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01'r Catl1olic Heritage in Texas
affirmed the right of Texas-the only portion of the nation not overrun 1 by Federal troops-to organize itself for the presevation of constitutional law and order; and recommended the calling of a convention on October 15 to determine the "free will of the citizens of Texas."u Meanwhile, D. C. Barrett and Edward Gritten had been sent as a peace commission to General Cos. When they arrived in San Antonio, they were confronted with an order for the arrest and delivery of Zavala, whose presence and activities had been reported to the commander. They were futher informed that Cos would not receive them until Zavala, F. W. Johnson, Robert M. Williamson, better known as "Three Legged Willie," W. B. Travis, and Samuel Williams were turned over to the military for trial. Even the most confirmed pacifists could not accept such terms as these. At a meeting held in Columbia on August 15, 1835, a Committee of Safety and Correspondence, consisting of fifteen members, was empowered to call a convention to meet on October 15, as suggested by Zavala. The call for five delegates from each precinct, "selected for their wisdom and honesty and their deep interest in the welfare of their country," was issued on August 20. 13 Anxiety took possession of all Texans. Their need of a leader whom all could trust and confide in was felt as never before. If only Austin were back! Words cannot express, therefore, the wave of relief that swept over Texas when Stephen F. Austin arrived in Velasco on September I. Public opinion was still divided; not everyone approved the call for a convention; many were uncertain what was the best thing to do. A committee from Brazoria invited Austin to a testimonial dinner on September 8. They wanted to learn his opinion on the course of action to be taken. His address was awaited in suspense. Would it be peace or war? The future of Texas was in his hands. His speech cast the die for war and independence. The convention was the solution, he declared. The people should elect their representatives without further delay. Only four days later he accepted the chairmanship of the Committee of Safety of San Felipe, and by common consent became the leader of 12Johnson, TeraJ @d Terans, I, 246-248; W. H. Calicott, Santa Anna, 12:1-123; Jose C. Valades, Santa Anna ,y la Guerra de Teras, 156; Estep, op. cit., 344, Wharton had suggested the idea of a convention, but Zavala was the first to suggest a definite date for its call. 13 Barker, Life of Stephen F. Austin, 476-477; Johnson, Te:i:aJ and Texans, I, 248-262.
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