Our Catleolic Heritage in Texas
the Taovayas and the Pawnees. Their number was now thought to be sixty. Carrying tools and implements, they had set out from Natchez and had passed north of Nacogdoches. But another party of twenty- eight was to join them, and a group of about one hundred men from New Madrid (on the Illinois above the Caddo country) was to follow. Although they were principally interested in the discovery of mines. they were also anxious to catch horses, and might even raid some of the Spanish settlements. Herrera expressed the hope that the governor of Texas might succeed in catching and hanging the intruders. When the matter was reported to Salcedo, he replied that it would be best to be cautious, and not to send troops against Glass until more definite information concerning his whereabouts, the number of his men, and their real intention could be ascertained. He suggested that much could be learned by questioning the friendly Indians. 136 Nothing more was heard of the expedition, but it helped to continue the high tension prevailing thereafter on the eastern frontier. The fears of the Spaniards had become a horrible reality. The aggressive and enterprising Ameri- cans could not be restrained. Determined to penetrate the king's domin- ions, they filtered through like sand. Soldiers alone could not keep them out of Spanish territory. Only one other recourse remained, the estab- lishment of settlements. U6 Cordero to Salcedo, August 11, 1808; Herrera to the Governor, August 14, 1808; and Salcedo to the Governor, August 31, 1808. Nacogdoches Archives, X, pp. 12-14; XI, pp. 94-95.
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