To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World, commonly referred to as the Victory or Death letter, is an open letter written on February 24, 1836, by William B. Travis, commander of the Texian forces at the Battle of the Alamo, to settlers in Mexican Texas. The letter is renowned as a "declaration of defiance" and a "masterpiece of American patriotism", and forms part of the history education of Texas schoolchildren.
On February 23, the Alamo Mission in San Antonio, Texas had been besieged by Mexican forces led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna. Fearing that his small group of men could not withstand an assault, Travis wrote this letter seeking reinforcements and supplies from supporters. The letter closes with Travis's vow of "Victory or Death!", an emotion which has been both praised and derided by historians.
The letter was initially entrusted to courier Albert Martin, who carried it to the town of Gonzales some seventy miles away. Martin added several postscripts to encourage men to reinforce the Alamo, and then handed the letter to Launcelot Smither. Smither added his own postscript and delivered the letter to its intended destination, San Felipe de Austin. Local publishers printed over 700 copies of the letter. It also appeared in the two main Texas newspapers and was eventually printed throughout the United States and Europe. Partially in response to the letter, men from throughout Texas and the United States began to gather in Gonzales. Between 32 and 90 of them reached the Alamo before it fell; the remainder formed the nucleus of the army which eventually defeated Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto.
Following the end of the Texas Revolution, the original letter was delivered to Travis's family in Alabama, and in 1893, one of his descendants sold it to the State of Texas for $85 ($ today). For many decades it was displayed at the Texas State Library; the original letter was then placed in a dark space for conservation purposes, and the display is now an exact facsimile. It is decorated by a portrait of Travis.
Background The Mexican Constitution of 1824 liberalized the country's immigration policies, allowing foreigners to settle in border regions such as Mexican Texas. People flocked to the area; an 1834 census estimated the Texas population at 7,800 Mexicans and 30,000 English-speaking people primarily from the United States.Manchaca (2001), pp. 172, 201.As a comparison, in 1825, the Texas population comprised approximately 3,500 people of Mexican descent, with few English-speaking settlers. (Edmondson (2000), p. 75.) Among the immigrants was William Barret Travis, an Alabama native who had variously worked as a teacher, a newspaper publisher, and a lawyer.Green (1988), p. 484. An avid reader, Travis often devoured a novel in a single day. His taste ran primarily to romantic adventure and history, especially the novels of Sir Walter Scott and Benjamin Disraeli and the historical works of Herodotus.Green (1988), p. 486. Historians have speculated that Travis's choice of reading material may have affected his behavior—Travis was known for his melodramatic ways.Roberts and Olson (2001), p. 156.
In May 1831, Travis opened a law office in Anahuac, Texas. Almost immediately, he and his law partner, Patrick Jack, clashed with the local military commander, Juan Davis Bradburn. Their subsequent actions were instrumental in causing the May 1832 Anahuac Disturbances. According to historian William C. Davis, Bradburn "overreacted and made heroes of two local malcontents whose actions their own people otherwise had not been much inclined to sanction".Davis (2006), p. 86. Bradburn was forced to resign his post and flee Texas.Green (1988), p. 485.
The Anahuac Disturbances coincided with a Mexican civil war. Texians aligned themselves with proponents of federalism advocating a stronger role for state governments, in opposition to a centralized government that set most policies at the national level. The federalists prevailed, and their favored general, Antonio López de Santa Anna, was elected president. In 1835, Santa Anna began consolidating power; in response federalists launched armed rebellion in several Mexican states. Travis, an ardent foe of centralism, led an attack on Anahuac in June 1835 and forced the Mexican garrison to surrender. Many Texas settlers thought Travis's action was imprudent, and he was forced to apologize. Although the Mexican government issued a warrant for his arrest, local authorities did not enforce it.Todish et al. (1988), p. 6.
Texians became increasingly discontented with the government as Santa Anna positioned himself as a dictator. In October, the Texas Revolution began and delegates appointed a provisional government. Travis was commissioned lieutenant colonel in the new regular army and asked to raise a cavalry company.Green (1988), p. 489. He participated in the siege of Béxar, where he proved to be "an impulsive, occasionally insubordinate, officer".Green (1988), p. 488.
By the end of 1835, Texians had expelled all Mexican troops from Texas. Believing the war ended, many Texians resigned from the army and returned home.Hardin (1994), p. 91. In January, the provisional government essentially collapsed; despite a lack of authority for any branch of government to interfere with other branches, the legislature impeached Governor Henry Smith, who in turn disbanded the legislature. No one in Texas was entirely sure who was in charge.Todish et al. (1998), p. 31.
Even as Texian governmental authority declined, rumors flew that Santa Anna would personally lead an invasion of Texas to quell the rebellion.Hardin (1994), p. 98. Despite this news, Texian army strength continued to dwindle. Texas settlers were divided on whether they were fighting for independence or a return to a federalist government in Mexico. The confusion caused many settlers to remain at home or to return home. Fewer than 100 Texian soldiers remained garrisoned at the Alamo Mission in San Antonio de Béxar (now San Antonio, Texas). Their commander, James C. Neill, feared that his small force would be unable to withstand an assault by the Mexican troops.Hardin (1994), p. 109. In response to Neill's repeated requests for reinforcements, Governor Smith assigned Travis and 30 men to the Alamo; they arrived on February 3.Hardin (1994), p. 117. Most of the Texians, including Travis, believed that any Mexican invasion was months away.Hardin (1994), p. 121.
Composition of the letter Travis assumed command of the Alamo garrison on February 11, when Neill was granted a furlough.Todish et al. (1998), p. 32.The volunteers already gathered in the Alamo did not accept the appointment of Travis, a regular army officer. They instead elected James Bowie as their commander. Bowie and Travis shared command until the morning of February 24, when Bowie collapsed from illness. At that point, Travis assumed sole command. (Hardin (1994), pp. 117–20.) On February 23, Santa Anna arrived in Béxar at the head of approximately 1500 Mexican troops.Todish et al. (1998), p. 40. The 150 Texian soldiers were unprepared for this development.Edmondson (2000), p. 299. As they rushed to the Alamo, Texians quickly herded cattle into the complex and scrounged for food in nearby houses.Edmondson (2000), p. 301.Many residents of San Antonio de Béxar had fled when they learned that the Mexican Army was approaching, leaving most of the homes empty. (Edmondson (2000), p. 301.) The Mexican army initiated a siege of the Alamo and raised a blood-red flag signaling no quarter. Travis responded with a blast from the Alamo's largest cannon.
The first night of the siege was largely quiet. The following afternoon, Mexican artillery began firing on the Alamo. Mexican Colonel Juan Almonte wrote in his diary that the bombardment dismounted two of the Alamo's guns, including the massive 18-pounder cannon. The Texians quickly returned both weapons to service.Todish et al. (1998), p. 42. Shortly after, Travis wrote an open letter pleading for reinforcements from "the people of Texas & All Americans in the World". To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World:
Fellow citizens & compatriots—I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna—I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken—I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch—The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country—Victory or Death.
William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. comdt
P.S. The Lord is on our side—When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn—We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.
TravisGreen (1988), p. 492."I shall never surrender or retreat" was underlined once, while "Victory or Death" was underlined thrice. (Green (1988), p. 492.)
Distribution
Travis entrusted the letter to courier Albert Martin, who rode through the night to cover the to the closest town, Gonzales, as quickly as possible.Green (1988), p. 499. During his journey, Martin added two postscripts. The first relayed Martin's fear that the Mexican army had already attacked the AlamoMartin had heard cannon fire as he left the Alamo. (Green (1988), p. 493.) and ended "Hurry on all the men you can in haste".Green (1988), p. 493. The second postscript is more difficult to read, as the letter was later folded along one line of text. The paper has since partially frayed along the fold, obliterating several words.Green (1988), p. 498. The gist of the message, however, is that the men at the Alamo were "determined to do or die", and Martin intended to gather reinforcements and return as quickly as possible.
In Gonzales, Martin turned the letter over to Launcelot Smither.Petite (1998), p. 89. When the Mexican army arrived in Béxar, Smither had immediately set out for Gonzales. Travis may have sent him as an official courier, or he may have journeyed there on his own to warn the townspeople.Green (1988), p. 500. Smither added his own message under Martin's, encouraging men to gather in Gonzales to go to the relief of the Texians at the Alamo.
Before departing Gonzales, Smither gave a letter to Andrew Ponton, the alcalde (or mayor) of the town. This second letter may have actually been the reason Smither traveled to Gonzales, or it might have been a paraphrased version of the letter Martin had delivered.Green (1988), pp. 503–4. The copy read: To All the Inhabitants of Texas:
In a few words there is 2000 Mexican soldiers in Bexar, and 150 Americans in the Alamo. Sesma is at the head of them, and from best accounts that can be obtained, they intend to show no quarter. If every man cannot turn out to a man every man in the Alamo will be murdered.
They have not more than 8 or 10 days provisions. They say they will defend it or die on the ground. Provisions, ammunition and Men, or suffer your men to be murdered in the Fort. If you do not turn out Texas is gone. I left Bexar on the 23rd at 4 P.M. By order of W.V. [sic] Travis L. SmitherMany at the Alamo believed that General Joaquín Ramírez y Sesma was commanding the Mexican troops, and that Santa Anna would arrive soon with further reinforcements. (Edmondson (2000), p. 349.)