Ten Issues of Le National with Texas Revolution Content....

Description

French newspaper printing of Santa Anna's secret Treaty of Velasco

Ten Issues of Le National with Texas Revolution Content. Dated January 18, 1836 to April 24, 1842. Each issue is four pages, 13 x 18 inches, unpaginated and printed in three columns. Le National was a daily French newspaper that covered both international and domestic events, with an emphasis on liberal political affairs. Eight of these ten issues feature content on the Texas Revolution, with reporting on the Battle of San Jacinto, Mexico's surrender, the development of the Republic of Texas, and General Vasquez's raid in 1842. Most notable among these papers is the January 1, 1837 issue, which publishes the text of the secret Treaty of Velasco, a private agreement between General Antonio López de Santa Anna and the Republic of Texas.

Following his capture in the aftermath of the Battle of San Jacinto, Santa Anna was compelled to sign this treaty, as well as a public version of the document, under the condition that his life would be spared by Sam Houston. Santa Anna signed both versions; however, the Mexican government later repudiated their validity on the grounds that Santa Anna had been coerced into signing them. Additionally, the treaties identified Santa Anna as the president of the Mexican Republic, but his position was voided by his capture by a hostile army. As a result, he lacked the authority to sign in this capacity, further undermining the legal validity of the treaties. Thus, Texas had only gained de facto independence, but Mexico's army lacked the strength to reconquer it.

Further reporting on the Texas Revolution is contained in the seven subsequent issues. The January 18, 1836 edition features the "Declaration to the Public," a precursor to the Texas Declaration of Independence, passed in November 1835 (p. 3). This document established a provisional government in Texas, lending credibility to the revolutionary cause. The July 23, 1836 issue reports on the retreat of the Mexican army after their defeat at the Battle of San Jacinto (p. 1). The June 25, 1836 edition follows with news of Santa Anna's capture and General Filisola's surrender (p. 1), with additional details in the September 15, 1836 issue (p. 1). The August 26, 1836 edition notes rising tensions between Texas and the United States, suggesting Mexico's intent to resume hostilities (p. 1). Three years later, the August 18, 1839 issue reflects on Texas's postwar trajectory, crediting its independence to external circumstances while praising the newly established republic for its robust financial development (p. 2). The April 24, 1842 issue describes Texas's preparations for continued resistance (p. 2).

With two additional issues, dated July 1 and September 15, 1836.

Condition: All issues lightly toned with smoothed folds, scattered staining and soiling throughout, minor edgewear. January 18 issue has separations along the horizontal fold, affecting text but not content related to Texas.

More Information: The secret treaty printed in the January 1, 1837 issue reads, in translation:

"The news received from Texas informs us of the arrival of the commissioners with full powers to effect the deliverance of General Santa Anna. Consequently, the following document has been published: Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, commander-in-chief of the operational army and president of the Mexican Republic, formally undertakes to the government established in Texas to execute the following agreements, as far as they concern him personally:

1) To never take up arms against the people of Texas for as long as the struggle to ensure their independence lasts, nor to use their influence in any way against the interests of this republic;

2) To give the necessary orders for the most prompt evacuation of Texas by Mexican troops;

3) To prepare the means to ensure the deputy from Texas that is to go to Mexico the best possible reception by the government of this country, so as to facilitate the successful outcome of negotiations relating to the recognition of the independence of Texas;

4) That a treaty of commerce and boundary delimitation shall be negotiated between Mexico and Texas, but on the condition that the borders of this new state shall be bounded by the Rio Bravo-del-Norte River;

5) General Santa Anna shall leave immediately for Vera Cruz for the full fulfillment of the commitments he has just made. The government of Texas shall take the most prompt measures to facilitate the departure of said general;

6) This act being binding on both contracting parties, it shall be signed in duplicate. It shall remain secretly sealed and preserved until the general can receive a duplicate, which it is understood shall not be used unless there is an offense committed by one of the two contracting parties."

Partial transcripts for articles related to Texas read, in translation:

January 18, 1836 issue: "The Texas News contains the following declaration of the people of that state: General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and other generals, having overthrown by force of arms the liberal institutions of Mexico, and under the social contract which existed between Texas and the ministers of the Mexican confederation, the brave people of Texas, availing themselves of their natural rights, solemnly declare..." Followed by the eight articles of the declaration.

July 23, 1836 issue: "The Mexican army was in full retreat, and the Texian troops were pursuing it in the hope of capturing it. According to some newspapers, there was an intention to shoot Generals Santa Anna, Aimonte, Cos, etc. We cannot believe such an atrocity; however, the appalling carnage inflicted by the Texians on the Mexicans, without any distinction of rank, at the battle of April 21, inspires us with justifiable alarm for the fate of the unfortunate prisoners..."

June 25, 1836 issue: "Taken prisoner the day after the incident, the general, to save his life and those of his companions, agreed to evacuate the territory of Texas...General Filisola...declared that he would retreat and suspend hostilities until he received further instructions from the supreme government."

September 15, 1836: "The Mexicans, numbering 12 to 15 thousand men, surrendered in Texas by land and sea. It is said that the Mexican soldiers swore to exterminate all Americans or never return. This oath was of little reassurance for the fate of Santa Anna and his officers in the power of the Texians."

August 26, 1836 issue: "...Mexico is preparing to continue the war with vigor. The southern and western states still manifest the greatest sympathy for the cause of the Texians. On the contrary, the central and eastern states testify to the same cause an increasingly visible coldness. It is doubtless feared that at the next session of Congress the motion will be made to incorporate Texas into the United States. This motion would meet with violent opposition..."

August 18, 1839 issue: "Fortuitous circumstances, the slowness and hesitations of the Federal Congress, the war between France and Mexico, alone prevented the borders of the United States, until now so elastic, from being further understood, and gave rise to the birth of a new republic...The attention of the Texian government has been keenly focused on financial organization, which is excellent...the revenue from customs alone for next year is estimated at a million dollars."

April 24, 1842 issue: "...the Texas authorities were expecting numerous reinforcements of American volunteers; it adds that the Union government had just sent a squadron to the Gulf of Mexico to protect the interests of its citizens...Santa Anna undoubtedly wanted to avenge the humiliation he suffered in the fields of San Jacinto; but, more prudent this time, he is fighting only by proxy; he has not left Mexico City. He will probably only receive a second defeat from this new effort."