The Austin Papers, Vol. 2

THE A US TIN PAPERS 807 men. His conduct so far has been very correct and highly honorable to him as a soldier and as a ~1an. The Governor of the State of Tamaulipas, Don Vital Fernandez accompanied Mexia from Tam- pico, where the events of the revolution forced him to seek refuge from the aristocratic party.

A usTrN To SAl\IUEL M. ·w 1LL1Alrs

[From Willfnms Pnpcrs, Rosenberg Library, Galvcaton, Tex.]

July 1. 1832

Du Sm- A revolution-or rather a change of garrisons has taken place in this town-Col. J. A. Mexia entered on the 28 without oppoi,ition, he fired three cannon shot at a small party of cavalry between this and the Brazo, which dispersed them. The most of them joined him, and escorted him into town, for he brought none but infantry, as he came by water. l have never seen anything conducted with so much good order- one party quietly marched off towards San Fernando, and the other as quietly marched in and took up quarters in the barracks. The ordinary business of the merchants was not interrupted one 'hour- not one cent of private property has been touched-not one act of confusion nor even of disorder has occurred since Mexia arrived. By the by, he is a very different man now from what he was when yon lmew him-he has had ten years experience, a great part of the time as Secretary of Legation in washington city-he is now a useful, and I think quite a liberal and good man, I am much pleased with him. J have written to Ugartechea by the express which left here on the 27, also day before yesterday by cap Ross of the Ewert bound to Galveston, he promised to call at the mouth of the riYer. I a]so wrote to Musquis, to the Alcalde to John and to you. Ugartechea is ordered to ta.ke command at Anahuac. Duclor is ordered from the mouth of the river to Brazoria. Cortina is pro- vi~ional collector of Galveston. The course for the people there to take in the present distracted state of the nation, is to declare tlwt they will take no pa1•t in the civil war at all-that they u-ill do thci1· duty strictly as M e:vi.can Oiti- zeM-that they will adhere to Memco and to the gen. and State constitution, and resist any unjust attacks upon either, by any, or by al,Z pa 1 rties no matter who they 'Tnay be. This must be the basis of all they do, or say,-thnt is, should they find themselves bound to do, or say anything to protect their personal

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