First Claslees witle tire United States
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general that he was experiencing considerable difficulty in securing the necessary provisions from San Antonio for the new troops stationed at Nacogdoches and on the Trinity. He had come to the conclusion that stores had to be acquired in Natchitoches and Louisiana or the garrisons in East Texas would be forced to retire to San Antonio. He ingeniously pointed out that as long as hostilities did not exist, there was no harm in the trade proposed and that if· war broke out, the troops could then secure the needed goods through conquest. 72 Reenforcement of the Spanislt frontier. In conformity with recent instructions the energetic and capable governor of Coahuila and Texas made a personal inspection of the outposts of Texas in the summer of 1805. 73 Cordero, an experienced officer, was deeply impressed by the defenceless condition of the province. He pointed out to his superior that in the event of hostilities the first point of attack by the Americans would be Nacogdoches. The advanced post of observation placed on Arroyo Hondo would fall back on Nacogdoches the moment the enemy appeared in force. The invaders, well provided with artillery, would need to fire only a few shots to capture Nacogdoches in its present condition. If this post fell, the road to San Antonio was wide open. Because of the circumstances he believed it necessary to make use of the discretionary powers granted to him, and began the construction of a fort which would enable the troops stationed there to withstand attack and allow time for reenforcements to be rushed from the Trinity to check the advance of the invading force. He, furthermore, urged that civil settlements be established on the Trinity and the Brazos, as well as on the Guadalupe and the San Marcos, as a part of the defence program. The absence of settlements between Nacogdoches and San Antonio would allow the enemy to advance to the very heart of the province without opposition. 7 ' Upon his return to San Antonio he directed his attention to its forti- fication and defence. The town had originally been built around the two 72 Cordero to Salcedo, November 19, 1805. Nacogdoches Archiv,s, X, pp. 46-47. 73 Early in the summer of 1805, Antonio Cordero, governor of Coahulla, was appointed assistant governor of Texas. Governor Juan Bautista Elguezabal was confined to bed. Although he was given permission to retire, his serious illness prevented him from leaving Texas. He died in San Antonio on October 5, 1805, and was succeeded in office by his able assistant. Cordero thus became governor of Coa- huila and Texas. Salcedo to Cordero, July 29, 1805; same to same, November 4, 1805. Nacogdoches Archives, X, pp. 26-27, and 45. "Cordero to Salcedo, September 24, 1805. Nacogdoches Archives, X, pp. 32-35.
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