CHAPTER IX
THE BEGINNING OF FORMAL COLONIZATION, 1803-1810
The mission as an agency for the control of the Indians and the maintenance of Spanish sovereignty had definitely proved ineffective against the resistless tide of foreign aggressors. The pressing need of defending the territorial limits of Texas against the ambitious claims of the United States and to guard against American filibusters, foreign adventurers, and enterprising traders had been met by the mobilization of a fairly large body of troops, as shown in the previous chapter. This was a temporary measure to meet an emergency. Slowly the Spaniards were becoming convinced that the permanent salvation of Texas depended now more than ever on colonization rather than on new missions and military outposts. Spanish officials had realized this for some time before the crisis of the Neutral Ground developed. But many difficulties cropped up. Where obtain settlers? What inducements should be offered them? How was Spain to make certain that the new settlers would defend her interests and remain loyal? Was it wise to permit Americans to settle near the border? These and many other similar questions pre- sented themselves to the worried and harrassed officials. With a realistic sense that does him honor, Governor Cordero wrote in September, 1805-immediately after he had made a survey of the province - that, after the strengthening of the military defences of San Antonio, La Bahia, and Nacogdoches, next in importance was the founding of civil settlements to help maintain the new military estab- lishments, to give permanence to the occupation, and to offer effective resistance to the invader. Settlements on the Trinity and the Brazos, he continued, were indispensable for more effective and secure communica- tion between San Antonio and East Texas. Primarily a man of action, Cordero did not wait for approval; but, using the discretionary power with which he was fortunately vested, he immediately dispatched four families to begin a civil settlement on the Trinity near the new outpost. He explained to Salcedo that these families would supply the military outpost with the much-needed milk, eggs, meat, and other fresh pro\'i- sions. When asking for approval of the projected settlement, he requested
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