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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
sources from the Interior; and accordingly addressed various letters to the Insurgent Chiefs, invoking their pecuniary assistance. He had many personal friends-had suffered greatly in the cause-and he relied with much confidence upon the new-born enthusiasm in fa- vor of Independence. The spirit of war had become prevalent in the country-there was a general disposition and preparation for a new struggle; and the hope of obtaining the desired aid from that qua-rter might not have been altogether without foundation. Afer purchasing some supplies [and] making arrangements for a small na-val force, our new adventurer set sail for Bolivar Point. The affairs of the little Republic at that particular juncture were not in the most flattering condition. A change had come oer the spirit [of] their dreams. The reader will remember that in the preceeding Chapter, when we took lea-ve, of this small and isolated community, we left them in rather a pleasant and flourishing state. There were no discontents. There were no repinings for the past; nor misgivings about the future. All were full of high hopes and lofty aspirations. The gallant leader may have experienced, in some degree, '' the lan- guor of inglorious days ; '' nevertheless, he was cheerful, zealous & active, and was greatly encouraged by his friends abroad, while his ever amiable and gifted companion, by her pure and gentle manners and unceasing kindness, quietly imparted to everything around her, the spirit of her own loveliness, until the Point ha-d become almost like a fairy land. But this happy condition of things was not of long continuence.- It was quite too bea-utiful to last. Like a landscape gilded by the declining sun, it was brilliant for a little while; but destined soon to fade. The radiance of Bolivar Point was indeed deceitful; it was scarcely realized before it was gone. The supplies which were ex- pected from New-Orleans, were slow in coming; the officers were re- ceiving no pay, and the soldiers became restive under their inactiv- ity and confinement. A general lassitude prevailed; and all began to feel the want of employment and more spirit-stirring times. This was the natural consequence of their isolated position, and their deprivation of the common amusements & excitements of life. The General, himself, we doubt not was also effected by the wearisome monotony, and sighed for the glorious activity of war. In proportion to the scarcity of provisions, the general discontent increased. At length the garrison became loud and clamorous for action. They wished to move to the West. 'l'hey would say amongst themselves- " our enemy is before us-to him lies our path-why languish here, while La Bahia and San Antonio abound in a-11 we need ?-let us on- ward to the foe.' '-Everything was favorable for such a movement. The Spaniards were weak, unprepared and greatly terrified, while the Creoles were full of zeal and confidence, and more united than they had ever been. In the United States also, there was springing up a beligerent disposition in favor of that country; so tha-t there was scarcely a doubt that any number of soldiers together with compe- tent means would have been forthcoming for the capture of Bexar, if an invasion of that town ha-d been proclaimed under the new
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