Our Catltolic fl eritage in Texas
Arms, munitions, equipment, tools, supplies, and vast stores of provi- sions and goods of various kinds were collected. Numerous families brought a11 their worldly possessions to embark with this formidable expedition to found new homes in Texas. Their number has been esti- mated as high as three to five thousand persons. 15 But fate decreed otherwise. It is idle to speculate on what the effect of this pretentious and formidable colonization movement would have had on the history of Texas. September came and went, but the expedition did not sail. An English fleet was hovering outside the Bay of Cadiz and the relations with Britain became more strained each day. Finally four Spanish frigates, part of the convoy, were captured by the British, a rupture followed, and the Texas expedition of Grimarest never left the port of Cadiz. 16 Nevertheless, as late as September, 1805, the arrival of Grimarest and his military colonists was still expected in Texas. Captain Turner reported to Wilkinson that a Mr. Shabus (Chavez), of Natchitoches, had just received a letter from Father Puellet (Puelles), of San Antonio, stating that General Grimare (Grimarest), who was coming directly from the court of Spain, was expected to arrive at the mouth of the Rio Grande any day, and that a large number of persons from San Antonio had gone to welcome him. According to the information avail- able, he was bringing seven full companies with which he was to estab- lish military colonies in Texas, and was to make San Antonio his head- quarters.17 Salcedo himself fully expected Grimarest to come. Early in January, 1805, he wrote Ceballos, the king's secretary, that he was leaving to his successor the decision of admitting a large group of settlers from Louisiana, because he felt that such matters as involved policies should be left to him. 18 The officers and troops appear to have remained in Cadiz until June, 1805, at which time they were instructed by order of the king to return to their respective regiments where they 15 Filisola, Memorias ,Para la historia de Tejas, I, 46-48; Arthur Wavel, "Account of the Province of Texas," in Ward, H. I., Mexico in 1827, II, Appendix B, 556. 16 Filisola, op. cit., 46-48; Ward, ib;d., 556. 17 Turner to Wilkinson, September 3, 1805. State Papers a11d P11blick Documents, I, 355-56. 18 Salcedo to Pedro Ceballos, January 8, 1 8o 5 . A. c. /., Audimcia de 11'/exico, /.eg. 18, Num. 27. (Dunn Transcripts, 1795-1817, pp. 143-144.)
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