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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ค. 2024
- A Home for Texas History exhibit | Document spotlight: The Travis Letter
Narrated by Scott Pelley.
www.tsl.texas.gov/homefortexa...
Among the most well-known and revered documents in Texas history is William Barret Travis’s (1809-1836) letter of February 24, 1836, addressed “To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World,” sent by courier from within the walls of the San Antonio de Valero Mission, or the Alamo, while besieged by the Mexican Army under the command of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. The confrontation between the Mexican Army and the Texans defending the Alamo from February 23 - March 6, 1836, ended in terrible defeat for Travis and his men. Some details of the conditions on the ground during Santa Anna’s 13-day siege emerged through documents such as the Travis Letter and have become part of the historical record.
In 1891, Travis’s great-grandson, John G. Davidson, to whom the letter had passed, loaned the document to the Texas Department of Agriculture, Insurance, Statistics, and History where it was displayed in a “locked glass showcase.” On May 24, 1893, the agency purchased the letter from Davidson for $85. In 1909, custody of the letter was transferred to the newly created Texas State Library, which continued its display.
The Travis Letter was featured prominently in the original exhibit display in the new State Archives and Library Building starting in 1961 and remained in its appointed location until careful examination in the 1980s showed that prolonged exposure to light was damaging the document and causing the ink to fade.
Today, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission takes great care to ensure the continued preservation of Travis’s “Victory or Death” letter, displaying it only for special occasions and exhibits. It is on display February 22 through March 12, 2022, as part of the exhibit A Home for Texas History, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building. Visit the exhibit at 1201 Brazos St. in downtown Austin, right next to the Texas Capitol, or online at www.tsl.texas.gov/homefortexashistory.
More information about the Travis letter and a transcript can be found at www.tsl.texas.gov/lobbyexhibi....
Special thanks to Scott Pelley, the Alamo, the Texas General Land Office, and the Texas Library and Archives Foundation.
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Based in Austin, TX, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission strives to preserve yesterday, inform today, and inspire tomorrow. Visit us online: www.tsl.texas.gov
Pure courage
Travis was a Patriot, not perfect, but a man who stood by his beliefs as a soldier and died bravely. Those who disparage him are ignorant of the sacrifice and courage that he and others displayed those thirteen days.
Sounds as if you personally knew him. In reality, he was a weasel
Great history thank you I have visited the Alamo
They fought for the liberty to subjugate other humans. Y'all always forget that part 😂
Travis who later committed suicide during the Alamo battle was just a troublemaker!
You have made a statement now provide evidence for your it. Any man who stayed at the Alamo in the face of overwhelming odds by Santana troops were heroes. I am English and I love American history. I would have loved to go to the Alamo but I am now in M6 70s and cannot travel. However my daughter, and her son who live in Italy intend to pay a visit in the future.
Ok Governor, here's my documented evidence that is never printed in the history books. You MIGHT know that there were hundreds of Mexicans who took the American side of the 1836 Revolt. There was a cavalry regiment of Mexicans under the command of Colonel Juan Seguin from a prominent San Antonio family. Two of his men were in the town on THE DAY of the battle, hence an eyewitness account on the day of the battle. They were Andres Barcena & Anselmo Vergara. They stated that on the day of battle that: "Bowie had died in bed, either by his own hand or the enemy's. Travis had shot or had stabbed himself..." Source: Todd, Hansen, The Alamo Reader (Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2003) pp. 509-10. And Mr. Henson got his data from University Texas Rare Manuscript library. Enjoy! @@lindaperkins2221