17
Tl,e Beginnings of Revolt1tio11, in Texas, I8IO-I8I2
from San Luis Potosi-all to converge upon Saltillo to crush in one mighty blow the last stronghold of the Revolution. Before his plan could be executed, a counterrevolution in San Antonio was to change the course of events and almost result in the complete collapse of the Revolution in northern Mexico. Royal power was restored in Texas; the emissaries sent to the United States were captured in San Antonio before they could carry out their mission. Returned to Monclova, they were executed almost at the same time that Father Hidalgo and his lieutenants paid with their lives for their dream of liberty and independence. Tlie cou11,terrevol11,tion of Zambrano. Captain Casas worked his own 'downfall. Once in power, he failed to give his collaborators their due. Jealous of his newly acquired position and fearful of losing power, he did not take either the people or his friends into his confidence. In short, he ruled without tact or foresight, and foolishly adopted the easy policy of arbitrariness. Lukewarm Revolutionists became disappointed because of the abuses of the new regime with the result that their ardor cooled considerably. Loyalists who had accepted the new order as a necessary evil began to plot its overthrow. Slights offered Delgado turned this respected old settler and member of the former City Council against Casas. He had risked his prestige and position in helping win the support of the citizens on that eventful January 22; he had gone all the way to Nacogdoches to help establish the new regime in the farthest outpost-all for naught. A greater injustice--and one naturally more deeply resented-was the arrest of Lieutenant Saenz upon returning from his successful mission to Nacogdoches. True, he was shortly set at liberty and the charge dropped, but to this humiliation was added still another. Failure to give him any recognition after his arrest reflected the distrust felt for him. This lack of consideration rankled in his heart. His indignation knew no bounds. He felt that condemnation for taking a little silver and a few pesos from Nacogdoches Royalists was undeserved, for he had risked his life to bring the first instructions for the revolt and had barely escaped execution at the hands of Governor Salcedo for having sponsored the new order. Saenz regarded Casas as an opportunist, an ingrate, who would soon be turned out of office for having betrayed the Revolution. There were many others who were also dissatisfied with Casas. They knew little about the principles of the Revolution, and were beginning- to long more and more for the peace and security they had known
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