The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 7, July 1903 - April, 1904 Page: 24

24 Teas Historical Association Quarterly.
"doubled his guards," however, made tremendous preparations for
war, and sent a commission into the Ayish precinct to inquire into
the real status of matters there-what was the purpose of those
Americans and upon what forces they counted. The deputation
brought back word that the only design of the citizens of Avish
was to uphold the constitution and Santa Anna against military
tyranny and despotism, and to aid the civil authority and the
people of Nacogdoches against the colonel of the frontier."
Piedras complained, on July 24, that there were sundry foreign-
ers of American extraction stirring up the Texans by "drinking
Santa Anna's health in public" and by otherwise spreading revolu-
tionary ideas. Moreover, the plan was greeted with applause by
the folk in general, but he exclaimed stoutly that he would hold
out to the bitter end in the impending struggle, even though "the
Alcalde and his Ayuntamiento" had turned from him.2
The commandant made his assertion good by declining all stipu-
lations set down by the partisans of the opposition. "Day after
day, time after time," says Frost Thorn of Nacogdoches, "the
citizens of this village called on him for that object [i. e., to
induce him to join Santa Anna]; I myself urged the case on
him so repeatedly that I was fearful he would arrest me if I per-
sisted-and as a stronger argument I showed him a Letter I had
received from Mr. S. M. Winms. noting the arrival of yourself [Aus-
tin] and Coln Mehir & that the Colonists would assist Coln. M. if
needed, &c, &c.-his replies I will not pretend to state to you, but
they were all full of fight, & If in justification to the cause, & to
counteract any false representation that might be made, you should
wish to be made acquainted with the efforts the citizens used to
prevent the effusion of Blood, a Note from you to the Alcalde of
this district to take evidence will be immediately attended to-&
It will appear that there was the utmost courtesy on the one Side
& the most determined obstinacy on the other."3
On August 1, Colonel Piedras issued a statement4 that "my
1Proceedings of ayurtamiento of Nacogdoches, Aug. 6, 1832. Nacogdoches
Archives, box 1, no. 14.
2Piedras to Elosua, July 24, 1832. Nacogdoches Archives, box 1, no. 9.
2Thorn to Austin, Aug. 28, 1832. Austin Papers.
4See proceedings of ayuntamiento of Nacogdoches, Aug. 6, 1832. Nacog-
doches Archives, box 1, no. 14.