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Federalists Seek Support in Texas

less, because of the activities of certain Texans occupying positions of influence and trust and because of the threats of Lamar to take offensive operations against Mexico unless she recognized the independence of the Republic, the Texan government was blamed by Mexican officialdom for the rebellion, always anxious to bolster support at home by declaring for a reduction "of Texas, that Texas which is the head quarters of the Anarchists, and the nursery of Revolutions."[80]  The Mexican government apparently believed that the government of Texas had an active part in the invasion of Mexico and prepared to "strain every nerve to retake that colony."[81]

I am sorry, very sorry, [wrote A. S. Wright in Mexico] that Texas ever made any conditions with the Federals or Anglo-Mexicans; you will find [them] in the end a curse. . . . They will never remain loyal to strangers, treachery will ever be found in their ranks; they . . . aspire to reign over Mexico and should they gain their point, would turn upon Texas with as much fury as the present enemy. I say be careful. I like not the movement. Texas was growing strong. Texas was crowding out the Mexicans, and [there was] no need of bringing on them this terable and ferocious war. Had it not been for this present movement with the federal [party] in Texas Mexico would have slept until next summer during which time Texas would have augmented her power and means and Mexico fighting one with the other would have been spending her little strength.[82]

It was sheer folly to threaten Mexico, for "whenever a campaign is set on foot it will be disastrous," recorded Anson Jones.[83]



80. Speaker of the House of the Mexican Congress quoted by James Treat to M. B. Lamar, Mexico, July 4, 1840 (Private), in Garrison (ed.), Diplomatic Correspondence of Texas, 1908, II, 663-664; A. S. Wright to William Bryan, Mexico City, Dec. 25, 1839, ibid., 1908, II, 518-520; Same to Same, Mexico City, Nov. 21, 1839, ibid., 1908, II, 496-499.

81. A. S. Wright to William Bryan, Mexico City, Dec. 25, 1839, in ibid., 1908, II, 518.

82. A. S. Wright to William Bryan, City of Mexico, Dec. 7, 1839, in ibid., 1908, II, 503-504. Bryan, a prominent New Orleans merchant, was one-time United States vice-consul at Pernambuco. During the Texas revolution, he served as "General Agent for Texas" in New Orleans in the recruitment of men, supplies, and money for the Texas cause. On May 24, 1836, David G. Burnet replaced the Bryan agency with Toby and Brother Company, but on December 26, 1838, Lamar appointed him again Texan consul in New Orleans, which position he held until February 7, 1842. After a brief interval he was reappointed in August 1842. Eugene C. Barker (ed.), The Austin Papers, III, 303-304; Handbook of Texas, I, 234.

83. Anson Jones, Memorandum Book, no. 2, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 1839, ms.

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AFTER SAN JACINTO: The Texas-Mexican Frontier, 1836-1841
Joseph Milton Nance, 1963