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Frenc/1, Intervention in Spain and Its Reaction in Texas
the same privilege to even Tessier's two servants, if they could prove that they were Spaniards and had lived under Spain's jurisdiction. The ship was ordered to return to Louisiana and the crew were warned against introducing contraband goods. Tessier's request was naturally refused by the commandant general; but in the meantime-thanks to the collusion of the governor-Tessier had been enabled to remain in Texas at least six months. Commandant General Nemesio Salcedo asked ex-Governor Cordero to explain to Governor Manuel de Salcedo the importance of excluding Louisiana settlers from certain frontier areas so as to prevent contraband trade and communication with their former friends and relations:" The De la Rosa incident. An enterpnsmg character, Francisco de la Rosa, appeared late in December, 1808, at Atascosito with two sla.\-es and two servants. De la Rosa was no stranger to Texas or the other northern provinces of New Spain, where for years. it seems, he had successfully engaged in contraband trade. During an investigation held in 1806, Jose Placido de Monzon testified that De la Rosa had brought a load of linen handkerchiefs and muslins to Presidio de San Juan Bautista and had sold a good part of his merchandise to the garrison. The rest of the goods he had sent to Punta de Lampazos, in Coahuila, to be sold there by a certain Arispe. This agent absconded with the proceeds of the sales, convinced, perhaps, that the owner could not prosecute him because he was himself engaged in illegal business. Another witness, Jose Andres Cadena, declared that Barr habitually sent to Natchitoches to secure trains of goods from De la Rosa and that, while stationed as a soldier at Villa de Salcedo when Arrambide took charge, he had seen De la Rosa there with a train of mules. 35 De la Rosa appears also to have cooperated with Barr in illegally exporting horses and mules to Louisiana. From San Marcos, Lieutenant Arrambide, who was at that time in command of the mobile detail guarding the river crossings between San Antonio and Nacogdoches (March 30, 1806), reported to Cordero that Jose !Vlaria Salinas and eight muleteers had arrived from San Antonio with eleven loads of 34 Cordero to M. de Salcedo, December 1, 1808; M. de Salcedo to the Commander of Atascosito, Decembers, 1808; N. Salcedo to Cordero, December 11, 1808. Bexar Ardiives. 35 Declarations of Jose Placido de Monzon and Jose Andres Cadena. A.G.!., A11diencia de Guadalajara, 104-2-9 (Dunn Transcripts, 1800-1819, pp. 136-137).
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