Tl1e First Republic of Texas
The first week in February Robinson was given his passport to return. On his way back he stopped at Presidio del Norte on the Rio Grande, where he spent a few days. Meddlesome as usual, he proffered his services to mediate between the rebels and Spanish officials, but his offer was de- clined. His report revealed that he had given treatment to Ignacio Elizon- do at Presidio del Norte. This officer, who had played no small part in surprising and capturing the leaders of the Revolution at Bajan, is purported to have manifested his sympathy for the cause of independence. He is said to have protested to Robinson that he had accepted a commission in the Royalist army, not because he was opposed to independence, but because he was opposed to lawlessness. Robinson quoted him as saying on learning of the favorable attitude of the United States, "Sir, if the President of your government will extend to us his hand, even his coun- tenance, we shall be free." 11 When he arrived in San Antonio, Robinson found considerable excite- ment and much apprehension. He found, too, bitter resentment against Don Nemesio and the Viceroy for their failure to send effective aid to stamp out the Revolution. He reached Natchitoches on April 7 "after a perilous and fatiguing trip." Here he appears to have become intimate with Toledo, who was about to replace Gutierrez in the favor of Shaler. Robinson finally decided to throw in his lot with the filibusters, of whose success he seems to have become convinced. This turn of events confirmed the Spanish officials in their suspicions of the United States. 19 Capture of La BaMa. The Republican Army crossed the Trinity en masse on October 18, the day after Robinson departed, and joyfully pro- ceeded on the road to San Antonio. They continued their march without incident to the Brazos, and on to the Colorado. Here they met a deserter from San Antonio, who informed them that Salcedo and Herrera had withdrawn most of the troops from La Bahia (present Goliad) and had taken up a strong position on the Guadalupe, twelve leagues from San Antonio, to intercept the invaders. A hurried consultation was held and it was decided to carry out the original plan-to cross the Colorado and attack La Bahia. The forty leagues to the coastal presidio were quickly covered. The army marched directly into the city in regular order with banners flying. Again, not a shot was fired. On to the plaza marched the liberating army, headed by 11 Robinson to Monroe, Washington, July 26, 1813. Ibid. 19 1 bid.; Onis to Viceroy, Philadelphia, January 5, 181 3, 0/eraciones d11 Guerra, Notas Diplomatkas, III, 229-233, A. G. M. In this letter Onis expressed the opinion that the purpc>se of the mission was to foment revolution.
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