06/23/2026
The Texas Revolution of 1835-36 wasn't the first time rebellion and a wannabe republic reared its head in the land of Texas. It proved to be a tempting blank slate for creating one’s own personal empire if you had the blood and guts to do it.
On this day back in 1819, Dr. James Long and a band of his fellow filibusters declared Independence from Spain within the Spanish territory of Tejas. Long and his compadres had been none too pleased with the recent Adams-Onis treaty. You see, the borders of Spanish Texas and the United States had been the source of great consternation ever since the Louisiana Purchase, with quite a few Americans believing Texas should have been considered a part of the Thomas Jefferson’s greatest executive feat.
Without getting into too much of the political minutia, the much-debated border of Spanish Texas was fixed at the Sabine and in turn, Spain ceded Florida into the eager lap of the United States. Long and his friends were infuriated by the Spain keeping so much of Texas – as he believed most of the region should have been ours to begin with.
So, he and his filibustering friends took Nacogdoches and declared Texas a Republic, hoping that he would gain the support of Mexican insurgents still trying to throw off the chains of Spain in the ever-simmering Mexican Revolution. He also likely had the secret support of General Andrew Jackson, though the official US position was one of neutrality at this point now that they got Spanish Florida. On June 23, 1819, this new republic of Texas was declared.
Here's the Declaration:
Declaration by the Supreme Council of the Province of Texas.
As all Governments were originally established by the will of the people for the benefit of society, whenever the existing Government, in any community, fails to effect the purposes for which it was instituted, it is competent to the community at large to rescind its express or tacit allegiance to the ruling power, and to organize a new constitution and form of government, more consistent with its interests, and more consonant with its feelings.
In exercising this unquestionable right, an independent people have only to consult their own discretion. But, though amenable to no tribunal for its municipal acts, a free state, in claiming admission to the immunity of nations, owes of itself an exposition of the motives which have prompted it to the assertion of its rights, as well as of the principles which it assumes to vindicate.
The citizens of Texas have long indulged the hope, that in the adjustment of the boundaries of the Spanish possessions in America, and of the territories of the United States, that they should be included within the limits of the latter. The claims of the United States, long and strenuously urged, encouraged the hope. An expectation so flattering prevented any effectual effort to throw off the yoke of Spanish authority, though it could not restrain some ineffectual rebellions against an odious tyranny.
The recent treaty between Spain and the United States of America has dissipated an illusion too long fondly cherished, and has roused the citizens of Texas from [the] torpor to which a fancied security had lulled them. They have seen themselves, by a convention to which they were no party, literally abandoned to the dominion of the crown of Spain and left a prey not only to impositions already intolerable, but to all those exactions which Spanish rapacity is fertile in devising.
The citizens of Texas would have proved themselves unworthy of the age in which they live, unworthy of their ancestry, of the kindred of the republics of the American continent, could they have hesitated in this emergency what course to pursue. Spurning the fetters of colonial vassalage, disdaining to submit to the most atrocious despotism that ever disgraced the annals of Europe, they have resolved under the blessing of God to be free.
By this magnanimous resolution, the maintenance of which their lives and fortunes are pledged, they secure to themselves an elective and representative government, equal laws and the faithful administration of justice, the rights of conscience, and religious liberty, the freedom of the press, the advantage of liberal education, and unrestricted commercial in*******se with all the world.
Animated by a just confidence in the goodness of their cause, and stimulated by the high object to be obtained by the contest, they have prepared themselves unshrinkingly to meet and firmly to sustain any conflict in which this declaration may involve them. Done at Nacogdoches, the 23rd day of June, in the year of our Lord 1819.
James Long, President of the Supreme Council
As you can see, it’s very American in nature and quite reminiscent of our own Declaration.
Long was declared President of the Republic and leader of their army, such as it was. He next reached out to the famed Jean Lafitte, piratical prince of Galveston Island for support. Lafitte didn’t commit much and, in fact, secretly informed Spain of Long’s military plans which he had foolishly shared with the devious pirate leader. Spanish forces quickly drove Long and his “army” from east Texas.
But Long wouldn’t give up his dream. He would return to Texas for a second stab at revolution, this time bringing his wife, the legendary Jane Long, the future “mother of Texas.” But that’s a tale for another day.
Below is the flag flown by the Long Expedition and I suppose could be added to the roster of the many flags that have flown over Texas at one time or another.
