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the border from Louisiana to Texas and began to drive the Spaniards out. In 1812 they
cleaned the Spanish out of Nacogdoches.

As they marched South they met opposition from Spanish soldiers and drove them back
to a place called The Alamo, in San Antonio. En route to San Antonio McGee died and
his forces were taken over by Samuel Kemper, his second in command. The Spanish
army surrendered to Kemper at the Alamo. Kemper took control of the territory around
San Antonio. This was an enormous success but it was also a problem. With the
Spanish army no longer a threat the Mexican population began moving into Texas.

THE FIRST TIME TEXAS DECLARED ITSELF INDEPENDENT

In April 1813 The American Volunteers (McGee’s personally paid for army) issued a
“Declaration of Independence of the State of Texas”. The Mexican population

continued to grow and with it came some of the Mexican leaders who had
unsuccessfully tried to revolt against Spain. These Mexican political leaders advised
Kemper that the American Volunteers were on Mexican soil but said they would make
Texas a state in Mexico. They drew up a constitution claiming Texas as a part of the
Mexican Republic. Most of the idealistic adventurers deserted the American
Volunteers and returned to the United States.

There were a few more major battles between the Americans and Mexico, which
included naval battles between the U.S. Navy and the Mexican Navy, particularly in
the Galveston area, but Texas remained under the control of Mexico.

In the Spring of 1819 the people of Natchez, Mississippi, in which resided many
individuals who were angry over an agreement the United States had recently made

with Spain wherein the United States abandoned its claim to Texas, organized and
equipped an expedition to “invade Texas and establish a Republic”. Their leader was
a favorite of Andrew Jackson, Dr James Long. Long easily took back Nacogdoches and
held a convention there where Texas was declared a free and independent Republic.
Dr Long was elected its President.. After a few more battles and attempts at
negotiating with the Spaniards, Long was shot while visiting in Mexico. There are
many stories regarding who shot him and why but it was never officially resolved.

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