Matamoros Expedition First proposed by the Consultation on November 13, 1835, the Matamoros Expedition was a disrupting factor throughout the Revolution. James Bowie was ordered to lead an expedition on December 17; later, the General Council ordered Houston to undertake the mission. Houston declined the command; Bowie never received his orders. In January 1836, the General Council ordered both James W. Fannin and F. W. Johnson to command a Matamoros Expedition. Johnson, with James Grant, took troops to Goliad and Refugio. However, at Refugio, Sam Houston’s protests against the legality of the Expedition caused considerable desertion. The remaining men were attacked by Urrea’s army at San Patricio and at Agua Dulce. Fannin, meanwhile, marched to Goliad where he remained until March 19. He and his men were attacked at Coleto and defeated on March 20. McKinney, Williams and Company Thomas F. McKinney and Samuel May Williams provided much-needed supplies and money during the revolution. The Texas government purchased the _William Robbins_ (which was renamed the _Liberty_) and the _Invincible_ from the firm. From the United States, Williams supplied arms and ammunition. The company provided some $99,000 worth of goods and services to Texas during the war. The government also authorized McKinney, Williams and Company to raise up to $100,000 on Texas lands for the war effort. Although Williams preferred fighting to support the Mexican Constitution of 1824, he came to accept the war for Texas independence. McKinney, on the other hand, continued to work for Texas but remained opposed to Texas independence for years after the war had ended. Mexia, Jose Antonio In November 1835, Mexia sailed from New Orleans for Tampico with a group of 150 men. Their attempt to capture the city failed, and, after remaining in the fort at Tampico for twelve days, he and most of his men retreated. They returned to Texas in December. He attempted to raise a Matamoros Expedition, but opposition by Governor Henry Smith and lack of funds prevented the project from materializing. Mexia declined orders to proceed with his troops to San Antonio, declaring that his services would be better used in recruiting. He returned to New Orleans where he spent the remainder of the war.