Frencli Intervention in Spain a11d Its Reaction in Texas
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all French agents, warned colonial authorities against intrigues in Louisiana, and advised them to avoid all cause for misunderstanding with the United States.2'' With the French struggle going on in Spain, the Supreme Council, however, was unable to give anything more than moral comfort to the colonies in their defence against foreign agents. The viceroy made diligent inquiries to determine the best plan of defence to be adopted; but he, like the Supreme Council, was in no position to do much more than to send warnings and issue precautionary measures. The chief responsibility of safeguarding the vast frontier of New Spain, there- fore, devolved upon the conscientious commander of the Interior Prov- inces. Although he feared the spread of seditious propaganda by French agents, he was more immediately concerned about the designs of the aggressive American pioneers and the machinations of their Government.= 5 Precautions against Americans. Even before the appearance of D'Alvi- mar, Salcedo had attempted to neutralize the efforts of enterprising American traders by sending special agents to some of the tribes among whom the Americans had been trading. 26 Earlier sti11, at the very beginning of 1808, Salcedo had instructed Cordero to prohibit all communication between Nacogdoches and the advanced Spanish post on Bayou Pierre to prevent trade with Louisiana. Bayou Pierre was to communicate with Nacogdoches only to secure food or the services of a priest. 27 Upon learning that there were in Nacogdoches twenty- seven slaves who had escaped from Louisiana, he ordered them trans- ferred to Vi11a de Salcedo on the Trinity so as to prevent the Indians from capturing them before they could be returned to the Americans. His letter to the viceroy, written in November, 1808, assumed him that his most important task was to hold Texas against the Americans. 21 New Texas governor. Antonio Cordero had been acting governor of Texas since the death of Elguezabal. On April 24, 1807, the Council of the Indies appointed Manuel Maria de Salcedo, son of the former 24 Copy of decree of the Junta Suprema Central transmitted with the letter of N. Salcedo to Cordero, March 13, 1809. Bexar Arc/1ives. 2 SN. Salcedo to Velasco, August 24, 1808; N. Salcedo to Cordero, August 23, and December 3, I 808. Bexar Archives. 26N. Salcedo to Soto, March 13, 1808. Bexar Archives. 27N. Salcedo to Cordero, January 12, 1808. Bexar Arcllives. ZIN. Salcedo to Cordero, May 31, 1808; N. Salcedo to the viceroy, No\'ember 8, I 808. Bexar Archives.
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