. The great American book of biography . part of which wasfrom the UnitedStates. By theyear 1830 therewere about twentythousand Ameri-can settlers there, who were unanimous in their detestation of Mexican eovernment, and in a stateof chronic revolt. In 1832 they rose against the Mexicans, and, after severalbattles, drove all the troops out of the country. Houston saw what was goingon, and determined to cast in his lot with the Texans. There can be little doubt that there was an understanding between Houstonand President Jackson, and that the former had the aid and countenance of thePresident i
. The great American book of biography . part of which wasfrom the UnitedStates. By theyear 1830 therewere about twentythousand Ameri-can settlers there, who were unanimous in their detestation of Mexican eovernment, and in a stateof chronic revolt. In 1832 they rose against the Mexicans, and, after severalbattles, drove all the troops out of the country. Houston saw what was goingon, and determined to cast in his lot with the Texans. There can be little doubt that there was an understanding between Houstonand President Jackson, and that the former had the aid and countenance of thePresident in his effort to help achieve Texan independence. More territorywas needed in the United States for the extension of slavery. It must be soughton the South ; for slavery was shut out of the northern territory by the Mis-souri Compromise. {See Henry Clay.) The inhabitants of Texas were mainlyimmigrants from the United States. If the country were detached from Mexico,the people would undoubtedly seek to be annexed to the Union. They wanted. Cte:imt\i%«i|S^^ - - AN OLD SPANISH HOUSE. 220 SAMUEL HOUSTON. a leader. Houston resolved to be their leader ; and with this view he left thewigwam of the Cherokee chief, and set out for Texas in December, 1832. For two years after Houston joined fortunes with Texas there was com-parative quiet ; but immigration went on in a steadily increasing stream, andthe sentiment for independence grew stronger every day. The Mexican govern-ment, in fear of the growing strength of Texas, ordered that the people shouldbe disarmed,—a decree which aroused instant rebellion. A company of Mexi-can soldiers sent to the little town of Gonzales, on the Guadalupe, to remove asmall brass six-pounder, was met a few miles from the town by one hundredand eighty Texans, who fell upon them with such vigor that they turned andfled, losine several men. No Texan was killed. This battle was called theLexington of Texas. Then war broke out again more furiously than ever. T
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