01'r Catlzolic Heritage in Texas
inspection of Rivera in 1727, he had strongly urged the suspension of all trade with the French, as ordered repeatedly by the king, but necessity, which knows no law, made the continuance of the trade imperative. On October 29, 1730, a council was held in Mexico City to decide this difficult problem. After due deliberation, it was agreed that Los Adaes should be moved to some other location along the French frontier, which was more suitable for the raising of crops and the development of a prosperous settlement in the vicinity of this post, which was the official capital of the province. The decision of the council was incorporated in a viceregal decree sent to Governor Juan Antonio Bustillo y Ceballos on January 17, 1731. 1 Pursuant to his orders, Governor Bustillo y Ceballos undertook a careful reconnoissance of the country in the vicinity of Los Adaes. Setting out on June 25, he explored the surrounding country but found no site that offered any advantages over the one already occupied. He particularly examined a location on the banks of the lake formed by the Caddodacho River, known to this day as Spanish Lake. He declared in his report that this site, suggested as suitable by Rivera, was unfit for the purpose, because it was subject to periodic overflows and the land in the vicinity was marshy. In short, he found no place between Sabine River and the Caddodachos that was better than that on which Los Adaes was established. 2 Dependence of Los Adaes on tlze Frencli ,post. In the meantime all trade with the French fort and settlement of Natchitoches had ceased as ordered. Governor Bustillo remonstrated that as a consequence the garrison of Los Adaes was in urgent need of corn and beans. The viceroy consulted on the matter with ex-Governor Fernando Perez de Almazan, now sick in Mexico, and, convinced of the futility of the former orders, instructed Governor Bustillo to maintain the presidio at Los Adaes and to continue to buy from the French corn, beans, and other foodstuffs when absolutely necessary. He warned Bustillo, nevertheless, that this trade must be limited strictly to food supplies. 3 Later, the Marquis of Altamira, in reviewing the facts of this incident, declared that the Governor of Texas had wasted fifteen days looking vainly for a suitable lViceregal decree, January 17, 1731. Nacogdoches A,-chives, vol. 1, pp. 4-5. 2Govemor Bustillo y Ceballos to Viceroy Casafuerte, November 26, 1731. Nacog- doches ArcMves, vol. 1, p. 56. SViceregal decree, December 17, 1731. Nacogdoches A,-cl,ives, vol. 1, pp. 10-12.
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