Ottr Cat/zolic Heritage in Texas
212
Santander and to Simon de Herrera in Monterrey (Nuevo Leon) to keep the closest vigilance and to maintain constant communication with the commandant general. A royal order was transmitted to all frontier commanders in New Spain, instructing them to be on the alert against surprise. The commander at Nacogdoches was ordered to arrest all foreigners found among the Indians, and to offer to the friendly natives liberal rewards in the form of gifts for news of the presence of strangers within the Spanish dominions. 4 · As the summer wore on, rumors were rife of a combination of English and American forces, who would assemble on the shores of Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Erie to descend the Mississippi to New Orleans and attack Texas and New Mexico. Nava repeated his orders to maintain the strictest vigilance and suggested that the Gulf coast be watched from the bay of San Bernardo to the Mississippi. At the same time he informed the Duke of Alcudia that upon receiving the first news of the appearance of the enemy in the northern provinces, he would move to the frontier to take personal charge of operations. The friendly Indians of New Mexico and Texas had been asked to report the presence of foreigners or their approach. Just recently they had captured and brought to Nacogdoches an American trader. But two Frenchmen, Dupont and Gachard, who were in his company, had succeeded in escaping. To prevent a possible surprise on the unprotected coast line of Texas, he had ordered a reconnaissance to be conducted by Governor Munoz. 5 Fear of Frenclt invasion. The strain felt by frontier officials was perceptibly increased in September when Bernardo Dortolan, captain of Natchitoches, reported to Governor Munoz that he had learned from the Iowas that a Mr. Genet, former captain of the guards of Louis XVI, had planned to invade Louisiana. Genet had maintained correspondence with a certain Burgos, resident of Havana, to whom he was going to send arms and munitions from Philadelphia. It seems that the con- spirators had counted upon American support, but President Washington had resolutely opposed the scheme. Burgos had been arrested in Havana and the plot had failed. The news given Dortolan was confirmed by a full report of the whole affair received by Governor Carondelet of Louisiana. 6 4 Marques de Branciforte to the Count of Sierra Gorda, July 10, 1795; Nava to Munoz, July 30, 1795. Bexar Archives. 5 Pedro Nava to the Duque de Alcudia, August 6, I 795. A. G. /., Pa,Peles de Estado, Mexico, legajo 13, Num. 2. (Dunn Transcripts, 1792-1799, pp. 95-102.) 6 Demardo Dortolan to Munoz, September 6, 1795. Bexar Archives. .
Powered by FlippingBook