Tlze Searclz for La Salle, 1685-1689
303
that the Indian had a red bonnet, trimmed with gold, which La Salle had given him. 3 The examination of the other prisoners confirmed many of the state- ments made by Thomas and left no room for doubt as to the establishment of a settlement by the French somewhere along the coast between Florida and Veracruz, in the vicinity of a large river. The Spanish officials rightly concluded that the only large river that could fit the description given by the prisoners was the one known to them as Rio del Espiritu Santo. Admiral Palacios, who was an experienced naval officer, having served the king as a sailor in various capacities for fifty-six years, was well acquainted with the Gulf region. He soon concluded that it was on this river and in the bay of the same name that the colony had been planted. According to his estimate, the mouth of the mysterious river was only one hundred and twenty leagues from Apalache, one hundred and sixty- five from Tampico, and one hundred and ninety from Veracruz. Imme- diate and vigorous action was imperative, he declared, as the French were a serious menace to the commerce of Spain and its sovereignty in the New World. They should not be permitted to hold this strategic position from which they could command the entire Gulf coast. Fully aroused to the danger, he proposed to the viceroy that immediate steps be taken to determine the exact location of the intruders and to expel them by force of arms if necessary. Two fishing boats with a crew of twelve men each, could examine the Gulf coast. These could sail directly from Veracruz, although it would be better to send them from Havana.' After a hurried consultation held in Veracruz with other officials, who agreed with Admiral Palacios, a special courier was dispatched to Mexico City. On November 3, the report was turned over to the Fiscal. A council was called for the next day, by which time this officer, with unusual diligence, was ready to report. The plan suggested by Palacios was quickly approved, and on the following day, the viceroy issued the necessary orders, authorizing the admiral to select a suitable person to proceed at once to Havana with instructions for the officials there to furnish a vessel and all necessary supplies for the recon~oitering expedition. 5 Barroto-Romero expedition, 1685-1686. With incredible rapidity the machinery of government began to function as it never had done before. 3 Declaration of Dionisio Thomas, in Testimonio de los Autos y diligencias hechas .. A . G. I., Audiencia de Mexico, 61-6-20, pp. 5-1::?. 'Palacios to the Viceroy, October 27, 1685, in Ibid., pp. 14-16. 5 Respuesta fiscal and Decreto de! Virrey, November 5, 1685, Ibid., 18-29.
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