John W. Moore, William B. Travis, and others, June 22, 1835 - Page 1

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More Trouble at Anahuac

Anahuac, the scene of so much unrest in 1832, flared into rebellion again in 1835. The trouble started when Mexican officials renewed their efforts to collect tariffs on Texan shipping. In January 1835, Captain Antonio Tenorio and a small detachment of men arrived in Galveston to reestablish the customs house and begin collecting duties.

Tenorio's efforts seemed doomed from the start. Many of his men deserted. He was furnished with almost no boats or supplies from his own government, and local merchants refused to provision his garrison. Then, in June 1835, Tenorio ordered the arrest of local merchants Andrew Briscoe and Dewitt Clinton Harris for refusal to pay their duties.

Under William B. Travis and John W. Moore, a group of 25 volunteers marched from Harrisburg to the Brazos to free the merchants. At Bell's Landing, they were joined by David Harris, a trader who gave them the use of his sloop Ohio to attack the Mexican garrison at Anahuac.

Rather than face bloodshed, Tenorio surrendered his garrison and allowed himself and his men to be taken to Harrisburg on the Ohio. The incident backfired on Travis, with many Texans feeling that he had unnecessarily provoked the government and endangered the life of Stephen F. Austin, who was still being held in a Mexican prison.

We whose names are hereunto subscribed feeling the necessity
of disarming the military of Anahuac pledge ourselves
to rendezvous at Lynches on San Jacinto on Saturday
next armed and equiped [sic] for the expedition, and that we
will form ourselves into a volunteer company & march
under the orders of the Officers we may select.

San Felipe de Austin

  June 22^nd 1835

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John W. Moore, William B. Travis, and others, June 22, 1835.Mirabeau B. Lamar Papers #203, Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.