Tlie First Republic of Texas
An agent of the Republican Arrny of the North was stationed in Natchitoches to purchase supplies and equipment in Natchez, New Orleans, and in the Mississippi Territory. Zambrano's wool and' silver were soon converted into supplies useful to the stalwart fighters for freedom. A constant stream of pack mules and wagons plied the road between the two provinces. Enthusiasm for the success of the expedition was as great in Natchitoches as in Nacogdoches itself. 3 • A supplementary force of volunteers from the district of Nacogdoches was organized by Davenport. The three companies of militia were equipped at the personal expense of the Quartermaster. These men con- stituted the only force that could rightly be called Texan, as it was composed of volunteers from Nacogdoches, Trinidad, and even distant San Antonio--residents of Texas who had left their homes and families to join in the fight for freedom and independence. Although Colonel Augustus Magee was actually the commander of the expedition, it was considered advisable to have a Mexican at least nominally in command of the army which was largely American. An army of Americans commanded by Americans .would surely arouse sus- picions and deter ardent Revolutionists from lending their full support. Gutierrez was, therefore, given the title of commander in chief' so as to afford the expedition the appearance of being Mexican liberators. Samuel Kemper was made a major, and Perry, Ross, Lockett, and Hall were com- missioned company captains. Pretended neutrality. On August I I after Magee and his men were on the outskirts of Nacogdoches-already safely beyond his jurisdiction- Governor Claiborne suddenly issued a proclamation of neutrality and enjoined military and civil officials in Na~chitoches and other frontier outposts to enforce its provisions. He failed to send the proclamation to Judge Carr until the next day. This belated order and the delay in dis- patching it indicate his desire to make certain that stragglers would not XVII, 44-45; Shaler \o Monroe, September 7, 1812, State Dejartment Records, N.A. W. . ,Morphi to Viceroy, New Orleans, November 27, 1812, O,perado11es tie Gunra, Notas Di,plomati&as, III, 219-220, A. G. M.; Shaler to Monroe, September S, 17, 1812, Stau De,partment Records, N. A. W. 'Gutierrez did not set out with the expedition when it first aossed the Sabine. The date on which he joined Magee is not known with certainty. Shaler stated that Gutierrez left Natchitoches on August Io; that he was the only one who doubted the success of the adventure; and that he was reluctant to take his place at the head of the little army. This assertion may be discounted in part, coming, as it did, from Shaler six months later. Shaler to Monroe, September s, 17, 1812, State De,Part- ment Records, N. A. W.
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