Our Catholic Heritage iti Texas
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Thomas Powell, a rich merchant from Missouri in search of health,· and a Doctor Oldivar, of French origin, who claimed to be a Mexican officer. Powell brought a considerable amount of merchandise, all but one boat- load of which was safely landed. This he offered for sale to the colonists at "Old Station." Doctor Oldivar graciously offered to help in the sale and thus learned there was in the cargo a large quantity of tobacco--a contraband article. He must have reported the fact to de Leon, for he ordered the whole cargo seized. The Political Chief, upon being ap- proached by DeWitt, requested its release on October 25, 182~, with the exception of the tobacco. The matter might have ended there had not the Political Chief been induced to countermand the order and again authorize de Leon to seize the entire cargo with the aid of the garrison at La Bahia. Exaggerated rumors of the true intent of de Leon and his force grew. Feelings ran high. The American colonists thought themselves in danger of extermina- tion; de Leon was said to have boasted he would tie DeWitt's head to his saddle. The Anglo-American settlers at "Old Station" prepared themselves to resist the attempted seizure by force. De Leon and Rafael Menchola, commander of La Bahia, arrived in due time. The aroused colonists were assured no personal harm was intended. They quietly submitted, surrendered their arms, and permitted the seizure of Powell's property. The troops, taking DeWitt and a few others to La Bahia for trial, thereupon withdrew. Doctor Oldivar attempted to bribe Alcalde Norton to give false testi- mony against DeWitt. Feelings still ran high and Kerr was convinced that DeWitt and the others would not be given a fair trial at La Bahia. An appeal was made to the political chief for the contraband case to be heard in Bejar before him. Kerr and DeWitt also requested the mediation of Austin. Thanks to this action and the sudden outbreak of an open rebellion at Nacogdoches, the contraband dispute was sud- denly ended. DeWitt and the others were released early in December, 1826. The proximity of DeWitt's colony to de Leon's, however, offered too many opportunities for continued clashes. The location of "Old Station," so near the mouth of the Lavaca, was, furthermore, considered too advantageous for smuggling prohibited goods. Urged by recently appointed Commandant General Anastacio Bustamante, the political chief on August 29, 1827, requested the settlers of DeWitt's colony to abandon "Old Station" and return to Gonzalez within thirty days. The unexpected blow fell so suddenly that the settlers had to be
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