Our Catholic Heritage, Volume V

Tlie Beginning of Formal Coloni::;ation

33 1

with others on December 4, and again on December 10. He issued strict orders that those foreigners who left Texas were not to be readmitted under any condition. This measure was intended to stop the practice of going back and forth between Louisiana and Texas. Each applicant was to be certified by the commander of Orcoquisac, Nacogdoches, or Trinidad de Salcedo, and each was to present satisfactory evidence that he had lived under Spanish rule and was to agree to settle either on the Trinity or the Guadalupe. In order to teach a lesson to those who had settled without awaiting the formality of securing a permit, the governor was instructed to order all who had entered without first complying with all the laws to leave within eight to fifteen days from the date on which the order was pub- lished. Cordero was told emphatically to purge Nacogdoches of all foreigners who had gained admission illegally. 108 But in spite of all efforts to check the stream of immigrants from the United States, they continued to come. Clouet, undismayed by the relentless opposition of the commandant general to his proposed settle- ment at Atascosito or Orcoquisac, was still trying in the winter of 1807 to introduce families. Subject to the ultimate approval of the king, Clouet gave a passport to Andres Veran and Antonio Molinar, sailors, and to Jose Olivero and Nicolas Bouquet to explore the country in the vicinity of Atascosito in search of a suitable location for his proposed settlement. Upon learning of the incident, Salcedo ordered their imme- diate arrest and detention as suspicious characters. His suspicions were not unfounded. When they were apprehended, a considerable quantity of furs secured from the Indians in exchange for contraband goods was found in their possession. In consequence, they were soon aftenvards officially expelled from the province. 109 Individuals, however, continued to present themselves in Nacogdoches to make application for admission. Among them was Anthony Glass. In March, 1806, his request to move to Texas was granted, but he failed to take advantage of the permit. Then he asked permission in the fall of 1807 to come by water from Baton Rouge to Orcoquisac. He claimed that the cause of his delay in moving was the disturbed conditions in Louisiana occasioned by the Burr affair. But Viana. the commandant at 1 °'Salcedo to Cordero, August 4, and December 10, 1806. Bh:ar Arcl,i.,es. Salcedo to Cordero, December 4, 1806. Nacogdocl,es Archives. 109 Passport issued by Clouet and letter to Geronimo Herrera, December 17, 1807; Salcedo to Cordero, March 8, May 31, and August S, 1808. Bexar Arcl,ives.

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