13 José María Sánchez’s Account of the Texas Frontier
13 José María Sánchez’s Account of the Texas Frontier
José María Sánchez, a Mexican military officer under Manuel Mier y Terán’s command, wrote his views of frontier society during his travels to the region in 1828.
Laredo, February 2. 1828-At two o’clock we continued our way through a country which was as arid as during the previous days. At daybreak we saw various herds of deer and a great number of wild horses and mares, mesteñas [mustangs], that live in these deserted regions and pasture peacefully on the immense plains. In spite of our care the water gave out because of the excessive heat and we suffered considerably from thirst. This became unbearable by twelve o’clock, and we were unable to rest as there was not a single tree under which we might stop. A plain that seemed to be on fire stretched before our eyes and our despair increased, until, at about one o’clock, we discerned in the distance the peaceful waters of the Rio Bravo del Norte [Rio Grande], whose treeless banks displayed the water lying like a silver thread upon the immense plain. The desire to reach the water made our last lap all the more arduous, and when at last the beasts, fatigued by their thirst, were scarcely able to take another step, we arrived at the coveted stream. On the banks of the river we met General Bustamante, who, with his officers, had come out to meet us. He offered me a drink of aguardiente [firewater], which I took with plenty of water, and I recovered my failing strength. It was decided to cross the river. This was accomplished with little difficulty, and at last we entered the Presidio de Laredo, situated on the opposite bank.
This village, which is one of the oldest upon the banks of the Rio Bravo, has suffered a great deal from attacks of wild Indians, principally the Lipanes, who used to lay siege to it in time of war, but now frequent it peacefully. Its population numbers about 2000 persons, all care-free people who are fond of dancing, and little inclined to work. The women, who are, as a general rule, good-looking, are ardently fond of luxury and leisure; they have rather loose ideas of morality, which cause the greater part of them to have shameful relations openly, especially with the officers, both because they are more numerous and spend their salary freely, and because they are more skillful in the art of seduction.
The garrison of the presidio consists of a company of more than one hundred men, but, in spite of this fact, the place has not prospered, nor do its inhabitants try to increase its prosperity. The streets are straight and long; all the buildings are covered with grass; and the houses have no conveniences. A desolate air envelops the entire city, and there is not a single tree to gladden the eye as the vegetation of this arid land consists of small mesquites and huisache with cactus scattered here and there. Food is extremely scarce; the little corn which is cultivated by the inhabitants is planted near the city in tracts which