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Small 8vo. 1 f. (title-page, verso blank), iv pp., 1 blank f., [3]-68 pp., COMPLETE, collating exactly with the UNT copy (some foxing and blemishes throughout, ubiquitous among Texas imprints from the 1830s; gutter margins creased, evidencing previous overcast sewing, removed during rebinding (thankfully). Handsomely and sympathetically bound in recent tree calf antique, smooth spine divided into six compartments by double gilt fillets, second compartment lettered direct, two binder's blanks at front and back sympathetically antiqued. Very attractive copy. THE FIRST BOOK PRINTED IN THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS ACCORDING TO JENKINS; ONE OF THE FIFTY GREATEST TEXAS RARITIES ACCORDING TO GRAFF; AND "A DESIDERATUM OF HIGH CONSEQUENCE ACCORDING TO EBERSTADT. THEN, AS NOW, RECOGNIZED AS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT BOOK, WRITTEN IN MEXICO AND PRINTED IN TEXAS DURING THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE. The author was the principal Mexican General, Juan Vicente Filisola (1785-1850), second in command to Santa Anna himself. According to none other than Stephen F. Austin, the text discloses "the history of the military movements and views of the enemy during the invasion [.] last spring," i.e. at the Battle of San Jacinto on 21 April 1836 (see below). Having read the text in the original Spanish, Austin advised Texas President Sam Houston that an English translation was warranted owing to its importance "to the public interests." Five hundred copies were duly ordered but only 300 were printed; the translator was Austin's underling and friend George Louis Hammeken, in whose instructive preface the Texas patriots are championed. After being captured at San Jacinto, in order to spare his own life Santa Anna ordered Filisola and his 1,000 troops -- who had never been defeated in battle -- to withdraw from Texas, along with the remaining 4,000 Mexican soldiers. Despite the fact that Filisola was simply following Santa Anna's orders, upon his return to Mexico Filisola was accused of being a traitor and a coward. Indeed, Santa Anna (who was actually defeated at San Jacinto) continue to blame his underling for the entire debacle. The present "Evacuation of Texas" is Filisola's own account of what actually happened; it is effectively a defense of his conduct, as he faced formal charges for dereliction of duty. Key logistics fatal to his troops (such as moving heavy military equipment, supply wagons, and livestock through endless "mud," and around flooded crossings) are described in full. His erudite text is quite lengthy; here it was printed with very small type on just 68 pages. According to Jenkins, "Other than legal publications, [it is] the first book printed in Texas." We feel this statement merits some qualification, and that it is definitely the earliest SURVIVING non-legal publication printed in Texas. "General Filisola wrote this vindication of his actions only four months after the Battle of San Jacinto. The 'Documents' (pp. 37-68) which follow the exposition are as important as his account of Santa Anna's failure." (see Graff 1231 and Fifty Texas Rarities 17). Filisola's defense was successful and he was officially exonerated five years later, in 1841. Jenkins, Basic Texas Books 61A. Howes F-127(c). Vandale 65. Eberstadt 295. Eberstadt, Texas Exhibition p. 12. Streeter, Texas 191. Sabin 24323. Rader 1379. See also the 30 November 2023 article in Texas Monthly on the Ted Lusher Sale (Heritage Auctions Dallas, 1 December 2023, sold as lot 60052 for $37,500 including buyer's premium, now with William Reese Co., priced at $75,000). Seller Inventory # 4222
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