The Texas Almanac for 1868 Page: 83

                                
THE SAN SABA GOLD AND SILVER WINES.
BY J. A. QUINTERO. -
THE following documents conceal 2ing the San Saba gold and silver mines
were given to me in 1863, together with a collection of historical documents
in reference to Texas, Louisiana, New-Mexico, and California, by my ill-fated
friend, Don Manuel G. Rejon,* then Secretary of State of New-Leon and Coa-
huila. Said documents had been for many years in the archives at Monterey.
It seems that no steps were taken to explore the San Saba mines, owing
to the abdication of Emperor Iturbide, which :took place on the 19th of
March, 1823, nearly two months after the Director of the Spanish Military.
Academy at Monclova made his report in relation to said mines. Iturbide had
taken great interest in the matter, and had he remained in power he-would
have caused the mines to be worked.
I am informed by some of the old residents of San Antonio, that our gallant
Bowie (one of the heroes of the Alamo) and the Count de le Beaume com-
menced early in 1836 to fit out an expedition to discover the San aba mines,
which plan failed, owing to the invasion of Texas by the Mexican army.
There is no doubt that the region of San Saba abounds in mines. Mr.
Maverick, one of our wealthiest landholders, has some specimens of a mine
found in a tract of land located by him in said region. How the mineral
wealth of Texas has heretofore been overlooked I am at a loss to understand.
To His MAJESTY THE EMPEROR :
Salvador Carrasco, the humblest subject of your Majesty, with profound
respect, says: That about forty leagues, more or less, from the city of San
Antonio de Bexar, there are rich gold and silver mines, which. owing to the
occupation of that region by hostile Indians, have not been explored.
Petitioner has thought proper to communicate this information to your
Majesty, that proceedings may be had and the proper steps taken to explore
and work said mines, which can be accomplished under the protection of a
military escort, on account of the Comanches, who infest the provinces of
Coahuila and-Texas.
Said mines are called Los Almagres,t and are situated in the territory of
San Saba, in the Province of Texas. Some persons residing in Bexar have
brought specimens of gold and silver ore, and have not devoted themselves to
the working of the mines through fear of the Indians.
With the greatest respect, I entreat your Majesty to dictate the necessary
measures, in order that said mines may be explored as soon as your Majesty
thinks proper.                         (Signed)      SALVADOR CARRASCO.
MEXICO, May 25, 1822.
* Rejon was a gentleman of fine personal appearance, an eminent lawyer and a member of the
Mexican Congress. In April, 1864, owing to the political disturbances which occurred in the
States of New-Leon and Coahuila, he fled to Brownsville, Texas, and thought himself secure under
the protection of the United States flag.
Jose M. Iglesias, one of President Juarez's Ministers, was at the time in Matamoros, and
solicited the extradition of Rejon. General F. J. Herron, commanding the Federal forces on'the
lower Rio Grande, turned him over to the Mexican authorities. The famous Cortina was then
Governor of the State of Tamaulipas, and, in obedience to the orders of Minister Iglesias, caused
Rejon to be shot.
General Herron, after having surrendered Rejon, applied for the extradition of a certain Confede-
rate agent who resided at Mbnterey, but his wishes were not gratified by the lexican authorities.
The surrender of a political refugee like Rejon, that he might be pdt to death by his enemies,
never occurred before in the United States. A father's prayers, a woe-stricken wife's tears, and
the piteous wailings of his children did not avail to save the unfortunate Rejon.
t The English for AEogre is Red)Ochre, or red 'erth.