NOTES AND FRAGMENTS.

The History Club of San Antonio.—This club was organized in 1896. It has been far beyond the average in the interest and success attendant on its work. The attractive little booklet issued as its Calendar for 1903-1904 shows that the work of the Club this year is to be mainly in English history prior to the Norman Conquest. Two meetings will be given to Texas history. The membership of the club is limited to thirty. The officers for the current year are Mrs. George R. Gillette, president; Mrs. George W. West, first vice president; Mrs. Robert B. Green, second vice president; Mrs. William Negley, third vice president; Miss Jennie Lupton, recording secretary; Mrs. J. Townsend Woodhull, corresponding secretary; Miss Bessie Newton, treasurer; Mrs. John V. Spring, historian; Miss Maud Long, librarian; Mrs. L. B. Clegg, auditor.

A Description of Texas in 1845.—Mr. Horace E. Wilson of Junction, Kimble county, has in his possession a sheet from the Illustrated London News of January 4, 1845, containing a brief description of Texas, illustrated with engravings of Houston (incorrectly called the capital) and Galveston, and of “A Review of Texan Troops.” The review is evidently a sketch from fancy little informed by observation. The engravings of Houston and Galveston have been submitted to ex-Governor Lubbock, who knew the cities well at that time, and there is no feature that he can recognize.

The description shows some knowledge and considerable ignorance of Texas. The English attitude appears in the following quotation: “One of the noblest acts of Lord Palmerston's policy was the Texan treaty, and we are of opinion it should be defended equally against the superstitions of the Spanish Mexicans, and the cupidity of American speculators.”

Austin's Map.—Captain Martin M. Kenney contributes the following translation of the letter sent with the map to Political Chief Ramón Musquiz for transmission to Governor Viesca of the State of Coahuila and Texas, and ultimately to President Guerrero. The translation was made from a copy of the letter which is now preserved in the General Land Office, and which was doubtless at one time in the Bexar Archives:

I transmit to his excellency the governor of the State through your hands my original map of Texas accompanied with some notes, to be sent by the governor to his excellency the president through the hands of his excellency the secretary of the treasury, Don Lorenzo Zavala, to whom I have given information of having sent the map by the hands indicated. I have devoted much labor to making this map. It is all original with the exception of the observations of his excellency General Terán noted at the foot of the map. There was no map nor plan of Texas to serve as a guide for me, and if it is not exact in all particulars, that is to be attributed to the infinite difficulties which impede the acquisition of data relative to a country so extensive and destitute of population as Texas is. I can recommend the map for general exactness, and I believe that the southern part and that joining on Louisiana and Arkansas are very exact in their details. There may be some mistakes on the heads of the Brazos and Trinity rivers on account of its being very difficult to obtain data for those distant and little known countries. I perform this service to my adopted country in deference to the duty of a citizen and in case that his excellency the president should esteem it proper to command the map to be engraved and published I grant to the national government for that purpose all the right to the map which belongs to me by the law as its author.

God and Liberty. Town of Austin, 23rd of July, 1829.

Stephen F. Austin.  To citizen Ramón Musquiz, chief of the department of Bexar.

“The Frankness of a Soldier.”—Considering the nature of Mexican methods of warfare as they had revealed themselves to the experience of the Texans, and remembering the unpleasant and untrustful relations existing between Texas and Mexico at the time when the letter which is printed below was written, one must regard it as a most unique document. Whether the assumption that characterizes it is hypocritical or simply childishly naive is a little difficult to determine.

Head Quarters of the Army of the North.  Office of the Commanding General.  Lampazos [Mexico], 21st April 21st, 1841.

(Confidential.)  To Mr. Mirabeau Lamar  Sir 

In that spirit of confidence, usual amongst men of honour, I address you this communication, which will be handed you by Dr. Rafael Uribe, despatched by me, for the purpose.

The Indians ferocious and sanguinary and perfectly faithless, should be driven beyond the bounds of civilization, and to effect this, a force will soon move from the banks of the Rio Bravo.

At the present time War should be carried on, with a frankness and gentlemanly generosity, compatible with the customs and civilizations, to which fortunately both men and Nations have arrived in this age.

Therefore, in accordance with these maxims, I make known to you, with the frankness of a soldier, and with that noble conduct, which should govern all hostilities that the expedition has not in view, as might be supposed, a surprise upon those Colonies, but simply to chastise the ferocious enemies of humanity. This expedition will not commit any acts, which will injure any of the inhabitants or citizens of the country, through which it may pass.

This communication must only be interpreted as a manifestation of the anxiety I entertain, for the success of the campaign against the Indians; and not as a suspension of hostilities between us.

Our difficulties, originating, since those colonies declared their pretensions to Independence, will be settled at some better time, either by the force of reason and judgment, or if that fail, upon the field of battle.

I am, sir, your most humble servant  (Signed) Mariano Arista. ²⁰⁹