SAM HOUSTON 333 making constant, though as yet ineffectual, efforts to become independent Twenty years before Houston entered Texas, a number of Americans joined the priest Hidalgo in his struggle to make Mexico free. They were all shot, but this did not hinder Magee and Bernardo, with 1,200 Americans, raising the standard ,of liberty tw years later. This party took San Antonio, and the fame of their deeds brought young Americans by hundreds to their aid ; though they received no money, the love of freedom and the love of adventure being their motive and their reward. But these brave paladins were soon followed by men who bought land and made homes, and in 1821 Austin, with the sanction of the Spanish Viceroy, in- troduced three hundred families, who received every reasonable guarantee from the Spanish Government. They were scarcely settled ere there was another Mexican revolt against Spain. This time the Mexicans under Santa Anna achieved the independence of their country, and a Mexican Republic was formed, with a constitution so liberal that it was gladly accepted by the American colo- nists. But its promises were fallacious. For ten years Santa Anna was en- gaged in fighting for his own supremacy, and when he had subdued all opposition he had forgotten the traditions of freedom for which he first drew his sword, and assumed the authority of a dictator. In the meantime the American element had been steadily increasing, and Santa Anna was, not unnaturally, afraid of its growing strength and influence. In order to weaken it, he substituted for the constitution under whose guarantee they had settled, military and priestly laws of the most oppressive kind ; and the complaints and reprisals at length reached such a pitch, that all Americans were ordered to deliver up their arms to the Mexican authorities. It was simply an order to disarm them in the midst of their enemies. Now the rifle is to the fron- tier American a third limb, and in Texas it was also necessary for the supply of food for the family, and vital for their protection from the Indians. The answer to this demand was a notice to Santa Anna posted on the very walls of the Alamo Fortress : " I/yoH want our arms take them / Ten thousand Americans." This was a virtual declaration of war, but the American Texans were by no means unpre- pared for the idea, nor yet for its translation into practice. Austin who had been sent with a remonstrance to Santa Anna was in the dungeons of the Inquisition in Mexico ; but Houston, Lamar, Burleson, Burnet, Bowie, Crockett, Sherman, and many another name able to fire an army, were on the ground. Besides which, the sympathy of the whole land was with the little band of heroes. For the idea of Texas had been carried in the American heart for two generations. As far back as 18 19, President Adams had wanted Texas, and Henry Clay would have voted three millions for it. Van Buren told Poin- sett to offer five millions. Jackson added an additional half-million for the Rio Grande territory ; but Jackson had more faith in Houston and the American settlers in Texas than in money. His brave old heart was on fire for the wrongs and cruelties inflicted by Santa Anna on his countrymen ; and he was inclined to
