The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 22, July 1918 - April, 1919 Page: 261

Texan Military Oplerations Against Mexico, 1843

the military and from the diplomatic point of view. Territori-
ally, her claims extended considerably beyond the boundaries
which she had accepted as a Mexican state, but her diplomats,
not satisfied with the Rio Grande as a boundary, had even sought
to annex an outlet to the Pacific. H-er army had failed, however,
to secure the recognition of her independence from the central
government of Mexico, and her diplomats were equally unsuccess-
ful in securing the necessary funds for continuing the struggle.
Therefore, when she received the news, early in 1842, of the disas-
trous outcome of the Santa F6 expedition, her future seemed pre-
carious indeed. -Ier financial standing in Europe was lowered as
a result of this evidence of an inability to, occupy the territory
claimed by the government, and a damper was placed on the con-
fidence which had been felt in France, especially, in her ability
to maintain her independence. This naturally checked not only
credit, but also immigration.' In the United States the reaction
to the stories which reached the people concerning the brutal treat-
ment of the prisoners was decidedly favorable to Texas, but aside
from the work done by Waddy Thompson, the United States min-
ister to Mexico, in securing the release of the prisoners,4 no direct
results came from that quarter.
The most immediate returns came from Mexico. The reports
which reached that country concerning the expedition furnished
a semblance of truth for the repeated rumors which had been
coming to the capital from the outlying districts, of a Texan in-
vasion. As a result, the determination of the central government
to subdue the Texan revolution was renewed, and a new offensive
was planned. The first definite outcome was the successful Mexi-
can attack on San Antonio in March, 1842, when the invaders
took possession of the town, and after remaining two days, gath-
ered as much property as could be easily removed, and quickly
withdrew across the Rio Grande.' Dissension in the Texas militia
prevented any immediate action, and in September a, Mexican
force under General Adrian Woll surprised the place again, this
time capturing fifty-five inhabitants, who were marched off to
*Smith to Jones, March 31, 1843, in Garrison, Diplomatic Correspondence
of the Republic of Texas, III, 1429.
4Th.ompson, Recollections of Mexico, 92-100.
"Rives, The United States and Mexico, I, 485.