Our Catholic Heritage in Texas
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One of the first acts of Captain Casas, therefore, after he overthrew Governor Salcedo, was to proclaim free trade between Texas and Louisi- ana.11 This unrestricted trade, which highly pleased the Natchitoches merchants, did not last long. No sooner had Zambrano and the Govern- ing Junta assumed control than they abolished the proclamation of Casas. This did not mean, however, that all trade stopped. The officials of the new government, on the contrary, found themselves obliged to spend in the thriving outpost of Natchitoches much of the loot that they had recently acquired from the envoys captured in San Antonio. Long trains of mules and horses packed with wool, hides, and silver bars made their way in an endless stream from San Antonio to Nacog- doches, across the Neutral Ground and on to Natchitoches to return laden with much needed merchandise. But the rich caravans were often set upon by outlaws in the Neutral Ground in spite of the military escorts. In June, 181 I, for instance, it was reported that a group of Spanish merchants with more than $20,000.00 in cash was surprised and attacked by bandits while crossing the Neutral Ground. The Spaniards fled to Nacogdoches while the marauders proceeded to celebrate on the banks of the Sabine. The commander of Nacogdoches immediately dispatched thirty soldiers, who, guided by the merchants, in turn surprised the merry- making bandits and not only recovered all their property but also took twenty or thirty horses and mules, a number of good saddles, and other booty from the highwaymen. A Mr. Taylor from Georgia was seriously wounded in the encounter, a Mr. Middleton from Virginia was taken pris- oner, and a Mr. John Villers from Kentucky was left dead by the vic- torious soldiers and merchants. 11 Another train with a considerable amount of cash to buy supplies in Natchitoches arrived about the middle of July. To avoid a recurrence of the previous experience, they were escorted across the Neutral Ground by a guard of soldiers from Nacogdoches, who then returned to the west bank of the Sabine to await their arrival. In September Governor Salcedo, who had just come back to San Antonio, pointed out to the Commandant General the urgent nee<;! of obtaining gifts for the Indians before November when they were expected to arrive for their winter visit. He suggested that Davenport, Indian agent at 11 Dr. John Sibley to Wm. Eustis, Secretary of War, Natchitoches, February 9, 1811, Tl,e Quarterly, 547-549. 11 Jobn Sibley to Secretary of War, Natchitoches, July 17, 1811, Tire QuarJ,rlf, XLIX, 116-117.
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