The Papers of Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, Volume I

50

TEX.\S ST.\TE LLBR.\RY

some papers to his vessels, and a short time afterwards, he sent again for me, and orde1·ed me to have the horses ready immediately. I had given my dircctious in consequence, when I was called once more, and received an injunction to furnish a Spaniard to accompany one of his officers to the vessels. I sent a trusty man, and directed him to observe closely the people in charge of the vessels, as it was rumored that his intention in making a requisition for horses, was to send orders to 60 more pirates to join him. After having sent the express, Long demanded another beef which was furnished, at my request, by the wife of Juan Hernandez. At about 3 o'clock P. 1111. J;ong sent for me; he was walking up and down the square, and directed his interpreter to say to me, that he had been told that a large force was expected from Bexar, but he would be careful not to allow himself to be surprised, and would take his measures in consequence:-to which I answered, I did not believe any such thing, and requested him to send for the person who had given him that information. As he did not seem disposed to do so, 1 added, that the Governor was a man of honor, a gcntl<•· man who, in this stage of the negoeiations, ,rnulcl. not use foul means against him; that, provided he would surre1i'c"ler the papers he alleged to have in his power, and evacuate the place, he should not be treated as an enemy. Ile did not seem to concur in that opinion, and continued superintendine the making of cartridges and transportation of blocks of stone to reenforce the town gate. On the 7th, he made a new requisition for beef and corn, ,..· was complied with. On the 8th, the division of Lieutenant Colonel Ignacio Perez ar- rived at the l\Iission Del Espiritu Santo, and while .the reveille was sounding at the Mission. I went to the quarters of the Commandin~ • Officer, wherefrom I sent word to Long that the Lieutenant Colonel wished to see him. Upon receiving my communication, Long re- paired to the Quarters of the Commanding Officer, where he sent for his interpreter, and having been told that he should have to go out of town to meet the Lie11te11ant Colonel on neutral ground, he an- swered in the affirmative and went out with one of his officers, ac- companied J,y the Commanding Officer, the Chaplain, myself anti three Regiclores. We proceeded till we met the Lieutenant Colonel. A protracted conversation took place, after which, Loug refusing to accept the conditions offered by Lieut. Colonel Jguacio Perez, W<' returned to town. I took the advance to warn the citizens to re• main in their houses, .and be ready at all events. Having reached the Commanding Officers Q111U'tcrs, Long sent for me, and rccinired nnother supply of beef arn1 corn. On my answer tl1at he had to direct himself to the Lieutenant Colonel for his neccssnries, he re• plied that if 1 or the Commandin~ Offic<'r did not supply him with provisions, hr woultl procure thern by force. lie, theu, wmt tn the square. and detailed sev<'n of his men to entch some cows which were ~ra:.dng on the edge of the prnirir. TTow<'vcr, as some citi1.e11<; were endeavorinl! to pre,·cnt them from executing that order, and also, observin~ that the troops were approaching the town, they

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