In 1822, Stephen Austin led the first American settlers to Mexican Texas. The settlers had little in common with the Mexicans - language, religion or customs - and they lived in fear of one culture dominating the other. By Fall 1835, Austin wrote, "War is our only resource," referring to the new dictatorship of General Lopez de Santa Anna and his brother-in-law, General Perfecto de Cos. A confrontation was inevitable when garrison forces left less than a hundred men to protect San Antonio against Mexican cavalry.