Contimted Foreign·Intrigues and Turmoil, I8I3-I8I8
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Arredondo urged Acting Governor Armiiian to dispatch men im- mediately to the coastal Indians at La Bahia and Refugio, as well as to the Indians in East Texas, to ascertain their attitude and secure information concerning the enemy. He concluded his instructions by ordering San Antonio to be committed to flames if the enemy were to attack the city in superior numbers. Armiiian was commanded to retire to Laredo with all the troops and settlers to prevent capture.Z6 To understand the basis for the exaggerated reports which stirred Arredondo to rush from Monterrey to Laredo and recommend the abandonment of San Antonio, it is necessary to follow the fortunes of Toledo. When he arrived in Natchitoches he sought out his friend and adviser, Captain Shaler. 27 A few days later, both men set out for Tennessee. But misfortune hounded Toledo. General Overton in Nashville was ill and Mrs. Overton was in no mood to entertain visitors. Shortly after his arrival some one stole his mule. In despair he turned to General Andrew Jackson to offer his services as a volunteer in the army but received no definite reply. Toledo after Medina. Before his departure from Natchitoches, the survivors of the Battle of Medina had authorized Toledo to reorganize the expedition and agreed to recognize all obligations contracted for the purpose. 11 Just when the fortunes of Toledo were at their lowest, there appeared a Colonel John Smith from St. Louis, who offered to place himself and five hundred ·fully equipped men under his orders. Toledo accepted the proposal, and confided to Smith that he was waiting for supplies and munitions from another friend. 29 Smith went to Louisiana, but Toledo remained in Nashville, burning with impatience and consumed with jealousy. Reports of other leaders who were actively engaged· in organizing similar expeditions displeased him exceedingly. He seemed to think that he had a monopoly on filibuster- ing and should be recognized as the sole leader and organizer. Rival plans of Robinson. The activities of Dr. John Hamilton Robin- 26 Antonio Morales to M ..., New Orleans, May 14, 1815; Arredondo to Governor of Texas, Laredo, May 29, 1815, Bexar Arcliives. : 7 shaler to Monroe, Natchitoches, September 19, I 81 3, S/saler Pa;ers, N. A. W. DToledo to Shaler, November 28, 1813, S/raler Papers, N. A. W.; Toledo to the Mexican Congress, New Orleans, February 10, 1815, /lldifere,,,e General, A.G. I. Toledo did not mention to Shaler the meeting or his activities in connection therewith. In fact, ·he did not refer to the matter until two years later, when he tried to win the favor of the Mexican Congress and contemplated at the same time obtaining a pardon from the King of Spain. Z'lToledo to Shaler, Nashville, December 6 and 7, 1813, S/raler Papers, N. A. W.
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