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Republic of the Río Grande and Texas

enabling him to prosecute the war in Texas or to prepare to renew it elsewhere. The Federal troops were to be permitted to avail themselves of the limits of Texas for their immediate safety and protection, and for their sustenance to purchase supplies but to do no more, unless Texas was invaded by the Centralists. In the event that the Federalist troops were pursued into Texas, Texas was bound to expel the pursuers; and, for this purpose would expect the services of the Federal army to aid in repelling the invasion; but with the clear understanding that although commanded directly by their own officers they would operate under orders from the Texas government, the flag of Texas, and the commanding officer of the Texan troops. Canales and his officers were to be accorded those courtesies due to them as gentlemen. In conclusion, Fisher was advised by the War Department that re-enforcements would be sent immediately to post San Antonio.[11]

While Fisher's force at the old Mission San José consisted of only approximately 160 men, organized into three companies (they had been dispatched there to afford protection to the commissioners sent to negotiate with the Comanches), it was believed that these, with the cooperation of the local inhabitants could check the enemy's advance until the 300 troops in the Austin area under Colonel Edward Burleson, and volunteers from everywhere, could rush to their support. At Austin, Colonel Burleson's proposed march against the Indians was delayed. Captain Pierce of the Pitkin Guards from Houston was immediately ordered from Austin to San Antonio to strengthen Fisher's command. The Guards were, however, delayed briefly in getting off on account of the high waters of the Colorado, owing to the heavy rains of the last few days.

On April 7, Cornelius Van Ness at San Antonio reported Canales with "about 130 followers[12]  within fifteen miles of San Antonio, and the balance of his forces, estimated at 200 on this side of the Nueces on the lower road with the 'Government'."[13]  Canales was expected to enter San Antonio on April 8, but apparently did not, for Fisher that



11. H. McLeod, Adjutant and Inspector General, to Lt. Col. Wm. S. Fisher, Austin, April 4, 1840, Special Order No. 26, Army Papers (Texas), ms.; Telegraph and Texas Register, April 15, 1840; Texas Sentinel, April 8, 1840.

12. El Ancla, June 12, 1840, reported a citizen from Guerrero who had been to San Antonio as giving the size of Canales' force as thirty to thirty-five men.

13. Extract of a letter of C. Van Ness to the Adjutant and Inspector General [Hugh McLeod], San Antonio, April 7, 1840, in Telegraph and Texas Register, April 22, 1840; see also ibid., April 15, 1840.

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