Gov Henry Smith2

Today in Texas History On the trail to Texas independence. The Lone Star Republic -Don Gray, reporting from Saltillo, Mexico, January 20, 1836 GOV. SMITH ORDERED TO RELINQUISH ALL HIS RECORDS FROM GOV. OFFICE WITHIN TWO HOURS! Today Gov. Smith received an order via Texas Marshalls to relinquish all records and documents from his Governor’s office within two hours. Smith responded by declaring the order from the Council invalid and illegal. The Marshall left Smith’s office empty handed. Several days ago the Council had declared the office of governor in the interim government to be vacant and impeached Smith from office. Political observers say that the on-going dispute between the executive branch and legislative branch of government has brought an end to effective government in Texas until the Convention opens on March 1. Frankly, we will have to manage without a government until then. Santa Anna is not expected to reach Texas until the spring grasses come up in April (needed to feed his horses and livestock which are essential to his army). Therefore, it appears that we do have time for our political leaders to end the dispute at the Convention in early March and prepare for Santa Anna’s invasion. MEXICAN GENERAL COS AND HIS TROOPS JOIN UP WITH SANTA ANNA AT SALTILLO Today General Cos and his troops, who had left Laredo recently after being defeated and run out of Bexar by the Texians in the “Siege of Bexar”, reached Saltillo to join Santa Anna in preparing troops for the Mexican Army’s offensive strike on Texas. When surrendering in Bexar Cos had agreed to never return to Texas. Apparently Santa Anna has other ideas! -Don Gray Portraits: Governor Henry Smith, Gen Antonio López de Santa Anna, Gen Martín Perfecto de Cós