NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS Ch: 14

NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS Ch: 14

Chapter 14

NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS

There can be little doubt that there were big differences between the attitude to life of the more settled people living in the East coast areas of America in the 18th century and those who strove to settle the lands of the frontier. The challenging, exacting, and often dangerous life of the backwoods had produced in the pioneers, who were “winning the West” a daring, confident, and self-reliant. if aggressive, spirit which did not easily accept defeat They would take many risks and brook little interference in their attaining a goal. The Scotch.lrish, according to J. C. Furnas had a ” talent for black exasperation” and it certainly was that they had little patience when they suspected that there was some injustice being operated against them. When success was so often achieved by them. even after all-out struggles, on the frontier. it made them believe that they could take on any foe and accomplish almost anything they desired, The victory of the colonists in the War of Independence with the successful participation in it by so many of the men from the remotest frontier areas. especially at Cowpens. King’s Mountain. and Illinois, and in the 1812 War, under “Old Hickory” must have added greatIy to their confidence.

The progress of the colonization Westward following 1780 was so rapid that it is certain that their supreme belief in their capabilities had transmitted itself to the whole of the nation, It was a remarkable advancement It had taken about 180 years to colonize from the East coast to roughly the Alleghenies. In the 75 years following the War of Independence. the territory from that mountain range to the Pacific Ocean came under the authority of the U.S.A. The spirit of the largely Ulster Scottish pioneers of the frontier had begun. more and more, to inspire other people in the more settled areas. Several modern historians in America have commented on the influences of the successful Westward movement of the U.S.A. boundary on all its people. So much did it effect them that many politicans of the East began to fear that their power was being reduced and would pass into the hands of the more aggressive people of the West. This concern showed itself very much when the first man of the pioneers was elected to the White House, and a man of the same race stock chosen as his deputy. The President, Andrew Jackson, the Vice-President, John C. Calhoun. But more of these later. Suffice to say now that not only did the Ulster Scots provide the “cutting edge” physically for the expansion Westwards. but the bold. dauntless, and determined example they set engendered a spirit that swept through the peoples of the whole territory of the U.S.A. and carried its frontier right to the Pacific.

Indeed, would it be too much to claim that the present day confidence, self-reliance, inventiveness, especially in improvising, faith in democracy, and optimism of American people owes quite a lot to the influence of the hardy backwoodmen. Professor Leyburn would have it that the Scotch-Irish had a most important formative influence on American character, and points to their holding a clear distinction between right and wrong, with no compromise. He believes, too, that when the term “Scotch-Irish” is used in present day America, what is spoken and thought of is Character. After the surrender of the British forces at Yorktown, it was not long till the ambitions of the Americans were increased. It was seen by them that the Mississippi River system provided a water.way which was essential to their importing and exporting interests. It was vital to them that traffic along its waters, through New Orleans and Saint Louis, be unrestricted, and certainly not at the mercy of any other nation. This realisation could be traced back to the important supplying of their forces in the Illinois area with necessary war materials, during the recent conflict, by the ingenious efforts of Oliver Pollock and George Gibson, previously related. So their interest began to be extended to the vast land tract called Louisiana beyond the great river systems. This had been claimed by Spain, although the very small number of white people who lived in it were French trappers. When the Americans learned that it had been secretly ceded to France, they feared that the rather easy going Spanish control would be replaced by Napoleon with one that would be more hostile to them. Their government made contact with the French authorities through their representative in Paris.

He was Robert R. Livingston, the great, great, grandson of the first Presbyterian minister of Killinchy Church in County Down, in Ulster. He was one of the most distinguished of that illustrious family. As Chancellor of New York State, he had administered the Oath of Acceptance of the Presidential office to George Washington, and as a result became known as Chancellor Livingston. He also played a leading part in the drawing up of the Constitution of the new nation in 1788. He seemed to have inherited his great, great, grandfather’s talent for languages, and became a most able American minister to France. Once again, like several of his famous ancestors, he proved to be the right man, in the right place, and at the right time. His negotiations with the French authorities were masterly. They culminated in the buying of that vast territory for a surprisingly small amount of money. This Louisiana Purchase” has been described as “the greatest diplomatic success recorded in American history.” Livingston seems to have been well aware that the French links with the port of New Orleans had been greatly weakened by the uncertainty of their hold of Sam Domingo. This knowledge would have strengthened his hand, but he was surprised when the purchase of the whole Louisiana was introduced at an early stage in the negotiations. However, he seized the opportunity
and accepted the offer subject to his government’s agreement. Jefferson was at firsthesitant to ratify the purchase, but Livingston insisted that delay, even because of a clause in the American Constitution, forbidding the taking of additional territory without the approval of Congress, might prevent their acquisition of this strategically important land. So high was Jefferson’s opinion of his French minister’s judgment that he agreed that the deal be ratified. Through this purchase the territory of the U.S.A. was more than doubled without bloodshed. In those days the boundaries of Louisiana were most vaguely known and defined. This indefiniteness could be claimed as leading to the annexation by U.S.A. of the vast lands in the North West and South West of their present day territory. The additions were Oregon, and Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Califomia, indeed, all the Western States of U.S.A. and in all these acquisitions men of Ulster Scottish stock were most closely involved, whether in slightly less than peaceful negotiations, or in actual warfare.

First, Jefferson had to have more definite information about Louisiana. To do this, he
employed two most adventurous and resourceful men – William Clark and Meriwether Lewis. The former was, according to Whitelaw Reid, a younger brother of George Rogers Clark. I have no definite information as to the ancestors or family connections of the latter, but, it is possible that he was a descendant of Andrew Lewis, the famous leader of the frontier force in the Lord Dunmore War, who was one of a family of frontier fighters, from around the Shenandoah Valley. It would be most fitting if he were. That would mean that the first two men to reach the Pacific Ocean through Louisiana were of the same racial background as those many who began the exploration Westwards. Lewis and Clark, with several other bold adventurers, set out in May, 1804 from Saint Louis. They travelled in boats on the Missouri River, through the largely unknown territory of Louisiana. It took a year for the party to reach the mountains in what is now Montana State. There they had to leave their boats and begin the dangerous laborious journey over the Rockies.

After several adventure filled months, they reached the Columbia River. There they had to construct other boats, and afterwards set out on the final stage of their historic passage to the Pacific. The knowledge gained when travelling outwards enabled them to return more easily, and they again reached Saint Louis before the end of 1806. They had covered almost 8,000 miles. Clark and Lewis had gathered information regarding the geographical features of the region, which provided the basis for most useful reports. These were later published and proved to be of great help for further exploration. Owing to the extensive mountain ranges occupying much of the Western lands in America, for several years after 1806, only trappers and related traders went to the land that Clark and Lewis had explored. Into that part of the region called Oregon came men from America and Canada to seek a living in this way. The friction between them grew as the pursuits became more rewarding. This animosity was transmitted to the two countries as the trapping and trading business became more organized, and each claimed the area. A kind of joint ownership persisted, but this grew quite unstable after 1842, when there was a very large influx of Americans in what was called “The Oregon Trail Race”, Vast numbers of would-be settlers started off from Independence in Missouri with all the equipment thought necessary, in all kinds of conveyances. When the successful ones arrived, as had been promised, they staked their claims to the unoccupied land.

Following on this the cIamour for American government of the area became more insistent. It was now a matter of national pride, and the annexation of Oregon became the goal of many statesmen. It was especially thus for the man who in 1844 was elected President – James Knox Polk. He bluntly stated that Britain would have to accept the American claim, or there would be war. It was the frontiersman’s approach to a persistent problem. In 1846 after negotiations most of the land became part of U.S.A. Robert Polk (pronounced then Poke, but now spelt and said as Pollock) left Londonderry with his family about 1670. They arrived in America and settled in Maryland. Some of his descendants left there and travelled to North Carolina. Two of them became very distinguished in and around Revolutionary times. Thomas organized and presided over the famous Mecklenburg Convention, already mentioned, at which the first declaration of Independence was made. His brother, Ezekiel, served as Captain of a company of Rangers. James Knox Polk was the grandson of Ezekiel, and was born at Mecklenburg in 1795. He was a brillant student at North Carolina University before going into politics.

He attained the eminent position of Speaker of the House, but left to become Governor of Tennessee. In 1844, going forward as a Democrat candidate he was elected as eleventh president of the U.S.A. The lack of control by Spain over her colonies in North and Central America was basically the reason why U.S.A. acquired some of them. About the beginning of the 19th century, American settlements around Georgia and South Carolina were being raided constantly by Red Indians from East and West Florida. These were nominally Spanish colonies and America made many complaints regarding these incursions, but all to no avail. There was often much loss of life among the settlers. After a particularly murderous series of raids, President Monroe ordered General Andrew Jackson (Old Hickory) to go into Florida on a punitive expedition. With a company of volunteers from Tennessee the general pursued the marauders into the swampy country which was their usual haven of safety. Some of his troops themselves had been ambushed and almost wiped out by some of those same Indians, when on their way to link up with Jackson’s main force. This was too much for the fiery general and it is recorded that he swept into Florida like an avenging flame.”

The punishment of the invaders was severe. Not only did his troops ruthlessly account for many of them, but he had their chiefs hanged, and took possession of the Floridas for America. Both parts of the country were ceded by Spain to the growing Republic within a few years. Spain had never found the successful colonization of Central America easy either. Mexico proved in this respect to be especially difficult. There, the Indians were most stubbornly hostile in their resistance. The Mexicans, too, never really accepted any form of Spanish rule with the result that revolt and lawlessness were prevalent, especially in Texas. In the 1820′ s the Spaniards had only a few outposts remaining in that region. In order to bring more stability into that part they offered large grants of land to American “contractors”, providing that they brought sufficient settlers into their areas.

The offers were willingly taken up, with the result that, by 1824, some 20,000 Americans had settled in Texas. However, again, the Mexicans rebelled against Spanish rule, and installed a dictator in Mexico City. He immediately announced that the whole country, including the lands granted to the settlers was under his authority. The Americans’ answer was to seize at least three villages in their area, among which were San Antonio, Goliad, and Gonzales. General Santa Anna, the self-styled “Napoleon of the West”, soon began the long forced Northwards march from the headquarters he had seized in Mexico City with some 3,000 troops to put down this revolting a short time, they were within a few days’ march from San Antonio, into which the most of the armed settlers, led by Colonel William Travis had gone, There were over one hundred of them.

Travis, on 24th February, 1836 sent out a call for help “to all Americans” in a message taken by a Captain Albert Martin, who rode with all speed to the nearest American-occupied village, more than 80 miles away. The call was made with all urgency, but distances were great. and means of reaching there were’ comparatively slow, Among those who came in time to help were two Ulster Scots whose reputation for daring courage and resourcefulness preceded them. They were Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett. Bowie’s fearsome prowess with the 14 inch-bladed knife, he had made for himself, had established him as a determined leader, with whom very few would willingly clash. After he arrived, some time before Crockett, he helped Travis to plan and arrange the fortification of the mission building on the edge of the village, It was the only construction which offered any degree of strength to stand up to attack. It was to be tested within a short time, Named after the overhanging cottonwood trees nearby – The Alamo – it was to become to Americans what Londonderry had become to Ulstermen and women, a place of defiance to the death, of no surrender. Many of those who were on the defence in that former mission building in Texas were of the same racial stock as those who stuck so nobly to their task in the “Maiden City,” They had just the one heavy gun and placed it in the most commanding position they would.

Jim Bowie, while disagreeing in some instances with Travis’s judgment. co-operated with him as far as possible – but he was a sick man, whose strength was quickly failing. Davy Crockett. who arrived shortly after Bowie, came as leader of “The Tennessee Company of Mounted Volunteers,” It was a title probably humorously chosen. Although remembered recently in a song as “King of the Wild Frontier”, he had been a magistrate in Western Tennessee for several years before he was elected as one of the State’s representatives in Congress. He served for two terms in this position, but was not keen on some of the insincerity he met there. He was “more at home” with his trusted, long-barrelled gun, “Betsey”, which had served him so well, while he engaged in support of many a weak, but good cause. That was his reason for going at that time to San Antonio. Immediately he became involved in the planning of defence. While this preparation was going on, another frontiersman had become most active in Texas, following his appointment as Commander-in-Chief of all American forces in Texas. He was Sam Houston, the Governor of Tennessee, but born of Ulster parents at Timber Ridge in Virginia. His father had provided some of the land on which to build Augusta Academy, later Liberty Hall, and even later the Washington and Lee University. Sam had already made a name for himself as a determined, no-nonsense, daring, military leader in Indian wars, for part of which time he had served under General Andrew Jackson, His appointment had followed the Government’s concern for the American settlers safety in a country which was now mostly under the power of the Mexican revolutionaries. However, his task was a difficult one.

Distances between villages were long and armed Americans few, so he found himself far from his threatened countrymen and with comparatively few troops under his immediate command. Meanwhile, Santa Anna’s forces had been increased as they came Northwards, and so with some 4,000 men they were rapidly nearing the small village of San Antonio. Soon the beleaguered Americans had to fall back to the Alamo. Colonel Travis sent out his last mounted messenger on 5th March in the hope that he would be able to get through the Mexican lines, and, perhaps, manage to reach the village of Goliad, some 80 miles farther down the River San Antonio. From there some help might be forthcoming. All the experienced scouts had gone, so a 16 years old lad, Jim Allen, was chosen for this desperate mission. Against all expectations, he slipped through the ever closing circles of Mexicans, and, galloping full out, reached the village. However, it was all to no avail. Time shortage and scarcity of armed men were the two unchangeable factors that ruled out the doing of anything effective to relieve the besieged Americans.

Inside the strengthened, but still vulnerable, Alamo the brave 183 men were making last minute preparations to defend to the end. Jim Bowie had worked while he was able, but had collapsed, weakened by his illness. Davy Crockett was doing all he could to rally the defenders. The large red Mexican flag signifying” no mercy” was hoisted, and their heavy guns began to pound the walls of the makeshift fortress. The
Americans’ 18-pounder defiantly replied, and with some effect on the attackers. But the whole building was being weakened by every salvo, and as the shelling continued throughout the day, it must have brought home, to those within, the desperateness of their plight. Night fell at last, but it could not have given much respite to them. Daybreak of the 6th March, 1836 was accompanied by a fierce acceleration of the Mexican bombardment, and within a very short time the alarming tune of “Deguello” from outside reminded the courageous few inside that no quarter would be given. It heralded an all-out assault by the enemy hordes. The position was hopeless, but they resisted to the very last. It is recorded that the furious fight put up by the Americans” awed” even the attackers, but it could not last. Davy Crockett was said to have been found with more than twenty bayonet wounds in his body; Jim Bowie had fired his pistols to the end, while lying on a makeshift bed, before he perished from many thrusts; another hero had been killed trying to crawl to the powder magazine with a lighted faggot; Travis had fallen by the side of a wall. Each one had sold his life dearly. Over 600 Mexican troops fell during the attack. Of the defenders there were no survivors.

In the days that followed, the victorious soldiers of Santa Anna terrorised the settlers in Texas. Many were taken out of their homes and executed. The American people at home cIamoured for some action to be taken, and the Government sent urgent messages to Sam Houston to protect those who were being afflicted. But he did not do so immediately, as he had only a small force of experienced men. He was, however, getting together as many as possible and training them for battle. The Mexican commander had been forced to leave, on the way, quite a number of his troops to provide supply lines. He was left with some 1500 men. Houston’s opportunity came on the aftemoon of 21st April, some 6 weeks after the annihilation of Travis and his men. The Mexican forces were resting near a ferry on the San Jacinto river. The Texans silently approached, crossed over on to the same tract of land, and then with fierce cries of “Remember the Alamo” attacked. Santa Anna, himself, was taken prisoner and the most of his soldiers killed. The Alamo was avenged! The conquering commander has been remembered by the naming of the town near the site of the battle after him. It is known world-wide today as the American Spacecraft Centre.

The Texans proclaimed their country independent republic and Sam Houston was elected as their first president. They applied to be accepted into the U.S.A but the “Lone Star State” had to wait for nine years before it was thus recognised. The President of America at the time who insisted on the granting of this status was James K. Polk. It became the 28th State in 1845. It was the same man who largely
brought about the annexation of the remainder of the former Spanish colonies of Califomia, New Mexico, and Arizona. Texas was accepted as a state in the U.S.A., but soon there was disagreement with Mexico as to its Southern boundary. The Mexicans claimed that it was formed by the Nueces River, but America insisted it was farther South on the Rio Grande. Polk ordered General Zachary Taylor to cross the Nueces River, and, while some of his forces were doing this, they were attacked. The American President then declared war. Among the officers who served with great distinction in the ensuing battles were some who were to play leading parts in the American Civil War. Captains Robert E. Lee and George B. McClelland and lieutenants Ulysses S. Grant and Thomas Jonathan Jackson were among them. Grant displayed remarkable initiative when he ordered to De placed a howitzer in the belfry of a church, from which vantage point, the command of a strategic area was brought about. Shortly afterwards Mexico sued for peace. By the Treaty of 1848 America acquired the present sized Texas and the other former Spanish colonies.

Thus it can be seen that much of the expansion of the U.S.A from the Mississippi to the Pacific also owed much to the efforts of men of Ulster Scottish extraction serving as determined politicans or war leaders. The vast regions of the West were successfully and democratically settled through conditions laid down by the lately established govemment of the young nation. These were set out in what were called the North West Ordnance of 1787 and the South West Ordnance of 1790. The governing rules stated that when 5,000 males had settled in an area, a law-making organization could be set up. When 60,000 people had settled there, it would be recognised as a state. But of even more importance when the region became a state, almost complete self government would be granted to the people. Surely we can easily trace in this build-up to this status, followed by permission from the central authority for the people to govern themselves, the same procedure as was adopted by James Robertson and John Sevier to have the Watauga and Holston region accepted, first as a part ofYirginia Colony and then later as the State of Tennessee. Robertson had organized the settlement of the area, and then he and Sevier had drawn up what was termed the Watauga Association in 1772. stating the rules for governing the settlement. These conditions were accepted by the State authority. The similarity to the procedure adopted for the settlement and guaranteed self-government of the Western States surely justifies the claim of Theodore Roosevelt that

“the Watauga settlers outlined in advance the nation’s work.”