, a man whose character for infamy had been clearly established, And made known to the Government, and whose principles were avowedly inimical to the true interest of the people of Texas. 6 By the military commandant of Anahuac, advising & procuring servants to exit the Service of their masters— offering them protection, causing them to labour for his individual benefit by force and refusing to compensate master or Servant. 7 By the imprisonment of
our citizens without lawful cause, and claiming the right of trying said citizens, by a military court, for offenses of a character alone cognizable by the civil authority, and by refusing to— deliver them over to the said authority when demanded Such Colonel Mexia are the causes which impelled us to take up our arms, and the following declarations are the legitimate offspring of our deliberations and form the basis of all the acts [.] At a large and respectable meeting of the citizens residents of the Jurisdiction of Austin & Liberty held at Turtle Bayou near Anahuac The following resolutions were reported by the committee appointed by the meeting and unanimously adopted[.] Resolved That we view with feelings of the deepest regret the manner in which the Govt of the Republic of Mexico is administered by the present dinasty [sic] —The repeated violations of the constitution—the total disregard of the laws— the entire prostration of the civil authority; and the— substitution in its stead of a military despotism, are greivances [sic] of such character, as to arouse the feelings of every freeman, and impel him to
resistance. Resolved That we view with feelings of the deepest interest, and solicitude, the firm manly resistance, which is made by the highly talented and distinguished Cheiftan [sic] — General Santa Anna, to the numberless encroachments and infractions, which have been made by the present administration, upon the Constitution and laws of our adopted and beloved country. Resolved That as freemen devoted to a correct interpretation, and enforcement of the constitution, and laws, according to their true Spirit—We pledge our lives and fortunes in support of the same, and of the distinguished leader who is now so gallantly fighting in defence of civil liberty. Resolved That the people of Texas be invited to cooperate with us in support of the principles incorporated in— 13th June 1832 The foregoing resolutions. Wyly Martin, John Austin, Luke Lessasier, William H. Jack, Hugh B. Johnston, Francis W. Johnson, Robert M. Williamson Signed the following committee on behalf of the meeting
courtesy of the Texas State Archives
Page 4 of the Turtle Bayou Resolutions
LIBERTY - DAYTON Area Chamber of Commerce For more information call 936-336-5736 or email: chamber@imsday.com
libertydaytonchamber.com
936-336-5736
Business Expo 2013 – Coming Soon! Mark your calendars to attend Business Expo 2013 Thursday, April 11 at Liberty Center, 1829 Sam Houston Street Liberty. The purpose of this event is for the businesses who participate to show what their business has to offer and for you to be able to talk one on one with them and get the answers to any questions you may have. The Expo opens at 12 noon and continues until 4 p.m. and admission is FREE. Tickets will be on sale at the entry doors for $1 each, 6 for $5. etc., to enter the drawings held during the event for door prizes donated by the exhibitors. Each exhibitor will have a door prize displayed at their booth. Choose your favorite prize(s) and drop your ticket(s) in the receptacle provided for that prize. Also, you may purchase a card as you enter to participate in the ‘Visit Every Booth’ drawing. Your card must be validated at each booth to be eligible for the drawing held near the close of the Expo for the $100 chamber gift certificate. Come early to allow plenty of time to visit each booth and speak with the exhibitors. The Expo is a fun event! In addition to the door prize drawing, exhibitors will offer information and brochures about their business and have ‘freebies’ to hand out. Exhibitors will decorate each booth with their special touch to make it as attractive as possible for the judges. Below, is the list of exhibitors to date for this year’s Expo. First Liberty National Bank, Liberty Health Care Center, Lee College Student Career Employment Office, HealthSouth-Humble, Liberty County Tax Office, Liberty County Central Appraisal District, Capital Farm Credit Federal Land Bank Association, City Florist & Gifts, Allison Funeral Service, M & M Rent All, Sour Lake Motor Company (Truckville) Liberty County Teachers Federal Credit Union, Liberty County Farm Bureau, ResCare HomeCare, Magnolia Place Health Care, Liberty Coin & Collectables, Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital, Security State Bank, Tri-County Services, Sterling Funeral Home, Hardin Grocery & Meat Market, Glamour Girls, Skeet Raggio Publishing, City of Liberty, Berkeley Eye Center, Simmons Chiropractic, Hardin Harness, The Vindicator and the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce. Sour Lake Chevrolet-(Truckville) booth: Country Music Recording Artist Mark Chesnutt will spend time during the event at the Sour Lake Chevrolet booth. Be sure to stop by and say hello to Mark! A Hospitality Room is provided for Exhibitors. Among the area businesses who have graciously donated to this room in the past are: Brookshire Brothers, Liberty; Eliza Guidry, Nora Lee Ladd, Chili’s; My Little Kitchen; Wal-Mart; Popeyes; Casa Don Boni; First Liberty National Bank, Plan to attend! This is a great opportunity to talk one on one and ask as many questions as you wish with each exhibitor. For more information contact the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce 936-336-5736 or e-mail: chamber@imsday.com,
Wal-Mart Grand Re-opening! Wal-Mart Associate Manager Kyle Zycha has announced that the Wal-Mart Supercenter #1186 located on ‘Veterans Memorial Highway (the Bypass - Liberty), will hold a Grand Re-opening at 8 a.m. Fri., March 29 (Good Friday) on the parking area of the store. There will be a brief ceremony, with - music provided by the ‘The Invincible Eagle Band’, cake and giveaways by area vendors. Solo -’The Star Spangled Banner’, followed by the prayer given by Chris Contreras - New Work Family Worship Center, Liberty. Comments by Wal-Mart SuperCenter Representatives & Liberty Mayor Carl Pickett. Everyone is invited to ‘Come & Enjoy’!
New members: Hardin Harness Carolyn Tinney, Manager/Owner 1822 CR 2060 Hull, Texas 77564 936-298-2085 www.hardinharness.com E-mail: budtin@imsday.com Trophies, plaques, awards, all types of leather goods & repairs. Saddle repair. Like ‘Hardin Harness’ on facebook.
LegalShield Curtis D. Scott, Associate 801 CR 440 Dayton, Texas 77535 832-272-7061 www.talktoanattorneytoday.com E-mail: curtisdscott@yahoo.com at yahoo.com ‘Providing outstanding legal coverage by quality law firms at an affordable price.’
Please note -Business Name change: Ameri-Tech Industries is now Spartan Structures, LLC. Mercedes Harast is manager of the business located at 2818 N. Main, Liberty. Contact her by e-mail at mercedes@spartanllc.com and visit the web site at www.spartan-llc.com. The home office for Spartan Structures, LLC is located at 1084 Hwy. 7 East, Center, Texas 75935. 936-598-6689.