Our Catlwuc Heritage in Texas
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the instructions of Casas, and Dominguez, the commander of the old presidia, succeeded in making his escape toward Coahuila with two or three followers. Casas was more than provoked by the dilatory conduct of Captain Garcia and sent Captain Jose Agavo de Ayala to replace him and put him in custody for failing to prevent the escape of the commander. The following day Casas reported to Father Hidalgo the success of the coup d'etat, and his election as governor ad interim by the people of San Antonio and the troops in recognition of his courageous leader- ship. He expressed the hope that he might be confirmed in his new office and assured the Father of Mexican Independence he would accept with gratitude "whatever grace you my see fit to bestow upon me." This 'communication was eventually received by Jimenez in Saltillo, who in conference with Brigadier General Pedro de Aranda, revolutionary gov- ernor of Coahuila, agreed to appoint Captain Casas governor ad interim of the Province of Texas. The appointment reached San Antonio the first week in February, and the proud leader of the revolt boasted to the people in a proclamation issued on February 9, 1811, 20 that by his ap- pointment as brigadier general and military governor of Texas he had been authorized to use "all the powers which his judgment might dictate." Success was turning his head. Before long his injudicious use of dis- cretionary powers was to prove his undoing. Rebellion reaclus Nacogdccl,es. While Casas issued daily proclama- tions in Military Plaza to inform the people of the progress of the revolt and urge their undivided support for the new regime, Travieso, Delgado, and Lieutenant Saenz hurried eastward on their mission. No sooner were the settlers of Villa Trinidad de Salcedo (Spanish Bluff) informed of the recent events that had transpired in San Antonio than the local au- thorities and the people declared themselves in favor of Casas. Saenz and his companions pushed on to Nacogdoches. The emissaries of the new order reached their destination on February 1, ten days after leaving San Antonio. Fast and hard blows followed. Neither the troops nor the people were loyal. Captain Cristobal Dominguez, a courageous officer who had been selected by Governor Salcedo a year before as the special guardian of the eastern gate to the Province of Texas, was quickly put in irons. The victors seized the public archives 20 Prodamation to the inhabitants of the Province of Texas signed by Juan Bautista Casas, Diego Jose Ramon, and Juan Bautista Solis, is reproduced in Chabot, Texas ;,, 181I, 78-79. The date of the proclamation is erroneously given as February 3 In Garrett, Green Flag Over Teras, 43,
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