Our C at/10/ic H erita-ge in Texas
224
in its vicinity, the eastern end of Matagorda Bay. He wanted to learn if the river was navigable. The party reported that the mouth of the riYer was lost in a group of shallow inlets five or six leagues from the coast. There was no danger of the enemy penetrating by this route into the interior. Del Moral observed that the Trinity River was a much better en try . 31 A few straggling settlers, mostly French, had established themselves on Arroyo de las Piedras, east of the Sabine, but within the jurisdiction of the commander of Nacogdoches. Pablo Bevel Lafitte was the Justicia (judge) of the district and even had an old cannon as defence against the Indians. Shortly after the death of Nolan, all settlers east of the Sabine were ordered taken to Nacogdoches, together with their cannon. 38 Relations witli Clzoctaws and otlzer nations. The Choctaws, it will be remembered, had been befriended by Ellicott at Natchez. They had been committing depredations ever since then, protesting all the while their friendship for the Spaniards. On January 20, 1800, they attacked a group of Caddos near Natchitoches without provocation. In reporting the incident, Del Moral pointed out that these Indians were the inveterate enemies of all the northern nations. In June a band of Choctaws raided the ranch of Jose Ignacio Ibarbo, near Nacogdoches, killed two friendly Ais Indians, cut off their heads, and bound a Spaniard hand and foot before driving away the cattle. Again Del Moral warned Elguezabal against befriending these Indians who were a real menace to Texas. He explained that the enraged friendly tribes had solicited his aid for a campaign of extermination. There were thirty-three men in the garrison at Nacogdoches, but if the governor approved the idea, one hundred sixty volunteers could be enlisted. 39 The exasperation of Del Moral at the proposal of Valentin Layssard. commander at Rapide, Louisiana, that the Choctaws be granted lands to settle in Texas may be imagined. He wrote to Elguezabal in July vigorously opposing the plan. He declared that the Choctaws were hostile to the tribes now in Texas, that they were under the influence of the English and the Americans, and that they were widely connected with other hostile tribes in Louisiana. Their admission would bring no benefits 31 Jose Maria Guadiana to the Governor, April 2, 1799; Jose Miguel del Moral to Elguezabal, January 28, and March 5, 1800. Bexar Arckives. 38 Musquiz to Elguezabal, May 1, 1801. Bexar Archives. 39 Jose Miguel de! Moral to Elguezabal, January 28, and June 26, 1800. Bexar Archives.
Powered by FlippingBook