0111' Ca,t/wlic JIeri.tage in Texas
few and remote. He could get more immediate benefits by betraying the cause of liberty. Escamilla reported the plot to Captain Vicente Farin, commander of the Alamo Company. Since the conspirators intended to put their plan into execution on April 1, there was no time to lose. Luna and Farin quickly arrested the four officers involved ancl the other conspirators, put heavier chains on Father Salazar, Marshal Aldama, and Casas, and jubi- lantly reported the defeat of the counterrevolution the next day to the Junta just returned to San Antonio, loaded with the treasure that J imcnez had intended for Father Salazar and Aldama. The last spark of the Revolution had been extinguished in Texas and the cause of freedom ap- peared to be dead. 21 Th, return of Gover11or Salcedo. The responsibilities of government weighed heavily upon the Junta. "We confess, beloved chief, how trouble- some and trying it has been to govern," they admitted, completely dis- illusioned as early as April 29, 18II. They ardently desired the return of Governor Salcedo. The two deputies, Munoz and Galvan, after partici- pating actively in the surprise and capture of the leaders of the Revolution at Baj.in, had finally made their way to Chihuahua to report to the Com- mandant General. They pleaded for the restoration of the former Gover- nor to his post. As deputies of Texas they pledged their word that the people of the province would receive him with joy. 29 Misfortune seemed to hound the brave, loyal, and resourceful ex-Gover- nor of Texas. He had unwittingly allowed himself to be surprised by Casas. This, in the eyes of his stern uncle, Commandant General Nemesio Salcedo, was unpardonable. That he had later, while still in chains, aroused the spirit of the faithful subjects of the King in Coahuila and planned with them the downfall of the Revolution at Baj.in; that at great risk he had removed the most important prisoners from Monclova and per- sonally conducted them safely to Chihuahua; and last, that he- had served as president of the military tribunal which passed judgment on those who had dared to challenge the authority of the King and proclaimed the right of the people of America to freedom was no atonement. Twenty- eight years of devoted service to the best interests of his King in defcncl- 11Pa,1, G,,urol, April 29, 1811, Na;;ogdoc!,es Arcl,ives; "Trial of Friar Juan Salazar," Historia /nd,;endu,rler, vol. 412, A. G. N. Father Salazar, Aldama, and Casas were a source of constant worry to Z:imbrano and the Junta. They con- tinued to be heavily guarded at V:ilero until M:iy 2, 1811, when they were sent to Monclova for trial and ultimately convicted of high treason and executed. 2tRcport of the Deputies o! the Province of Texas, May 21, 1811 ; Part, Ge11~al, April 29, 1811, Nacocdocl,es A,dives,
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