Rivera's Inspection and Removal of ilfissions to San Antonio 263
were twenty-nine Spaniards, fourteen mestizos of mixed blood, and one Indian. This is typical of the composition of the frontier garrisons. The inventory of the property belonging to the presidio which was turned over to him by the former commander consisted of one large spoon, a cannon ramrod, six field brass cannons, two of them out of order, nine pounds of cord, sixty-six lead balls of the size used in the cannon, other odds and ends, such as twelve lances, sixty-seven scythes, and three iron shovels. 11 There was no powder for the brass cannons in the presidio at the time he took possession of it. The new governor informed the viceroy that he had published all the instructions received and the news of the friendly relations that now existed between the Crown of Spain and that of Fiance. As a result, a number of Frenchmen were now in the habit of coming from Natchitoches to the presidio to dispose of vegetables and other products raised by them. They generally traded these to the soldiers for chocolate, sugar and soap. He said the foreigners were closely watched to prevent their introducing other merchandise than the things they raised. Their goods were inspected by the sentinel before they were allowed to enter the presidio. One of the Frenchmen had asked the governor for permission to enter the province beyond the presidio to trade with the Indians, but he had been emphatically informed this was impossible. Bustillo y Ceballos declares that as a matter of fact considerable trade had been and was being carried on between the French at Natchitoches and the Indians, but that the latter went to that post to obtain the things they desire. It was well known, he said, that from San Pedro de los Navidachos to Los Adaes, a distance of about fifty or sixty leagues, the Indians were bountifully supplied with guns, powder, lead, French cloth, and shirts, where these objects could be seen ·everywhere and nothing else was talked of by the natives than the French. 72 The relations with the eight tribes of East Texas continued peaceful, he assured the viceroy, but the Navidachos, the Neches, and the Hainais had cooled considerably and showed signs of being very much dissatisfied with the removal of the missions of San Jose, Concepcion, and San Fran- cisco to the San Antonio River. The chiefs of these nations appeared 7 1 Lista y relacion jurada, April 30 and l\fay 4, 1731. A. G. N., P-rovi11cias /11te-r11as, Vol. 236. 72 Bustillo y Ceballos to the Viceroy, May 24, 1731. A.G. N., P-rovincias /11/ernas, Vol. 236. The remainder of the details concerning Los Adaes in 1731 are based on this interesting and valuable letter.
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