Our Catholic Heritage in Texas
workmen, and then had gone back to New Orleans, whence he returned overland to Nacogdoches. In his petition for a land grant, he declared that he had several hands, all the necessary farm implements, and the means to immigrate in accord with the king's decree. He stated that he was familiar with the coast from Vera Cruz to Nuevo Santander and desired to explore Matagorda Bay and the mouth of the Trinity. In return for permission to undertake the reconnaissance, he would be glad to furnish the governor with maps showing the results of his exploration. But his knowledge of the Nuevo Santander coast, his intention of returning to New Orleans for tools and supplies (he had been caught contradicting himself), and his desire to explore Matagorda Bay and the new port cast him in a doubtful role. Salcedo warned Cordero on December 10 that Marchand was a suspicious character who should be sent to San Antonio for further investigation by Viana, the commander of Nacogdoches. The applicant apparently was able to allay suspicions to the extent that he was permitted to settle in Texas, but not at the new port, Atascosito, Orcoquisac, or Nacogdoches. It was not long, however, before Marchand's permit was revoked, because he had been trading in contraband. The prospect of huge profits from an illegal business doubtless was his real motive for moving. 87 It will be remembered that the agents of Brogne de Clouet, Garnier and Arsenaux, had been refused permission to settle 300 Louisiana families in the vicinity of Orcoquisac because William Barr had been granted a contract the previous August (1804) to occupy the site of the abandoned presidio with 200 Louisiana families. In the light of these antecedents, Commandant General Sakedo's displeasure at the news that eleven families from Louisiana had settled there is understandable. Captain Gt!r6nimo Herrera, commander of Atascosito (below Orcoquisac), had requested authorization in July, 1805, to remove them to the interior of the province according to instructions. Upon being informed of the regulations which compelled them to remove to the interior, the settlers were disappointed and desired to return to the United States. As he did not have the horses to move them and their effects, Herrera requested the Go,·crnment to assume the expenses. He went on to report that sixty other families, who had started from Opelousas and A ttakapas, turned back when they heard of the new regulations requiring them to settle in the interior.
17Juan Eugenio Marchand to Viana, November 24, 1806; Salcedo to Cordero, December 10, 1806, February 24, and April 27, 1807. Bexar Arc/1ives.
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