Vicente Filisola. Evacuation of Texas. Translation of the Representation Addresse...
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Consign your material to be auctioned alongside these items on Thursday, February 26, 2026 in Dallas, TX. Consignment Deadline for this auction is Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
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Description
An important association copy of "the first book printed in the Republic of Texas"
Vicente Filisola. Evacuation of Texas.
Translation of the Representation Addressed to the Supreme
Government by Gen. Vicente Filisola, in Defence of His Honor, and
Explanation of His Operations as Commander-in-Chief of the Army
Against Texas. Columbia: Printed by G. & T. H. Borden, Public
Printers, 1837. First edition in English. Disbound. 8vo. iv, 68
pages. With blank leaf between title and Preface. With remnants of
the original leather binding bearing the name of the original
owner, Benjamin C. Franklin, a veteran of the Battle of San
Jacinto.General Filisola (1785-1850), Santa Anna's second-in-command "wrote this vindication of his actions only four months after the Battle of San Jacinto. The 'Documents' (pp. 37-68) which follow the exposition are as important as his account of Santa-Anna's failure...one of the earliest books printed in the republic of Texas" (Fifty Texas Rarities). Jenkins calls it "the first book printed in the Republic of Texas."
"The account was, of course, of great interest to all Texans, and there is an entry in the journal of the Texas House of Representatives for November 23, 1836, announcing a message from the President recommending the translation of a pamphlet in vindication of Filisola's conduct in the campaign of Texas" (Streeter). Filisola, second in command to Santa Anna, wrote this account shortly after his return to Mexico. In November 1836 a copy of the first edition was sent to Stephen F. Austin, then serving as Secretary of State of the new Republic of Texas. Austin recommended that it be translated into English stating that it was of "importance to the public interests" because it gave "the history of the military movements and views of the enemy during the invasion...last spring." President Sam Houston agreed and urged the Texas Congress to republish it at public expense. On November 24, 1836, Congress voted to have 500 copies printed. George Louis Hammeken, a friend of Austin, translated the text and the work was printed by Gail Borden. In the interim, Austin died in December 1836. The Bordens billed the government for 300, not 500, copies. The first edition was published in Spanish by Cumplido in Mexico in 1836 (see Streeter 853).
Accompanying this copy are two signatures clipped from the volume's original leather covers, each reading "Benjamin C. Franklin." A lawyer from Athens, Georgia, Franklin joined the Texian Army in 1836 and fought under Captain Robert J. Calder at the Battle of San Jacinto. For his service, he received a grant of 320 acres and became one of the earliest purchasers of land in what would later become Houston. Following Texas's independence, Franklin was appointed the first judge of the Republic, presiding over the district of Brazoria. He then served on the Supreme Court of Texas until 1839, when he resigned to practice law in Galveston.
Condition: Disbound. Remnants of binding at spine. Minor edgewear, with light foxing throughout. Clipped signatures with soiling and some delamination; binding remnants to the verso of each.
Reference: Eberstadt, I 162:295; Eberstadt, Texas Exhibition, p. 12; Fifty Texas Rarities 17; Graff 1321; Howes F-127 ("c"); Jenkins, Basic Texas Books 61A; Rader 1379; Raines p. 82; Sabin 24323; Streeter, Texas 191; Vandale 65.
Auction Info
2026 February 26 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6328 (go to Auction Home page)
Bidding Begins Approx.
January
26th
Monday
Auction Dates
February
26th
Thursday
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35 Days
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Signature®: Heritage Live®:After Internet bidding closes, live bidding will take place through www.HA.com/Live. Your secret maximum bid placed prior to the live event will compete against the live bids. To maximize your chances of winning, enter realistic secret maximum bids on our site. Many of our proxy bidders are successful at winning lots in these auctions, and usually below their secret maximum. You can also place last minute bids directly with us by e-mailing Bid@HA.com or calling 1-866-835-3243. (Important note: Due to software and Internet latency, live bids may not register in time, so enter realistic proxy bids.)
Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
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