[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n an angry editorial on Dec. 5, 1849, an influential Austin newspaper advocated a scorched-earth policy in response to the pending theft of New Mexico from the Lone Star State.

“Rather than surrender to the usurpation of the General Government one inch of our blood bought territory,” fumed The State Gazette, “let every human habitation in Santa Fe be destroyed.”

Texans were too busy battling the mortal enemy on their southern flank in 1846 to pay much at...