The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 70, July 1966 - April, 1967 Page: 578
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Southwestern Historical Quarterly
Antonio, apparently the conspirators learned of each other's plans
and thereafter worked together.16
Although highly irregular, such overtures were not surprising
because the Mexican political situation encouraged direct inter-
vention. As a result of the confusion from Juan Alvarez's revo-
lution against Santa Anna, an increasing number of slave owners
considered invading Mexico. Because of turmoil the power of
the Mexican centralists declined and local strongmen, such as
General Vidaurri, ruled their areas with iron hands. He sup-
ported neither faction, but waited to see who would win the
national struggle.'7 Many Texans quickly, but incorrectly, inter-
preted this neutrality as favoritism toward the United States;
some even believed that Vidaurri intended to declare his inde-
pendence from Mexico and seek admission into the Union for the
"Republic of Sierra Madre."18
Ultimately the citizens of Bexar received the negative reply
that they had expected. For although Colonel Langberg responded
positively at first, he then forwarded the proposition to General
Vidaurri in Monterrey. Having recently determined to support
the Alvarez administration, Vidaurri was not interested in any
plan which would embarrass the new regime. He informed Lang-
berg that any such deal should be handled through official gov-
ernment agencies, not by private citizens. Both believed that this
was impossible and that consequently an invasion would follow.
Vidaurri instructed his colonel to "repel force with force" if the
Texans attempted to regain their slaves." Events soon proved
Fisher and one George A. Fisher living in Texas. According to the Mexican papers,
the men who signed the letter were: O. Evans (who was also active in the 1854
meeting in San Antonio), B. Lacoste, M. B. Knot, Janbpusk, M. S. M. Geelam, G.
Martin, A. Milshel, T. S. Hoeville, M. Killeo, and H. Debray. The meeting was
secret and very little is known of it.
16Texas State Gazette, October 20, 1855. Callahan talked with Colonel Riddells
before he left San San Antonio. Ford, Rip Ford's Texas, 215.
17Ford, Rip Ford's Texas, 215; The Texas State Times, June 23, 30, July 7, 28,
August 4, 1855; Edward Holt Moseley, "The Public Career of Santiago Vidaurri,
1855-1858" (unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, University of Alabama, 1963), 116,
123.
18El Siglo Diez y Nueve, November 8, 1855.
'"Galindo to Langberg, September 11, 1855; El Siglo Diez y Nueve, November
8, 1855; Reports of the Committee of Investigation, 191; Wilfrid H. Callcott,
Church and State in Mexico, 1822-1857 (Durham, 1926), 235-236.578
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 70, July 1966 - April, 1967, periodical, 1967; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101199/m1/608/: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.