The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 16, July 1912 - April, 1913 Page: 50

The Southwestern Historical Quarterly

the extreme and remind one of the inflammatory despatches which
emanate from the imagination of war-correspondents in these
days; for instance, it was asserted on one occasion that the Mexi-
cans were pouring into Texas, their intention being to make war
upon the United States, to sack and burn New Orleans. This
rumor, it was averred, was confirmed by official reports of the
presence of Mexicans in Texas in large numbers.1 There can be
little doubt that General Gaines and the troops under his com-
mand would have eagerly welcomed the advent of the Mexicans
upon American soil.2
It may be observed that apprehension of a Mexican invasion
continued to be shared by the Texan authorities. In June, 1836,
Thomas J. Green, brigadier general of the Texan army, wrote
urging soldiers to come to Texas immediately.3 A few weeks later
it was given out at New Orleans that the Texas Agency at that
point did not desire, on account of a lack of provisions, any fur-
ther emigration save those who would become permanent culti-
vators of the soil.4 In November we find Wharton writing to Aus-
tin from New Orleans: "No one here anticipates another in-
vasion of Texas. We should, however, act as if we thought dif-
ferently."6 When Wharton reached Washington, he seems to. have
given more credence to the rumors of a renewed invasion.6
1Leington Intelligencer, July 19, 1836.
Cf. Barker, "The San Jacinto Campaign," in THE QUARTERLY, IV, 255:
"That he [i. e. Gen. Gaines] was in eager sympathy with the Texans
and was possessed .of an almost feverish desire to help them is certain."
3Cf. Kentucky Gazette, August 8, 1836. In this same month, however,
Grayson wrote Jack that it was likely the invasion of Texas would
for a time be suspended. Grayson to Jack, August 11, 1836. Garrison,
Dip. Cor. Tex., I, 121.
4Kentucky Gazette, July 11, 1836. In November Thomas J. Rusk, the
Secretary of War, was summoning the able-bodied men ,of Texas to arms.
In December there was rumor of an invasion by land and sea. Austin
to Wharton, December 10, 1836. Garrison, Dip. Cor. Tex., I, 150. On
December 22, 1836, a joint resolution was passed by the Texas Congress
authorizing the president to receive into service 40.000 volunteers. Gam-
mel, Laws of Texa,s, I, 1285. Perhaps this is a misprint for 4000.
'Wharton to Austin, November 30, 1836. Garrison, Dip. Cor. Tex.,
I, 148.
'Wharton to Austin, December 22, 28, 31, 1836. Ibid., I, 167. On
January 11, 1837, Senator Walker, of Mississippi, stated in the Senate
that he had information to the effect that the projected invasion of
Texas had been abandoned. Cf., however, Catlett to Henderson, April
14, 1837. Garrison, Dip. Cor. Tex., I, 207.