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Frencli Intervention in Spain and Its Reaction in Texas
to await further instructions had been issued at the very time that French troops began to move en masse into Spain, and that the subsequent orders to hasten to Mexico had been given at about the time of the Bayonne incident. It appeared to be a part of the Emperor's general plan to gain control of the Spanish colonies by means similar to those employed in seizing the Crown of Spain. D'Alvimar's reference to the Marquis de St. Simon as viceroy of Mexico by appointment of Napoleon was significant indeed. How had D'Alvimar learned of this fact? Why had he stated that it did not matter whether or not he would be given permission to go to Mexico? What had he meant when he said that others would follow? The evidence at hand proved to the auditor that the emissary of Napoleon was a dangerous enemy. Since this agent's departure from Europe, Napoleon had seized the Spanish Crown which he attempted to place upon his brother's head. But the people of Spain and of her colonies had sworn fealty to Ferdinand VII as their only legitimate sovereign. The auditor, better informed on recent events in Europe than would be expected of an officer residing on the remote frontiers of New Spain, went on to declare that in the name of Ferdinand VII, the Duque del Infantado had since declared war on Napoleon and the usurper Joseph. In view of these circumstances, he concluded that General Octaviano D'Alvimar could be considered in no other light than that of an enemy; that he should be immediately conducted as a prisoner under guard to San Antonio; that his papers be seized and examined; and that the viceroy be kept informed and consulted on the ultimate disposition of the prisoner.17 While the advisor of the commandant general prepared his report and made his recommendations, which were sent on August 23 to Cordero for his guidance, D'Alvimar's patience was being sorely tried. The whole thing seemed farcical, he wrote on August 29 to Guadiana. He said that he had been waiting for almost a month, and had decided to go on to Mexico with or without permission of the commandant general. "You know well," he warned Guadiana, "that there are a thousand ways which I may choose to attain my end, none of which you can obstruct." Threatening and cajoling by turns, he said that he did not hold the governor responsible for this shameful conduct; it was the 1 7 N. Salcedo to Cordero, August 23, 1808, transmitting the report of the asnor and auditor of war and ordering his recommendations to be carried out. Na,ogdoclrlJ Archives, XI, pp. 106-11 5.
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