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Our Catholic Heritage in Texas
Although the examination of the prisoners did not disclose anything of importance, it furnished the occasion for the viceroy to issue strict orders to Governor Almazan with regard to the precautions which he should take to prevent all possible communication with the French. In the instruc~ions sent him, he was told that deserters from the French army should be welcomed into the royal army, but·that sharp, unceasing and stern vigilance must be exercised to prevent all trade of whatsoever description between the French in Louisiana and the Province of Texas; that there must be no intercourse between Los Adaes and Natchitoches; and that foreigners must not be allowed to enter the province under any pretext. 14 In reply, Governor Almazan assured the viceroy that the orders he had just received with regard to relations with the French would be faithfully observed in the future. He explained that until the receipt of the instruc- tions there had been friendly and polite intercourse between the settlers of Los Adaes and Natchitoches. During the last two years the presidio and missions had frequently been obliged to appeal to the French for needed supplies. The failure of crops and the long delay experienced in securing provisions from the Rio Grande made this traffic with aliens imperative. He hinted that had it no! been for this timely relief the soldiers, the missionaries, and the mission Indians would have fared much worse. As the French had no priests at Natchitoches, the missionaries were in .the habit of visiting them to administer the Holy Sacraments and regularly went over to say Mass for them on feast days. All this, he declared, the French appreciated highly and seemed to be very grateful for the services rendered.u But in view of the orders of His Excellency these relations and courtesies would cease immediately. In the fall of 1724, Almazan received additional instructions from the viceroy, dated April 25 and May 25, concerning the treatment of the Indians, the policy which he was to observe with regard to the Apaches, and the necessity of preventing a possible alliance between these Indians and the French. He took advantage of the opportunity to state that he was ready and willing to observe all the instructions just received, but that it was extremely difficult, in view of the previous orders of His Excellency which strictly prohibited all communications with the French, 14Report of Governor Almazan to the Viceroy, March 24, I 724. Ar&hivo San Francisco el Grande, Vol. 1 o. lSGovemor Almazan to the Viceroy, March 24, 1724. Arclzivo San Francisco 1l Grande, Vol. Io.
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