The First Republic of TezllS
III
leader did not merit the command he held. The paper was widely dis- tributed from Nacogdoches to San Antonio, and paved the way for the Americans and the people of Texas to substitute Toledo for Gutierrez. The removal of the independent Revolutionist from command became an obsession with Shaler.ss As his personal agents, Toledo sent to San Antonio his friend Henry A. Boullard and Joseph B. Wilkinson, a son of General James A. Wilkin- son. When Gutierrez learned, shortly after the defeat of Elizondo, of their presence in La Bahia, he ordered them to remain there. But Boullard disobeyed the instructions and set out for San Antonio. He was met on the way by a second messenger, who had been dispatched to offer him the post of Secretary of State left vacant by the untimely death of Massicolt in the battle of Alazan. Boullard immediately took up the cause of Toledo, and Gutierrez promptly dismissed him as Secretary of State. Undismayed, Boullard carried on an active campaign among the Ameri- can officers and soldiers, who drew up a petition asking that Toledo be placed in command. This was referred to the Junta, before which Boullard and Wilkinson defended the Spanish General. The Junta, faced with the threat of Colonel Henry Perry to leave with all the Americans, acquiesced to place Toledo second in command provided that Toledo agreed to certain conditions. The invitation was taken to Nacogdoches by a fast courier. The Spanish adventurer decided to accept the conditions, which clearly stated that Toledo was to be second in command to Gutierrez, that he was not to introduce freedom of conscience into Texas, open sectarian schools, or promote Free-Masonry; that his army of volunteers which he might bring was not to exceed one thousand, and that these soldiers were to return to the United States when independence was achieved unless they swore to support and defend the Mexican Government. Two days later he departed from Nacogdoches with one hundred vol- unteers, and on August I entered San Antonio. Once more the Junta met and proposed that he supersede Gutierrez as commander in chief. Gutier- rez pleaded in vain to be permitted to continue in office until the Loyalists were defeated. On August 3, the army influenced by disgruntled Americans, de- manded that Gutierrez resign. The next day Toledo, who less than a year before had offered Onis to betray the Revolutionists, assumed com- mand of the army of the Republic of Texas. The Junta wrote a letter on 55 Gacela de Teras, Nacogdoches, May 23, 1813 (but printed in Natchitoches); El Meru:ano, Natchitoches, June 19, 1813,
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