C<mtint1ed Foreign Intrigues and Turmoil, r8r3-r8r8
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huila, had been under the supervision of a commandant general with head- quarters at Chihuahua. In November, 1813, they were divided into the Eastern and Western Interior provinces. Colonel Joaquin Arredondo was appointed commandant general of the eastern division, which now in- cluded Coahuila, Texas, Nuevo Leon, and Nuevo Santander. The new headquarters were established in Monterrey. 19 Shortly after his appoint- ment, he named Governor Dominguez of Texas his second in command. 20 But Dominguez became ill and did not enjoy his new office long. After his death in October, 1814, Benito Armin.an was appointed acting gover- nor and served in this capacity until July 19', 18.15, when, at his request, he was permitted to retire on account of his failing health. The next appointee, Mariano Varela, probably established a record for the shortest term, serving only one week. On July 27, 1815, Varela was replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Ignacio Perez, who was appointed interim governor, pending the arrival of Colonel Manuel Pardo, who had been named governor by the Viceroy, but who was delayed considerably in San Luis Potosi. 21 The military force maintained in Texas was out of proportion to its scant population, now restricted to San Antonio and La Bahia and estimated at not more than 5,000, including the military. Nacogdoches had not been under the direct jurisdiction of Spanish officials since its capture by Gutierrez and Magee in the fall of 1812. In a report made in June, 1814, the number of soldiers stationed in Texas was given as 1,308, of which 120 were stationed at La Bahia. They included companies from Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Nuevo Santander, and Bexar. 22 The reason for the relatively large number of troops was the constant danger of attack by filibusters and exiled Revolutionists. Spanish officials realized it was highly important to prevent direct communication between the refugees and their sympathizers in the United States and the In- surgents in the interior of Mexico. San Antonio, ever since its establish- ment, had proved an invaluable rallying point for East Texas troops. Late in June, 1814, Arredondo informed Governor Dominguez that he 19 Dominguez to Arredondo, November 29, 1813, Bexar Archives. Colonel Simon Herrera had been appointed commandant general of the Int~rior Provinces to succeed Don Nemesio Salcedo shortly before his capture by the forces of Gutierrez. Upon the report of the death of Herrera and before the Battle of Medina, Arredondo was named his successor. He was the last commandant general of the Interior Provinces before the division into eastern and western. 20 Arredondo to Dominguez, December 15, 1813, Bexar Arc!,ives. iIGovemor appointments, Be:r:ar Arcl,ives. "Francisco Arismendi to Arredondo, June 11, 1814, Bexar Arcl,iv11.
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