About Von-Maszewski's Voyage to North America, 1844-45

Voyage to North America, 1844-45: Carl Prince of Solms-Braunfels’s Texas Diary of People, Places, and Events is now available as a free e-book at the UNT Digital Library. Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community.

The largest single immigration of Germans to the United States, and the most unusual, occurred in Texas around the middle of the nineteenth century. The organization formed to direct this German colonization of Texas became popularly known as the Adelsverein (The Society of Noblemen). The key figure in this settlement was Carl, Prince of Solms-Braunfel, appointed Commissioner-General by the Adelsverein. Solms’ diary of this time was discovered in documents relating to the Adelsverein and has been translated here for the first time.

The diary begins with Solms’ departure from the family castle on the Rhine, Rheingrafenstein, in May 1844, and ends on June 30, 1845, in New York. It contains additional important historical and personal data, including a great deal of biographical data not found in the other Solms documents. The personal nature of the diary allowed freedom in the descriptions of people and places Solms encountered. He writes daily records of personal contacts with Texas officials and important citizens, numerous Germans of all stations already in Texas, and occasional Indian bands. He describes the extent and nature of his daily travels and, when warranted, includes descriptions of the region or the city or settlement, particularly the German settlements.

Included in the Appendix is the diary of the colonial director of the Adelsverein, Alexander Bourgeois. Since Bourgeois accompanied Solms until Solms dismissed him in August 1844, his diary provides a unique counterpoint to Solms’ diary. Bourgeois’ diary, however, was not compiled on a day-to-day basis but apparently written during the time of his dismissal.

Monday, July 1st—At 11 o’clock we noticed land, I arrived in Galveston at 4 o’clock. Low coast line with dunes. The entire island is flat, intersected by bayous. Mons. Cobb and Mons. Arcieri welcomed us, as did Maas. Mons. A., a charming, short man, is secretary at the French legation. He dined with me at the Tremont Hotel (Capt. Seymor, owner). After the meal I went on horse along the beach to the Point or Fort. There are 6 24-pounder, 6 12-pounders, all in fixed position except for the 1 12-pounders which are on wheels. None of them have any breastwork. Ducos fell but did not hurt himself. In the evening visit by Mons. Arc[ieri]. I didn’t go to sleep until 3 a.m., chased roaches and in the morning ants.

Co-Published with the German-Texas Society.