The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 8, July 1904 - April, 1905 Page: 149
xiii, 358 p. : ill., maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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De Witt's Colony.
Shortly after this precautionary step, Edward Gritten, re-
puted among the colonists to be a confidential friend of Santa
Anna,' appeared in the town, having come direct from the City
of Mexico. He found the people still desirous of maintaining
peace with Mexico, yet equally determined to resist with energy
the entrance of troops into the country. Gritten tried to per-
suade them that he knew from the authorities that such was not
the intention of the government, and he at once wrote requesting
Ugartechea to confirm him in this statement.2 So convincing were
the reports that he brought from the Mexican capital that on July
7, the alcalde of Gonzales called a meeting at which the inhabi-
tants manifested their disapprobation of the proceedings at San
Felipe and protested their allegiance to the government." On the
next day in reply to Gritten's request Ugartechea sent letters offi-
cially assuring the colonists that troops were not coming. By this
most welcome news the people of Gonzales seemed quite reassured.
In order to dispel the fears that had been aroused by the mal-
contents they, together with the municipality of Mina, caused
copies of the communications from Ugartechea to be distributed
about the country.4 They were in the midst of this missionary
work for the government when the corporal and his soldiers ap-
peared at the river's bank requesting the cannon.
The colonists were now no longer in doubt as to Mexico's inten-
tions; consequently, their own attitude was no longer ambiguous.
They knew that there were at Bjar eighteen pieces of unmounted
cannon besides those mounted, and that this one was not needed
there as Ugartechea claimed. They well understood that the only
object the Mexicans had in getting possession of it was to disarm
such Anglo-Americans as might prove dangerous neighbors. And
they quite as clearly foresaw that a refusal to give up the gun
would bring the government troops upon them.5 When they met
1 Report of William J. Fisher, president of the committee of safety at
Gonzales, July 4, 1835. Austin Papers, 29.
2 Gritten to Ugartechea, July 5, 1835. Bexar Archives.
$ Gritten to Ugartechea, July 6, 1835. Bexar Archives; Mercurio del
Puerto de Matamoras, August 27, 1835. Austin Papers, class O.
SGritten to Ugartechea, July 9, 1835. Bexar Archives.
6 G. W. Davis, secretary of the committee of safety at Gonzales, to the
committee of safety at Mina and to J. H. Moore, Colorado River. Septem-
ber 25, 1835, in Telegraph and Texas Register, March 28, 1837. Austin
Papers, 30.149
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 8, July 1904 - April, 1905, periodical, 1905; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101033/m1/151/: accessed April 20, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.