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Capture and Death of Dimitt

They also recommended "an immediate retaliation be made on the exposed frontier of the enemy, and that they be reminded by proper action on our part, that such assumption and such outrage, will not be tolerated." In conclusion, the memorialists suggested that a sufficient militia or volunteer force should be "immediately authorized to effect that object" and to "remove from the western border of the Republic any individual or individuals, who, losing sight of their proper character as Texan citizens, admit the dominion of Mexico on any portion of the soil of this Republic or pay allegiance to the sovereignty of Mexico whilst residing in and claiming the benefits of our Government." By the latter suggestion, they probably had reference to Kinney, Aubrey, and Don Carlos de la Garza. The petitioners stated their readiness to retaliate if Dimitt and his companions were not immediately released and their property restored, and they requested permission of the government to go to their rescue, "and should it not be obtained," wrote James Wright, late member of Congress, "they will go on their own responsibility. . . . I have no doubt," he continued, "that Kinney is acting a double part."[28]  Similar indignation meetings were held at Lamar, Gonzales, and other towns. Letters accompanying the resolutions declared the determination of the inhabitants in the various towns and surrounding areas to turn out en masse with, or without, official orders to make good the claims of Texas to the territory between the Nueces and the Río Grande and to retaliate for the injuries they had suffered.[29]

"The people in the more settled areas of the Republic, however, were less inclined to rush headlong to the Río Grande."



28. J. Wright to B. T. Archer, Victoria, July 10, 1841, Army Papers (Texas), ms., copy.

29. Texas Centinel (Austin), July 15, 1841 (extra). Being so ill that he was scarcely able to sit up, James W. Robinson appealed to the Secretary of War to rescue Dimitt.
I pray you, in God's name, secure him if you can, and the benedictions of millions of freemen will bless the act, and a weeping and desponding wife, and six helpless children, will breath the holiest prayer ever uttered for your happiness; but I need not say so -- I know you will rescue him if you can. The sentiments of the people will be unanimously with you; and any expense will most assuredly be paid by Congress. This county would turn out, in my opinion nearly in masse, for this object.
J. W. Robinson to B. T. Archer, Gonzales, July 13, 1841, Army Papers (Texas), ms., copy.

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