Punto Lampasos, July 5, 1835.
Dear Johnson,
I hope you spent the 4th July pleasantly with your friends who feel
some reverence for the day. As to myself, I can not say I enjoyed it. I
got a bottle of vino muscale and drank to the Federal Constitution in all
parts of America. I had no countrymen to join me or perhaps I should
have done better.
We left Monclova on the 29 of May, and were taken prisoners on the 5th
of June, at night, after we had encamped about eight leagues northwest of
San Fernando. The troops had been viewing our march for the last day,
and knew the only chance we had for water and placed themselves in a
situation to take possession of our horses as soon as it was dusk. In this
situation we were obliged to surrender to twenty five men—or savages as
we may more properly call them. Capt Galan and Liut: Roderiguiz
[Rodriguez] commanded the party. They will be long remembered by your
humble servant.
We were taken to San Fernando and kept in close confinement for one
week—not permitted to write or speak to any person except in the presence
of an officer, and then but in the Spanish language. From there we were
taken to Rio Grande, where we were treated something better by Capt
Barigan from Rio Grande to this place. At present we are under the
charge of Col: Altapa, who is a
gentleman and an officer, and gives every
indulgence we ask for. From here we expect to be sent to Monterey to
stand our trial, and I hope to be set at liberty. But all is uncertainty.
The whole of this part of the state has and will support the Central
Government. The Interior from the last information we have, has fallen
into the Central system, Santanna is Dictator—the Constitution is thrown
away and ridiculed by those who used to call themselves Federal
Republicans.
The plan for the dissolution and destruction is laid, and every
preparation is making for its execution. In the last ten days two hundred troops
have left this quarter for San Antonio; and from the test information I
can collect two thousand more will be on their march in a few weeks.
Their intention is to gain the friendship of the different tribes of Indians;
and, if possible to get the slaves to revolt. These plans of barbarity and
injustice will make a wilderness of Texas, and beggars of its inhabitants,
if they do not unite and act with promptitude and decision. If the Federal
system is lost in Texas, what will be our situation? worse than that of
the most degraded slaves. The hopes of the Republican party here are all
on Texas. I trust they will not be deceived. The people of Texas will
never submit to a Dictator.
B R Milam