Frend, Settlement and Spain's Renewed Interest
15
mate association that existed in the minds of Spanish officials at this time between the territory occupied by the Tejas and the French settlements on the Mississippi. The bulky report was sent without loss of time to the king, together with the former recommendations and a French translation of the entire proceedings for the king of France. Philip V, upon receipt of the docu- ments, wrote a letter to his grandfather and-forwarded the French trans- lation on July 5, 1701, 33 without writing a word to the ltmta. Almost a whole year was to elapse before the subject was again brought to the attention of that body by an unexpected coincidence. Paying little or no attention to the emphatic protest of the Spanish government, as expressed in the lengthy report of the Junta transmitted to the French king, Mobile Bay was formally occupied early in 1702. Martinez sent immediately full details of the matter from Pensacola in a letter dated April 14, 1702. Iberville, he explained, had appeared at Pensacola on December r6, 1701, and requested permission to enter. The request was granted in view of the close relations existing between the two crowns. Three days later, Iberville informed Martinez he had orders from the king of France to occupy Mobile Bay "before the English should seize it." In vain did Martinez protest and entreat Iberville to defer carrying out his purpose until he could receive instructions from the viceroy of New Spain. The French commander merely reiterated that his royal master's only desire was "to act for the best interests of both crowns'?' as he systematically went about the occupation of Mobile and Martinez stood helplessly watching every move. Upon receipt of this information the Junta immediately held a meeting and on August r, 1702, reported the whole matter to the king. They called his royal attention to the fact that the extension of the French settle- ments in the coast region was detrimental to the best interests of Spain, that on two previous occasions the attention of the king had been called to these encroachments; and that until he made some decision in the matter, the .Junta was unable to apply the necessary remedies to preserve the integrity of the king's domains. 35 The king did not appreciate the zeal of the Junta in pointing out the serious consequences of his procrastination. Such frankness shocked the UMargry, Dicouvertes et Etablissements des Franfais, IV, 552-553. 34 /bid., 576-580. 35 Consulta de la Junta de Guerra, August 1, 1702, A. G. I., Audie11c-i.-z de Jllerico, 61-6-22 (Dunn Transcripts).
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