Stephen F. Austin to Unknown, Date Unknown


Summary: The revolution at Matamoros.


This nation is in a dreadful situation—it seems to be necessary that they should pass through an ordeal—a kind of revolutionary furnace, to purify them from the hereditary evils which unfit them for republicanism—the present struggle is between the democratic republican federal party, commonly called the Santana party, and aristocratic central party. I think the result of the present civil war will be the election of a President who is not a military man, and the organization of a democratic administration for the next four years— The port of the Brazo Santiago and the city of Matamoros containing about 10,000 inhabitants, were taken peaceable possession of on the 25 and 28 June by Col. José Antonio Mexia, The old garrison quietly marched off one way and the others marched in—not one drop of blood has been shed, nor one cent of private property lost or interfered with. No foreigners here, not even naturalized citizens, have taken any part whatever, tho that will not prevent them from being unjustly censured by the other party, who would no doubt be well satisfied to see them all expelled the country. Mexia came from Tampico by water. The result of his expedition is doubtfull for it is said that Genl. Teran is near with his troops—those who left here expected to meet him—Mexia has about two hundred and fifty men. His conduct so far has been very correct and highly honorable to him as a soldier and as a man. The Governor of the State of Tamaulipas, Don Vital Fernandez accompanied Mexia from Tampico, where the events of the revolution forced him to seek refuge from the aristocratic party.