Our Catl,olic Heritage.in Texas
Upon the arrival of the prisoners in Monclova toward the end of the month, Jose Melchor Sanchez and his brother Miguel, descendants of Urdii'iola and the Marques de Aguayo, offered the rebel Governor Aranda to make themselves personally responsible with their lives and their property for the safekeeping of Salcedo, Herrera, and all the other pris- oners until orders were received for their transfer to Saltillo. Aranda, trustful by nature, and wishing to win favor with the better element in Monclova, granted the request. The prisoners were taken to the Don Melchor hacienda near Santa Rosa, which thereupon became the center of the conspiracy to crush the Revolution with one well-concerted blow.' Salcedo himself declared the action of Don Melchor and his brother was all the more surprising in view of the fact that he had not known them before. Fully aware of the dire consequences to the prisoners should they be transferred to Saltillo, and realizing the value of their presence in Coahuila to the restoration of legitimate government, Sanchez Navarro immediately took steps to prevent any such probability. It was equally im- portant to ascertain the exact strength of the rebel forces at Saltillo and their future plans. Accordingly, two men who enjoyed the confidence of General Jimenez and the other leaders of the Revolution were sent separately to Saltillo. They were instructed to advise against the transfer of the prisoners and to learn the future plans of the Insurgents. One of these was the Baron de Bastrop,7 a remarkable character destined to play a most important role in the history of Texas for many years to come. Both Allende and Jimenez were quite interested in learning as much as they could about the attitude of the people of the United States and the possibilities of securing arms, munitions, and supplies, as well as volunteers for their depleted army. They, therefore, invited the Baron to visit them in Saltillo. Before leaving, he attended a meeting at the hacienda, at which he was directed to use his influence in deferring the transfer of the distinguished prisoners. The other delegate to Jimenez was Captain Sebastian Rodriguez, 6 Testimonio • • . Sa11che. Navarro. 7 The Baron de Bastrop, having been forced to flee from the French invasion of his country, left Holland for Louisiana. When Louisiana was re-ceded to France and sold to the United States, he moved to Texas, where he rendered valuable service to the Spanish authorities as a secret a~ent on the eastern frontier. During the Neutral Ground dispute he volunteered to help with the sick and while acting in this capacity he successfully treated Commandant Simon Herrera. At this time he wa§ re.~idlng in l\fonclova. Governor Manuel Salcedo to Commandant General Nemesio Salcedo. Bexar, August 23, 1809, Nacogdoches Arc/iives; Testimonio .. • Sandrez Navarro, pp. 2-4.
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