Following Napoleons invasion of Spain.
Spanish colonies in the Americas began to revolt against the crown.
The Mexican War of Independence made it very difficult for Spain to protect its more remote
territories such as what would become Texas.
This in-ability would lure many by the prospect of free land and potential wealth.
Throughout the wars of independence, many men from the United States would join expeditions
to try to take Texas from Spain.
Either to declare their own independence, or to unite the land with the ever expanding
United States.
For the first nine years of the revolt, ownership over Texas was contested between the powers.
The US claimed that the Louisiana Purchase included all of Texas, while Spain believed
the boundary rested at the Red River, leaving Texas under direct Spanish control.
Some viewed that conflict over Texas would eventually result in a war between the two,
as the United States stated that they would protect and back any settlement attempts by
her citizens within the territory, yet, only one such expedition would put that theory
to the test.
One that was largely lost to time, nothing more but a small footnote of history, But,
not today.
It is June of 1819, and the Long Expedition had begun.
In early 1819, Spain and the United States signed the Adams On s Treaty, which established
the boundary of the Louisiana Purchase at the Sabine River.
Many Americans were outraged that the United States had abandoned any claim to Texas.
Outrage was especially high in a town named Natchez in Mississippi.
James Long, a doctor, was one of the most vehement voices against the treaty.
Public sentiment in the town soon swung to military action and men began to gather for
an invasion of Texas.
They would soon elect Long as their leader, although his only prior military experience
had been as a surgeon in the War of 1812.
By the end of June, Long had received over $500,000, and over 200 men willing to join
him on the expedition.
On June 22, Longs force declared a new government in Texas, at the small town of Nacogdoches,
which is now known for housing the largest Azalea garden in the state.
Long was elected president and a Supreme Council was formed.
The following day, they issued a declaration of independence, modeled on the United States.
The document cited several grievances, including "Spanish rapacity" and "odious tyranny" and
promised religious freedom, freedom of the press, and free trade.
The council also allocated 10 square miles of land to each member of the expedition,
and authorized the sale of additional land to raise cash for the government.
Within a month, the expedition had grown to 300 members.
They established trading outposts along the Trinity River and the Brazos River, centered
out of Anahuac.
They also began the first English-language newspaper ever to be published in Texas called
the Texas Republican, but, it only lasted one month before being discontinued.
However, the expedition soon ran low on provisions.
Long would disperse his men to forage for food but discipline began to break down, and
many men would return home.
In Early November, 500 Spanish troops arrived in Texas and marched on the small republic.
Long and his men withdrew but over 40 were captured.
With Long managing to escape to Louisiana, others would flee to Galveston and settled
along the Bolivar Peninsula.
Long joined the refugees at Bolivar Peninsula on April 6, 1820, with more reinforcements,
all while continuing to raise money to equip a second expedition.
Fifty men would attempt to join him from the United States, but they were arrested by American
authorities as they tried to cross into Texas.
The men who had joined Long were disappointed they they were paid in scrips instead of regular
coin currency, and they gradually began to desert.
By December 1820, Long would command only 50 men.
News of the expedition largely goes dark until September 19, 1821, when Long and 52 men marched
inland to capture Presidio La Bah a.
The town fell easily on October 4, but four days later Long was forced to surrender by
Spanish troops.
He was taken prisoner and sent to Mexico City, where about six months later he was shot and
killed by a guard, his dream largely dying with him.