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Our Catliolic Heritage in Texas
requesting him to forward it to the Spanish commander of the frontier, to the very officer who had once avoided an open break with the United States by entering into the Neutral Ground Agreement with General Wilkinson. 29 It was an invitation to Colonel Herrera from the Venezuelan minister in Washington, Telesforo Orea, to join the Revolution and help Mexico attain its independence. He flattered the sense of justice of the veteran frontier commander and appealed to his patriotism and love of liberty to save the Interior Provinces and New Spain itself from falling into the hands of England or France, should Spain collapse. Orea of- fered his services in the accomplishment of this great undertaking. Orea incorporated the details of the republican form of Venezuela's Government to guide him in organizing a new state. He pointed to the governments of Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, and the United States as examples of the successful attainment of independence and the enjoyment of freedom and liberty. Chief Clerk Graham seemingly knew of the proposal, for the shrewd American diplomat included a casual remark to the effect that he could be certain the United States had no territorial ambitions and .was interested only in the liberty of New Spain. 10 Understandably angered at the daring insult to his loyalty, but fearful that the communication might raise doubts in the minds of his superiors, he immediately dispatched copies of the compromising letter to Com- mandant General Nemecio Salcedo in Chihuahua and to Viceroy Venegas with an urgent appeal for reinforcements to defend the frontier.n Before Spanish officials could recover from the shock, the stirring news of the arrival of Gutierrez in Natchitoches reached Governor Salcedo. In May of 1812 Captain Montero, commander at Nacogdoches, sent Salcedo the most recent reports he had received from Davenport and Apolinar Masmela, purchasing agents for the frontier outpost in Natchi- toches, and from Diego Morphi, Spanish vice-consul in New Orleans. These reports revealed the most appalling news. Gutierrez had returned to Natchitoches accompanied by a representative of the United States. He styled himself ambassador of the people of Mexico and personal representa- tive of Ignacio Rayon. He was well provided with funds and had brought an ample stock of pamphlets to distribute in Texas, some of which were already being circulated among the troops. The informants all maintained that Gutierrez could not have chosen a better center for carry- 29 Castaneda, Our Calliolic H eriJage, V, 266-27 3. '°Simon Herrera to Viceroy Venegas, San Antonio de Bexar, March 8, 1812, Ojer~iones de Guerra, Herrera, A. G. M. SI/bid.
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