James W Fannin to David Mills, 09-18-1835
Summary: Plan to attack Mexican vessel.
Cana Creek
David Mills, Dr. Sir
Letters have been recd express from citizens residing at or near Copeno
informing the citizens of Matagorda, that the armed vessel Vera Crusanna
had arrived and was landing arms and ammunition and that they were to
wait the arrival of two vessels with 400 troops, which are expected soon—
Gen. Martin Perfecto De Cos is on board and I suppose the expected force
with what is at Bexar is to form a small body-guard with which he purposes
visiting San Felippe.
We have determined here to raise a sufficient force to justify a reasonable
belief that we can succeed, in an effort to secure at least the arms and
ammunition and if to be found the troops. You know we are weak in numbers,
tho, thank God, united in council and firm resolve to be free or die.
Hence I am instructed by our fellow citizens to convey to our friends on
Brazos and Bernard the information and our consequent resolution and
to ask their speedy and efficient cooperation. It is proposed to organize
and collect the people of Cana and Bay Prairie and rendesvous at Robertson
Ferry on Colorado River on
We have only to ask of your and our friends to use your influence and
accustomed diligence in collecting volunteers and spreading the inteligence
as rapidly as possible. Dispatch confidential messengers to Velasco,
Columbia, Col Halls neighborhood and San Felippi. The last named can
join the party at Carrs [James Kerr's], and I am particularly anxious for
some of the citizens to have an opportunity of confronting Genl. Cos
Mercers and Menefee's settlement will also turn out and should not be
neglected I will attend personally to Matagorda and Bay Prairie and will
see that suitable spies and scouts are sent ahead to afford us information
upon which we can rely, send copies of this to Archer, Wharton and
McKenney and to Hall and Bengham and Johnson, Baker and P. Jack.