Pease to the Texas Legislature, November 30, 1857
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During the 1850s, many Mexicans and Tejanos made a successful living hauling freight from the Texas port of Indianola to San Antonio and other towns in the interior of Texas. These oxcart drivers became the target of anger from their Anglo competitors, some of whom destroyed the Mexican's oxcarts, stole their freight, and in some cases even wounded or killed Mexican carters. In 1857, violence erupted on a large scale and became known as the "Cart War." The Mexican government protested the hostilities to Secretary of State Lewis Cass, who urged Pease to take action to protect the Mexican carters. In this message to the Legislature, Pease asked for a special appropriation for the militia, and the legislators approved the expenditure with little opposition. With the arrival of armed escorts, the "war" subsided in December of 1857.
Page 1 | Page 2 | "Early Statehood "
Executive Office Gentlemen of the Senate Information has been received at this No blame whatever attaches to Capt. Nelson or the After this misfortune Mr. Pyron returned to the It is painful to have to record such acts of violence, It is now very evident that there is no security for |
Page 1 | Page 2 | "Early Statehood "
Pease to the Texas Legislature, November 30, 1857, Records of Elisha M. Pease, Texas Office of the Governor, Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.