Searching for the Republic of the Rio Grande by Paul D. Lack

Author:Paul D. Lack
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Texas Tech University Press
Published: 2022-03-29T22:07:51+00:00

Chapter 7:

Resurgent Warfare / Final Defeat

During the summer of 1840, events that a year earlier might have sparked renewed rebellion on the northeastern frontier passed with only a minor disturbance of the peace. Perhaps the distance helped to insulate the region from renewed eruption—the spark of revolt this time came at the very center of the political arena, Mexico City. On July 15 Urrea and Gómez Farías took their private dreams for restoring federalism into a daring public act by staging a coup d’état. Whatever the merits of their vision, the powerful “hombres de bien” in the capital saw instead explosions of terror so frightening that the wealthy and powerful lined up in all but unanimous opposition. The whole affair ended after only twelve days with the old order back in power and rebellion repudiated once again.1

News of the coup attempt traveled fast, reaching Tamaulipas and Nuevo León on July 23. In the latter department Governor José María de Ortega called the whole thing a mere “moment of disorder” and urged public calm,2 as did Mariano Arista from Tampico. The embers of insurrection had become so cool that no one, not even in Coahuila, that traditional hotbed of federalism, raised a grito of support. Even the fact that Urrea and Gómez Farías had named Canales as commanding general of Tamaulipas brought forth no renewed upheaval. Arista had reported an earlier canvas of communities in Coahuila and Nuevo León showing peace everywhere and no doubt took great pride that even in Guerrero, as a local official announced, “public tranquility exists . . . and its inhabitants have no greater loyalty than to the Supreme Government.”3 He seemed only to worry a little while assuring civil officials that he was “preparing to inflict an exemplary punishment on those who dare to express their depraved views by invading our frontiers with their perverse Texas allies.”4 As for the Lone Star republic, word reached there about the coup attempt the same day as did the news that Arista had rallied government supporters in the northeastern region.5 At Matamoros, too, vivas to the Supreme Government rang out in a special supplement to the local newspaper with bold headlines announcing the triumph of order over the forces of “liberty without license.”6

Perhaps the July coup became a non-event in the northeastern states because the centralists had prepared actively during the early summer days of 1840, even amid their expressions of confidence that civil insurrection had come to an end. The authorities responded to perceptions of rebel activity with increased vigilance. On May 3, 1840, the veteran centralist general Pedro Ampudia sent out orders from Matamoros reminding officials in Laredo to share news of a possible move by Cárdenas from his recruiting station on the Nueces.7 Other towns along the Rio Grande reported thievery, possibly from rebel remnants who had dispersed following the battle of Morelos.8 While still in Saltillo, Arista attempted to normalize impressment activities and thus to eliminate one source of popular discontent and antigovernment feelings.

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