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CHAPTER VIII
FOREIGN COLONIZATION OF TEXAS, 1820-1835
Both Governor Manuel Salcedo and Commandant General Simon Herrera had urged the need of populating the Province of Texas with ,settlers from either Europe, Mexico, or Louisiana. This plan was con- sidered the best means for reviving prosperity, combatting the Indians, and preventing foreign aggression. The development of a buffer area along the American frontier was being seriously contemplated when the Mexican Revolution broke out and the plan had to be abandoned. Although Commandant General Arredondo fought Anglo-American influence and bitterly denounced all relations with the United States as pernicious, he was convinced of the urgent need of encouraging legitimate trade as a strong stimulus for reviving agriculture and industry. He promised the inhabitants the early opening of a free port on Matagorda Bay to permit them to ship their products by water. As a result of his efforts, enthusiastically endorsed by the Governor and the Viceroy, the Council of the Indies granted on February 28, 1815, the same privileges to La Bahia as Tampico enjoyed. To en- courage a return to the abandoned cattle ranches and farms in the vicinity of San Antonio, he ordered a military advance post established on the San Marcos. Arredondo hoped that these measures would entice settlers from the adjoining Spanish provinces to Texas. 1 Both Governor Martinez and Com- mandant General Arredondo became increasingly interested in pro- moting the development of Texas. To such a project colonization was basic. When the matter was presented to Viceroy Calleja, he requested the Spanish Government to revive the Grimarest Plan, which called for the grant of Texas lands to Spanish veterans of European wars as prospective settlers.2 . Not only Viceroy Calleja but also the Spanish Cortes favored coloni- Renewal of colonicati.on plans. lArredondo to the Governor of Texas, August 9, 1814, Bexar Arc/iives; Report of Council of the Indies in Arredondo's Recommendations, February 28, 1817, A. G. I., Audenda de Guadal.ajara, 103-3-23. For a detailed study of the de• velopment of a colonization policy see Mary Austin Hatcher, The Opening of Texas lo Foreig" Settlement. 2 Calleja to the Minister of War, January 24, 1814, A.G. I., lndiferenle General; Vicente F!ll10la, Memorias jara la Guerra d,1 Tejas, I, 81-82. [ 176]
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