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the five villas and repair to that post in person to guard against the appearance of Nolan and his men. 36 Warned by Blanco, the commandant at Laredo moved the horses of the presidio to the west side of the Rio Grande to avoid their capture by surprise. He sent out three detachments to keep a sharp lookout for the invaders: the first was to watch as far as Cerrito de los Apaches, some eighteen leagues upstream; the second, as far as Charco de la Becerra, near the intersection of the San Antonio road with that of the Nueces River; and the third, as far as the intersection of the road from Camargo to La Bahia with the Nueces River. Scouting parties of ten men each were likewise to be sent daily from ReYilla, Mier, Camargo, and Reynosa, to explore the surrounding country. 3 j At the same time Bustamante, at Laredo, was to report all occurrences to Governor Simon Herrera, of Nuevo Leon, who was ordered by Calleja to move to Laredo with all available troops and militia from Punta de Lampazos. 38 Calleja warned the viceroy on December I I of the serious menace of the projected invasion, and on December 22 explained to him that he would have to rely on the forces available in Nuevo Santander and Nue,·o Leon since "Nolan's enterprise was a bold and daring undertaking .. . that did not permit waiting for help from distant parts." He called the attention of the viceroy to the ill assorted calibre of the guns of the provincial troops, their lack of equipment, the urgent need for military aides, and the total absence of sergeants and adjutants in the dragoons under his command. 39 The viceroy was thoroughly impressed with the danger that confronted the Interior Provinces and fully sympathized with the sub-inspector, but was unable to give aid either in providing equipment or supplying the needed officers. To a third appeal for aid made on December 30, he replied that in case of "absolute necessity" Calleja might put some of the militia on a salary. In January, the fears of the alarmed commanders along the Rio Grande were greatly augmented by rumors of an impending Comanche attack 36 Blanco to the commanders of Refugio, Reynosa, Camargo, Mier, Revilla, and Laredo, November 20, 1800. A. G. M., Historia, Vol. 413, pt. 1, pp. 221-222. 17 Bustamante to Blanco, December 29, 1800. A. G. M., Historla, Vol. 413, pt. 1, pp. 274-276. 31 Calleja to Bustamante, December 21, 1800; Calleja to Herrera, same date. Ibid., pp. 235-239. 39 Calleja to Viceroy Berenguer de Marquina, December 22, 1800. Ibid., pp. 240-241.
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