Wednesday, March 28th, 1838. Arrived at Galveston in the Schooner Johannes, about noon, after a smooth voyage from New Orleans. No horrors of seasickness. Find a good harbor and a beautiful bay. Galveston is a very small town, but likely to grow owing to its location. Met with Judge Underwood and Colonol [P. W.] Grayson, both from Kentucky, the latter from Bardstown, from whom I received marked attention, and to whom I owe lasting gratitude.
Friday, March 30th. Left Galveston on the S. B. Friend, with a number of passengers from Houston. Passed San Jacinto Battle Ground, of which we had a good view from the deck of the steamer. Met on board Prof. Yates of Union College, New York, a very pleasant gentleman.
Saturday, March 31st. Arrived at Houston at 8 a. m. Delivered letters, took lodgings at Madam Milon's. Had a sofa for a bed. Made several agreeable acquaintances.
Sabbath, April 1st. Preached three times this day in the Capitol to large and respectful audiences. There had been no preaching for a long time.
Monday, April 2nd. Met the Misses Humphries, old Kentucky acquaintances. Removed my quarters to Woodruff's near the old graveyard. Mr. W. is a Baptist brother, and I boarded with him for some time, he charging me only half price. Several members of Congress were fellow boarders: General Burleson of the number and W. Fairfax Gray, Clerk of the Senate.
Sabbath, April 8th. Preached twice in the Capitol to good congregations. About 1 p. m., much noise, firing of cannon and parade, on the occasion of the arrival of General Houston, President of the Republic.
Monday, April 9th. Solemnized a marriage of Col. E. A. Rhoades of New Orleans, and Mrs. Mary W. Driggs, of this City. Only two gentlemen present as witnesses. My first marriage ceremony in Texas. Members of Congress arriving, introduced to several of them.
Tuesday, April 10th. Introduced to President Houston; found him very courteous. A princely looking man. The Presidential Mansion a very unpretentious cottage. Took tea with Mr. Sanderson and family.
Wednesday, April 11th. Invited to officiate temporarily as Chaplain of the Senate, Lamar presiding. Offered prayer at the opening of the session. (This was the adjourned session of the first [second] Congress.) Witnessed the conclusion of a treaty, at the President's house, between the Republic and several chiefs of the Tonkaway Indians. The President in full military uniform, several officers of state, about ten chiefs, and a number of spectators, present. The articles of the treaty were read to the chiefs in the Mexican language, Welshmeyer interpreting, to which three chiefs attached their marks, several officers and spectators present also signed it as witnesses. After the formalities, General Houston made a speech to the Indians, a good deal, I suppose, like most talks to Indians on similar occasions. Then, one of the chiefs made a talk; some of the chiefs had but little clothing; all had painted faces. They seemed awkward with pen.
Saturday, April 14th. An address to both Houses of Congress by General Houston, at the close of which a fight in front of the Capitol and a murder in the afternoon, in a saloon. The murderer and murdered both heroes of San Jacinto,—rum's doings.
Sabbath, April 15th. Three services today. Rev. Littleton Fowler, Chaplain of the House, preached twice: preached at 7:30 p. m.; text, Deut. 7:9-10, God faithful and covenant keeping, etc More freedom than usual in speaking.
Monday, April 16th. Met Lieut. Tod, late of the United States Navy, afterwards superintended the building of the five war schooners of the Texas Navy. He is a Presbyterian. I knew his father's family in Kentucky: good people.
One of the rioters of Saturday, Mr. L., brought to the bar of the Senate, charged, heard and acquitted. The other, Col. W., arraigned in the afternoon, and reprimanded by Vice-President Lamar. The Col. seemed quite indignant at the proceedings of the Senate. O tempora! etc.
Wednesday, April 18th. Attended the funeral of Mr. Doby, late of Virginia, a merchant of this city. Funeral at Harrisburg: Chaplain Fowler preached. I followed with a few remarks. Mr. D. was a young man much respected.
Friday, April 20th. Was elected Chaplain of the House of Representatives; competitors, an Episcopal clergyman, and a Catholic priest of infamous character.
Sabbath, April 22nd. Three services today: first, by Brother Alexander of Mississippi, of the M. E. Church; second, by myself; and third, by Chaplain Fowler. Good congregations.
Tuesday, April 24th. Commenced a sermon on Is. 12:21 “Produce your cause.”
Wednesday, April 25th. Finished the sermon. Met with Bro. Ralls, a Cumberland Presbyterian, from Louisiana. The brothers, James and Clark Owen, and self took tea with the Humphries, all of us Kentuckians and old acquaintances.
Sabbath, April 29th. A shower, thunder and lightening. Preached from Mal. 3:16-17: considerable liberty in speaking on the duty and encouragements of Christian conversation. Preached in the evening from Is. 41:21.
Tuesday, May 3rd, 1838. After service in the House of Representatives, called on Mrs. Bee, a lady from Charleston, S. C., late of Pendleton. Found her an interesting, intelligent, and pious lady, a subject of recent severe domestic affliction. What a charm does unaustentatious piety throw around the character of an accomplished woman. Then, we behold religion in its loveliness and woman in her loveliness, when the hand of God is recognized as the hand of a father, sanctifying bereavement.
At 8 p. m., went to the Hall to hear a Bro. Campbell, of the M. E. Church, but had to preach myself. Preached from Acts 9:6.
Last night sat up late writing a communication to the Western Presbyterian Herald on the prospects and condition of Texas.
Friday, May 4th. Saw many members of Congress, President Houston and Bowles, a famous Cherokee chief, embark on the steamer Friend for Galveston. Fear they will not do much honor to the country by such a visit under such circumstances.
Sabbath, May 6th. Met the friends and children of a proposed Sabbath School, at 9 a. m. Took the names of the children and addressed them and their friends on the importance of such an institution. Encouraged by the prospect of success.
At 10 a. m., a sermon by Bro. Campbell of the M. E. Church, a newly arrived missionary for this new field. May he have come in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ, and be abundantly blessed in his efforts to honor the Master and benefit souls.
At 8 p. m. preached to a large and very attentive audience from 2 Cor. 11:15, a solemn subject. How little do I feel its importance! Lord what is man? Pardon my unworthiness, and bless thy truth!
May 7th, 1838. My 33rd birthday, and what, though I am in a strange land and among strangers, yet am I not led by the same hand that has always led me! Am I not still among the children of my father, many of them wayward, but may I not hope that even here among these scattered ones the Lord has much people, whom in due time He will bring into the fold of the good Shepherd, and may I be the means of recalling some of them to the care of the Shepherd and Bishop of Souls! In looking over the last as well as former years, may I well say “Bless the Lord, O my soul!”
Thursday, May 10th. Preached in the Hall, at 8 p. m., from Ps. 84:11. Remained awhile to practice sacred music.
Friday, May 11th. A company met to spend an hour in singing, apparently interested. Hope it will do good if kept up.
Saturday, May 12th. Called at an early hour, by Mr. B. to go and see a dying woman. Found her revived, but to all appearance she had been and was still near to death and judgment. She seemed utterly unprepared; no sense of sin or of danger from the justice and holiness of God. Of course, no perception of the character of the Savior. Oh! It is a sad thought that the first impressions of these great truths might have been and probably will be flashed into her soul by the light of eternity. Oh! Immortal spirit! Whither goest thou without the light of the glorious Gospel: to happiness or misery, or annihilation? Who can tell without the Bible? And she does not profess to believe the Bible. Conversed a short time with her about the danger of being deceived, and the importance of religion in affliction, especially in a dying hour, with but little apparent effect. Said she had never done any harm, had never been very wild, showing that she knew nothing of “the plague of her heart.” Prayed with her, I fear with little faith. She seemed thankful for my call. May the spirit of life quicken and enlighten her dark mind!
9 p. m. The above prayer I find to have been for the dead. The woman died about the time the above was written.
Thursday, May 17th. Preached at 8 p. m. to a large audience in the Hall from 2 Sam'l, 17:14, not much liberty.
May 18th. p. m. Met with a few persons to sing, many spectators At the close, a young man, a Mr. M., from Boston, living twenty miles in the country introduced himself; had not heard a sermon until last evening, since he came to the country last summer, an Episcopalian.
Sabbath, May 20th. Attended Sabbath School, which had been organized the previous Sabbath, the 13th of May, 1838,—probably the first Sabbath School ever organized in Texas. It was “a day of small things.” The school was commenced with twenty-six pupils, with few books, very miscellaneous, and a few teachers extemporized. (Nineteen years afterward there were six schools some of them large.)
On this second Sabbath a few new scholars, few teachers. At 10 a. m., preaching by Chaplain Fowler on the resurrection of Christ; a glorious theme and well managed. If Christ be not raised our faith is vain, we are yet in our sins, for then there is no satisfaction for our sins on which we can rely. But one service today, more rain today and tonight than I have seen in Texas.
S. S. Barnett accosted me, a tergo, in the street yesterday; an old friend and fellow student in Centre College. Spent but little time with him, as he was hurrying home to Kentucky. Was informed, later in the evening, of the sickness of a Mr. Brent, of Virginia; promised to call upon him in the morning.
Monday, May 21st. Called to see Mr. B., about 12 m.; found only the lifeless body. He had died during the night. Seemed much emaciated. Don't know what were his principles or habits. I went to see a sick man, hoping to do something for his soul. his spirit had fled, the clay only was left. He died in a poor dirty hospital in Texas. He was of the Lees of Virginia. “God is no respecter of persons.”
Thursday, May 24th. The first [second] Congress of the Republic adjourned today, at 1 p. m., after an address by President Houston. Hall crowded. A good address; spoke severely of the treatment of the Indians, the severity of truth. Received for services as Chaplain $180.00 promissory notes.
Friday, May 25th. Members of Congress scattering, among them my fellow boarders, General Burleson, Anson Jones and Wharton.
Performed funeral service at the interment of one Rogers, a Cherokee half-breed, who died in the city after a short illness, a large man, said to have been quite intelligent.
Saturday, May 26th. This day about thirty Comanche Indians came into town, a delegation from their tribe to make a treaty with Texas. There were men and squaws and young children; all rode astride; generally very dirty and ill-looking. They paraded in some state before the President's mansion.
Sabbath, May 27th. Preached three times in the Capitol.
May 28th. Visited the camp of the Comanches near the city; saw the pipe of peace smoked by a Comanche and Cushatta Chief; the pipe was smoked, the ashes deposited with due ceremony, and ribs of roast beef brought on and passed around, the members of the Council each cutting off a bite. In the mean time two fat squaws were occupied looking at each other's heads and—bah!
Wednesday, May 30th. Took passage on the S. B. Friend for Galveston, where I had landed more than two months previous. A pleasant company; tremendous rains soon after leaving Houston; no special incident on the way down.
Thursday, May 31st. Arrived at Galveston about 9 a. m.; received with much courtesy by the Commandants of the Navy and the Navy Yard; entertained by them and invited to preach in a room connected with the Navy Yard; sea breeze delightful also the bathing in the Gulf.
Friday, June 1st, 1838. Read part of the life of John Newton.
Sabbath, June 3rd. Preached at the Navy Yard, 10:30 a. m.; said to have been the second Protestant sermon ever preached on the Island. At 5 p. m. preached on the old war brig Potomac, and at 8 p. m. at the Navy Yard—a good congregation in the morning. Considerable interest manifested by some to have regular preaching. Nearly devoured by mosquitoes at night.
Tuesday, June 5th. Returned to Houston at 7 a. m. in the Friend. A letter from my brother; a welcome message from dear ones at home.
Sabbath, June 10th. Preached twice this day; much liberty at evening service, spoke from Job 21:15; a falling off in the size of the congregation as the weather gets warmer.
Prospects of the Sabbath School encouraging this morning. At 8 p. m. performed a marriage ceremony for John T. Randall and Sarah Davenport, at the house of Mr. Sanderson, only two witnesses present besides the family—my second marriage service in Texas.
Monday, June 11th. Prepared to set off for Galveston, where I arrived Tuesday, 12th, at 11 a. m. Made some visits; heard a lecture on “Light” by Dr. L.; slept at the Navy Yard; ate no breakfast.
Wednesday, June 13th. Missed my dinner. Kindly invited to stay with Mr. G. Borden (who proved a true friend during all my stay in Texas 85); a good drink of ice water on the Cuba.
Friday, June 15th. Spent the afternoon in opening and distributing a box of Bibles and Testaments, one hundred of each in the box; a donation from the A. B. Society. May the Holy Spirit, whose sword the word is, guide in its distribution. May He incline many to inquire at the Word of the Lord and prepare many hearts to receive and understand it, and “make it indeed the power of God unto their salvation.” And may the people of Texas find the Word of God a shield and a defense, and in His name may they set up their banners. For “blessed is the people,” and only they “whose God is the Lord.”
Sabbath, June 17th. Preached in the Navy Yard; a rather different sermon from so good a text—“Now is Christ risen”; small congregation; weather getting warm. Afternoon services interrupted by the arrival of Genel M. Hunt, Sec. of the Navy, and the firing of a salute. How prone are men to pay honors to one another! How reluctant to honor the Son of Man!
Monday, June 18th. Had a long conversation today with a professed Deist; said he believed in one God, that he loved and worshiped him, that he admired the Bible for its morality, etc. He admitted that he did not wish his children brought up in the principles of Deism. I fear he is trying to believe a lie.
Tuesday, June 19th. Had a long talk with an eccentric man, who thinks he has made some singular discoveries in relation to the plan of salvation, faith, etc. I rather suspect him of egotism, inclined to Campbellism. He seems to like to hear himself talk. A Deist one day, a Campbellite the next: what various experiences!
Wednesday, June 20th. Wrote letter to Rev. W. L. Breckenridge, to Baily of New Orleans, McMullen of Ala. Received letters from McMullen and Holman of Alabama. (Postage was then .25 from any place in the United States to New Orleans and .12½ from New Orleans to Texas. 86)
While I lived in Alabama, I met with Brother Holman, who gave me this piece of History bearing on the Baptist idea of close communion. He said he was traveling in a new part of the country and fell in at a Baptist meeting on a Saturday. The Brethren having no preacher had met in Church meeting. They requested him to preach for them. He did so to the delight of the brethren. After preaching, they held a consultation and concluded to ask him to preach for them on the Sabbath and administer the communion to them, as they had not had a communion for a long time. That they would receive it from him on the condition that he would not partake of it himself, and that he complied with their request. “Alas! poor human nature!” as Bro. Daniel Baker used to say.
Friday, June 22nd, 1838. Have heard some circumstances today in relation to the Texan struggle for independence, which illustrates the Scripture declaration that “the proud shall be brought low,” as also the doctrine of a special providence.
Lorenzo De Zavala was one of the first men to detect and denounce the intrigues of Santa Anna against the liberties of the Mexican people. Zavala was Foreign Minister, for Mexico, at the court of France. Perceiving, at a very early period, the designs of Santa Anna, to overthrow the Mexican Constitution, Zavala offered his resignation, which was refused by President Santa Anna. Zavala soon after resigned and came to New York and thence to Texas, and told the people that they must set up for themselves, for which he incurred the displeasure of many of the people of Texas, for but few of them had begun to suspect Santa Anna. Zavala continued to urge the necessity of breaking off from the confederacy. A price was soon set upon his head by the Mexican Government, at whose head was Santa Anna, or rather he was the Government. The party of Zavala continued to increase until it finally triumphed at the battle of San Jacinto, and President Santa Anna was captured—in cog—by some of the common soldiers and brought into the camp of General Houston, to whom he made himself known by name, claiming his protection as a prisoner of war, and this in sight of De Zavala's house which stood on the opposite shore of the bay, to that on which the battle was fought. Thus was the proud humbled.
General Cos, about the time of the siege of San Antonio de Bexar, offered a reward for the capture of one, Smith, called Deaf Smith, a famous spy, a very adventurous, daring man, and who had been of great service to the Texans. After the battle of San Jacinto, Cos was overtaken in his flight, near the Brazos, by the same Smith, who rode up and told him that he had brought Smith's head, for which he (Cos) had offered a reward, and that he (Smith) now claimed the reward. But, instead of handing over the money, he dismounted and fell upon his knees, begging for his life. He probably thought, at the moment, that his own head was not worth a picayune. He, too, was brought back a prisoner to the camp of General Houston, to join the equally unfortunate and humbled Santa Anna.
A singular infatuation seems to have possessed Santa Anna, at the time of the commencement of the battle of San Jacinto, on the 21st of March [April] 1836. It was soon after dinner. He had lain down to take his Siesta. An officer observed that Houston's 700 were in motion, urged the necessity of watching their motions. Santa Anna told him there was no danger and not to disturb him. The officer insisted that there was danger, for he saw the Texans advancing. Santa Anna ridiculed the idea, telling him that he had not forgotten the affair of San Antonio. But before they knew what they were about, the Texans came rushing upon them with the battle cry, “Remember the Alamo!” The The Mexicans had no time to form. A panic siezed them and ten thousand [?] were vanquished by the 700. Santa Anna had only time to mount his horse and take to flight, leaving his poor soldiers to fall into the hands of the infuriated Texans, on the beautiful plain, while many rushed into the bay and sank into the mire. Verily there is a God that ruleth among the nations! O that men would acknowledge and fear him. ...
Sabbath, July 1st, 1838. Preached three times in the Capitol today: First, from Mark 2:27, on the Sabbath; second, at 5 p. m., on Ps. 23rd; at 8 p. m., on Hebrews 2:3, miracles prove the Bible true. During the sermon, was interrupted by a drunken man coming into the hall. He was soon taken out but continued to interrupt us by making a noise in the passage. How much like a brute is a drunken man!
Monday, July 2nd. Held monthly concert in the Capitol. A goodly number present. Meeting interesting. Contributions $18.00, Col. W. giving $10.00.
Wednesday, July 4th. Saw a delegation of Tonkawa Indians, about twenty-five. Many nearly naked. They stopped at the President's house, where they were received by the Secretaries of State and War. They were treated to whisky punch, noise, drinking and fighting towards evening. And this is the fourth of July. “Necate virtute Puer,” and what will our Government come to!
Thursday, July 5th. Lectured this evening on Judges 18th, Micah's idolatry. Small audience. Saw a man this morning, a victim of intemperance, brought to his death by yesterday's excesses. A copious rain this afternoon; much needed as there had been none for a month. How good is the Lord, who “sendeth his rain on the just and on the unjust.” He “filleth the hearts of His creatures with food and gladness.”
The Tonkawa Indians are, many of them, finely formed. Most of the men of the present delegation to Houston are almost entirely naked. All the costume of some of them is a long narrow strip of cloth passed between the legs, and help up before and behind by a string or a band around the lower part of the body. Some have an old blanket, some an old skirt, others a pair of leggings, mockasins, etc. Some of the women have a piece of leather or dressed buffalo skin fastened around the waist. Some, an additional piece around the shoulders. Some of the younger females have tinkling ornaments fastened to the lower part of their leather costumes. The men paint their faces hideously, wear their hair long, dressed with shining trinkets, some with large plaits of adscitious hair or cloth hanging down to the knees. Their language a grunting jargon. They seem cheerful, sing considerably. Such singing as it is. They seem fond of whiskey, some of them terribly drunk. They are a much better looking people than the Comanches. They are much demoralized by intercourse with the whites, learning their worst vices readily.
Sabbath, July 8th. Preached twice, good congregations.
Wednesday, July 11th. Set off on the steamer Correo for Galveston. Intensely hot, felt badly from loss of sleep, having sat up all night with Dr. G.'s dying child. While some were watching the flickering life of the young immortal, many were enjoying the stage, and indulging in the loud unseemly roar of vulgar applause. How ungratifyingly did these sounds come upon the souls of the anguished parents! Surely the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
Thursday, July 12th. Found some sickness on the Island.
Friday, July 13th. Half sick all day.
Sabbath, July 15th. Preached in Galveston.
Monday, July 16th. Took the little steamer Laura, after night, for Velasco, but few passengers, a family from Virginia, named Stubblefield.
Tuesday, July 17th. A squall this morning, pretty rough for the little steamer, several cases of seasickness, a little qualm myself, but escaped. Arrived in Velasco, 2 p. m. Called on Mr. Sharpe, found a pleasant family, was introduced to Daddy Spraggins, a Hardshell Baptist preacher. Took lodgings at his son-in-law's Brown, who kept the Velasco hotel. Spent the remainder of the week there rather pleasantly. Had a fierce encounter with Dr. A. an openly avowed Deist and materialist.
Arise, O Lord! for men condemn thy character and make void thy law. Had divers discussions with the Old Hard Shell about Missionaries, whom he cordially detested, as well as benevolent societies, baptism. He seemed to consider himself infallible on all these subjects.
Sabbath, July 22nd. Preached in the school house in Velasco, a small but attentive audience. Text, Mat. 5:13, Let your light shine. Dined with the Sharpes. The steamer Columbia arrived from New Orleans, via Galveston, on which Dr. Anson Jones took passage, on his way to Washington City, appointed by President Houston to represent Texas in a public capacity, vice General M. Hunt. During this visit made acquaintances in Velasco and Quintana on the opposite side of the Brazos both near the mouth of the river.
Monday, July 23rd. Set off for Houston on Dr. Jones' horse, which he left at Velasco, as this would give me a chance to see some of the country, in company with Brewster, who took me and introduced me to the family of Col. Wm. H. Wharton, who lives eight miles from Velasco. Very kindly entertained by Mrs. W. and Miss C. Plenty of figs, the first that I had ever seen fresh, and melons. A most delightful situation, a fine garden on the margin of a beautiful little lake.
Tuesday, July 24th. Rode twenty-five miles to Col. W. D. Hall's, most of the way over a hot prairie; passed lake Jackson, four or five miles long, but narrow, after crossing Oyster creek; saw a tree loaded with fine looking grapes, villainously sour and acrid, well called cut-throats. Stopped a while at Hon. Mr. Russell's, Senator from Brazoria, whose wife was a Heady, a family I had known in Kentucky. Plenty of good grapes and figs here. Received very kindly by Col. Hall and family, figs and peaches, good shade and water. Met Col. W. H. Wharton and Col. Wm. Austin and lady, pleasant acquaintances.
Wednesday, July 25th. Spent the day at Col. H.'s much talk of politics, education, etc.
Thursday, July 26th. Set off at 8.30 for Houston, twenty-five or thirty miles distant, prairie nearly all the way and hot. A bowl of buttermilk after riding six miles, at Clear lake, then got lost, fifteen miles without water, found it good at Dr. Rose's. Dined at Bingham's, met Thornton today. Arrived in Houston before sunset. Surely I may say “Mercy and goodness have followed me all my days,” and now I have seen some of the country of Texas and it is beautiful.
Saturday, July 28th, 1838. Newspapers today. A welcome arrival: W. P. Herald from Louisville, New Orleans Observer, Alabama Journal. Observed the notices of the debates of several acquaintances. What shadows we are.
Sabbath, July 29th. Attended Sabbath School, a good many children, but few teachers, preached at 10:30 from Acts 9:4, at 8 p. m., on prophecy.
Monday, July 30th. Called to see General Sheldon, just before he expired. He was unable to converse. Had been very reluctant to admit the idea of dying, thought he was getting better until near the last.
Tuesday, July 31st. Attended the funeral of General Sheldon, funeral services at the grave. Wrote an article for the “Civilian,” on the neglected state of the Houston Cemetery.
Sabbath, Aug. 5th. Preached twice in the Capitol, from Ro. I:28 and Deut. 32:31.
Monday, Aug. 6th. Letters from R. W. W. Wright, R. B. McMullen, Thos. S. Withersoop, and E. O. Eastman and New Orleans Observer. Met Dr. Axon, an old friend.
Friday, Aug. 24th. Galveston. Have been sick now for two weeks, part of the time as sick as I ever was in my life; four or five chills, the first I ever had, all followed by severe fevers; have had the kindest attention from Gail Borden and family, for which may the Lord reward them abundantly, and may I never forget their kindness, nor the Lord's mercy in raising me up from a sick bed. This was my first sickness in the South.
Sabbath, Aug. 26th. Rode down to the bay early. Preached in the Temporary Court Room to a small audience, from Acts 11:26. Much exhausted and still weak, dined in the hotel, met Mrs. Newell and her sister, Miss Haff, felt much better in the evening.
Monday, Aug. 27th. Quite well this morning.
Thursday, Aug. 30th. Off for Houston on the San Jacinto. Regret to hear of the death of Mrs. Davenport, a short illness.
Sabbath, Sept. 2nd. Preached at 10:30 from Mat. 8:32; at 7:30 from Heb. 11:34. Good congregations.
Monday, Sept. 3rd, 1838. Day of general election. Much sin of profaneness and intemperance. General Lamar elected President. Attended the funeral of Mr. Kennicott, a young lawyer, late of New Orleans. Read part of the Episcopal burial service and offered prayer at the house where he died. Four burials this day. “So teach us to number our days.”
Tuesday and Wednesday. Read sketches of Persia. (Now in 1880, I have a daughter a missionary in Persia.)
Soon after a severe sickness, which kept me at Galveston some two weeks—chills and severe fevers. I left Houston for Alabama, to attend the South Alabama Presbytery, under whose care I had been as a licentiate, since the fall of 1837. I left Houston in the Correo, on the 7th of September. A large company of passengers called at Col. Morgan's.
Saturday, Sept. 8th. I arrived at Galveston after dark. The water of the Bay was considerably up in the city, all around the old Customhouse, where I was landed in a small boat. From there I had to wade some 150 to 200 yards to dry land. Found my way to Gail Borden's where I had received so much kindness while I was sick.
Monday, 10th Sept. On the steamer Columbia. Came near being left on account of the fog. There was no wharf then at Galveston. Arrived at New Orleans, on Wednesday 12th, without any adventure.
Saturday, Sept. 15th. Took passage in the steamer Pawnee, for Natchez, at 11 p. m.
Monday night, Sept. 17th. Toiled up the long dark muddy hill, to the City Hotel, with my Texas companion, Mr. Ayres.
Tuesday, Sept. 18th. Met a kind welcome to the house of Mr. Thomas Henderson. Met this day with the Presbytery of Mississippi. Here were brethren Winchester, pastor of Natchez Church, and Chamberlain, President of Oakland College, who had been the first President of Centre College, Ky., and Z. Butler of Port Gibson, and Chase, and I. J. Henderson, whom I had left in Prinecton in 1836. Preached for Bro. Winchester, Wednesday night, and on Sabbath for Bro. I. J. Henderson at Kingston, near the grave of Dr. T. Dwight's father. After a pleasant week at Natchez, returned to New Orleans, and thence to Montgomery Alabama, where I spent a Sabbath, then the next Sabbath at a campmeeting in Coosa, above Witumpka, where I met with Bros. Holman and Caldwell, Kentuckians and Centre College students, and McCormick, a North Carolinian. It was a good campmeeting.
Wednesday, Oct. 17th, 1838. Wound up my affairs in Montgomery, packed my books and traps and shipped them for Mobile, and set off with Gulick, for Presbytery, at Valley Creek Church, near Selma; arrived on Friday at 12 m. Found Bro. Nall preaching, an old Centre College fellow student. It was a campmeeting Presbytery. On Sabbath, on Oct. 21st, 1838, Junius B. King and I were ordained to the work of the ministry. King was then installed as pastor of the Valley Creek Church. I was ordained, as an Evangelist, to go to the “regions beyond,” viz., to the Republic of Texas. Brother Mater preached the ordination sermon. Bro. Nall propounded the question and led in the ordination prayer. The occasion was to me especially solemn. . . .
October 22nd, 1838. What shadows we are! I returned to Texas by way of New Orleans, thence, in company with John McCullough we arrived in Houston, on Saturday, Nov. 4th, at 4 a. m. the day before the meeting of the Third Congress of the Lone Star Republic. Up to this time I was but a licentiate. Now I am a minister of the gospel.
Sabbath, Nov. 25th, 1838. Attended a meeting for the organization of a Texas Bible Society. The meeting was opened by Rev. Dr. Hoes, agent of the American Bible Society. Col. W. H. Wharton, Mr. Cullen, a member of Congress, and myself mac addresses on resolutions. Col. Wharton's address was a very scholarly address on the Bible and its circulation, although he was a decided sceptic as to its inspiration. He left his scepticism out of this speech. The Society was organized in the evening of that day.
Brethren Chase and Blair spent the night with me. They were on their way from Natchez to Washington. Brother Blair spent the remainder of his life in Texas.
Sabbath, Dec. 2nd. Called on Rev. Mr. Frazer [Frazier], who was Chaplain of the Senate; thought him dangerously ill; preached in the Senate Hall, Sabbath night. Rev. Frazier died at 6 a. m.; preached his funeral at 3 p. m. He was a Cumberland Presbyterian from Tennessee. At 4 o'clock called on Col. Wharton; found him near the gate of death, more emaciated than any living man I had ever seen; conversed with him about Christianity, and prayed with him. He was in a critical state of mind. His deistical foundations giving way, and he was looking round for a stronger safer support. He asked me to pray for light to his soul. He had been a ring leader of scoffers. 87 His right arm had been shattered in a duel. I learned afterwards that he had had a pious mother. Perhaps her piety had been remembered in the hour of his crisis, when he asked me to pray for light. Some of his deistical friends, I learned afterwards, were scandalized at his change of views, and said the preachers got about him in his last hours and terrified him in his weakness. My visiting him was at his own request, before I had any acquaintance with him. He had been one of the heroes of the war for Texas Independence.
Tuesday, Oct. 1st, 1839. Got off at 1:30 for Austin, the new Capital, on a small Mexican mare, for which I had given $100.00, Texas money. I soon began to regret my trade for such a beast. Rode to Dr. H's., twenty-four miles, rather poor fare, dirty beds, but paid enough, $3.75.
Wednesday, Oct. 2nd. Rode to San Felipe de Austin, twenty-seven miles. Stopped at Kingsburry's, wretched fare, great noise in a billiard room adjoining, slept but little, but no charge.
Thursday, Oct. 3rd. Went to Dottery's, twenty-five miles. But little timber, rolling prairie. Some very agreeable prospects. Some Dutch settlers. Good fare for $3.00. Met with Backus, from Montgomery, Alabama.
Friday, Oct. 4th. Rode to Rutersville with Backus. Stopped at Reid's. Walked to campmeeting. Heard Bro. Sullivan preach.
Saturday, Oct. 5th. Rained while Dr. Hanie was preaching. An uncomfortable day. I preached at 3 p. m. from Is. 53:5. Snead preached at night.
Sabbath, Oct. 6th. Communion at 3 p. m. at campmeeting. I went to La Grange, and preached at night at the house of Mr. Fitzgerald, from Is. 41:21. A good congregation. Loughridge and Dr. Barnet with me.
Monday, Oct. 7th. Returned to campmeeting. Bro. Hill holding forth at 11 a. m. At 3 p. m. made a missionary address, Clark also, a good result. I preached at night from Phil. 1:27. Great excitement afterwards but little seriousness.
Tuesday, Oct. 8th. Campmeeting closed. Curious tactics of Dr. Hanie, for effect, at parting. Set off for Bastrop. Rain. Stopped at Hill's, twenty miles. Met with Judge Webb's family.
Wednesday, Oct. 9th. Got to Bastrop, twenty miles. River very high. Preached at Henderson's. Stayed at Brown's.
Thursday, Oct. 10th. Spent the day at Bastrop. Found several Presbyterians. Saw a coat with a small hole in the front, made by a poisoned Indian arrow, from which the wearer had died in great agony very soon.
Friday, Oct. 11th. Set of at 12 m. Got to Glascock's. Waters had been high but had abated. A lonesome road, had been recently infected by the Indians. Whithurst and I alone, neither of us armed. Slender fare for $4.00. Passed a house where Mrs. Coleman and her son had been recently murdered by Indians.
Saturday, Oct. 12th, 1839. Arrived at Austin, 15 miles, at 12 m., safe and sound, but tired. A few men just setting off to bury the bones of thirteen men recently murdered by Indians, on Brushy Creek, twenty miles from Austin. They soon returned, reporting that Indians had been within ten miles of the city, and had shot two men the day before. There was great encitement, but more talk than action. Guards were posted around the town. Slept very well at Bullock's the principal hotel, a large number of boarders, met a number of acquaintances.
Sabbath, Oct. 13th. Attended Sabbath School, at 10 a. m., twenty-two scholars. Preaching at 11. After preaching, organized the Presbyterian Church of Austin, consisting of six members. Brethren Bullock and Burke were chosen Elders. At 4 p. m. administered the communion of the Lord's Supper to eight persons; the first time that ordinance had ever been celebrated so far southwest, by Protestants, in North America. But few spectators present; could not have preaching at night, owing to the excitement about the Indians. General Burleson arrived about dark, with seventy men, to go after the Indians. May the Head of the Church make this small germ then and there planted a great tree, whose branches shall overshadow the nation. O Lord, behold and see and visit this vine and make it to flourish. Slept on the floor in Bullock's large room with General Burleson's army.
Austin had been located in June. Now there were some seven hundred people there, in cabins and shanties and tents. The government offices were in log cabins, on the main Ave., fronting the river. “Beautiful for situation” is Austin, with its seven hills.
Monday, Oct. 14th. Spent the day visiting friends and making acquaintances. Supped on Buffalo meat, and hot coffee in a tin cup, with Bro. Woodruff, in his camp. The Bullock Hotel was a curious structure. A substantial frame first story, on this two log rooms on either end, with a commodious room between, all enclosed. (After nineteen years I was there again. It was then Smith's Hotel, the same frame and log rooms.)
Extracts from his Diary, which are here reprinted, appeared in various issues of the Texas Presbyterian from March, 1880, to December, 1883. The extracts cover two brief periods—March 28 to December 2, 1838, and October 1 to October 14, 1839. It seems that Mr. Allen furnished the editor extracts from his Diary, now and then making comments at the time they were furnished for publication. Search has been made in vain to locate the original manuscript, and it is, therefore, not known whether the following pages contain all of his Diary. Before the publication of the Diary, Mr. Allen had been contributing reminiscences to the Texas Presbyterian, and these reminiscences, continuing from December 4, 1876, until January 2, 1885, will appear in future issues of The Quarterly. At the time that these contributions were running, the Texas Presbyterian was edited in Texas, but issued from St. Louis. Only two files of the paper are known to be in existence, both in the library of Austin College at Sherman.
The entries of the Diary from March 28 to December 2, 1838, are printed in the Presbyterian of March 19, April 16 and 30, May 7, August 6 and 20, September 3, October 8 and 29, and December 31, 1880; March 4 and December 23, 1881; and March 31, 1882. The entries from October 1 to 14, 1839, are in the issues for January 26, June 29, and December 14, 1883.
85. This is obviously a later addition to the diary.
86. A later addition to the diary.
87. The remainder of this paragraph seems to have been added later.
How to cite:
"EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY OF W. Y. ALLEN, 1838-1839 ", Volume 017, Number 1, Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online, Page 43 - 60. http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/publications/journals/shq/online/v017/n1/article_5.html
[Accessed Sun Nov 23 2:39:59 CST 2008]
