Om- Catliolic Heritage in Texas
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and Grollet, under the custody of Captain Francisco Martinez. Upon their arrival in the capital, the two survivors were again examined by the viceroy, who learned from them on June 10, the fate of the unfortunate colony. At last the mystery of the French settlement was solved. Pez and Barroto, who were in Mexico at this time and heard the declarations, definitely identified the bay described by the prisoners and named Espiritu Santo by De Leon, as the one called St. Louis by La Salle and San Bernardo by the various maritime expeditions that had explored it on several occasions. Viceregal authorities were convinced at last of the ultimate fate of the French venture, but although this no longer repre- sented a menace to the interests of Spain, it was decided that to prevent future incursions in this remote area, it would be well to take steps to occupy it formally. This decision was to result in the establishment of the first missions in East Texas, the immediate occasion for the move being the rtquest of the Tejas chief for missionaries. 60 60Many interesting details concerning this first visit to the country of the Tejas and the fate of La Salle"s colony are disclosed in the detailed accounts found in the ex-pedienie entitled Autos y Diligencias q se an Executado pr. el Capn. Alonso de Leon . .. A.G. I., Audiencia de Mexico, 61-6-20 (Dunn Transcripts, 1685-1689). L'Archeveque and Grollet were taken to Spain a few months later by Captain Pez, where they were confined in prison in Cadiz until the summer of 1692. This year they were permitted to return to New Spain at their request. Dunn, Spanish and French Rivalry, I 08, note 45.
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