CHAPTER III
REVOLUTIONARY LULL
Reluctantly, Manuel Salcedo shouldered once again the grave responsi- bilities of office in Texas, the most remote and most exposed province of New Spain. As he resumed the duties of governor, he must have recollected what he had written his uncle: "The Revolution has been suppressed but not stamped out forever." He must have recalled that on various occasions he had pointed out to the Commandant General of the Interior Provinces and to the Viceroy himself that Texas was "the key to the entire kingdom of New Spain." Threatening clouds hovered on the horizon. The outlook was far from bright. The cheers of the enthusiastic Loyalists that welcomed him back to San Antonio could not dispel the very real dangers which the ex- perienced Governor' discerned with the clarity of an analytical mind trained in the rough school of the frontier. On the east, the number of adventurers who daily drifted for refuge to the Neutral Ground (between Arroyo Hondo and the Sabine) were waiting impatiently for an oppor- tunity to pounce upon their long coveted prey. In the north, rose the equally threatening danger of stalking Indians, whose restlessness was increased by unscrupulous foreign agents and by ambitious leaders de- termined to attain their dream of independence at any price. At home the Revolution and the counterrevolution had kept many from planting their crops. The evident scarcity of supplies of all kinds would soon bring dis- satisfaction and discontent. Another winter was approaching and the pinch of want would again fan into a leaping flame the spirit of rebellion which had been fo(cefully repressed. When the Indians came--they were due in November-their temper would be far from friendly if gifts were not forthcoming. 1 Rewards to the fai.ehful. To encourage and foster loyalty, Com- mandant General Salcedo went to great pains. He asked the Governing Junta for a list of those who were entitled to special recognition for having helped overthrow the usurper Casas. To each and every one he ) wrote a personal letter of thanks. He assured the Junta that a full report 1 Manuel Salcedo to Nemesio Salcedo, Bexar, August 14 and September 18, 1811, Hutoria, Ojeracw,usd1 Gru"a, Anos 1810-1812, vol. I, pt. 1, A.G. N.
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