Our Catliolic H eri/.age in Texas
of freedom and deep hatred for tyranny. They told the two messengers that they would be only too glad to return with them to San Antonio to help with their delicate mission. When the little party of spies and counter- spies arrived in San Antonio, Salcedo had no difficulty in capturing the two emissaries and delivering them to the Governor. The first week in October the three loyal soldiers were publicly honored and given a reward of two hundred pesos each, while the two trusting Revolutionists were stood against the wall and shot. 10 Another of the Gutierrez agents sent to distribute incendiary literature was captured on his way to Revilla. But there were many others who succeeded in eluding the vigilant Spanish officials and loyal citizens. The people of Texas were avidly seizing upon all revolutionary propa- ganda. Evidently the spark of freedom that sprang into flame at the clarion call of Hidalgo had not been put out by the repressive measures of Colonel Zambrano or by the restoration of Spanish authority. The fire had been but smoldering, ready to burst anew into flames. The proclama- tions of Gutierrez were bearing fruit. With hope in the cause of inde- pendence revived among the people, the way was well prepared for the advance of the self-styled liberating army. The spearhead had moved beyond the Trinity and all was in readiness for the march on La Bahia. The stratige mission of Robinson. Out of the blue came a man named John Hamilton Robinson to Natchitoches the first week in October, 1812. 11 His mission is shrouded in mystery. His instructions and the records of the circumstances that prompted the Government of the United States to send him at this time are clear enough. What is not clear is the motive behind the mission, which certainly dampened the ardor and en- thusiasm of the optimistic "Republican Army of the North." Robinson was not a newcomer to Texas or Mexico. As a young and ambitious medico he had sought his fortune on the frontier as early as 1804. He had played an important role in the unfortunate exploratory expedition of Zebulon Montgomery Pike. His daring, initiative, and suave, persuasive manner had made a deep impression on Pike.u The latter recommended Doctor Robinson as the man best fitted for a mission 11 Gutlerrez to Luis Grande, Nacogdoches, September 4, 1812; M. Salcedo to Nemeslo Salcedo, September :u, 1812, Ojeracio,us de Guerra, Salcedo, A. G. M.; Nemeslo Salcedo to M. Salcedo, Chihuahua, October 1 o, 1812 ; Declaration of Garcia, Bexar, September 23, 1812, Bezar Archives. 11 The exact date of his arrival is in question, but it is known that he arrived the first week in October, 11 C. Elliott, ed., Tne Ezj1diti011 of Zebul011 Montgomer,y Pike, II, 498-499; Castaiieda, Our CaJnoli& H1rilag1 in Tnas, V, 280, 281.
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