Sam Houston, in his letter of January 30'th, 1836 to Governor Henry Smith, described the intrigue which motivated his withdrawal from the situation during February. With some passages deleted (for length) here is that letter:

MUNICIPALITY OF WASHINGTON

Jan. 30, 1836

SIR - I have the honor to report to you that in obedience to your order under date of the 6th instant, I left Washington on the 8th, and reached Goliad on the night of the 14th. On the morning of that day I met Capt. Dimitt, on his return home with his command, who reported to me the fact, that his caballada of horses, the most of them private property, had been pressed by Dr. Grant, who styled himself acting commander-in-chief of the federal army, and that he had under his command about two hundred men. Capt. Dimitt had been relieved by Captain P. S. Wyatt of the volunteers from Huntsville, Alabama. I was also informed by Major R. C. Morris that breadstuff was wanted in camp, and he suggested his wish to remove the volunteers further west. By express I had advised the stay of the troops at Goliad until I could reach that point.

On my arrival at that post I found them destitute of many supplies necessary to their comfort on a campaign. An express reached me from Lieutenant-Colonel Neill, of Bexar, of an expected attack from the enemy in force. I immediately requested Colonel James Bowie to march with a detachment of volunteers to his relief. He met the request with his usual promptitude and manliness. This intelligence I forwarded to your Excellency for the action of government. With a hope that supplies had or would immediately reach the port of Copano, I ordered the troops ........... to proceed to Refugio Mission, where it was reported there would be an abundance of beef¾ leaving Captain Wyatt and his command, for the present, in possession of Goliad, or until he could be relieved ...... On the arrival of the troops at Refugio, I ascertained that no breadstuffs could be obtained, nor was there any intelligence of supplies reaching Copano, agreeably to my expectations, and in accordance with my orders of the 30th of December and 6th of January, inst., directing the landing and concentrating all the volunteers at Copano......... Not meeting the command of Major Ward, as I had hoped from the early advice I had sent him...... I determined to await his arrival ..... ......to be in a state of readiness to march to the scene of active operations at the first moment that my force and the supplies necessary could reach me, I ordered Lieutenant Thornton, with his command, (total twenty-nine) to Goliad, to relieve Captain Wyatt; at the same time ordering the latter to join the volunteers at Refugio. I found much difficulty in prevailing on the regulars to march until they had received either money or clothing; and their situation was truly destitute. Had I not succeeded, the station at Goliad must have been left without any defense, and abandoned to the enemy, whatever importance its occupation may be to the security of the frontier. Should Bexar remain a military post, Goliad must be maintained, or the former will be cut off from all supplies arriving by sea at the port of Copano.

On the evening of the 20th, F. W. Johnson, Esq., arrived at Refugio, and it was understood that he was empowered by the General Council of Texas to interfere in my command. On the 21st, and previous to receiving notice of his arrival, I issued an order to organize the troops so soon as they might arrive at that place, agreeably to the "ordinance for raising an auxiliary corps" to the army. A copy of the order I have the honor to enclose herewith. Mr. Johnson then called on me, previous to the circulation of the order, and showed me the resolutions of the General Council, dated 14th of January, a copy of which I forward for the perusal of your Excellency.

So soon as I was made acquainted with the nature of his mission, and the powers granted to J.W. Fannin, Jr., I could not remain mistaken as to the object of the Council, or the wishes of individuals. I had but one course left for me to pursue (the report of your being deposed had also reached me) which was, to return and report myself to you in person¾ inasmuch as the objects intended by your order were, by the extraordinary conduct of the Council, rendered useless to the country; and, by remaining with the army, the Council would have had the pleasure of ascribing to me the evils which their own conduct and acts will, in all probability, produce. I consider the acts of the Council calculated to protract the war for years to come; and the field which they have opened to insubordination and to agencies without limit (unknown to military usage) will cost the country more useless expenditure than the necessary expense of the whole war would have been, had they not transcended their proper duties. Without integrity of purpose, and well devised measures, our whole frontier must be exposed to the enemy. All the available resources of Texas are directed, through special as well as general agencies, against Matamoros; and must, in all probability, prove as unavailing to the interest as they will to the honor of Texas. The regulars at Goliad cannot long be detained at that station unless they should get supplies, and now all the resources of Texas are placed in the hands of agents unknown to the government in its formation, and existing by the mere will of the Council; and will leave all other objects, necessary for the defense of the country, neglected, for the want of means, until the meeting of the Convention in March next.

It was my wish, if it had been possible, to avoid for the present, the expression of any opinion, which might be suppressed in the present crisis. But since I reported to your Excellency, having had leisure to peruse all the documents of a controversial nature growing out of the relative duties of yourself and the General Council to the people of Texas, a resolution of the Council requiring of me an act of insubordination and disobedience to your orders, demands of me that I should enquire into the nature of that authority which would stimulate me to an act of treason or an attempt to subvert the government which I have sworn to support. The only constitution which Texas has is the "Organic Law." Then any violation of that law, which would destroy the basis of government, must be treason. Has treason been committed? If so, by whom, and for what purpose? The history of the last few weeks will be the best answer that can be rendered.

After the capitulation of Bexar, it was understood at headquarters that there was much discontent with the troops then at that point, and that it might be necessary to employ them in some active enterprise, or the force would dissolve. With this information was suggested the expediency of an attack on Matamoros. For the purpose of improving whatever advantages might have been gained at Bexar, I applied to your Excellency for orders, which I obtained, directing the adoption of such measures as might be deemed best for the protection of the frontier and the reduction of Matamoros. This order was dated 17th of December, and on the same day I wrote to Colonel James Bowie, directing him, in the event that he could obtain a sufficient number of volunteers for the purpose, to make a descent on Matamoros; and if his force would not justify that measure, he was directed to occupy the most advanced post, so as to check the enemy, and by all means to place himself in a situation to command Copano. Colonel Bowie did not receive the order; having left Goliad for Bexar, he was not apprised of it until his arrival in San Felipe, about the 1st of January inst. My reason for ordering Colonel Bowie on the service was his familiar acquaintance with the country, as well as the nature of the population through which he must pass, as also their resources; and to this I freely add, there is no man on whose forecast, prudence and valor I place a higher estimate than Colonel Bowie.

Previous to this time, the General Council had adopted a resolution requiring the Governor to direct the removal of the headquarters of the army, and I had been ordered to Washington for their establishment until further orders. I had been detained awaiting copies of the ordinances relative to the army. Their design was manifest, nor could their objects be misapprehended, though the extent to which they were then carrying them was not then known. Messrs. Hanks and Clements (members of the Council) were engaged in writing letters to individuals in Bexar, urging and authorizing a campaign against Matamoros, and that their recommendations might bear the stamp of authority, and mislead those who are unwilling to embark in an expedition not sanctioned by government, and led by private individuals, they took the liberty of signing themselves members of the Military Committee; thereby deceiving the volunteers, and assuming a character which they could only use or employ in the General Council in proposing business for the action of that body. They could not be altogether ignorant of the impropriety of such conduct, but doubtless could easily find a solid justification in the bullion of their patriotism and the ore of their integrity. Be their motive whatever it might, many brave and honorable men were deluded by it, and the campaign was commenced upon Matamoros under Dr. Grant, as "Acting" Commander-in-Chief of the Volunteer Army¾a title and designation unknown to the world. ...........Then who is Dr. Grant? Is he not a Scotchman who has resided in Mexico for the last ten years? Does he not own large possessions in the interior? Has he ever taken the oath to support the organic law? Is he not deeply interested in the hundred-league claims of land which hang like a murky cloud over the people of Texas? Is he not the man who impressed the property of the people of Bexar? Is he not the man who took from Bexar, without authority or knowledge of the government, cannon and other munitions of war, together with supplies necessary for the troops at that station, leaving the wounded and sick destitute of needed comforts? Yet this is the man whose outrages and oppressions upon the rights of the people of Texas are sustained and justified by the acts and conduct of the General Council.

Several members of that body are aware that the interests and feelings of Dr. Grant are opposed to the independence and true interests of the people of Texas. While every facility has been afforded to the meditated campaign against Matamoros, no aid has been rendered for raising a regular force for the defense of the country, nor one cent advanced to an officer or soldier of the regular army, but every hindrance thrown in the way. The council had no right to project a campaign against any point or place. It was the province of the governor, by his proper officers, to do so. The council has the right of consenting or objecting, but not of projecting. The means ought to be placed at the disposition of the Governor, and if he, by himself or his officers, failed in their application, while he would be responsible for the success of the armies of Texas, he could be held responsible to the government, and punishable; but what recourse has the country upon agents who have taken no oath and given no bond to comply with the powers granted by the council?

....... I have obeyed the orders of your Excellency as promptly as they have met my knowledge; and had not the council, by acts as outrageous to my feelings as they are manifestly against law, adopted a course that must destroy all hopes of an army, I should yet have been on the frontier, and by all possible means I would at least have sought to place it in a state of defense.

It now becomes my duty to advert to the powers granted by the General Council to J. W. Fannin, jr., on the 7th of January, 1836, and at a time when two members of the Military Committee, and other members of the council, were advised that I had received orders from your Excellency to repair forthwith to the frontier of Texas, and to concentrate the troops for the very purpose avowed in the resolutions referred to. The powers are as clearly illegal as they were unnecessary. By reference to the resolutions it will be perceived that the powers given to J. W. Fannin, jr., are as comprehensive in their nature, and as much at variance with the organic law and the decrees of the General Council, as the decrees of the General Congress of Mexico are at variance with the federal constitution of 1824, and really delegate to J. W. Fannin, jr., as extensive powers as those conferred by that Congress upon General Santa Anna; yet the cant is kept up, even by J. W. Fannin, jr., against the danger of a regular army, while he is exercising powers which he must be satisfied are in open violation of the organic law. J. W. Fannin, jr., is a Colonel in the regular army, and was sworn in and received his commission on the very day that the resolutions were adopted by the Council. By his oath he was subject to the orders of the commander-in-chief, and as a subaltern could not, without an act of mutiny, interfere with the general command of the forces of Texas; yet I find in the "Telegraph" of the 9th inst. a proclamation of his, dated on the 8th, addressed, "Attention, Volunteers!" and requiring them to rendezvous at San Patricio. No official character is pretended by him, as his signature is private. This he did with the knowledge that I had ordered the troops from the mouth of the Brazos to Copano, and had repaired to that point to concentrate them. On the 10th inst. F. W. Johnson issued a similar proclamation, announcing Matamoros as the point of attack. The powers of these gentlemen were derived, if derived at all, from the General Council in opposition to the will of the Governor, because certain purposes were to be answered, or the safety and harmony of Texas should be destroyed.

Col. Fannin, in a letter addressed to the General Council, dated on the 21st January, at Velasco, and to which he subscribes himself "J. W. Fannin, jr., Agent Provisional Government," when speaking of anticipated difficulties with the commander-in-chief, allays the fears of the council by assuring them, "I shall never make any myself," and then adds: "The object in view will be the governing principle, and should General Houston be ready and willing to take command, and march direct ahead, and execute your orders, and the volunteers to submit to it, or a reasonable part of them, I shall not say 'nay,' but will do all in my power to produce harmony." How was I to become acquainted with the orders of the Council? Was is through my subaltern? It must have been so designed, as the Council have not, up to the present moment, given the official notice of the orders to which Colonel Fannin refers. This modesty and subordination on his part is truly commendable in a subaltern and would imply that he had a right to say "nay". If he has this power, whence is it derived? Not from any law ... and contrary to his sworn duty as my subaltern, whose duty is obedience to my lawful commands, agreeably to the rules and regulations of the United States army, adopted by the consultation of all Texas. If he accepted any appointment incompatible with his obligation as a colonel in the regular army, it certainly increases his moral responsibilities to an extent which is truly to be regretted.

In another paragraph of his letter he states: "You will allow that we have too much division, and one cause of complaint is this very expedition, and that it is intended to remove General Houston."

He then assures the Council that no blame should attach to him, but most dutifully says: "I will go where you have sent me, and will do what you have ordered me, if possible." The order of the council, has set forth in the resolutions appointing Col. Fannin agent, and authorizing him to appoint as many agents as he might think proper, did most certainly place him above the Governor and commander-in-chief of the Army. Nor is he responsible to the council or the people of Texas. He is required to report, but he is not required to obey the Council. His powers are as unlimited and absolute as Cromwell's ever were. I regard the expedition as now ordered as an individual and not a national measure. The resolutions passed in favor of J. W. Fannin, jr., and F. W. Johnson, and their proclamations, with its original start ... Dr. Grant ... absolved the country from all responsibility for its consequences. If I had any doubt on the subject previous to having seen at Goliad a proclamation of J. W. Fannin, jr., sent by him to the volunteers, I could no longer entertain one as to the campaign, so far as certain persons are interested in forwarding it. After appealing to the volunteers, he concluded with the assurance "that the troops shall be paid out of the first spoils taken from the enemy." This, in my opinion, connected with the extraordinary powers granted to him by the Council, divests the campaign of any character save that of a piratical or predatory war.

The people of Texas have declared to the world that the war in which they are now engaged is a war of principle, in defense of their civil and political rights. What effect will the declaration above referred to have on the civilized world ...when they learn that the individual who made it has since been clothed with absolute powers by the General Council of Texas, and , that because you, [as governor and commander-in-chief], refused to ratify their acts, they have declared you no longer governor of Texas? It was stated by way of inducement to the advance on Matamoros, that the citizens of that place were friendly to the advance of the troops of Texas upon that city. They no doubt, ere this, have J. W. Fannin's proclamation, (though it was in manuscripts) and, if originally true, what will now be their feeling s towards men, who "are to be paid out of the first spoils taken from the enemy." The idea which must present to the enemy, will be, if the city is taken it will be given up to pillage, and when the spoils are collected, a division will take place. In war, when spoil is the object, friends and enemies share one common destiny. This rule will govern the citizens of Matamoros in their conclusions and render their resistance desperate. A city containing twelve thousand inhabitants will not be taken by a handful of men who have marched twenty-two days without breadstuffs or necessary supplies for an army.

If there ever was a time when Matamoros could have been taken by a few men, that time has passed by. The people of that place are not aware of the high-minded, honorable men who fill the ranks of the Texian army. They will look upon them as they would look upon Mexican mercenaries, and resist them as such. They too will hear of the impressment of the property of the citizens of Bexar, as reported to your Excellency, by Lieutenant-Colonel Neill, when Dr. Grant left that place for Matamoros, in command of the volunteer army.

If the troops advance on Matamoros, there ought to be a co-operation by sea with the land forces, or all will be lost, and the brave men who have come to toil with us in our marches and mingle in our battles for liberty, will fall a sacrifice to the selfishness of some who have individual purposes to answer, and whose influence with the council has been such as to impose upon the honest part of its members; while those who were otherwise, availed themselves of every artifice that they could devise to shield themselves from detection.

The evil is now done, and I trust sincerely that the 1st of March may establish a government on some permanent foundation, where honest functionaries will regard and execute the known and established laws of the country, agreeably to their oaths. If this state of things cannot be achieved the country must be lost. I feel, in the station which I hold, that every effort of the Council has been to mortify me individually, and, if possible, to compel me to do some act which would enable them to pursue the same measures towards me which they have illegally done toward your Excellency, and thereby remove another obstacle to the accomplishment of their plans. In their attempts to embarrass me they were reckless of all prejudice which might result to the public service from their lawless course.

While the Council was passing resolutions effecting the army of Texas, and transferring to J. W. Fannin, jr., and F. W. Johnson the whole control of the army and resources of Texas, they could order them to be furnished with copies of the several resolutions passed by that body , but did not think proper to notify the Major-General of the army of their adoption; nor have they yet caused him to be furnished with the acts of the council, relative to the army. True it is they passed a resolution to that effect, but it never was complied with. Their object must have been to conceal, not promulgate their acts. "They have loved darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil."

I do not consider the Council as a constitutional body nor their acts lawful. They have no quorum agreeably to the Organic Law, and I am therefore compelled to regard all their acts as void. The body has been composed of seventeen members, and I perceive that the act of "suspension" passed against your Excellency was by only ten members present; the president pro tem, having no vote, only ten members remain when less that twelve could not form a quorum agreeably to the Organic Law, which required two thirds of the whole body. I am not prepared either to violate my duty or my oath, by yielding obedience to an act manifestly unlawful, as it is, in my opinion, prejudicial to the welfare of Texas.

The lieutenant-governor, and several members of the Council, I believe to be patriotic and just men; but, there have been, and when I left San Felipe there were, others in that body on whose honesty and integrity, the foregoing facts will be the best commentary. They must also abide the judgment of the people. I have the honor to be,

Your Excellency's obedient servant,

Sam Houston

Commander-In-Chief of the Army

The day after writing this letter Sam Houston departed on furlough to the Cherokee Nation in deep East Texas, not to return until the end of February in time to attend the Constitutional Convention which convened on the first of March at Washington-on-the-Brazos.