The Beginning of Formal Coloni::ation
would prevent Americans from gaining admittance to Texas; but they filtered through the loosened net of entangling regulations in constantly increasing numbers. 47 Distrust of Americans by both Governor Elguezabal and Commandant General Salcedo has been noted. But in July, 1805, the advocates of unrestricted immigration gained a powerful ally in Antonio de Cordero, who, because of Elguezabal's illness, was appointed acting governor of Texas. He not only had served under all the commanders of the Interior Pro,·inces- the Cabellero de Croix, Neve, Rengel, Ugarte, and Nava-but also had been instrumental in establishing two new settlements in Coahuila: Cuatro Cienegas and San Andres de Nava. The latter was partly named to honor his superior. He realized the importance and strongly advocated the policy of settling the vast unoccupied territory that lay between New Spain's far-flung frontiers and its distant centers of population. 49 Cordero's determined action in behalf of colonization has been noted in the beginning of this chapter. No sooner had he received a favorable answer from the commandant general than he issued a formal procla- mation calling for volunteer settlers for two colonies. The one, called San Telesforo, was to be located at the crossing of the Brazos on the San Antonio Road; the second, named Santisima Trinidad de Salcedo in honor of the commandant general, was to be at the intersection of the upper and lower roads on the Trinity River. He promised prospectiYe colonists free lands, the customary exemptions from taxation and dues, and the privileges extended to first settlers by the La-.11s of t/1e /ndies. 49 Cordero's views 011- immigration and plans for settlements. The increasing gravity of the frontier disputes with the new, aggres- sive neighbors did not deter Cordero from his colonization plans. He seems, on the contrary, to have been spurred to even greater colonizing efforts by the very gravity of the situation. Thus, on November 11, 1805, before the colonists set out for the two authorized settlements, he presented a new plan to Salcedo. He now proposed that similar villas be founded on the Colorado, the San Marcos, and the Guadalupe, at or near the point where these rivers intersected the road to Nacogdoches. 47 The attempts to stop illegal trade and exploratory expeditions have been described in detail in the previous chapter. 41 Cordero to Bonavia, July 21, 1809. Bexar Arc/rives. Portillo, Esteban L., Apuntes para la Historia AnN11,r:11a de Coa/111ila y Te:rns, 466-476. 49 Proclamation of Governor Cordero, October 18, 1805. Bexar Arcl,ives.
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