Tejas in 1542

Texas got its name from Tejas, the largest Indian settlement in Texas in 1542.

Texas Indians in 1528 - Atakapas

The earliest recorded contact between Europeans and Texas Indians came in November 1528, when members ofPánfilo de Narváez'sqv expedition landed near Galveston Island and encountered people who were probably Atakapas. One member of the expedition, Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca,qv who spent more than six years traveling through coastal Indians of South Texas, penned vivid descriptions of the hunting and gathering groups that he encountered. Unlike many later observers, Cabeza de Vaca was not entirely disdainful of the Indians' culture, although his observations indicate their primitive lives.

THE LOUISIANA-TEXAS FRONTIER .

Part I. The Franco-Spanish Régime. THE SPANISH INTRODUCTION.

To the average American citizen of a century ago Texas was practically unknown, while Louisiana meant little more than a vague geographical expression to designate a shadowy region rendered marvelous by three centuries of Latin-American exploration and occupancy. He knew only that within the unknown limits of the Southwest conquistador and coreur-de-bois.. Franciscan and Jesuit had played uncertain parts in an ineffectual struggle to stem the westward course of the Anglo-Saxon. In this struggle Spaniard and Frenchman had fought each other for the sake of colonial empires that they barely grasped before they were obliged to combine against the Anglo-American invader, who threatened to dispossess both of their uncertain tenure. Under these circumstances, when Louisiana was ceded to the United States the question of metes and bounds for the new acquisition was a puzzling one upon which past events could throw but little light, and that greatly distorted.

Great resource for historical setting

"CONTENTS", Volume 030, Number 1, Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online.

CONTENTS

NUMBER 1: JULY, 1926

DIARY OF A TEXAN VOLUNTEER IN THE MEXICAN WAR - James K. Holland - 1
THE MINERAL LAND QUESTION IN CALIFORNIA, 1848-1866 - Joseph Ellison - 34
CAPTAIN JESUS CUELLAR, TEXAS CAVALRY, OTHERWISE "COMANCHE" - Harbert Davenport - 56
MEXICO AS A FIELD FOR SYSTEMATIC BRITISH COLONIZATION, 1839 - Annis Heloise Abel, Ph. D - 63
THE BRYAN-HAYES CORRESPONDENCE, XX - Edited by E. W. Winkler - 68
BOOK REVIEWS AND NOTICES: J. Fred Rippy, The United States and Mexico - 75
AFFAIRS OF THE ASSOCIATION - 80
NUMBER 2: OCTOBER, 1926

CALIFORNIA AND THE NATION, 1846-1869 - Joseph Ellison - 83
ANTONIO DE ESPEJO AND HIS JOURNEY TO NEW MEXICO - J. Lloyd Mecham - 114
DIARY OF ADOLPHUS STERNE - Edited by Harriet Smither - 139
BOOK REVIEWS AND NOTICES: Sears, John Slidell; Marshall, The Life and Papers of Frederick Bates - 156
NUMBER 3: JANUARY, 1927

THE GREENBACK PARTY IN TEXAS - Roscoe C. Martin - 161
EXTRACTS FROM THE REMINISCENCES OF GENERAL GEORGE W. MORGAN - Contributed by Samuel E. Asbury - 178
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE TEJAS OR ASINAI INDIANS, I - Translated and edited by Mattie Austin Hatcher - 206
DIARY OF ADOLPHUS STERNE, II - Edited by Harriet Smither - 219
NOTES AND FRAGMENTS: Exhibition of Relics at Fairfield, Texas - 237
NUMBER 4: APRIL, 1927

THE COMMITTEE ON THE TEXAN DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE - James K. Greer - 239
A RECONNOISSANCE OF TEXAS IN 1846 - A. W. Moore (?) - 252
THE JOURNAL OF CAPTAIN ISAAC L. BAKER - Contributed and edited by C. F. Arrowood - 272
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE TEJAS OR ASINAI INDIANS, II - Translated and edited by Mattie Austin Hatcher - 283
DIARY OF ADOLPHUS STERNE, III - Edited by Harriet Smither - 305
BOOK REVIEWS AND NOTICES - 325
INDEX - 327

"CONTENTS.", Volume 031, Number 1, Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online.

CONTENTS.


NUMBER 1: JULY, 1927

REVIEW OF THE WORK OF THE TEXAS STATE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION - T. F. Harwood - 1
THE COMMITTEE ON THE TEXAS DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, II - James K. Greer - 33
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE TEJAS OR ASINAI INDIANS, III - Translated and edited by Mattie Austin Hatcher - 50
DIARY OF ADOLPHUS STERNE, IV - Edited by Harriet Smither - 63
NOTES AND FRAGMENTS: The Bryan-Hayes Friendship - 84
AFFAIRS OF THE ASSOCIATION - 86


NUMBER 2: OCTOBER, 1927

A HISTORY OF THE J A RANCH - Harley True Burton - 89
THE GERMAN SETTLERS AND THE INDIANS IN TEXAS, 1844-1860 - R. L. Biesele - 116
THE COMMITTEE ON THE TEXAS DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, III - James K. Greer - 130
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE TEJAS OR ASINAI INDIANS, IV - Translated and edited by Mattie Austin Hatcher - 150
DIARY OF ADOLPHUS STERNE, V - Edited by Harriet Smither - 181
BOOK REVIEWS: Francisco de Ibarra and Nueva Viscaya - By J. Lloyd Mecham - 188


NUMBER 3: JANUARY, 1928

FRAMING THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS - Rupert N. Richardson - 191
A HISTORY OF THE J A RANCH, II - Harley True Burton - 221
THE COMMUNITY ACEQUTA: ITS ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT - Wells A. Hutchins - 261
DIARY OF ADOLPHUS STERNE, VI - Edited by Harriet Smither - 285
BOOK REVIEWS AND NOTICES: Carreri, Viage a la Nueva Espana; Icazbalceta, Catalogo de manuscritos relativos a la historia de America - 292


NUMBER 4: APRIL, 1928

MINOR EMPRESARIO CONTRACTS FOR THE COLONIZATION OF TEXAS, 1825-1834 - Mary Virginia Henderson - 295
A HISTORY OF THE J A RANCH, III - Harley True Burton - 325
THE PIONEER HARRISES OF HARRIS COUNTY - Adele B. Looscan - 365
DIARY OF ADOLPHUS STERNE, VII - Edited by Harriet Smither - 374
AFFAIRS OF THE ASSOCIATION - 384
NDEX - 385

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE TEJAS OR ASINAI INDIANS DESCRIPTIONS OF THE TEJAS OR ASINAI INDIANS V30#4

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE TEJAS OR ASINAI INDIANS, 1691-1722 II
TRANSLATED FROM THE SPANISH BY MATTIE AUSTIN HATCHER
[Punishments]

DESCRIPTION OF THE TEJAS OR ASINAI INDIANS V31#1

DESCRIPTION OF THE TEJAS OR ASINAI INDIANS, 1691-1722
TRANSLATED FROM THE SPANISH BY MATTIE AUSTIN HATCHER

FRAY FRANCISCO HIDALGO TO FRAY ISIDRO CASSOS
November 20, 1710
(extract)
[Religious Beliefs]

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE TEJAS OR ASINAI INDIANS V31#2

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE TEJAS OR ASINAI INDIANS, 1691-1722
TRANSLATED FROM THE SPANISH BY MATTIE AUSTIN HATCHER
IV FRAY ISIDRO FELIS DE ESPINOSA

Descriptions of the Tejas or Asinai Indians V30#3

Hatcher, M. A. Descriptions of the Tejas or Asinai Indians, 1691-1722, translated and edited. Southwestern Historical Quarterly, XXX, 206-218, 283-304, XXXI, 50-62, 150-180. 1926-1928.

This is the parent group that publishes the Handbook of Texas On-line. The author of the above was a historian and archivist for the University of Texas Library many years ago (1920s) and wrote prolifically about the southwest, early Texas and pioneer life.

I sent an email to the Texas Folklore Society about a book she (Mattie Austin Hatcher) had written entitled "The Myths of the Tejas". I'll await there reply.

The Indians of Texas

The Caddos in east and northeast Texas were perhaps the most culturally developed. They were successful agriculturists who lived in permanent abodes. It was a group within this tribe that the early Spanish authorities called the Tejas, which is said to be the tribes's word for friend. From this origin, the name evolved to become the name for Mexican province, then the republic, and now the state.

Rebuttal and Correction:

It was a neigboring tribe that was a member of the same confederation called Teyas that the early Spanish authorities called the Tejas. They were Atakapa speaking peoples. They called themselves the First Peoples of Texas.

Tejas, which is the Caddo tribes's word for friend. It was in fact in Teyas a word meaning "friend from heaven" or "friend to the Creator". It was also the name of the tribe's first chief. From this origin, the name evolved to become the name for a Mexican province, then to a Republic and now finally a State.

The Caddo came from the northern regions and then settled in the East Texas area after joining the confederacy. They speak thier own tongue, Caddo, which is related to that of the Pawnee and similar language groups. Because of the closeness of the two groups, Caddo and Tejas, it is difficult to distinguish the differences. The major distinction is that thier language base is different.

Tejas LCA

Because of delays in its planned induction, the Tejas does not adequately address the current and future threats faced by the IAF. There is a strong case for encouraging the IAF and ADA to think beyond the Tejas.

As part of my research on strategic affairs I frequent numerous web sites that focus on India's emergence as a military power. The enthusiasm expressed on most such forums by young Indians for Defense Research Projects managed by the DRDO, such as the LCA, Arjun MBT and the Brahmos is gratifying. Unfortunately, there is no similar enthusiasm for DRDO products within the defense forces. The IAF is not as thrilled as the young people on these forums about the proposed induction of the LCA. Clearly, there is a serious disconnect and I will attempt to address in these columns in the coming days.

A Diplomacy of Gender: Rituals of First Contact in the "Land of the Tejas"

Nearly sixty years later, in 1689, when Spaniards sought permanent settlement in the "land of the Tejas," along the Red River region of the present-day Texas-Louisiana border, they recalled stories of Ágreda's prior visitations and sought evidence that might serve as a touchstone for beginning their own missionary efforts.2 Much to the delight of fray Damián Mazanet, Caddo Indians of the Hasinai confederacy (known to Spaniards as "Tejas" Indians) responded positively to his queries. Yes, he understood them to say, a mysterious "Woman in Blue" had appeared among them, not in living memory, as one caddí (the Caddo term for a chief or cacique) attested, but according to stories told by grandparents.3

(from another source)
One such story is that of the apparition of María de Jesús Coronel, Sor María de Agreda. Fray Damián Manzanet had specifically been given instructions to look for the tribes that Sor María de Agreda had visited in her religious ecstasy. The Franciscan found the tribes in Texas, and
. . . Manzanet and his companions were joyfully and kindly received and shown every consideration. The Governor, or Chief, of the Tejas Indians one day asked Manzanet for some blue baize in which to bury his grandmother when she died.
Manzanet asked him why he desired it blue. The Chief replied that it was because a beautiful woman who had come often to visit their tribe and whom they reverenced wore blue, and they wished to be like her on passing to the other world … she had promised them teachers, and now that Manzanet and his companions had come, the "high priest" or medicine man of the tribe had told them that these were the true teachers who had been expected.
The strange part of the story is that Mary de Agreda had never really been in Texas or the New World in person, but during her state of intense longing and continued prayer, she must have dreamt or visited them in ecstasy…. She conversed with these dream people and promised them teachers which she finally caused to be sent as we have seen. Numerous were her writings descriptive of these people, their country, customs, and names of tribes, and it was afterwards found to be correct and true. (de Zavala 101-102)

This is a Caddo connection.

Timeline - Spain and Texas

1689—April 16: Indians (perhaps Emet and Cava) encountered by the De León entrada greet with a word sounding like “techas” or “tejas.” Fray Damián Massanet identifies the phrase as one used among enemies of the Apaches meaning “friends” or “friendship.” The word also meant alliance with the Tejas, a name given by the Spanish to certain East Texas natives.

1690—Alonso De León begins his last entrada into the lands that would become Texas. The goals are to search for survivors of La Salle's colony and to make contact with the eastern Tejas Indians—if they desire missionary presence.
1690—May 22: Alonso De León and Fray Massanet reach a Tejas settlement (at San Pedro Creek in present Houston County) which they name San Francisco de los Tejas. A church and mission residences are constructed.

1721—In July, before crossing the Trinity River, Governor Aguayo is met by Indians carrying a French flag. The commander asks that the French flag be displayed below the Spanish; this request is carried out without incident.
1721—In July the Aguayo expedition arrives at the San Pedro Creek location and is welcomed in a friendly manner by the Tejas. Captain Louis Juchereau de St. Denis from Natchitoches visits to enquire about the Spanish presence. Aguayo tells the French they must leave the Los Adaes area. On August 29 the Spanish occupy the abandoned San Miguel de los Adaes. The French remain some eighteen miles away at the Natchitoches fort. In October a Spanish supply ship arrives at Matagorda Bay from Vera Cruz in support of the Spanish efforts.

The Journal of Lieutenant Colonel Don Manuel Salcedo

Year of 1810
May
19 The post separated itself from a party that is preparing to depart with Captain Don Luciano. At noon the Tejas Indian Chief, Tavian, presented himself to the Governor. In his company were thirteen braves, six women, three children and a Caddo, who had joined them. At three o'clock five Ayses Indians with nine women and ten children of all classes presented themselves to the Governor.
June
15 We didn't leave until 10:30 because it was raining at sunrise. At 3:30 we crossed the Navasota, where we stopped to eat. We set out again at five minutes before six. At 8:07 we stopped on the Corpus Christi. This afternoon we encountered four Tejas Indians who were leading some wild ponies.

The 1716 Domingo Ramon expedition

Domingo Ramon's 1716 expedition into Texas: on Foik's translation.
Southwest Journal of Linguistics, June, 2004 by Cunningham, Debbie S.

ABSTRACT. The 1716 Domingo Ramon expedition resulted in the temporary occupation of East Texas from 1716 to 1719 with six missions and a presidio. This expedition represented Spain's commitment to the permanent occupation of the Province of the Tejas Indians. In addition to the original diary kept by Ramon, there are two extant copies of this diary and one translation (Foik 1999). Although Foik (1999:129) doesn't specify which manuscript he uses as his source, this essay shows that his translation is based on the least reliable copy. Inconsistencies between Foik's translation and ...

History of the Catholic Church in Texas

The history of the Catholic Church in Texas begins practically with the landing of La Salle in February, 1685. With him was a missionary force of seven priests, four Recollects, and three Sulpicians, who ministered to the spiritual wants of the French colony at Fort St. Louis while it lasted. On its destruction by the Indians in 1687 some of these doubtless perished with their flock, the others made their way to the French settlements further north. Don Alonzo de Leon, Governor of Coahuila, was accompanied in his expedition from Monelova to the site of La Salle's settlement in 1689 by Fray Damian Martinez or Marzanet from the Franciscan Apostolic college of Santa Cruz at Queretaro. Two of these colleges were established in Mexico, one at Queretaro in the seventeenth century, the other later (1706), at Zacatecas. From these centres missionary activity, on the representation of Father Damian, began among the Indians of Texas. In 1690 Leon again returned to the ruins of Fort St. Louis. This time Father Damian with four other Franciscans again accompanied him and established the mission of San Francisco de los Tejas in eastern Texas among the Tejas Indians on the Trinity River. On 16 May, 1691, Domingo de Teran, successor of Leon as Governor of the Province of Coahuila, with the intent of occupying and settling Texas, set out from Monelova with "officers, civil and military", bringing with them soldiers, labourers, and artisans, together with domestic animals and seeds for farming. With this expedition went nine Franciscan fathers, Francisco Hidalgo, Nicolas Riccio, Miguel Estelles, Pedro Fortuny, Pedro Garcia, Ildefonso Monge, Jose Saldona, Antonio Miranda, and Juan de Garayuschea. These priests attended the settlements founded during the expedition on the Red River, the Neches, and the Guadalupe, establishing there missions for the Indians and baptizing many thousands of them.

A Spanish Borderlands Community

A Spanish Borderlands Community: San Antonio
Jesús F. de la Teja
Reprinted from the OAH Magazine of History14 (Summer 2000). ISSN 0882-228XCopyright (c) 2000, Organization of American Historians

Far more significant for the development of the community were two other actions resulting from Rivera's inspection. The brigadier found that the plentiful agricultural and grazing land in the vicinity of San Antonio would prosper under more intensive cultivation, and he proposed to send twenty-five families to the area to start a civilian settlement. He also recommended that another Texas presidio, located in East Texas among the Tejas Indians (for whom the province was named), should be closed. Over the complaints of Franciscans, who rightly argued that without Presidio de los Tejas the local Indians would abandon the nearby missions, Rivera's recommendation was carried out in 1729. By 1731 three of those missions had relocated to the San Antonio River valley below the original settlement. Missions Purísima Concepción, San Juan Capistrano, and San Francisco de la Espada, were the last missionary establishments on the upper San Antonio River and to this day remain, along with Mission San José, the most visible reminders of the Spanish presence in Texas.

History of the Missions

The chain of missions established along the San Antonio River in the 18th century are reminders of one of Spain's most successful attempts to extend its New World dominion northward from Mexico. They were the greatest concentration of Catholic missions in North America. While tales of riches, such as those of the fabled region of Gran Quivira, spurred the conquistadors' advance across the Rio Grande, encounters with the Tejas Indians, for whom Texas was named, provided even greater impetus for Spain's colonization of its northern borderlands. As dreams of wealth faded, giving way to the more practical goal of propagating the Catholic faith among the frontier Indians, the mission served to introduce native inhabitants into Spanish society.

Treaty Oak History

PRE-TEXAS HISTORY OF TREATY OAK

The Treaty Oak is a living symbol of history. For five centuries it has survived searing summers, dusty droughts and whistling winds, and has drawn it sustenance from the very depths of Texas soil. It is the last survivor of a grove of fourteen trees known to local Indians as the Council Oaks. The original inhabitants of the area regarded it as a Tree-God. It was a temple of worship for the Commanches and Tonkowas. In the shade of the oak's wide spreading branches, the Native Americans would meet to dance the war dances, smoke the peace pipe, and celebrate feasts and religious ceremonies. Myths and magic surrounded the tree. Tejas Indians believed that a brew from the acorns mixed with wild honey brought back from battle the lovers to maidens who drank the potion.

Tejas Assault Apaches in 1692

More from Tukufu on The Apache.
The rise and fall of the warrior Apache

By 1692, the Apache were a powerful nation of mounted Indians who raided wherever and whenever they liked. But they were soon under assault by neighboring Comanche, Wichita, and Tejas Indians who were receiving a steady supply of firearms from French traders. Under assault, groups of Apache moved westward into New Mexico and Arizona. Others fled south to central Texas and Mexico.