The Beginning of Formal Colonization
cloches for keeping a close watch on the mouth of the Trinity, and thanked Elguezabal for his detailed report. 36 Father Delgadillo's plans collapsed with the failure of Grimarest to come as scheduled. Interest in the area between the mouth of the Trinity and that of the Sabine appears to have become widespread. We have already seen. how Despallier eventually came out frankly with the statement that he desired to establish a colony in this region. We have seen, too, how both Barr and Father Delgadillo presented plans which would have resulted in the occupation of the mouth of the Trinity. Before the end of 1804, another such plan was placed before Salcedo by John Minor. He was a prominent citizen of Natchez, a man of culture, wealth and political ambitions. He was related to Nolan by mar- riage, and had been connected with the Aaron Burr conspiracy. He asked Commandant General Salcedo on October 16 for permission to enter the Interior Provinces as a settler and explore the country from the mouth of the Trinity to the Sabine in search of a location suitable for a settle- ment of Louisiana families. 37 He alleged that he was a Catholic, and a native of Pennsylvania; that he had lived in Natchez under the Spanish flag for sixteen years, and desired to be again under the benevolent rule of the king of Spain. He claimed to have served for five years in a Louisiana company of militia organized by Governor Gayoso. Commis- sioned by the Marques de Casa Calvo to inspect the coast from the Trinity to the Sabine-preliminary to determining the boundary between the possessions of the United States and Spain in America-he had come to Texas in a semi-official capacity. He had brought no papers, because the order requiring such papers had not been published at the time of his departure for Texas. Both his brother Stephen and Casa Calvo were interested in learning whether or not the country between the two rivers would afford a good site for the settlement of a large group of Louisiana families who were likely to immigrate to Texas, if this area remained in possession of Spain. 38 il-1inor's ,proposed Trinity settlemmt. Minor, like many others who were seeking admission at this time, came to Nacogdoches in person. Here he remained to await the reply to his petition, because he was not permitted to proceed to 36 Salcedo to Elguezabal, September 11, 1804. Berar Archives. 37 Petition of John Minor, October 16, 1804. Bexar Arcni.ves. John's brother. Stephen, was the brother-in-law of Philip Nolan. Loui.si,ma llislorical Quarterly, IX, IOO. 38 John Minor to Salcedo, October 16, 1804. Berar Arcl,ives.
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