Our Cat/10/ic Heritage in Te:zas
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informed Menchaca he would meanwhile continue his journey to Washing- ton. Accordingly, Menchaca proceeded to organize a filibustering expedition. He had no difficulty in enlisting a large number of volunteers, as en- thusiasm for the cause of liberty ran high. Before long, three hundred American volunteers had assembled in the Neutral Ground area beyond the jurisdiction of the United States. Just as Gutierrez started for Wash- ington, Menchaca and his men were ready to embark on their daring ex- pedition. Since Nacogdoches was the first objective, Menchaca and the Americans boldly crossed the Sabine on October 15 and resolutely marched along the road to Nacogdoches. But as the expedition moved forward, fear seems to have taken possession of Menchaca and some of the other Spaniards. Unexpectedly they came upon a large patrol of Royalist troops. Menchaca shamefully abandoned his men and joined the Loyalists. The Americans retreated in confusion but without casualties. Menchaca had missed the opportunity of relighting the torch of liberty in Texas. The incident naturally brought a strong protest from the Spanish authorities and Governor Claiborne had difficulty in explaining the incident to Secretary of State Monroe. He averred that he had issued positive orders to all officials along the border to prevent such flagrant violations of neutrality . 41 The apprehension felt by Governor Salcedo was ,vell founded. The Revolution would return to Texas, not from the interior of Mexico, but from the United States. The mission entrusted to Gutierrez on the eve of Baj.in would bear fruit. The respite was rapidly nearing the end. The Revolution was fast overtaking Texas again. 41 Sibley to William Eustis, September 19 and 24, 18n, T/,e Quarterl,y, XLIX, 290-291, 401-402; Gutierrez, "Memorial to the Mexican Congress," Lamar Papers, I, 8; Garrett, Green Flag •.. , 88.
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