The State of Louisiana was separated from the Spanish province of Texas by the Sabine river, and the soil, cli- mate, and position of that province, rendered it a desira- ble acquisition to the slaveholding interest. Various expedients were from time to time devised, to obtain pos- session of this coveted territory—forcible seizure— colo- nization—purchase—independence, and annexation. The first was attempted soon after the Spanish treaty had extinguished all claims of the United States to Texas, as included within the territory of Louisiana.
A man named James Long, with' about seventy-five lawless adventurers, left Natchez on the lYth June, 1819, and proceeded to Nacogdoches, about forty miles within the limits of Texas. On the 23d of the same month, he there issued a proclamation which may be regarded as the first step in that career of fraud, falsehood, and violence, which ultimately led to the annexation of Texas, and the war against Mexico. In this document, which was pro- bably prepared in the State of Mssissippi, Long, styhng himself President of the Supreme Council of Texas, declared '* that the citizens of Texas have long indulged the hope that in the adjustment of the boundaries of the Spanish possessions in America, and of the territories of the United States, they should be included within the hmits of the latter." As this hope had been dissipated by the recent treaty, the proclamation proceeds to announce the independence of the Republic of Texas.
This paper, was of course, intended as an invitation to American citizens to repair to Long's standard, and parti- cipate with him in the intended plunder ; and it was consequently published in the Louisiana Herald, printed in New Orleans.
In a little while, the whole party were dispersed, some being killed, and the others taken prisoners by the Spaniards.* The plan of colonization was next adopted. Moses Austin of Missouri, in 1821, obtained leave from the Spanish authorities, to introduce three hundred families into