PREFACE
The period covered by the present volume is better known than that of the two preceding ones, thanks to the excellent study of Dr. H. E. Bolton, Texas in tlze }Jtfiddle Eigliteentle Century. But much additional information has been gathered from many sources not available hereto- fore, particularly with regard to the history of that ignored area from present Presidio to El Paso. It had not been even suspected that several missions were actually established in the vicinity of Presidio in 1715, one year before the Ramon expedition of 1716 that resulted in the permanent occupation of East Texas. New light is also thrown upon the history of the Lower Rio Grande Valley where Spanish settlements were actually established on the northern bank of the Rio Grande by 1753. Here for the first time are also presented the details of the first exploration of the Gulf coast from the mouth of the Guadalupe River to the mouth of the Rio Grande, below Corpus Christi Bay, first called Bahia de San Miguel. An attempt has been made to give a fuller picture of life in Texas. The slow growth of the Spanish settlements and missions, the gradual extension of the frontier into central and western Texas, the increasing influence of the French among the northern tribes, and the first glimpses of English designs on the province of Texas have been brought out as fully as space has permitted. The history of the Orcoquisac mission and presidio although falling chronologically within the present volume has been omitted because it fits better with the subsequent narrative. The author wishes to acknowledge his indebtedness to the Knights of Columbus who have made possible the present study; to Rev. Dr. Paul J. Foik, C. S. C., of St. Edward's University, Austin, for constant advice and encouragement; and to Dr. Charles W. Hackett, Dr. Eugene C. Barker, Miss Winnie Allen, Miss Maurin T. Wilson, and Mr. E. W. Winkler of the University of Texas for useful suggestions, friendly advice, and continued cooperation in checking materials and sources; and to Elisa, his wife, for her endless patience in reading the manuscript. C. E. CASTANEDA, Latin American Librarian, University of Texas.
Powered by FlippingBook