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Continue.a Foreign Intrigues and Turmoil, 1813-1818
were formulated for a full scale attack on Tampico and the early opening of Matagorda as an authorized port. It was agreed that General Humbert was to leave New Orleans at once to join Colonel Perry, who was on his way to the mouth of the Sabine with a party of fifty men. Toledo, the Associates decided, was to await the arrival of volunteers from Kentucky and Tennessee. The scheme was promptly put into execution. By November, 1815, Perry established himself at a point opposite Gal- veston Island, which he called Bolivar Point. But the initial success was soon offset by unexpected misfortunes and delays. A second contingent which was to join Perry was slow in getting started. When it finally reached Galveston Island, it was wrecked in sight of its destination with the loss of almost all the men and supplies. Toledo did not go to Bolivar Point, because the volunteers from Kentucky never arrived. Perry's men became discouraged and abandoned the project. 5 : Aury on tlr-e Gulf Coast. Louis Aury was the dashing young naval officer of the Venezuelan insurgent squadron who succeeded in breaking the blockade of the Spanish Navy in August, 1815. After forcing his way out, he took refuge in Aux Cayes, Haiti. Bolivar and his companions, also meeting reverses, sought refuge in the young Caribbean Republic. Aury and the other refugees apparently did not get along well, for in September, when Bolivar and most of the others returned to Venezuela, he was not invited to accompany them. Aury was, therefore, in a receptive mood when early in the spring of 1816 he received an invitation to join the New Orleans plotters against Mexico. He wasted little time in setting out with a small fleet of privateers. He informed Herrera that in accordance with his suggestion he was on his way to Mexican waters for the purpose of establishing his headquarters either at Matagorda Bay or on Galveston Island. Late in July he explored Matagorda Bay, but judging the entrance too narrow and exposed to blockade, he decided to move to Galveston Island. The low bar at the entrance of the site chosen caused the loss of all but two of the rich prizes he had brought with him. 53 When the Associates of New Orleans heard of the arrival of Aury in Galveston, they immediately held a meeting. It was agreed by the members that they would assume full responsibility for the debts of UMurphy to Apodaca, March 8, 1816; Picornell to Onis, November 24, 181 S, Papeles de Cuba, A.G. I.; Cienfuegos to Viceroy, Havana, September 24, 1816, Notas Diplomaticas, A. G. N. 53 Warren, Tne Sword Was Tneir Passport, 139-140.
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