Ottr Catliolic Heritage m Texas
Antonio in October, and presented his credentials, adding that he had a special commission from the Louisiana regiment for whom he was to secure horses in Nuevo Santander. This pretension was to arouse much suspicion and to cause even the viceroy to become curious. Nava observed that Nuevo Santander was not under his jurisdiction and suggested he write either or both the governor of that province and the viceroy. Before following the suggestion, Nolan asked Nava in November for permission to introduce two thousand ,pesos of merchandise to enable him to defray his expenses. In January, 1798, Nava acceded to the request on condition that the merchandise be suitable for gifts to the Indians, and that this merchandise be bought by the governor to prevent Nolan from trading directly with the citizens. 15 When Nolan next tried to secure permission to go to Nuevo Santander, his real troubles began. He applied to an old acquaintance, Francisco Rendon, former intendant of Louisiana and now intendant of Zacatecas, to help him secure the viceroy's consent. Rendon immediately became suspicious and made inquiry from Baron Carondelet who was now president of the royal Audiencia of the Province of Quito. The former governor of Louisiana replied that the claim of a commission to buy horses for the regiment "was as false as the letter of recommendation" which Nolan said he had lost. 16 Gayoso. who had now become governor of Louisiana, at about the same time wrote Viceroy Branciforte that all foreigners in Texas should be arrested, and warned him particularly against Nolan. The viceroy immediately upbraided Nava for permitting his entrance, whereupon the commandant general made a long explanation of the circumstances and the passport and letters of recommendation brought by Nolan. At the same time he wrote Munoz ordering him to expel all foreigners and arrest those who came without a passport and he revoked the authorization for the purchase of merchandise for Indian gifts from Nolan. 17 The matter may have ended here, had it not been for the new viceroy. Hardly had Miguel Jose de Azanza succeeded Branciforte early in the summer. before he began to make inquiries about the elusive "trader in 15 Nava to Nolan, October 31, 1797; Nolan to Nava, November 25, 1797. A.G. Al., u;storia, Vol. 413, pt. 1, pp. 194-195, and 292. Nava to Munoz, January 9, 1799. Bexar Archives. 16 Nolan to Rendon, November 25 1 1797; Carondelet to Rendon, January 13, 1798. A.G. M., Historia, Vol. 413, pt. 1, pp. 196-197, and 200-201. 17 Nava to Branciforte, March 20, 1789; Nava to Munoz, same date. Ibid., Vol. 413, pt. 1, p. 187.
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