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Our Catlzolic Heritage in Texas
the need of a blacksmith and a gunsmith to repair the arms of the garrison was strongly urged. 14 Removal of the French Fort of Natdeitodzes to the west bank of tlee Red River. When the desperate condition to which the Spanish outpost of Los Adaes had been reduced is considered, it seems more than a mere coincidence that St. Denis, who was perfectly aware of the situation. should have chosen this particular time to move the French Fort of Natchitoches from an island in the middle of the Red River to the west bank. Whether France had a claim to the territory is a mooted question, ably defended at the time by the resourceful and crafty French commander. Gonzalez, the Lieutenant Governor, vainly protested and tried to persuade the French from executing their unfair designs. With his garrison on the point of starvation, in rags, their arms out of com- mission for the greater part, his argument was unsupported by either sound logic or material force. On November 12, 1735, the Spanish commander informed Governor Sandoval of the intended move of the French for the first time, and asked for advice. Next day, Father Fray Vallejo of San Miguel attributed the treacherous designs of the French to his archenemy, the Jesuit Padre of Natchitoches. He explained to Sandoval that the black-robed religious had just returned from New Orleans with orders for the removal of the fort to the west bank of the Red River and the occupation of the large island by French settlers, broadly hinting that the orders were the result of the Jesuit's machinations. He had also brought news that hostilities between England and Portugal on the one hand and Spain on the other had broken out. 15 Whatever the motive or reason for the order to occupy the west bank of the Red River at this critical time for the Spanish garrison, the fact is that without loss of time St. Denis proceeded to build a new fort on the west side of the river. In vain did Gonzalez protest and transmit to St. Denis irate letters from Governor Sandoval in far-away San Antonio. Work went on uninterruptedly. By December, the fort was halfway completed and settlers were beginning to move to the island being vacated. Whether because he feared an unexpected attack, or as a precaution, St. Denis increased the French garrison at this time from 1'Gonzalez to Sandoval, November 12, 1735. A. G. M., Historia, vol. 524, pt. 3, pp. 906-909. See also same to same, April 14, 1735, in Ibid., pp. 903-905. lSGonzalez to Sandoval, November 12, 1735; Father Vallejo to Sandoval, Novem- ber 13, 1735. A.G. M., Historia, vol. 524, pt. 3, pp. 906-909, 682-85.
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