The Beginning of Formal Colonization
sympathetic response in the stern commander, who felt compelled to furnish a refuge for the Spanish vassals of Louisiana, now "abandoned to a foreign country." Cautious as usual, Salcedo instructed Elguezabal on May 23 to admit all petitioners, but to require each applicant, before accepting him as a settler, to prove that he had been a vassal in Louisiana by submitting, when possible, certificates of good character and a passport. Every appli- cant was also to state the number in his family and the amount and kind of personal property he intended to introduce. Salcedo wanted to be certain that the would-be settlers did not take advantage of their admission so as to bring in large quantities of goods for trade. He further advised that former vassals whose loyalty was not entirely above reproach would be permitted to settle within the dominions of the king, .but not in the Province of Texas. Lands would be assigned them in Coahuila or Nueva Vizcaya. In order to keep a close supervision over the newcomers, all petitions, together with the governor's recommenda- tions for final approval, were to be referred to the commandant general.: Such were the first provisional regulations for the admission of settlers. It is important to note the reluctance of Salcedo. The provisions reflect his inherent distrust of Louisianians and his misgivings of the plan for colonizing Texas. His hesitant policy and his opposition to the indis- criminate admittance of settlers from Louisiana brought him into open conflict with officials in Texas, and the resulting bitterness put an abrupt end to the colonization movement within a few years. The attempt to shut off immigration, however, proved futile. The stemmed flow gathered pressure and soon swept away all obstacles. Before the regulations of Salcedo reached the throne, the appeals of the Spanish vassals had softened the heart of the king. A royal decree issued on September 24, 1803, permitted Spanish vassals in Louisiana immigrating to Spanish dominions to bring in their personal property and effects free of duty. Two months later, royal approval was given to the regulations of the commandant general, and the gates of the dam were partially opened to immigration. 3 Proposal for new settlements between Bexar and Nacogdoclies. On the eve of the formal transfer of Louisiana to France, Captain Juan de 1 Salcedo to the Governor of Texas, May 23, 1803. Bixar ArcMves. Salcedo to Ceballos, June 7, 1803. A. G. I., Audieticia de AUxico, Leg. 18, Num. 27. 3 Cedula of September 24, 1803; Salcedo to Elguezabal, March 27, 1804. Bexar Archives.
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