Our Cotliolic Heritage in Texas
time the results of the inventories were different. When the commandant general was again consulted, he referred the matter to his legal advisor, who, in spite of the incriminating evidence and the record of the applicant, rendered a favorable opinion. He declared that De la Rosa, a Spanish vassal desirous of settling in Spanish territory and possessing the means to live anywhere he chose, was entitled to admission under the decree of September 24, 1803. He had amply proved his good faith, argued the auditor, by bringing his family with him. If his intentions had been improper, he would have left them in a safe place. Furthermore, great advantages would accrue to the Spanish dominions from the encouragement of immigrants of this kind; industry would be developed; commerce would thrive; and vast, unproductive regions would be cultivated. All this would result in the spread of the Catholic religion, the development of the country, the happiness of the people, and the glory of the nation. As a precaution, however, it might be well to make De la Rosa and each member of his party take an oath that they had come with good intentions, that they would be faithful vassals of the king, and would obey all local authorities. Reluctantly, the com- mandant general accepted the recommendations, but added that De la Rosa be required to locate in Coahuila or Nueva Vizcaya, and promise to give information to the Government of all persons whom he might suspect of disloyalty. The members of the crew and the others who were not of the applicant's family were to be ordered to return to Louisiana. After taking an accurate inventory, the authorities were to release the property to De la Rosa; but returns on the sales were to be deposited with and held by the treasurer of Saltillo until the king was consulted and a decision rendered. 39 In the meantime, the new commander of the frontier, Brigadier General Bonavia, had refused admission to only Juan Narran, a Sar- dinian member of the crew, who was married to a Spanish woman. Convinced in his own mind of the good intentions of De la Rosa, and induced by his pleas to save his merchandise from the ravages of constant exposure and to provide a livelihood for his family of nineteen, Bonavia had permitted him to sell it on condition that he post a bond of 2,000 pesos with Governor M. de Salcedo to cover the duties. It is not known how much he sold, but he did manage to place an order 3 9 £1 Comte Gral. de las Provas Ynterns. de N. E. Acompafia constancias . . . A .G.I., A11die11cia de Guadalajara, 104-2-9 (Dunn Transcripts, I 800-18 I 9, pp. 2 58-2 59) .
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