Friendly Betrayal

by José Antonio López

  A small group of legislators in the Mexican congress enabled a short-lived First Mexican Empire. Hoping for stability, their actions led to Emperor Agustín de Iturbide. Unfortunately, his régime turned out to be a return to aristocratic rule. Ruling as an absolute monarch, Iturbide dissolved the duly elected congress and jailed congressmen who dared speak openly.

  Realizing their big mistake in agreeing to the kingdom arrangement, Mexican citizens quickly ended the European-based Mexican monarchy experiment. Thus, in 1824, the Primera República de México (Mexican Republic) was born.

  Federalists occupied the other side. Led by powerful military governors from distant provinces, they didn’t mind being aligned in a federated Mexico. Vehemently objecting to the distance from the capital, they only wished to make decisions over day-to-day economic and security issues that affected their regions.

  In reality, tensions stoked daily by the war with the royalists broke out in several open rebellions throughout Mexico. Particularly, each of the leaders of the revolution had their own group of followers, adding to the insecurity of the nation. Additionally, multi-faceted rebellions stretched from Sonora to Yucatán. One of the hottest beds of uncertainty was the faraway province of Texas.

  For years, serious efforts had been initiated to settle Northern Mexico as a way to discourage marauding hostile tribes. In order to strengthen the developing routes of trade with Louisiana merchants, the security of travelers on the Camino Real had to be assured.

  To that end, newspaper advertising in the U.S. was important in encouraging settlers east of the Sabine River to come to Texas. The main enticement that proved to work was that newcomers would receive a parcel of land. In exchange, the immigrants from the U.S. promised loyalty to Mexico, honor its laws, and convert to the Roman Catholic religion.

  Those were conditions that men like Virginia-born Stephen F. Austin were willing to accept. As such, a steady stream of Anglo settlers began to arrive in San Antonio in the 1820s, looking for leads regarding land grants. This first wave of Anglos were in Mexico to become Mexicans in every respect. Unable to make it in the U.S., they had accepted Mexico’s invitation for a new start and a new life.

  Falling in love with the Mexican lifestyle was irresistible for many of the unaccompanied Anglo males. That was especially true with a guest being hosted by a rich Tejano rancho family. In truth, many a Tejano family welcomed marriage of their daughters to Anglos who were already Catholic. Regardless of their religious beliefs, Anglos in early Texas who were willing, joined the Tejano and Tejana society with little trouble.

  Such was the case of Thomas Miller, recently married to the daughter of a close friend. Rayo and Miller had met while Rayo visited San Antonio in his new role as an elected official to the chamber of deputies. Miller was there with his father-in-law attending to his ranching business.

  Miller loved his wife’s family dearly. His skin already bronzed by the scorching South Texas sun and dressed like a vaquero, it was difficult to distinguish him from native-born Tejanos. His father-in-law considered him as his own son, since he had two other daughters, but no male heir.

  As other Anglo immigrants, Miller had learned Spanish and had even made a pact with Rayo that if Rayo would teach him Spanish, he would then teach Rayo how to speak English. It was an offer that Rayo was only too happy to accept.

  Thomas officially changed his first name to Tomás. While he kept his Miller name, he got used to pronouncing the double “l” letters in Spanish, giving Miller the sound of Mier. No doubt, Tomás had found a nest he could now call home.

  Unfortunately, both parents had been killed during a Cherokee uprising. Blessed to have survived the attack on their farm located in Cherokee land, he chose to move away from Georgia for good. Life in Georgia was getting to be very unstable. He moved to Mexico after reading a newspaper ad featuring opportunities to own land. He was glad he had made the move.

  Soon, Rayo Gutiérrez and Tomás “Mier” became very close friends. On several occasions, the newcomer visited the congress in Mexico City as Rayo’s guest. Tomás well understood the importance of Mexico’s chamber of deputies, since it was similar to the U.S. House of Representatives. In fact, his uncle filled an elected office in his home state of Georgia. As such, the newcomer enthusiastically supported the federalists and their strong sense of individualism.

  Tomás planned to run for congress himself. Meanwhile, his friendship with Rayo grew stronger. Rayo was the godfather of Tomás’ first-born child, making them compadres, a very honorable status in those days. Thus, an extended family relationship developed between the two of them.

  Prospects looked bright. However, omens in Rayo’s dreams told a different story. In a recurring dream, he imagines killing a deer. However, before he has a chance to get near it, a pack of menacing, hungry wolves keep him from gaining access to it. The closer he gets, the more that the growling wolves prevent him from ever reaching his prize.

  Partly based on that nightmare and relying on the night sky signs, his feelings of impending doom increased. Plus, witnessing real events taking place all around him, he began to notice a change in the wind that made him uneasy about the future.

  oOo

  Rayo’s first year as a legislator had been frustrating. Being a disenchanted realist, he believed that the contentious debates in the chamber among delegates was continuing a familiar, dangerous path. They clearly centered between the wants of the haves (the aristocracy) and the needs of the have-nots. Consequently, he believed that the fight for liberty was far from over. The evidence was apparent.

  For instance, the news regarding his hero, Vicente Guerrero, was not necessarily healthy news for the young democracy. He learned that in assuming the position of president, Guerrero had actually violated a prime rule. He had led a coup d’état, assisted by General Antonio López de Santa Anna and Lorenzo de Zavala.

  Shortly afterwards, another communiqué contained yet another coup, General Anastasio Bustamante conspired against Guerrero, leading to Guerrero’s arrest and execution. It seemed that the bright colors of the revolution had lost their benevolence. Leaders of the revolution were now fighting among themselves for power and control of the nation.

  Mexico had enjoyed independence for less than ten years, but had already experienced the worst of intrigue and mayhem, normally found only in decadent European monarchies. The direct connection was disheartening for Rayo. The blatant lawlessness was certainly not a goal for the young country.

  It is said that money is the root of all evil. Rayo was finding out in his new job that indeed money greased the wheels of government. Hardly a bill was enacted that didn’t include massive amounts of money paid to corrupt officials.

  Mexico had learned much from the greatest American republic of all – the United States. In framing their government, Mexico had largely imitated their neighbor to the north. Their system consisted of an executive branch, a two-chamber legislature, and a judicial federal court.

  Rayo lamented that at least in outward appearance, Mexico’s troubles didn’t exist in the U.S. Truly, the first U.S. president to be assassinated while in office was Abraham Lincoln in 1865. If the decision of the majority was to be accepted by all, then, some leaders in Mexico still had some basic lessons to learn to control their urge to take the law into their own hands.

  Frequently, Rayo visited San Antonio as part of his official duties. It was while there, he noticed that Tomás was not the only Anglo in these parts. Recent Anglo immigrants from the U.S. were very visible in San Antonio. One thing he noticed quickly is that in temperament and warmth, these Anglos were not of the same character as Tomás. He wondered as to why.

  While in San Antonio, Rayo noticed that Anglos generally supported federalists demanding that Mexico City loosen its grip on the faraway provinces. At the same time, the growing numbers of immigrants from the U.S. who owned slaves served as an ominous sign that spelled
trouble for Mexico’s northern provinces, especially Texas.

  Thanks to President Guerrero, Mexico abolished slavery in 1829. It was obvious that sooner or later, the new arrivals from the U.S. had to let their slaves free, since everyone in Mexico was free.

  In the words of President Guerrero, all inhabitants, without regard to their European, African, or Indian (Native American) origins, were considered citizens of Mexico. They each had the full array of human rights and were free to pursue a livelihood according to their merit and virtue. Those were the principles that Rayo knew by heart and wanted to take hold in Mexico.

  Yet, the road ahead was full of obstacles, some that were visible and some that were hidden just below the surface of Guerrero’s perceived sense of social justice. Now, slave-owning Anglo arrivals provided Rayo with at least one of the unseen hazards to equality in Mexico.

  It didn’t take long for the newcomer Anglos to refuse to release their slaves. The disarray around them between the central government and the many revolts throughout Mexico provided them with an opportunity. While at first, Anglos had mostly backed the federalists like Tejanos, the now sizeable group began to plot to separate Texas from Mexico.

  The stage for the Anglos’ betrayal was set…

  Chapter 24

  1836 - Sam Houston takes over a work in progress

  “My dear Señor Presidente, this is to inform you that recently, hordes of illegal immigrants from the U.S. have crossed the border without first stopping to get their “permiso” at the customs checkpoint. Regretfully, they cross El Rio Sabinas and El Rio Roxo without fear or difficulty, since they are well aware that the few officials on duty cannot handle the overwhelming number.

  Worse, based on reliable intelligence reports, U.S. government agents have hidden themselves among the above-mentioned illegal immigrant refugees. Their despicable intentions are to take advantage of the political instability in our northern frontier, specifically the unrest caused by self-styled federalists in the eastern province of Texas.

  My dear sir, there are only two options in my view. The first is to permanently close our border with the United States. The second is for your Excellency to approve the posting of significant military troops on our eastern borders to avoid the additional trespassing of U.S. illegal immigrants into Mexico.”

  (Note: The words above paraphrase the common theme of messages in 1835 to Mexico’s President from senior Mexican Consulate Officers in New Orleans).

  oOo

  Mainstream U.S. historians like to remind us that the “shot heard round the world” began the English colonies’ drive for independence in New England. Although not literally a single shot, it is meant to denote the several skirmishes between colonists and their British overseers at a time when the colonists wanted more liberty.

  Likewise, the “shot heard round the world” in New Spain (including the land from California to Colorado to Texas in today’s U.S.) is symbolized by Father Miguel Hidalgo’s “Grito” or independence yell. In it, he expressed the will of the mostly Native American-descent citizens to rebel against bad government.

  oOo

  In Texas, Captain Juan Bautista de las Casas was eager to engage in 1811. As a retired military officer, he incited the garrison at Presidio San Antonio de Béxar to rebel. With the help of several collaborators, in the name of Father Hidalgo, he arrested the Spanish governor, his senior staff, and high ranking Spanish officials in San Antonio at the time.

  Quickly, his movement was supported in other parts of Texas and victories included sites as far as Nacogdoches. However, the Las Casas uprising was doomed to failure, because his poorly organized campaign was pre-mature.

  A counter revolt soon arose. Las Casas was arrested, tried, and executed, as had been done to Father Hidalgo and his general staff. Las Casas’ body was decapitated and his head displayed in public as a warning to would-be rebel leaders.

  Several were significant in nature. For example, Yucatán declared independence about the same period and established the Republic of Yucatán, independent of the Mexican Empire. Adding to the political instability of Mexico, the state of Tabasco also declared independence in 1815, although Tabasco rejoined the republic soon afterwards.

  In short, it was risky to get involved, but many did. There was no other choice. As mentioned earlier, that was the case with José Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara. As Las Casas, he was born and raised in Nuevo Santander. As the leader of the Army of the North, he defeated the Spanish Royalist forces in five battles during 1812-1813. He declared Texas an independent province of Mexico and signed its first declaration of independence and its first constitution.

  In mirroring the methods of powerful countries in history, the Romans crucified troublemakers to quell rebellion in its conquered territories, whereas the Spanish decapitated troublemakers in New Spain. Gutiérrez de Lara well knew that execution and decapitation was the penalty if caught. Yet, he was willing to lose his life in order to improve the well-being of the people of Mexico.

  The list of courageous souls who gave their lives in the name of liberty in Mexico and its provinces, such as Texas, is quite long. For example, the first President of Texas, Lt. Colonel José Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara Uribe wasn’t born in Texas, but in the state of Nuevo Santander (now Tamaulipas), Mexico. Today, it is the bi-national sister towns of Guerrero and Zapata spanning the Rio Grande. The basic question in readers’ minds is why would Don Bernardo get involved in a Texas affair? The answer is simple – family ties.

  The fact is that the first communities in Nuevo México, Coahuila, N. León, Tejas and Nuevo Santander consisted of basically the same family groups. Of strong stock, they came from towns in Central Mexico. Hence, firm family cohesion served as one of Don Bernardo’s motivations to first volunteer, and second, to serve and lead Texans in declaring independence from Spain. (Incidentally, family ties could easily qualify both sides of the lower Rio Grande for a Guinness Book record as a region with one of the largest blood-related populations in the world.)

  From their start in 1747-49, Count José de Escandón’s Villas del Norte served as a Camino Real midpoint from Monclova to sites north in Texas, such as San Antonio, Goliad, and Nacogdoches. Thus, the Villas although set up in Nuevo Santander, strengthened Texas communities against French incursion and hostile Indian attacks.

  To be sure, independence fervor inside Texas itself grew on its own. Reaction was typical in communities throughout the region, once riders came into town bringing news of Father Miguel Hidalgo’s “Grito” of September 16, 1810.

  Don Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara’s substantial revolution introduced the people of Texas to their first taste of freedom. Lt. Colonel Gutiérrez de Lara, accompanied by Captain José Menchaca, undertook a difficult trip to Washington, D.C. to seek help for their revolution.

  Of interest to South Texas is the fact he was also joined on his trip from Revilla to the U. S. by a small group of recruits. The trip was tough, with most energy spent trying to avoid the Spanish Army. All went well until the party reached the Texas-Louisiana border.

  It was then that they were attacked by a Spanish patrol. Don Bernardo narrowly escaped death; most of his soldiers wounded, and three of his men were killed. Stopping in New Orleans, Don Bernardo left Captain Menchaca and wounded soldiers there to recuperate. He continued his journey.

  For the record, Don Bernardo succeeded in his mission. (Due to its historical significance, many people are now familiarizing themselves with his epic story, and would like to see it become part of mainstream Texas history classroom curriculum.) Besides Gutiérrez de Lara, only one other name is known; that of Capt. Menchaca.

  However, what about the recruits who were with him when they left Revilla? Who were they and what is known about their lives before they became the seeds of the Army of the North (First Texas Army)? Regrettably, we don’t know.

  Based on available information, followi
ng is a partial list in alphabetical order of some early Revilla family names. It’s possible that the 12 heroes had names within this group. However, many other family names existed in the nearby close-knit Villas del Norte (over 20) on both sides of the Rio Grande. There was also constant movement of pioneer settlers within the villas:

  - Adame, Alcántara, Báez Benavides, Benavides, Botello, Campos, Cañamar, Cavazos, Cuellar, de la Cerda, de la Garza, de la Garza Falcón, de la Peña, Garcia, Gonzales, González Hidalgo, Guerra, Guerra Cañamar, Gutiérrez, Gutiérrez de Castro, Gutiérrez de Lara, Herrera, Longoria, Martínez, Ochoa, Paredes, Peña, Pérez, Piña, Rodríguez, Salinas, Tabares, Treviño, Uribe, Vela, Villarreal.

  Folks with these names who originate in the Villas del Norte realize that they’re blessed to have such lineage. It’s quite an honor, since the spark leading to the first Texas independence in 1813 was lit in Revilla. The torch of liberty was then carried to Texas.

  Descendants of the founders of Texas should be especially proud of early Texas history. Most of all, they have ownership of early Texas history. Regrettably, that knowledge has been denied them and Texans of all backgrounds, most especially in classroom instruction.

  Sufficient to say that the Anglos didn’t come to Texas to gain its independence. Rather, they conveniently commandeered a social movement already started by Tejanos seeking autonomy.

  Indeed, Tejanos had already done the heavy lifting, sacrificing, and dying in the name of Texas liberty by 1835, the year that the insurrection by the Anglos began.

  Chapter 25

  Friendly Betrayal

  To say that Miguel Hidalgo’s 1810 vision of peace and tranquility for Rayo and the Mexican people did not materialize is a huge understatement. If violence, intrigue, and betrayal played major roles in vice-regal New Spain, they knew no bounds in the land once ruled by the mighty Mexica. Sadly, Montezuma’s descendants had not attained their just reward. They were still greatly unappreciated; despised pawns in a game of big stakes and still larger risks.