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Our Catholic Heritage in Texas
arm, organize, and put them on a footing that would offer effective re- sistance to any British invasion from that quarter. Once Natchitoches was moved to the Sabine and its garrison was re- inforced to bring it to the suggested strength, it .would be necessary to organize a unit of at least five thousand volunteers under the command of trained officers. This force could proceed to the capital of Texas and from there open communications with the Mexican Insurgents. The garrison on the Sabine would then serve as a base for any operations that might develop. The elaborate plan drawn· up by Shaler provided for contingencies: if American forces in Texas should fail to revolutionize Mexico completely, they would, at least, be in a position to offer a safe re- treat to fugitives from the interior, who could then be reorganized and trained to enable them to defend the line of the Rio Grande, thus pro- tecting Louisiana from attack by any British forces which might be landed in Mexico." Shaler was not alone in urging the removal of Natchitoches to the Sabine. For reasons slightly different from those advanced by the State Department agent, Judge Sibley pleaded with Secretary of War Eustis for the removal. His reason was that such action would eliminate the Neutral Ground and end the irritating and scandalous activities of the desperados who found refuge in this no-man's land. Equally important and satisfying would be the increase in trade between Texas and Louisiana resulting from the safe and peaceful flow of commerce.:u Shaler accompanied his plan. with a detailed "Topographical Report on Texas." This report stressed the conditions favoring an invading army: a temperate climate, many rivers and streams at convenient distances, prairies affording excellent pasturage for horses and numerous ideal camp- ing grounds. He even pointed out the advantages of the San Marcos area as an excellent location for a military establishment. He informed Sec- retary of State Monroe that, in anticipation of putting the plan in execu- tion, he had hired two deserters from Bexar to return to Texas and secure additional information. He wrote Monroe that Judge Sibley had co- operated in the scheme by listing them in his account books as Indians, and furnishing the two couriers the necessary rations. 25
I
'i
More pretentious, daring, and
Similar plan of General Wilkinson.
23 Shaler to Monroe, May 7 1 1812 1 State De,Partment Records, N. A. W. 24 Sibley to Secretary Eustis, May 1 o, 1812, cited by Garrett in Green Flag Over Te:uu, 119. 23 The topographical report is in the State Department Archives, as is also the letter of Shaler to Monroe of May 22, 1812.
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