Ottr Catliolic Heritage in T e:xas
de Bexar. He was to see to it that the colonists fulfilled the require- ments for all prospective settlers set forth in the general instructions of the commandant general." An effort to make immediate use of the permit appears to have been made by Clouet. In November the commander of the small detachment stationed at Atascosito reported that he had been informed by two Indians that a group of French and Spanish settlers from Attakapas had sailed for the abandoned Presidio of Orcoquisac. Orders were issued for their reception, as well as for the Tinza Indians, who had previously been promised land in the same area. 4 s But there is no indication that the 300 families supposedly sent by Clouet ever arrived. Evasion of regu.lations. Although not one of the various proposed settlements by these pioneer empresarios became a reality, many adven- turous individuals-never intended to be allowed to immigrate-succeeded in gaining admission. Salcedo himself was responsible for the loophole enabling them to enter Texas. In a moment of generosity, he ruled that since conditions in Louisiana after its acquisition by the United States made it very difficult for prospective immigrants to obtain proof of their good character, their former allegiance, and their loyalty to Spain, a simple affidavit would suffice. 46 The authorities in Nacogdoches and the people themselves had generally favored contraband trade and illegal admission of foreigners. The new regulation afforded them the oppor- tunity lawfully to relax the enforcement of the former instructions and to admit into Texas many who were neither Catholics nor loyal citizens of Spain. Won over slowly to the plan of colonization as a means of defence, Salcedo did not intend to allow Americans to gain entrance to Spanish territory. His idea was to reenforce the frontier by settling the vast unoccupied areas of the Interior Provinces with former Spanish subjects. Salcedo's efforts to correct his mistake of July 1, 1805, proved futile. He repeatedly issued stringent orders designed to keep Americans out of Texas, to stop unauthorized traders from dealing with the native tribes, and to prevent groups from exploring large sections of Spanish territory. Making Catholicism the sine qua non for admission, he believed, "Cordero to Salcedo, October 18, 1805, transmitting a copy of the permission issued to Clouet on the same date. Bexar Arcl,ives. 4 S Salcedo to Cordero, November 2, 1805 ; Cordero to the commandant of La Bahia, November 2 5, 1805. Bexar Archives. 46 Salcedo to Elguezabal, July 1, 1805. Bexar Archives.
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