Our Catleolic H e,-itage in Texas
Legitimate commerce would put an end to contraband trade, furnish means for more effective protection of the coast, encourage agriculture and industry, and stimulate settlers to such an extent that even the laziest would be induced to work. Should the Consulado de 11fe:xico {an association of merchants of Mexico City) oppose the opening of a port as an encroachment on their monopoly, the petitioners suggested that arrangements be made with the Consulado itself, or with a similar agency in Vera Cruz, Havana, or some other port to handle the trade of the new colony. 25 This bold plan for the establishment of a settlement in Texas included many innovations that were diametrically opposed to Spain's time-honored policy for colonial trade and industry. Governor Elguezabal transmitted the petition to Salcedo, and called his attention to the principal sugges- tions of the plan. It would be well, he said, to keep in mind that several nationalities of different religious sects comprised the population of Louisiana, whence most of the colonists were to be drawn. A measure of religious freedom had been granted by the Spanish officials of Louisi- ana to the settlers admitted west of the Mississippi after the cession of this province to Spain. 26 In an analogous situation, Elguezabal inquired what the religious policy was to be. He asked, too, if any particular nationality was to be barred from the new colony, and if the new settlers were to be permitted to cultivate tobacco. As the Government had long maintained a tobacco monopoly, he desired to be informed whether or not an exception was to be made in this instance. If none was intended, he believed it would be well to inform the newcomers explicitly, in order to avoid any misunderstanding. Last, he called attention to the need of very specific instructions regarding the kind and amount of property that the settlers were to be permitted to bring, so as to prevent the introduction of contraband goods. 27 It is to be noted that Brady and Despallier had not even hinted at the location of the proposed colony. They prudently left the whole matter for the officials to decide. Governor Elguezabal was the first to offer a suggestion on the subject. In a letter to Salcedo he mentioned 25Juan Brady and Bernardo Martin Despallier to the commandant general, April 1 o, 1804. Bexar Arcl,ives. The full text of this interesting petition is printed in Hatcher, T/1e O,Pe11ing of Texas to Foreign Settlement, Appendix 8, 307-311. 26Petition of Baron de Bastrop, June 20, 1796. A. G. / ., Sto. Domingo, Louisiana, and Florida, 86-7-1 7. Z1Elguezabal to Salcedo, April 2 S, 1804. Bexar Arc/1ives.
' • I
I , I I
; I
i i I I I ' I. ! ' i ! . I
'I
'i
-1 t I I . i I . ! i
Powered by FlippingBook