WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 184,7
528
Before the despot could advance on Texas, it was necessary that other portions of Mexico, still adhering to the constitution of 1824, should be subjugated; and therefore he threatened them with over throw. But as several States at home were in a state of rebellion, he could not leave them to advance on Texas. It was, however, important that Zacatecas, one of the most efficient, should be made an example; and she, standing prominent in the confederacy of Mexican States, was made the first victim by the despot. That it might be known what just cause Texas had for apprehension, he would read an extract from a historical sketch by a writer of high respectability, from which it would appear that the despot found that it was impossible to succeed in the overthrow of Zacatecas by valor and chivalry; so he determined to destroy her liberties by other agencies-by sending to her officers who had been in his army. They went to the capital of Zacatecas, and insinuated themselves to be the friends of Zaca- tecas, and offered to aid them in taking up arms; and how they requited the confidence of that brave and generous people, this extract will give a particular narrative: "Zacatecas, where, in some of the darkest periods of the revo- lution, liberty had found a last refuge, again served as a rallying point for a few faithful votaries now remaining among the de- generate Mexicans. An army of 5,000 men, composed principally of the militia of the State, were assembled near the city of Zaca- tecas, prepared to resist the authority of the tyrant. Mexico had drawn its best troops from Zacatecas. In the long contest with the mother country, no part of Mexico had made equal sacrifices in aid of the common cause. The blow which robbed them of that liberty which was so dear to them, and which they had so well' merited by their liberal outpourings of blood and treasure, must have been keenly felt from whatever hand it may have come, and doubly so from the hand of the present usurper, who was prin- cipally indebted to them for the means of success against Busta- mente, and consequently for his elevation to the Presidency. Their wrongs were therefore aggravated by the sting of ingratitude. Santa Ana well knew the character of the people he had to encounter, and the spirit which would animate them on the present occasion ; he therefore prepared to accomplish by the basest treachery what he feared to attempt in a fair contest. Several officers of the army, pretending to be unwilling to aid the President in destroying that constitution which they had sworn to support, resigned their commissi?ns and repa~red to Zacatecas, and there affected to join the people in supportmg the authority
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