History Commons^™

Borderlands Course Reader, Volume One, Jamie Starling

Open Educational Resources

This collection compiles primary source documents and narratives from the present-day U.S.-Mexico Borderlands Region from c.1500 to 1865. The collection is designed for use with U.S. History and Mexican American surveys as well as Texas history and U.S.-Mexico Borderlands history courses. A few documents are abridged or excerpted from longer sources. All sources contain a citation or link to a source at the foot of the document. Documents span from indigenous accounts and sources of early contact through the late Spanish colonial period, era of Mexican independence, U.S. expansion and the American Civil War.

Recent Studies In Rio Grande Valley History, Milo Kearney, Anthony K. Knopp, Antonio Zavaleta, Thomas Daniel Knight

UTRGV & TSC Regional History Series

Story of the Valley, a poem / Chip Dameron -- Dedication / Milo Kearney -- Beales’s Rio Grande Colony and Grant’s Matamoros Expedition: The Amazing Stories of Two British Physicians Who Nearly Altered Mexican Texas / Craig H. Roell -- A Brief Look at Citizen Opportunists in the Matamoros area during the U.S. – Mexico War, 1846-1848 / James W. Mills -- The Mystery of the Texas Blockade Runner ‘Texana’ / Walter E. Wilson -- The National Guard Defends Brownsville and the Valley—1916 / Anthony K. Knopp and Alma Ortiz Knopp -- John Closner, Operative / Norman Rozeff -- President …

Archivo Historico De La Secretaria De Relaciones Exteriores L_E_1095, Secretaria De Relaciones Exteriores

La Guerra de Texas y La Guerra Mexico - Estados Unidos

Efforts for peace, treaties, and covenants, to return national and private property after the evacuation of the country by U.S. forces. The Minister of War communicates news from Sonora regarding the passing of a caravan that goes to California. p. 1-2.

U.S. forces take possession of Isleta, Socorro and S. Elzeario; Chihuahua protests the U.S. occupation. p. 2a-68.

The government refuses the declaration of the Republic of Sierra, formed from northern Border States and mainly instigated by Americans. p. 69-93.

The Governor of Chihuahua worries about buffalo hunters crossing into and inhabiting the territory. p. 94-98.

Nathan Clifford, Minister from …

Fresh Studies In Rio Grande Valley History, Milo Kearney, Anthony K. Knopp, Antonio Zavaleta, Thomas Daniel Knight

UTRGV & TSC Regional History Series

Jim Wells, George Parr, Pepe Martin, and Gene Falcón: the spirit of ‘’El Patrón’’ along the Rio Grande of South Texas / Billy Hathorn -- The other underground railroad / Rolando Avila -- Frank Ellis Ferree, humanitarian / Norman Rozeff -- Chip Dameron's Rio Grande Valley: center of a narrowing universe / Ronny Noor -- Historia de la education superior en la ciudad de H. Matamoros, Tamaulipas / Miguel Sesis Botti y Maria Elena Flores Montalvo -- The quest for a public library for Brownsville / Anthony K. Knopp and Alma Ortiz Knopp -- Las Palomas Wildlife management area: a …

New Studies In Rio Grande Valley History, Milo Kearney, Anthony K. Knopp, Antonio Zavaleta, Thomas Daniel Knight

UTRGV & TSC Regional History Series

Spanglish, a poem / Mario Barrera -- Place identity formation in the Lower Rio Grande Valley: the identity of Brownsville / Elim Zavala -- The complexity of land custody in 19th century deep South Texas / Eugene Fernandez -- Not in Kansas anymore: selling midwesterners the 'Magic Valley' of South Texas / Craig H. Roell with Ruth May Euler Roell -- Alexander Headley, public servant or scoundrel? / Norman Rozeff -- Rebels at the Rio Grande: naval actions on the international border in 1863 / Walter E. Wilson -- Matamoros en la época de la constitución de 1917 / Rosaura …

Supplementary Studies In Rio Grande Valley History, Milo Kearney, Anthony K. Knopp, Antonio Zavaleta, Thomas Daniel Knight

UTRGV & TSC Regional History Series

Corrupted, a poem / Tom Emrick -- Primal Matamoros : ancient refuge among the Estuaries of the Rio Bravo / Craig H. Roell -- U.S.-Mexico relations during the establishment of the American Consulate in Matamoros : 1826-1842 / Melisa C. Galvan -- Captain King’s Cotton : the Civil War blockade-running adventures of Richard King and Mifflin Kenedy / Walter E. Wilson -- The sad saga of John V. Singer / Norman Rozeff -- Ulster and the Texas-Mexico Border : John McAllen and his family / Thomas Daniel Knight -- Joseph Kleiber and his letter press book / Anthony K. Knopp …

Extra Studies In Rio Grande Valley History, Milo Kearney, Anthony K. Knopp, Antonio Zavaleta, Thomas Daniel Knight

UTRGV & TSC Regional History Series

Vaqueros del Valle, a poem / Manuel Medrano -- Matamoros and the Tejanos of Victoria and Goliad in the Texas Revolution: conflicting loyalties and ‘Assiduous Collaborators’ / Craig H. Roell -- Antonio Canales Rosillo / James Mills -- The origins of Salome Balli McAllen / Thomas Daniel Knight -- Sally Skull: the legend / Sondra Shands -- The Kawahata Family comes to the Valley / Randall Sakai – The Battle of Reynosa / Jesus Ramos -- Los días siguientes a la toma de Matamoros por los Constitucionalistas / Andres Cuellar -- H-E-B: an American and Valley success story / Norman …

Yet More Studies In Rio Grande Valley History, Milo Kearney, Anthony K. Knopp, Antonio Zavaleta, Thomas Daniel Knight

UTRGV & TSC Regional History Series

Frontera, a poem / Elvira Ardalani -- Strasbourg, Alsace, and Brownsville, Texas : ideal sister cities / Milo Kearney -- La concepción de la identidad fronteriza en Jovita Gonzalez y Adela Sloss de Vento / Laura Garza -- Cuando se fundo Matamoros? / Andres F. Cuellar -- The formation and early development of the Llano Grande / Maria Vallejo -- Doño Rosa Maria Hinojosa de Balli and her family : a lower Rio Grande Valley family in an Atlantic perspective / Thomas Daniel Knight -- Clarksville : a forgotten community on the Rio Grande / Jim Mills -- The last …

Still More Studies In Rio Grande Valley History, Milo Kearney, Anthony K. Knopp, Antonio Zavaleta

UTRGV & TSC Regional History Series

Resaca, a poem / Josie Mixon -- Matamoros before the Texas Revolution : becoming Mexico’s pivitol port city on the northern frontier / Craig H. Roell -- The Great Sequoyah Mystery : a cover-up that stretched from the Cumberland Mountains to the Rio Grande Delta (and into Mexico) / Don Clifford -- Immigration to South Texas, 1850-1900 / Thomas Daniel Knight -- Cattle barons and the creation of an empire : a case study of the expansion of the Kennedy Ranch of South Texas / Elmer Sierra, William Yaworsky, and Amy Frazier -- A history of the Brownsville Police Department …

02 Index - Digital Archive Of Documents Pertaining To Texas Revolution Of 1835, And Mexican-American War Of 1846-1848, Secretaria De Relaciones Exteriores, University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley, The Summerlee Foundation

La Guerra de Texas y La Guerra Mexico - Estados Unidos

Collection index and description of each document, translation into English from the original document; finding aid.

01 Indice - Archivo Digital De Documentos Sobre La Guerra De Texas, 1835, Y La Guerra México-Estados Unidos, 1846-1848, Secretaria De Relaciones Exteriores, The Summerlee Foundation, University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley

La Guerra de Texas y La Guerra Mexico - Estados Unidos

Collection index and description of each document.

More Studies In Rio Grande Valley History, Milo Kearney, Anthony K. Knopp, Antonio Zavaleta

UTRGV & TSC Regional History Series

Matamoros' love song to Brownsville : a poem / Milo Kearney -- Con un pie en cada lado : origins of El Rancho San Lorenzo de las Minas / Mary Jo Galindo -- The rise of banking in Matamoros and Brownsville / Louis Benavides -- The daily Brownsville ranchero / Norman C. Delaney -- Maximilian's bed in Brownsville / Don Clifford -- The U.S. consulate in Matamoros and instability in Matamoros and Brownsville in 1870 / César García -- The Lightbournes of the Point Isabel lighthouse / Antonio N. Zavaleta -- Movie theaters for Hispanics in the Rio Grande Valley, …

Ongoing Studies In Rio Grande Valley History, Milo Kearney, Anthony K. Knopp, Antonio Zavaleta

UTRGV & TSC Regional History Series

Chupacabras, a poem / Milo Kearney -- The Texas Center for Border and Transnational Studies / Antonio Zavaleta with help from others -- History Through World War I : Comparative freedom in the borderlands: fugitive slaves in Texas and Mexico from the age of enlightenment through the U.S. Civil War / Francis X. Galan and Joseph Leon -- Contraband trade in Matamoros and its impact on the northern Mexican economy during the 1820s / Melisa Galvan -- Preparando los festejos para la inauguración del Ferrocarril a Monterrey / Andres F. Cuellar -- Adolf F. Dittman and Brownsville's first motion picture …

Continuing Studies In Rio Grande Valley History, Milo Kearney, Anthony K. Knopp, Antonio Zavaleta

UTRGV & TSC Regional History Series

Coming to the Valley, a poem / Vivian Kearney -- The ghosts of historic Palmito Hill Ranch / Antonio N. Zavaleta -- Against the odds : Dr. Juliet V. García, border educator / Manuel F. Medrano -- Lucile Champion's Brownsville : remembrances of another time / Frank Champion Murphy -- The restored courthouse and Judge Oscar Dancy / Anthony Knopp -- Francesco Voltaggio and the Port Isabel shrimp industry / Virginia Voltaggio Wood -- Mario Barrera : a border success story / Milo Kearney -- Selected figures from the Sierra/Valerio family history / Luciano Valerio Sierra and Amy Sierra Frazier …

Additional Studies In Rio Grande Valley History, Milo Kearney, Anthony K. Knopp, Antonio Zavaleta

UTRGV & TSC Regional History Series

Border birding, a poem / Chip Dameron -- The curse, a folktale / Peter Gawenda -- River boundaries of Texas : the Louisiana-Texas borderland and Lower Rio Grande Valley in comparative perspective 1700-1850 / Francis X. Galan -- Testamentos de Reynosa 1770-1820 / Pedro Antonio Campos Rodriguez -- La Guerra de 1847 y la inevitibilidad ‘retorica’ de la derrota / Arturo Zarate Ruiz -- The dead man’s bride, a folktale / Peter Gawenda -- Emmanuel Domenech in the Rio Grande Valley, 1851-1853 / Santiago Escobedo -- Don Juan Jose de Solis, Albert Champion, the border cattle raids, and the birth …

Further Studies In Rio Grande Valley History, Milo Kearney, Anthony K. Knopp, Antonio Zavaleta

UTRGV & TSC Regional History Series

Salt: basis of wealth in South Texas / David J. Mycue -- The Zavaleta Family : a legacy of public service / Antonio N. Zavaleta and James E. Zavaleta with Theresa Zavaleta -- Carnaval y fiestas Mexicanas de Matamoros / Rosaura Alicia Davila -- A history of the development of Brazos Santiago Pass / Carl Chilton -- El Retraso español y su interés final por la colonización del Bajo Bravo / Arturo Zarate Ruiz - Fugitive slaves and free Blacks in South Texas / Alberto Rodriguez -- reporting from the Rio Grande : how the press saw the Brownsville area …

Studies In Rio Grande Valley History, Milo Kearney, Anthony K. Knopp, Antonio Zavaleta

UTRGV & TSC Regional History Series

Historia de Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas / por Ernesto Escribano Gómez -- How the teachers of Matamoros formed la Union Tamaulipeca / by Alma Ortiz -- The 1971 "Pharr Riot" / by Ned Wallace -- Memoirs of Brownsville politics / by Loddell Batsell -- Economic changes in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas: a bibliographic review / by David J. Mycue -- A short history of land titles in South Texas / by Joseph E. Chance -- The prehistoric peoples of the Rio Grande Delta and their connections with the cultures of Mesoamerica / by Rolando L. Garza -- Peyote: …

Studies In Matamoros And Cameron County History, Milo Kearney, Anthony K. Knopp, Antonio Zavaleta

UTRGV & TSC Regional History Series

The Pineda plaque / Don Clifford -- El romanticismo Hispanoamericano también floreció aqui / Jorge Green Huie -- La batalla de la Resaca de la Palma / Carlos Rosas -- Los Matamorenses fundan el casino / Andres Cuellar -- The shifting relationship between Harlingen and San Benito in the first three decades of the Twentieth century / Milo Kearney -- Reading Zane Grey in Brownsville / Mimosa Stephenson -- After the boss: Twentieth century political trends of Brownsville city government / Anthony K. Knopp -- Ethnicity and political participation in Cameron and Hidalgo counties: Mexican American voters and nonvoters / …

Studies In Brownsville & Matamoros History, Milo Kearney, Anthony K. Knopp, Antonio Zavaleta

UTRGV & TSC Regional History Series

Jose de Escandon and the settlement of South Texas in the late Colonial Era, 1746-1821 / Harriet Denise Joseph -- La poesia de arte menor en la Cronica de Sanchez Garcia / Jorge Green Huie -- The Battle of Palo Alto: a preliminary gathering of primary sources arranged by selected holdings / Thomas B. and Marie J. Carroll -- Francisco Yturria / Lilia Garcia -- The start of Brownsville-Matamoros telephone link / Bruce Aiken -- La presidencia de Don Salvador Cardenas: Enero-Junio de 1920 / Andres F. Cuellar -- Doctor, maestro, periodista, literato Manuel Feliciano Rodriguez Brayda / Elia Garcia …

Still More Studies In Brownsville History, Milo Kearney

UTRGV & TSC Regional History Series

A historical sketch of Fort Brown / Bruce Aiken -- A brief history of Los Fresnos / James A. Keillor -- Olmito, Texas: a town of unfulfilled dreams / Tim Snyder -- Water as a magic element in the Rio Grande Valley’s history / Brian Robertson -- Brownsville’s sisters of the Incarnate Word / Rosalinda Olivares-Sosa -- Out marriage among Hispanics : Cameron County, 1870-1970 / Randy Davidson -- A history of Brownsville’s Cuban community / Michael Lopez -- A few comments on the history of Blacks in Brownsville / Cornelio Nouel -- The Brownsville Jewish community : from generation …

More Studies In Brownsville History, Milo Kearney

UTRGV & TSC Regional History Series

Resacas and bancos in Brownsville history / Antonio N. Zavaleta -- An American “melting pot” in the Coahuiltecan homeland / Roberto Mario Salmon -- De la Garzas, Ballis, and the political history of the region that would later become Cameron County / Milo Kearney -- The corridos of Mexico and South Texas: modern variations on Medieval themes / George K. Green -- O todo o nada / Manuel F. Rodriguez Brayda -- Asi paga el diablo / Manuel F. Rodriguez Brayda -- Point Isabel and the Mexican War / A.A. Champion and Henry G. Krausse, jr -- An historic hail …

Studies In Brownsville History, Milo Kearney

UTRGV & TSC Regional History Series

Annotated bibliography of Brownsville history / George Gause -- The Coahuiltecan legacy of South Texas / Roberto M. Salmon and Juanita Elizondo Garza -- Cihuacoatl is alive and well in Brownsville / George K. Green -- The Valley’s first settlers / told by San Juanita Vela de Lozano to Peter Gawenda -- The watermaidens / told by ‘Jefe’ in the Market Square barbershop, written down by Peter Gawenda -- The Indian maidens / told by Felipe Lozano recorded by Peter Gawenda -- Brownsville’s Santanderino strain / Milo Kearney -- Steamboats on the Lower Rio Grande in the 19th century / …

Daily Review (Edinburg, Tex.) [Centennial Edition] 100 Years Of History Hidalgo County_Part 01, The Daily Review, Allan Engleman

Lower Rio Grande Valley Curated Material

Faithful Falcons / Aida Barrera -- Fathers of the Valley–1800 / Dorothy McWhorter -- Hidalgo's Two Musketeers-1905 / Shirley Ann Wallace -- Royal Salt Mine-1730 / Dorothy Burnett -- Citrus King Of Texas-1892 / Jackie Lee Carter -- Edinburg Gets County Seat-1908 / Vilma Gorena -- Legend Of Juan Grande-1820 / Frances Garza -- Valley Terminology-1802 / Joyce Jean Turner -- Martyr of Hidalgo-1854 / Sara S. Weaver -- El Mesquite-1528 / Mary K. Elliott -- First Commissioners' Meeting-1852 / Morgan Groves -- Texas Mustang-1785 / Wanda Davis -- Oil In The Valley-1910 / Otto Woods -- Early Hidalgo Transportation …

Daily Review (Edinburg, Tex.) [Centennial Edition] 100 Years Of History Hidalgo County_Part 02, The Daily Review, Allan Engleman

Lower Rio Grande Valley Curated Material

William Jennings Bryan-1909 / Jon Dee Lawrence – Lea H. McNelly, Texas Ranger-1870 / E. Neil Fesler -- Laguna Seca Ranch-1870 / Robbie Wolfe -- Panama Canal Aids Valley-1911 / E. G. Manning -- John Closner, Hidalgo lawman-1890 / Dora Mae Kelley -- Indians In The Valley-1000 / Robert Hodges -- Dr. J. M. McMillan, Pioneer-1904 / Early Hidalgo Ranches-1893 / W. H. Chatfield -- Nathaniel Jackson-1858 / Mary Alice Ramirez -- Tales of Monte Christo [Montecristo]-1910 / Otto Woods -- The Wonderful Valley-1952 -- Colonization of Hidalgo-1747 / History of Monte Christo [Montecristo]-1860 -- Rio Grande Entertainment-1800 / Alma …

Brownsville, Texas, Fort Brown & Matamoros, Mexico - Original Souvenir Albums Of All American & Canadian Cities & Sceneries, W. H. Chatfield, Chisolm Bros.

Lower Rio Grande Valley Curated Material

General view of Brownsville -- Elizabeth St. south end -- Twelfth St. looking east -- Mexican Jacales -- Steamboat landing, Rio Grande River -- Rio Grande Railroad depot and repair shots -- Grammar school building -- Brothers college -- Convent school -- Corner of Market Square -- Episcopal church and rectory -- Presbyterian church -- Catholic cathedral -- City market and plaza -- Convent -- General view of Fort Brown -- Summer uniform -- Headquarters -- Cathedral and Custom house -- United States Consulate -- Headquarters of 4th Military Zone -- A corner of the plaza -- Street scene: Abasolo …

Archivo Historico De La Secretaria De Relaciones Exteriores L_E_1061, Secretaria De Relaciones Exteriores

La Guerra de Texas y La Guerra Mexico - Estados Unidos

The Embassy in France sends reports and press clippings about Texas and the Mexican government's refusal to recognize their independence; the borders of the U.S. and Texas with Mexico, the Florida War of the United States against the Sioux Indian, the position of General Gaines in Texas; the seizure of the American ship "Pocket" in Pensacola that was bringing food to Mexican troops in Texas; circulated dispatches between the governors of Mexico about the victories obtained by the Mexican military in Texas, the Alamo, Bexar, Coprano, Goliad and Victoria. p. 1-212.

Newsletter dated on June 27, 1836 to the governors …

Archivo Historico De La Secretaria De Relaciones Exteriores L_E_1081, Secretaria De Relaciones Exteriores

La Guerra de Texas y La Guerra Mexico - Estados Unidos

Reports and news clippings sent by Mexican consulates and diplomats abroad on: the interventionist and expansionist policy of the U.S. government; the addition of Texas to the United States, Treaty of Friendship and Commerce signed between Texas, France and Holland; Santiago 12 Arguello, Captain the presidio of San Diego says it is necessary to avoid U.S. incursions in the territory of California. p. 1.

Warships from the United States in and out of Veracruz. p. 2-11.

Information and facts on the invasion of New Mexico by adventurers from the United States, supported and sent by that country. p. 12-16.

Francisco …

Archivo Historico De La Secretaria De Relaciones Exteriores L_E_1092, Secretaria De Relaciones Exteriores

La Guerra de Texas y La Guerra Mexico - Estados Unidos

Notices authorizing the government to impose forced loans, and occupy private properties in order to attend to the need of defending the country against the American forces. p. 2-5.

The government of Oaxaca sends a notice to governments of other states that Mexicans should perish rather than accept a dishonorable peace. p. 6-9.

The government of Tamaulipas reports the movements of the invading troops. p. 10-14. 4

The Governor of California reports the latest developments between government forces and the invaders. p. 15-22.

Information from the foreign diplomatic corps: in view of the occupation of the capital by the Americans, …

Archivo Historico De La Secretaria De Relaciones Exteriores L_E_1094, Secretaria De Relaciones Exteriores

La Guerra de Texas y La Guerra Mexico - Estados Unidos

Efforts for peace, treaties, and covenants, to return national and private property after the evacuation of the country by U.S. forces. Foreign Invasion. A group of former American volunteer soldiers prepares to invade the territory of Coahuila in order to loot and kill. p. 2-10.

Invasion of Toluca and transfer of powers to Sultepec. p. 11-15.

The Governors of Sonora, Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon, are prepared to repel the American invasion. p. 16 - 28.

Information from Guaymas on the damage caused by U.S. forces in violation of the armistice. p. 29- 42.

It was brought to the attention of …

Archivo Historico De La Secretaria De Relaciones Exteriores L_E_1085, Secretaria De Relaciones Exteriores

La Guerra de Texas y La Guerra Mexico - Estados Unidos

Reports, incidents and different accounts to the government of the United States of America. Decree against public order disturbances so that they can organize the defense of the territory. p. 2- 7.

The Governor of Tamaulipas announced that a section of enemy troops left San Fernando to go to Victoria. p. 8-41.

The Governor of Tamaulipas announced that the enemy has left San Fernando bound for China, Nuevo Leon. p. 42-47.

Captain Francisco Muñoz, commander of Soto la Marina is ordered to march to Ciudad Victoria. p. 48-504.

The Charge d'affaires in Spain announced that they would like to work …