Newell, History of the Revolution in Texas

NEWELL, Reverend C[hester] (1803-1892).
History of the Revolution in Texas, Particularly of the War of 1835 & '36; Together with the Latest Geographical, Topographical, and Statistical Accounts of the Country, from the Most Authentic Sources. Also, an Appendix.
New York: Wiley & Putnam, 1838.
Comparable: Heritage, 2015 - $5,750.
12mo (7 1/2 x 4 1/2 in.; 19.1 x 11.4 cm). Lithographed folding map on rice paper; occasional light scattered foxing. Publisher's finely textured black cloth blocked in blind, spine lettered gilt; covers lightly stained, board edges a bit bumped, head of spine frayed. Brown cloth chemise, quarter brown morocco slipcase. (64F9D) FIRST EDITION OF ONE OF THE "EARLIEST BOOKS PUBLISHED ABOUT TEXAS AFTER IT BECAME A REPUBLIC" (Jenkins), issue with the map undated and the dedication on p. [iii]. Newell disputes the rumors that the population of Texas chiefly comprises "criminals, of insolvent and fraudulent debtors, of outlaws, and bad characters of every description"-remarking charitably that "only a large part of the people of Texas are of the character described. Well, admitting they are, should the entire population and country be then reviled?" (p.190). Decidedly a pro-Texan, Newell dedicated the volume to William Campbell Preston, Senator representing South Carolina, famous for having introduced in 1836 a resolution favoring annexation of Texas. "ONE OF THE RARE AND RELIABLE BOOKS ON TEXAS" (Raines). Newell, an Episcopalian missionary from Massachusetts, spent 1837 in Texas for health reasons. His account begins with a summary of Mexican history (1821-1825), followed by an outline of that of Texas (1832-1835). The events of 1836, including the defeat of the Alamo and the later capture of Santa Anna, are drawn from both Texan and Mexican accounts. "Newell was one of the first to seduce Sam Houston into giving particulars of the campaign" (Jenkins). Also included are the eyewitness accounts of the fall of the Alamo by Col. Travis's manservant, who was the only male survivor of the battle, as well as by "Ben," Santa Anna's cook. PROVENANCE: T. F. Harwood (shelf label and pencil inscription on front free endpaper dated 17 November 1924). REFERENCES: Clark, Old South III:215; Graff 3010; Howes N115; Jenkins, Basic Texas Books 151A; Raines, p. 154; Streeter, Texas II:1318.