Sons of Columbia (@SonsofColumbia)

"Texas. — It is a singular phenomenon that a colony of Americans, almost in the infancy of our country, should be planted on a foreign soil,—there to establish our institutions, speak our language, practice our virtues, and cherish our religion. Although under a foreign government, it is impossible not to regard them as "bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh," and to feel an honest pride when we see them extending the influence of civilization and industry over a territory the most inviting perhaps on the face of the earth, but hitherto, only the abode of wild beats and roaming savages." 📜 Stephen F. Austin, Letter to Archibald Austin, 1830 🎨 Oscar E. Berninghaus, Cowboy Mess Camp, 1912