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CHAPTER V
THE FIRST REPUBLIC OF TEXAS
Gutierrez and the relatively small number of discontented Spaniards and fugitive inhabitants of Texas genuinely interested in wresting liberty and freedom from Spain hoped to assist other Mexican leaders attain na- tional independence. They did not share in or approve of the plan of some Americans, perhaps the majority, for the eventual annexation of Texas to the United States. Salcedo and many others rightly feared the ulterior designs of the American sympathizers. Their apprehensions were not proved ground- less, for the actions of Shaler and the correspondence of Judge Sibley, Govern~r Claiborne, and General Wilkinson reveal the true motives of the United States Government in abetting the revolutionary movement. Jef- ferson had disclosed America's ambition in 1809, when, in referring to the adjoining Spanish provinces, he said, "They are ours the first moment any war is forced upon us." 1 The War of 1812 sounded the doom for Spain's possessions in America. Gutierrez and Magee became merely the instru- ments of fate with Texas as their immediate goal. Preparations fqr further advance into Texas. As. Colonel Zambrano and Captain Montero dejectedly made their way back to San Antonio, the jubilant Revolutionists enthusiastically reorganized their forces in prepa- ration for a triumphant march to La Bahia, Bexar, and ultimately Mexico City. The day after celebrating the capture of Nacogdoches, Gutierrez sent a detachment of mounted troops to take possession of the neighboring outpost of Trinidad de Salcedo. Like a flash of lightning they fell upon this frontier outpost only recently established and named in honor of Commandant General Nemesio de Salcedo. The little garrison offered no resistance; all thirty-seven men threw down their arms and embraced their liberators. Captain Montero, knowing full well the sympathies of the people and soldiers, had departed with his small escort only a few hours before. The Revolutionists now controlled all the territory from the Sabine to the Trinity. Spanish resistance snapped like a twig. The miserable remnant of loyal frontier troops-some ten or twelve men- was hurrying to Bexar, the last haven of refuge. 2 1 Thomas Jefferson, T/,e Writings of Thomas Jefferson (Memorlal Edition), XII, 276-277. 1 Montero to M. Salcedo, Trinity, August 12, 1812, Nacogdoches Archives, vol. . [ 86]
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