but would give us peace and all the blessings following in her train. Canales only asks to be allowed to recruit men and get supplies through us, and even this pitiful boon is denied by the powers that be, with the Van Buren noncommittal cold-heartedness. Our beautiful little navy, instead of lying up in inglorious idleness, could put them in possession of Matamoros -- the first step in the certain success of their cause.[98]

As for the editor of the Colorado Gazette and Advertiser[99]  who seemingly represented the prevailing attitude of the settlers along the Matagorda-Victoria-Goliad-San Patricio frontier, he not only wished the Mexican Federalists every success but declared that he intended aiding them in the future with all the means at his command irrespective of government policy.

The conduct of the citizens of Victoria in exhibiting such exuberance for the Federalist cause was not considered beyond reproach by other Texans. "If these officers of the new government were received and treated as private foreign citizens in distress, no question could be raised as to the propriety of the . . . [public dinner]; but they are received as the officers of the government of the Río Grande," commented the editor of the Telegraph and Texas Register.[100]

We cannot approve of it, because we bear too fresh in mind that this new government was organized in our own territory, and went into operation and exercised jurisdiction there -- thus, in fact, invading Texas, and bringing disturbance, war and confusion into the borders of a country inclined to be friendly to their cause, though much doubting their ability to maintain it. We rejoice that our government has kept aloof from either of the belligerents, and had all our citizens, been wise enough to do the same, they would have been spared from much sacrifice and suffering, and our government from much expense and annoyance.

Along the same general line, the Austin City Gazette,[101]  edited by C. K. Teulon, disagreed with an anonymous Béxar correspondent who, signing his name "San Antonio," advocated sending an expedition against Mexico in 1840.

We entirely disagree with the policy advocated by "San Antonio." It is the policy of Texas to act on the defensive, and not on the offensive, -- we are