322
TEX.\
T.\TE LmR.\RY
if an attack is made on )Iatemoras-The enemy will be compeled to chan"e hi · place of attack & we wjl) maintain the war in hi own Co[untry] & with hi own means with every Rdva11tage on our side. [T]he true policy i to m1ite all your forces here, leaving small garri- on in Bexar & Goliad & proceed without delay into the intedor- With 150 @ 200 men I will enaao-e to keep anta Ana partizans in play from the Town of Riogrande to Reyno a, cut off any reinforce- ment he may wish to end to the coast & leave you thus to take po - se sion of ~fatemoras & even Tampico if neces[ ary] without his be- ing able to end aid to the e points-I can rai e the whole country ag t. him & then the interior mu t move o a to compel him to a retrograde movement-Your energies must be kept active to prevent reinforcements by ea & then you play a perfectly secure game. Quick- nc in your present movement will prove the salvation of Texa - delays at all time are dangerous but more particularly so at thi moment. All depend upon you & I feel convinced you will enter warmly upon -your preparation. & sp [e] cdily advance.- By a letter recd. in Jlier on the [ 1] ult. from a person of credit in • altillo it appea1· that very serion movement in the tate of Zacateca & Guadalaxara a"st. anta na were likely to induce him to ret 1m incognito to the interior leaving the com [ma] nd of the _Army to Genl. Feli ola.-If thi_ prove Correct, & from -collateral evidence it appears probable, it will be equal to a ,·ictory to us as . Feli ola is an old woman-& Santa Ana will n t retire unle the ,vigw:nn i. in a .erious uproar.''-
• TO. 328
1836 Feb. 9. F. W..JOH~SOX TO J. W. R BIX OX
an Patricio Feby. 9h. 1836
]'rivafc
To Jame W. Robin on Esq. Dear ir, ·
·I beg to enclo e a copy of my private lctter• 0 to Col. Fannin of thi. date-to keep you informed of all that pa e.s, which you can .how to such persons a you may deem of your confidence.-To thi I have [nothing] to add unless it be to impress upon you the ucce it? [of carrying] the War out of Texas. & of endeaYOtll'ing to keep the qnc. tion of independence silent until the libcrnl party i. placed in a situation to -counteract the Centrali ts-who at present ha\'c the field f entire] ly to them. elvcs. and who if united would bring inevitable ruin upon n. ,- ,Ve are disunited-:\fany-too many a.re unac<1unintcd with onr trnc policy-much le. with the inviting po. ition in which 'l'cxas is placed of elevating her. elf to a pinncle of 1.:dory & µ-rat<'nc .. which a. present declaration of independcn<'e woul[d crn] h in the bud.- '°No. 327. Previously printed In The 01'th1ocstcn1, llistorical Q11artcrl11. XXIII, l 92; but reprinted here on account of the numerous mistakes In the Quarterlv.
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