Defending Mexican Valor in Texas: Jose Antonio Navarro's Historical Writings, 1853--1857

José Antonio Navarro (1795-1871) played a central role in Texas history. A close associate of and facilitator for Stephen F. Austin, he was a signatory of the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico, an important figure in the drafting of the Texas Constitution, and a State Senator. At the end of his life, the name of José Antonio Navarro was a household word in San Antonio and was well-known and respected across Texas. However, in later years, Navarro never received the recognition due him as one of the most influential of the founding fathers of Texas. Navarro's narratives, written between 1853 and 1857, constitute the first Tejano publication of Texas history.