|
Post by Jim Boylston on Aug 14, 2007 11:35:49 GMT -5
During my research on Crockett's correspondence, I came upon this item in an auction catalog for the Philpott Collection:
The reference to "Almante" I found very interesting. Comments? Jim
|
|
|
Post by TRK on Aug 14, 2007 12:11:46 GMT -5
Austin was released from prison on bond in Mexico City on December 25, 1834, about six weeks before Travis repeated the news to Burnet. Six days later, Austin wrote to Samuel May Williams that Almonte visited him "frequently" in prison.
|
|
|
Post by Jim Boylston on Aug 14, 2007 12:29:02 GMT -5
Travis's letter almost sounds as if Almonte had written him. Jim
|
|
|
Post by witlesstex on Aug 14, 2007 13:19:41 GMT -5
Have any good biographies been written about Travis? I seem to recall hearing about one, a long time ago, but I don't know if it was good or not.
|
|
|
Post by Jim Boylston on Aug 14, 2007 13:25:25 GMT -5
The only one I remember is by Archie MacDonald. I don't have it, so can't vouch for it. The sections on Travis in Davis's "Three Roads" probably reflect the latest scholarship on Travis, though. Jim
|
|
|
Post by TRK on Aug 14, 2007 13:55:51 GMT -5
Martha Anne Turner wrote probably the first book-length biography, William Barrett Travis: His Sword and His Pen (Texian Press, 1972). It was an ok biography for its time, but Three Roads to the Alamo reflects much deeper research.
|
|
|
Post by Herb on Aug 14, 2007 15:37:47 GMT -5
Remember, when we were discussing the execution accounts, that Almonte had been in San Felipe in 1834 when Travis was serving as secretary to the council. It would have been almost impossible for the two men as officials of the Mexican Govt not to have met. The chief concern of the Texian officials conveyed to Almonte was the imprisionment of Austin.
|
|
|
Post by stuart on Aug 14, 2007 16:23:53 GMT -5
Sounds then that what Travis was referring to was some kind of official notification rather than a personal letter.
|
|
|
Post by Rich Curilla on Aug 15, 2007 3:31:16 GMT -5
He has taken T.W. Nibbs into a one year partnership and "sold my woman Matilda (the best one) for $700.00..." "...the best one" Do you suppose this is another reference to Travis' womanizing? $700!!!!!!! The girl must have been awesome!
|
|
|
Post by Jim Boylston on Aug 15, 2007 23:27:13 GMT -5
I wonder how many different slaves Travis actually owned while he was in Texas. Jim
|
|
|
Post by TRK on Aug 16, 2007 6:58:38 GMT -5
Travis owned at least six slaves in Texas, including Matilda, Jared, Jack (who was in his fifties and reportedly had a bad drinking problem), Simeon, a youngster named Eliza, and, of course, Joe, whom Travis rented at first but bought evidently by early 1834. After Travis's son Charles came to live with him in Texas, he bought a man and woman. According to William C. Davis, Travis also rented slaves about as often as he purchased them. (Davis, Three Roads to the Alamo, 384, 447)
|
|