"The West," Telegraph and Texas Register, April 29, 1840

Summary: The editor warned Texas citizens to be vigilant against threats coming from the western part of the territory. Specifically, he called on everyone to join the efforts of the town of Victoria to capture Cordova, leader of a group of Mexicans and blacks who had been plundering the countryside. Predicted that business in Texas would remain stagnant as long as Cordova was loose.

The scene of the most general interest just now is at the West. While our relations with Mexico remain in their present precarious situation, while every day may bring us orders from the war department to arm in defence of our soil, and repel invasion; it is of great importance that we should keep a watchful eye upon the movers of disturbance. Though we apprehend no serious engagement with the Central troops, and no powerful invasion; still, the possibility that such occurrences may happen, from the many inflamable materials now collected in the western part of our territory, consisting of hostile Indians, renegade slaves, Central and Federal soldiers, and above all cow stealers and other robbers, render it imperatively necessary, that every man should receive correct and early advice of all movements in that region, and be prepared for a turn out when necessary at an hour's warning.

We are in possession of the latest information from Victoria which has been received, that of the 18th instant. The officers of the infant government of the Rio Grande were still there, at that time, as we learn by a letter from one of the most respectable citizens of the town. Efforts are being made in Victoria, to raise a company of about 125 volunteers to go in search of Cordova, who it will be remembered is the leader of a small band of motley race, form and feature. He is said to be in pay of the Mexican government, and to have under him betwtween[sic] fifty and a hundred men, chiefly Indians, but with them are mixed up Mexicans, mulattos, negroes, and desperate renegade Americans. For the last six months he has been committing murders, depredations, and robberies along the Rio Grande, and between that river and the Nueces. He is said to have immense droves of cattle, horses, and mules, stolen from the ranchos, and from the Mexican traders, besides large quantities of other plunder. The prospect of a rich harvest of spoils, will doubtless allure into an expedition against Cordova, many, whom the desire to rid the frontier from this scourge, and to protect the Mexican trade from ruin, would fail to call out. What ever may be their motives, the best wishes of every honest man will attend them.

We understand that the Centralists are settling down along the Rio Grande, and taking civil, military, and domestic possession of the whole country. All trade with Victoria and San Antonio is of course cut off. At the former place large stocks of merchandize have for some time been accumulating, in anticipation of a lucrative traffic with the Mexicans, but now it lies upon the hands of the hollers, without the prospect of a sale. Business there is dull, even to stagnation; and the hope of better times is faint and faltering. Indeed, from all we can learn the merchants and other men of business there, look to the defeat and killing of Cordova as the first step towards renewed life and activity.

Source Copy Consulted: "The West," Telegraph and Texas Register, April 29, 1840, p. 3