Our Catleolic -H eritags in T e:xas
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enterprise. Unaware of this fact, Long confidently set out on October 22 from Nacogdoches with thirteen men. Before leaving, he instructed his followers-greatly reduced in number by the dwindling supplies and the continued inactivity-to forage in the surrounding country until his return. 36 En route to the coast, however, he learned of the approach of Spanish forces and returned hastily to help his friends. Governor Martinez had been in- formed by Miguel Arciniega on June 17, 1819, that a new group of intruders-had penetrated East Texas and had established headquarters in Nacogdoches. In a letter to Viceroy Apodaca, Fatio warned that some three thousand filibusters had crossed the Sabine in June; that recruits were swanning through Louisiana to Texas; that Gutierrez was planning to join the new expedition headed by a General Long in Nacogdoches; that an advance guard had been stationed on the Trinity; and that the pirates in Galveston were giving aid to the invaders. It was rumored, he added, that General Lallemand was to return with Adair, H~mbert, and Robinson. The charge d'affaires in Philadelphia sent copies of the Natchez Gazette giving details of the enterprise. There could be no doubt that Texas was the goal of a new invasion. Expedition of Col,mel Ignacio Perez. The Viceroy had issued instant orders to the authorities of Vera Cruz, the governors of Nuevo Santander, Nuevo Leon, and Texas, and to the commandants general of the Interior Provinces of the East and the West to be on the alert. To Arredondo he sent instructions to under- take immediately a thorough reconnaissance of East Texas to the Sabine. At the same time Apodaca informed the King that all necessary meas- ures had been taken to check the daring Anglo-American filibusters and that, if necessary, more reinforcements would be sent to hurl the invaders from the royal dominions. 37 Governor Martinez, with the cooperation of Arredondo, was able to muster a force of 550 men, whom he placed under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Ignacio Perez. Ample supplies and munitions, suf- ficient for a three-month campaign, were loaded on 425 mules; each man was provided with several horses and 50 shots, in addition to a reserve of 12,000 rounds. Two fieldpieces completed the equipment. 16 Lamar Papers, II, 63; Captain General of Cuba to the Viceroy, Habana, Jan- uary 7, 1820, Notas Diplomaiicas, IV, 50, A. G. N. " 7 The Viceroy to the Minister of State, Mexico, September 30, 1819, with orders and instructions attached, Papeles de Estatlo, Mexico, Leg. I 4, 6-34, A. G. I.
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