220
Our Catltolic Heritage in Texas
on July 25, 1794, the treasonable schemes which led eventually to the treaty of San Lorenzo of 1795. 26 French, B,·itisli, and American complications. The treaty of San Lorenzo was the immediate outcome of the peace concluded between Spain and France at Bale in July, 1795. Spain was fully aware that the resentment of Great Britain would result in an open break; hence her decision to settle the long standing dispute with the Americans to obviate an alliance with the British. Godoy admitted the facts in a conversation with Earle Bute, the British ambassador, when he told him in May, 1796, that Britain's hostile preparations against Mexico in the previous year had forced him to make extensive concessions to the United States. 27 But the sacrifices proved futile. The French and the American treaties served only to exasperate the English and did not win for Spain either the friendship of the United States or the support of France. In July, 1797, Nava wrote Munoz in Texas that the English were still planning an invasion from Canada; that an expeditionary force of nine or ten thousand men was being assembled at Halifax; and that the attack would be made either on the Mississippi or on the coast of Texas. He urged the governor to maintain the strictest vigilance, to court the friendship of the natives, to reenforce all outposts, and to send detachments frequently to patrol the Gulf coast. Soldiers from La Bahia should explore San Bernardo Bay two or three times a week, and the natives should be asked to report the presence of foreigners along the coast. Nava warned Munoz that an agent was being sent to arouse the Indians and promote a rebellion. This agent was no other than Francisco de Miranda whose description read thus: "two varas in height, brunette, heavy black beard, black hair, oblong face, wide forehead, sunken cheeks, brown eyes, slim, bony, dress and manner English, age about fifty." If found, he was to be arrested and his papers and belongings seized. 28 Nava was not convinced, however, that the contemplated attack would be through Texas and Coahuila. In a letter to Godoy, he declared that these provinces were too vast, too poor, and too desolate for a successful invasion. There was greater likelihood that the expedition would be directed against lower Louisiana. Elguezabal reported in August that a sharp lookout was being kept both at Nacogdoches and all along the coa~t
16 /bid., 197-200. 27 Whib.ker, op. cit., 207. 21 Nava to Munoz, July 17, 1797. Bh:ar Arcl,ives.
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