Tlie Development of Friction, r820-r835
243
the government and in the possibility of bringing Texas to a satis- factory state of development under Mexican domination." 51 When in September, 1829, Teran was made commandant general of the Eastern Interior Provinces, he felt it his duty to suggest a plan for the preservation of the province. This he submitted to the Government before the end of the year, and sent his aide, Colonel Con- stantino Tarnava, to Mexico as his personal representative to urge its adoption. Teran's plan included three general recommendations: ( 1) reenforce- ment of the garrisons and establishment of additional military posts, (2) counter-colonization by Mexicans and Europeans, preferably Irish and German settlers, (3) development of an economic bond between the remote province and the rest of Mexico by establishing an active coastwise trade. Teran suggested that the garrisons at San Antonio, Goliad, and Nacogdoches be strengthened; that new posts be established at the head of Galveston Bay, at the mouth of the Brazos, and at the place where the Bexar-Nacogdoches road crossed the Brazos; that the troops generally stationed on the Rio Grande be moved to the Nueces; and that a war schooner be commissioned for regular transport service. To offset colonization in Texas by Americans Teran proposed that Irish and German colonists be offered special inducements and that Mexicans be encouraged to move to Texas. There were two groups in Mexico from among whom he thought colonists might be obtained: discharged soldiers and poor or destitute families. To the first he sug- gested offering aid for a limited time upon the expiration of their service; and to the second he proposed similar opportunities to found new homes with government assistance in moving and maintenance until they were able to support themselves. No trouble or expense, he thought, should be spared. "Either the government occupies Texas now, or it is lost forever,'' Teran warned, "for there will be no possibility of a reconquest with our base of operations three hundred leagues distant, while our enemies would be carrying on their struggle close to their base and in possession of the sea." Bustamante, who had been commandant of the Eastern Interior Provinces and knew conditions in Texas, was now acting-President of Mexico. He naturally agreed with Teran on the need for immediate action and asked Minister of State Lucas Alamin to present the project SIBarker, ibid., IOI.
Powered by FlippingBook