The Treaty signing by Richardphotos
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Description
THE TREATY
sculpted by Michael Boyett
The date was February 23, 1836, and the situation for Texas was desperate. Santa Anna with about 6,000 troops
was on the march towards the Alamo with the intent of smashing the small, poorly organized, and ill equipped army of Texans
along with their fledgling government. Fearing an alliance between Mexico and the Indian tribes, the Texas government sent its
envoys to meet with the East Texas tribes, hoping to negotiate a treaty designed to keep them from fighting on the side
of Mexico and remain neutral.
Nacogdoches residents, Sam Houston, Adolphus Sterne, and William Goyens, represented Texas in the negotiations,
with Chief Bowles representing the Indian tribes. When the time came to sign the treaty, General Houston and John Forbes
represented Texas, and Bowles, Cherokee Chief, spoke for the Indian tribes. Houston and Bowles were longtime friends and
highly respected by one another and their peoples as leaders and men of integrity. Houston had become a member of the
Cherokee nation, and many years before was given the title "The Raven", meaning "good luck". These men were warrior leaders
who had proved their courage on the battlefield. Houston was the newly-commissioned commander of the Army of Texas and
Bowles, though over 80 years of age, was war chief of not only the Cherokees, but also the other 12 tribes represented.
During the negotiations, Houston presented gifts to Bowles, including a sash, sword, red silk vest, and long dress-shirt,
which the chief wore proudly at the signing. The document, which was signed on the back page, was decorated with
bright ribbons, and each chief made his "X" in its appropriate place.
Though not to endure, the treaty proved a valuable and timely article to Texas' struggle for independence,
since it assured the neutrality of the Indians and allowed the Texans to concentrate their efforts against Santa Anna.
(Text from the Plaque at the historical site erected by Historic Nacogdoches, Inc. June 7, 2003.)
Comments (24)
Richardphotos
http://www.pictures-of-historic-nacogdoches.com/066treaty.html
TK0920
Great info, wonderful statue design and fantastic shot of it!! :)
Sarahdar
awesome
longprong
Very interesting.......thanks :)
eekdog
Great info provided with this wonderful shot, Richarrd.
Jean_C
Superb sculpture, very beautiful capture and interesting historic infos, thanks, Richard!
ontar1
That is interesting, great capture and thanks for the information!
Glendaw
Amazing monument, very well sculpted by the artist.
The details are amazing.
Thanks for the pic. and sharing the interesting historical information Richard.
Faemike55
Fabulous capture and very interesting history - they never taught that in school
art-ella
Very interesting story.
g1tip
This is very, very cool ! ! ! In his early days, Sam Houston once taught school in a one room school house at the outskirts of the city I was born in, Maryville, TN. It is in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. It has been a tourist attraction, for as long as I can remember. Here are a couple of pictures.
UteBigSmile
miwi
Excellent capture and Info;thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hilmarion
Wonderful sculpture
Cyve
Fantastic capture and thank for these infos !!!
jeroni
Fanstastic photo
claude19
WOW WOW WOW !!!
Windigo
Peace, even for a short time, is better than war! Fascinating statue and history lesson!!!
Freethinker56
So cool and great info on this
farmerC
Shining shot.
flavia49
great shot
RodS
Not only an excellent photo of this amazing sculpture, but a great bit of history as well. A great post, Richard!
nickcarter
Very interesting and informative!
lookoo
From the treaty text: " We solemnly declare, that we will guarantee to them peaceable enjoyment of their rights to their lands, as we do our own."
I take it they didn't include on that plaque that the Texas senate refused to ratify the treaty (thus it didn't only "not last long", it was stillborn thanks to Texas Senate obstruction), and that land patents within the treaty lands were immediately granted to white settlers.
Three years after the signing of this treaty the Cherokee had been ethnically cleansed from Texas and Chief Bowles lay dead among some of his fellow tribesmen who had decided rather to make a last stand for their freedom than suffer deportation again.
Sweeping all these things under the rug - that's Texas history whitewashing at it's usual it seems to me.