01tr Catlt0lic Heritage in Texas
require immediate action to prevent a surprise attack upon the frontier outposts of the province. 21 Cordero, as a matter of fact, had already dispatched fifteen men under Lieutenant Santiago Tijerina to meet the Nacogdoches escort and take over the duty of conducting General D'Alvimar to San Antonio as a prisoner of war. They were instructed to observe every courtesy due his rank and mission. Upon his arrival on September 8, he was taken to the governor's residence and immediately notified of the resolutions adopted by the Council of War and of the last orders issued by the commandant general. D'Alvimar protested against the proceedings, but submitted without resistance. He unlocked the four small trunks that constituted his baggage and opened his two large bags and a case in which he kept all his papers. Surrendering all documents and effects, he declared under oath that this was all he had, that the rest of his papers were by now probably in Vera Cruz, as that was the city for which his retinue had embarked from New Orleans. 22 His papers revealed no information of importance, and seemed to indicate that he was a soldier of fortune. Shortly afterwards, D'Alvimar was sent under guard to Monclova. After attempting to escape, he was conducted to Perote by order of Salcedo. He was later taken to the famous prison of San Juan de Ulloa. Finally, after his jewels and money had been confiscated, he was sent to Spain on board an English vessel. 23 The appearance of General D'Alvimar on the frontier in the fall of 1808 strengthened the con- viction of the commandant general that it was most dangerous to admit immigrants carelessly and indiscriminately. Effects of the D'A lvimar incident. Although D'Alvimar failed to stir up a revolt in Mexico, the incident served to increase the appre- hensions of Spanish officials both in Spain and in America. The viceroy of Mexico informed the Supreme Central Council of Spain (at Seville) controlling the Government in the absence of Ferdinand VII, of the perfidious activities of French agents and sympathizers in the colonies. The Supreme Council issued orders on November 12 for the arrest of ncouncil of War, September 5, 1808. Nacogdoches Arcl,ives, XI, pp. 83-89; IIS-1.19° z.zcertlfied statement by Cordero, September 8, 1808. Nacogdocl,es Archives, XI, pp. 120-121. 23 Rydjord, Foreign Interest in tlte Independence of New Spain, 260-261; Hatcher, The Ojening of Tezas to Foreign Settlement, 130-131.
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