A new history of Texas for schools : also for general reading and for teachers preparing themselves for examination Page: 90 of 412

74

THE FREDONIAN REBELLION.

[1826.

do so. At dead of night settlers were dragged from
their homes to appear before the alcalde to answer to
charges of which they were entirely innocent. Finally
came Blanco's response to Benjamin Edwards's letter.
After stating that the letter showed a lack of respect for
superior officers, and after naming the charges against
Edwards, Blanco adds: "In view of such proceedings,
by which the conduct of Hayden Edwards is well at-
tested, I have decreed the annulment of his contract,
and his expulsion from the territory of the republic, in
discharge of the supreme orders with which I am in-
vested. He has lost the confidence of the government,
which is suspicious of his fidelity; besides, it is not pru-
dent to admit those who begin by dictating laws. If to
you or your constituents these measures are unwelcome
and prejudicial, you can apply to the supreme govern-
ment; but you will first evacuate the country; both
yourself and Hayden Edwards; for which purpose I this
day repeat my orders to the authorities of that depart-
ment."
The Fredonian Rebellion.-Edwards had spent $50,-
000 on his colony; many of the settlers had gone to great
expense in coming to Texas; these now saw ruin staring
them in the face. Mexicans from all sections of the coun-
try poured in to claim everything that belonged to Ed-
wards's party. That Edwards was most unjustly treated
all historians agree; that the Americans soon resolved to
fight rather than submit to such tyranny is not a matter
of surprise. Edwards's colonists hoped to receive aid from