Details
TRAVIS, WILLIAM BARRET, Texas patriot, killed at Alamo. Autograph letter signed ("W. Barret Travis," with flourish) TO DAVID G. BURNET (later President of the Republic of Texas) in San Jacinto; San Felipe, Texas, 6 February 1835. 2 1/2 pages, 4to, 237 x 195mm. (9 3/8 in. x 7 5/16 in.), address panel in Travis's hand, with docket (Burnet's hand?), the two leaves partly separated, a small hole affecting two or three letters, light dampstain in center (not affecting legibility).
THE FUTURE COMMANDER OF THE DEFENSE OF THE ALAMO, THIRTEEN MONTHS BEFORE HIS DEATH: "WHAT HAS BECOME OF THE RECOMMENDATION OF LIBERTY?"
An exceptionally rare autograph letter of one of the central figures of the Texas independence movement who was to die heroically at age 27 in command of the Texans defending the Alamo against Santa Anna. The letter, written at an ominous period when the seething Texas independence movement was about to erupt into bloody warfare. Travis had established a law office at San Felipe, had become active in politics and a member of the so-called "War Party" which advocated complete independence from Mexico. Stephen F. Austin, who had petitioned the Mexican government was being held in a Mexico city jail at the whim of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, military dictator of Mexico. The letter is replete with topical references to the events and figures of this period: "Yours of the 15th Jany, is now before me, to which I hastily replied by the bearers. I have since been to Brazoria, & returned; and now reuse[?] my pen for the purpose of replying here at large. Singleton's note shall be attended to -- I have brought suit below, against Clokey on his note, in as much as Majr Lewis seems indisposed to pay over the amt. intended by C. for you. I mailed your letter to [General Juan] Almonte [Mexican Minister to the U.S.]; but did not pay the postage. I do not know the Custom on the subject; but presume Almonte enjoys, the privilege of a [free] Frank. I rec'd a letter, a few days since from Nacogdoches, which says, that you will be strongly recommended from there for this office of Judge [Thomas J?] Rusk has been recommended by Brazoria & this place -- What has become of the recommendation of Liberty?
"Williams has gone. I reminded him of the power of atty. Don't Know whether he took it with him or not. [Ben] Milam [killed the following December in the Texans' seizure of the Alamo] is still here; but will set out on tomorrow. I will ende[a]vour to get him to see that your petition is attended to. [Stephen F.] Austin has been admitted to Bail [Austin had been arrested and was being held in Mexico]. Letters from him & Almante, say he will leave Mexico, intirely [sic] liberated, in a short time. The new election for governor, Lt. Governor, & members of Congress, will take place here next Monday.
"I have read the 'White Mustang.' It has certainly kicked hard against the N.Y. Company; & I fear your interest has taken a Stampillo in consequence. It is a most pitiful production -- a catch-penny concern. The Legislature meets on the 1st of March next. F.W. Johnson & George Ewing are the judges. Quien Sabe?...I have sold my woman, Matinda (the best one) for $700 in Brazoria; I have hired Joe for the year; & cannot now say, whether I will sell him or not. Many Emigrants are coming into the country -- A few negroes also, I understand have been landed on the coast. But we disagree on this subject..."
Four months after this letter Travis organized a party of Texans to expel a Mexican garrison sent by Santa Anna to hold a fort at Anahuac, near Galveston, and in October the first battle of the Texas revolution took place at Gonzales. All documents or letters of Travis (1809-1836) are of extreme rarity. Since 1960 no letter is recorded at auction by ABPC. In that 35-year span only three documents signed by Travis have surfaced (in 1967, 1971 and 1979); even the celebrated Philip D. Sang does not appear to have owned an autograph letter of the Texan. In this connection, cf. Charles Hamilton, The Signature of America, 1979, p. 173.
THE FUTURE COMMANDER OF THE DEFENSE OF THE ALAMO, THIRTEEN MONTHS BEFORE HIS DEATH: "WHAT HAS BECOME OF THE RECOMMENDATION OF LIBERTY?"
An exceptionally rare autograph letter of one of the central figures of the Texas independence movement who was to die heroically at age 27 in command of the Texans defending the Alamo against Santa Anna. The letter, written at an ominous period when the seething Texas independence movement was about to erupt into bloody warfare. Travis had established a law office at San Felipe, had become active in politics and a member of the so-called "War Party" which advocated complete independence from Mexico. Stephen F. Austin, who had petitioned the Mexican government was being held in a Mexico city jail at the whim of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, military dictator of Mexico. The letter is replete with topical references to the events and figures of this period: "Yours of the 15th Jany, is now before me, to which I hastily replied by the bearers. I have since been to Brazoria, & returned; and now reuse[?] my pen for the purpose of replying here at large. Singleton's note shall be attended to -- I have brought suit below, against Clokey on his note, in as much as Majr Lewis seems indisposed to pay over the amt. intended by C. for you. I mailed your letter to [General Juan] Almonte [Mexican Minister to the U.S.]; but did not pay the postage. I do not know the Custom on the subject; but presume Almonte enjoys, the privilege of a [free] Frank. I rec'd a letter, a few days since from Nacogdoches, which says, that you will be strongly recommended from there for this office of Judge [Thomas J?] Rusk has been recommended by Brazoria & this place -- What has become of the recommendation of Liberty?
"Williams has gone. I reminded him of the power of atty. Don't Know whether he took it with him or not. [Ben] Milam [killed the following December in the Texans' seizure of the Alamo] is still here; but will set out on tomorrow. I will ende[a]vour to get him to see that your petition is attended to. [Stephen F.] Austin has been admitted to Bail [Austin had been arrested and was being held in Mexico]. Letters from him & Almante, say he will leave Mexico, intirely [sic] liberated, in a short time. The new election for governor, Lt. Governor, & members of Congress, will take place here next Monday.
"I have read the 'White Mustang.' It has certainly kicked hard against the N.Y. Company; & I fear your interest has taken a Stampillo in consequence. It is a most pitiful production -- a catch-penny concern. The Legislature meets on the 1st of March next. F.W. Johnson & George Ewing are the judges. Quien Sabe?...I have sold my woman, Matinda (the best one) for $700 in Brazoria; I have hired Joe for the year; & cannot now say, whether I will sell him or not. Many Emigrants are coming into the country -- A few negroes also, I understand have been landed on the coast. But we disagree on this subject..."
Four months after this letter Travis organized a party of Texans to expel a Mexican garrison sent by Santa Anna to hold a fort at Anahuac, near Galveston, and in October the first battle of the Texas revolution took place at Gonzales. All documents or letters of Travis (1809-1836) are of extreme rarity. Since 1960 no letter is recorded at auction by ABPC. In that 35-year span only three documents signed by Travis have surfaced (in 1967, 1971 and 1979); even the celebrated Philip D. Sang does not appear to have owned an autograph letter of the Texan. In this connection, cf. Charles Hamilton, The Signature of America, 1979, p. 173.