In this Book
- Indian Agent: Peter Ellis Bean in Mexican Texas
- Book
- 2005
- Published by: Texas A&M University Press
- Series: Canseco-Keck History Series
summary
How can the life of one relatively unknown man change our understanding of Texas history and the American West? Peter Ellis Bean, a fairly minor but fascinating character, casts unexpected light on conflicts, famous characters, and events from the time of Mexican rule through the years of the Republic.
Bean’s role in Mexico’s revolution against Spain and his service as an agent of the Mexican government, especially as Indian agent in eastern Texas, provide an unusually vivid picture of Mexican Texas, as well as new information about the Indians in his region. More explosively, Jackson’s research on Bean’s career as Indian agent casts doubt on the traditional characterization of Sam Houston as a friend to the Texas Indians. Bean’s career shows Houston as a rival for the loyalty of the Indians during Texas’ rebellion against Mexico, a rival who made false promises for military and political gain.
After Texas independence, Bean acquired vast lands in Texas, at one point holding more than 100,000 acres. A good citizen and a good businessman, involved with real estate, sawmills, salt works, agriculture, and stock raising, he was also a bigamist.
Meticulously researched, dramatically written, and embodying a unique understanding of Mexican Texas, Jack Jackson’s chronicle of Peter Ellis Bean not only rescues him from relative obscurity but also corrects key aspects of the history in which he was involved and brings to life an era more often consigned to myth.
Table of Contents
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- Illustrations
- pp. ix-x
- Acknowledgments
- pp. xi-xii
- Introduction
- pp. 3-5
- Chapter 1. Bean’s Early Years
- pp. 6-12
- Chapter 2. Ten Years a Prisoner
- pp. 13-31
- Chapter 3. Back to Mexico
- pp. 32-52
- Chapter 5. The Fredonian Rebellion
- pp. 61-76
- Chapter 6. Aftermath of Rebellion
- pp. 77-87
- Chapter 7. A Multitude of Indians
- pp. 88-109
- Chapter 8. Ter
- pp. 110-136
- Chapter 9. Colonization Shuts Down
- pp. 137-154
- Chapter 10. Brief Interlude at Fort Ter
- pp. 155-161
- Chapter 11. The Reign of Piedras Ends
- pp. 162-169
- Chapter 12. Land Affairs Foremost
- pp. 170-186
- Chapter 13. Almonte’s 1834 Inspection
- pp. 187-193
- Chapter 14. Storm Clouds Gather
- pp. 194-214
- Chapter 15. The Texas Revolution
- pp. 215-226
- Chapter 16. Indian Alarm in East Texas
- pp. 227-241
- Chapter 17. Old Sam Jacinto’s “Big Ranch”
- pp. 242-258
- Chapter 18. Alien Citizen of the Republic
- pp. 259-280
- Chapter 19. Thoughts of Mexico
- pp. 281-290
- Chapter 20. The Legal Whirlwind
- pp. 291-299
- Chapter 21. Bean and the Historians
- pp. 300-314
- Appendices
- pp. 321-336
- Abbreviations
- pp. 337-338
- Bibliography
- pp. 403-414
Additional Information
ISBN
9781603446129
Related ISBN(s)
9781585444441
MARC Record
OCLC
656466928
Pages
440
Launched on MUSE
2012-01-01
Language
English
Open Access
No