Introduction:
Spanish explorers and explorers started the History of Texas Books from other countries. They wrote about the area’s geography, people, and wildlife in various journals and letters. Some writers didn’t make it back home or lost their lives while exploring rivers so long they would never see daylight again.
The Texas Books Begin In The 1500s:
The first book about Texas was written by Cabeza de Vaca, a Spanish explorer who wrote about his travels through what is now Texas and New Mexico after being shipwrecked there with other explorers in 1528. He chronicled their struggle to escape from Indians, who were hostile and often attacked them.
Other explorers were also writing about this region in 1543 when Antonio de Mendoza was appointed viceroy of New Spain (which included what is now Mexico). While there, he encouraged Spaniards to colonize the area and sent expeditions to explore it further.
Early Spanish Explorers Had A Significant Impact On The Texas Books, But They Were Not The First To Write About Texas:
You may have heard that the first Europeans to write about Texas were Spanish explorers, but this is only partially accurate. The first Europeans to write about Texas were French explorers who arrived in 1519. However, they only stayed briefly and had little impact on later books about Texas.
The next group of European settlers came from England in 1585 and established what is now known as the English colony. The English colonists left behind accounts of their lives and experiences with early Texas settlers (including Native Americans). This is why you will often see references from historians citing these early accounts when writing about the History of Texas Books.
Many Early Writers Explored The Geography And History Of Texas:
The first Europeans to write about Texas were the Spanish. As you may know, Spain controlled many territories in North America before and during the time that Texas was a colony.
Some Early Writers Were Not Welcome In Texas, But That Didn’t Stop Them From Writing Down Their Impressions:
While many early writers were not welcome in Texas, they still managed to write down their impressions.
Some of the most notable early authors who were trapped in Texas included:
- Charles Dickens (1812-1870) wrote A Tale of Two Cities while a convict in a penal colony in Tasmania. He escaped by jumping from the prison wharf and swimming through shark-infested waters before arriving at Sydney Harbour, where he stole a boat and made his way back home to England via New Zealand and India. He then published his book about the experience, Great Expectations (1861).
The French Writer Lafitau Is Thought By Some To Have Predicted That A Roman Catholic Country Would Eventually Rule All Of North America:
In 1724, a French Jesuit priest named Lafitau published his book Moeurs des Sauvages Américains. It was about the Native Americans of the Mississippi River Valley, and it contained numerous illustrations of their customs and rituals.
An English Officer Described The Texas Coast As “Faire And Delightful” When He Visited It In 1721:
In the early 18th century, Robert Jenkins was an officer on a British expedition to the Gulf of Mexico. The ship he was on, called the Pearl, set sail from Jamaica and traveled south along the Texas coast before turning back around at Veracruz. In letters written by Jenkins and his crewmates during their voyage, they describe their impressions of what they saw.
Conclusion:
The Texas book is a fascinating one. From the first Spanish explorers to the early Texans who wrote about their experiences, there is much to learn from these stories.