The Papers of Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, Volume IV, part 2

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TEX.AS ST.ATE LIBRARY

No. 2567 [1857? M. B. LAMAR, SAN ANTONIO DE B:f]XAR? TEXAS] CONCERNING THE MOVEMENTS OF JORDA~ BEGUINE AND CANALIS. 30 Information derived from J. M. Monchaca, San Fernando, re- lated to the Monchacas in Bexar. --------- He was in the US. (N. Y) at the signing of the Federation; hear- ing of it, he came to Bexar, arrived there when Canalis was flying from his defeat at Morelas; (which happened first of April 1839) Monchaca met Canalis in Bexar in May 1839. - There Canalis com- missioned him and Seguin to raise two companies. Monchaca went te Austin, Texas, succeeded in raising a company, in conjunction with Atonio Peres, 80 men, 50 mexicans & 30 Americans, Perez Capt. Mon- chaca First Lieutenant. (He was then only 19 years old.) Leandas Ar- riola of Bexar.commanded one company a:tld some Americans from Aus- tin, Texas, commanded a third company - These three companies, were under the command of Seguin, of Bexar. They came to Laredo, with Seguine at their head. Here news reached them that Jordan had been betrayed by Molano & Lopez at Saltillio, and that he was flying before Ariste who was in pursuit of him. Perez & Monchaca, with their company were despatched to meet and succor Jordan; they met him about 40 miles from Laredo; where they all returned - Jordan had with him nearly 200 men. Here orders were received from Canalis, ordering Seguine's command to leave Laredo & by forced marches to join him Canalis opposite to Comargo. Seguine, Jordan & all went down; on their way they met Cardenas, Governor, who was going up to Laredo on some important business, as he said; but did not ex- plain it. He was at San Ignacio. Beguine & Jordan, now moved on; but in the woods, off the road, at Laja (ranch on the Riogrande) they saw a carrier, whom they chased and overtook; and after search- ing him, found in the sole of one of his shoes, a letter from · Canalis directed to l\falano. Jordan opened the letter & read it - The sub- stance of it was this - he told Malano, that all was going on well that a secret Treaty was formed with the enemy, by which the Ameri- cans were to return home; and that the Federals & Centrals were to drop the war, and unite once more as brethren. Jordan, now des- patched Arriola and Monchaca with 50 men, to go in all speed to Comargo, and request Canalis to remain until he could be joined by Beguine & Jordan; and if he attempted to leave, they were ordered to apprehend and hang him. When they arrived opposite Comargo, where Canalis and Col. Fisher were encamped, they found that Canalis had Crossed over on the Comargo side of the river, had disbanded his mexican Troops and was going to Mier to see Genl. Reyes with whom he had made his Treaty. Arriola & Monchaca wanted to pursue Ca- nalis, and execute the orders giYen them by Seguine and Jordan; but to this, Fisher objected, apparently approving of the Treaty made with Reyes. He said that Canalis had stipulated for the paymnt of the American soldiers & settlers before they were disbanded. Monchaca told him, that he was instructed by Seguine to say to him, Fisher,

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