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William Barret Travis Autograph Document Signed....
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$11,875.00
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Description
Alamo defender William Barret Travis represents Texas Revolution veteran William T. Austin in a debt settlement against the estate of one of the "Old 300"
William Barret Travis Autograph Document Signed. One page,
7.25" x 3.5" (sight); no place; January 20, 1834. Travis writes out
a receipt for a payment on behalf of a client. In full: "Recvd
payment of the written acct favor Hiram M. Thompson Admr. of Jesse
Thompson - in an order to the Sheriff for 20 m- on an execution in
favor of H. Jones & Jesse Thompson - J. W. Hall - January 20th
1834. W. B. Travis atty for Wm T Austin."The original note for which payment Travis is signing a receipt is on the verso. It was signed by Jesse Thompson, a member of the "Old 300", and issued to William T. Austin, who was unable to pay the note as he had lost his business in a flood. Travis issued the receipt for the settled debt the following year. Hinge framed so that both sides of the document can be viewed with a color portrait of Travis and biographical and informational plaques to an overall size of 38.5" x 22.75".
Upon arrival in Texas in 1831, Travis established a legal practice in Anahuac on Galveston Bay, and traveled through Texas doing legal work. Following the disturbances at that city in 1832, he moved his law practice to nearby San Felipe de Austin. He became associated with a group of militants who opposed the Law of April 6, 1830 (designed to stop immigration from the United States to Texas and to encourage Mexican and European settlement). Eventually this group became known as the "War Party" as tension increased between the Mexican government and American settlers in Texas. William Tennant Austin, who Travis is representing in this document, was also a member of this "party." Open rebellion soon erupted, and Travis would be one of the first to sign up for the Texan forces.
Popular with Texas rebels, Travis rose in the ranks to become a lieutenant colonel of cavalry in the Texan volunteer army by 1835. That December, Texans drove Mexican forces from San Antonio de Bexar and reinforced the Texan force already occupying the Alamo. Travis and his men arrived on February 3, 1836, and nine days later, he and Colonel James Bowie took overall command of the garrison. Less than three weeks later, Santa Anna and his army of 1,800 arrived and surrounded the Alamo. The Texans numbered less than 260. In desperate need of reinforcements, Travis sent out pleas for assistance and supplies from Texas and the United States. Possibly the most famous document in Texas history, the letter called on both Texans and Americans to come defend the Alamo, vowing never to surrender or retreat and adding the words "Victory or Death" before his signature. The only reinforcements Travis and his fellow defenders would receive would be a company of Texas Rangers, accompanied by thirty-two men, who arrived at the Alamo on March 1. On March 6, after a thirteen-day siege, Mexican troops overran the Alamo and Travis, Bowie, Davy Crockett, and the rest of the Alamo's defenders were killed in the fierce struggle that followed. Despite the tragedy that befell those at the Alamo, Travis' letter was later reprinted in newspapers around the country. Newspapers began publishing transcripts of the letter as early as March 2, the same day on which delegates at Washington officially declared Texas' independence.
Condition: Heavy toning, with evidence of creasing and discolored folds. Not examined out of the frame.
Auction Info
2023 September 21 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6272 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
September, 2023
21st
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 7
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