Our Catliolic Heritage in T e:xas
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In his message to Congress, January 16, 1804, Jefferson congratulated the country on the significant event. "On this important acquisition, so favorable to the immediate interests of our Western citizens, so auspicious to the peace and security of the nation in general, which adds to our country territories so extensive and fertile ... I offer to Congress and our country my sincere congratulations." 59 When within less than a month the President again addressed Congress on the same subject, he declared that Spain's objections to "the validity of title to the country of Louisiana" had been withdrawn, but its exact limits "still remained to be settled." 60 What affected Texas was the vagueness with which the boundaries of the vast territory just acquired were defined. France had . sold to the United States "the colony or province of Louisiana, with the same extent that it now has in the hands of Spain, and that it had when France possessed it. . ." On the basis of this clause the western boundary was claimed to be the Rio Grande in absolute disregard of the well-established title of Spain to the territory between Los Adaes and the Rio Grande by continuous and uncontested possession of this territory. M11,tual suspicions. When the transfer took place on December 20, there was a large number of Spanish troops in New Orleans. Seven days later Wilkinson wrote the Secretary of War that his men were in redoubts outside the city limits in tents, for the Spanish troops were still in New Orleans. Before long, Governor Claiborne complained to the State Department that the continued presence of Spanish officers and troops in Louisiana was becoming a nuisance. By April some three hundred Spanish soldiers and officers had embarked for Pensacola and Wilkinson's men had been given possession of the principal barracks. but there were still about one hundred Spanish soldiers and twelve or fifteen officers occupying the hospital and several other buildings.' 1 The irritation aroused by the reluctant withdrawal of Spanish troops gave rise to suspicions concerning the intentions of Spain. Captain Edward Turner, stationed at Natchitoches, wrote Wilkinson that he was convinced. the Spaniards in Texas were planning some mischief. Their agents were busy among the Indians and the Negroes. Recently nine StMessage of the President, January 16, t 804. State Papers and PubUck Docu- ments, II, 220-22 I. 60Message of the President, February 16, 1804. /b;tl,, 228-235. 61WiJkinson to Secretary of War, December 27, 1803; same to same, April I 5, 1804. State Papers and PubUck Documents, I, 350.
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