Our Catholic Heritage, Volume VI

Revolution Flares Again

ing on his nefarious schemes, because the people in this area had long favored revolution in Texas to promote free trade. .u Preparations for invasion. June confirmed the report of Montero. A Spanish deserter, named Bagenas, brought to Nacogdoches a bundle of incendiary pamphlets and proclamations, which were distributed sur- reptitiously among the troops and people. One proclamation in particular, addressed to the captain of the first company of Nacogdoches but really intended for the public, evoked considerable interest. This paper, pre- pared by Bernardo Despallier, presented arguments to induce those who sponsored the cause of independence to rally around the standard of Gutierrez:. Despallier had taken up residence in Nacogdoches in 1804, after the sale of Louisiana to the United States. His illegal trade with Natchitoches and his disreputable conduct had forced Spanish officials to expel him from Texas. His implacable hatred for Spanish officials had prepared him to espouse the Insurgent cause. No sooner had Gutierrez: arrived in Natchitoches than Despallier became his most active follower. Despallier's open letter set forth twelve reasons for which the people should declare independence and follow Gutierrez: as their leader. This man, he argued, had made great sacrifices to free the "hemisphere of Columbus." He had obtained promises of aid from the United States, as well as from ministers of European governments. Even now troops were under way from the north to join him. War was about to be declared against Great Britain and Spain, her ally. American forces would then march through Texas to help Mexico attain her independence. Aware of the inherent distrust of the people of Texas for Americans, Despallier made the pointed assertion that such troops as should come from the United States had no selfish or ulterior designs.u More eloquent and flowery was the pompous disquisition of Toledo entitled, "The Friend of Men." This pretentious tract called upon the "sons of Montez:uma" to shake off the yoke of Spanish servitude. Toledo philosophiz:ed on the theory of popular sovereignty and proclaimed the right of people to establish their own government. He alleged that weakened and impoverished Spain could no longer protect her vast possessions and that she was contemplating their transfer to some other European power no less tyrannical. UMasmela to Montero, Natchitoches, May J, 1812; Trudeaux to Montero, Natchi- toches, May J, 1812; Montero to M. Salcedo, Nacogdoches, May 12, 1 S 12, Nacog• do&ltes Arcnives. JJBernardo Despallier to the Captain of the First Company, ut D [.sic] of Nacogdoches, Natchitoches, June 1, 1813, o;"acw,usd1 Gturra, Sak1do, A.G.M.