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Frencli Intervention in Spain and Its Reaction in Texas
with the paymaster of the troops in Texas in the amount of 19,000 pesos. Bonavia approved of the order at the request of the soldiers, who alleged that De la Rosa gave them better prices than they could get at the annual fair in Saltillo. Bonavia officially notified Viceroy Francisco Xavier Lizana of the tr:msaction and asked him to instruct the officers of the royal treasury in Vera Cruz to honor the draft, which would be covered by the treasury in Saltillo. Bonavia then stressed the importance of making use of De la Rosa's vessel to ship supplies for the troops in Texas directly from Vera Cruz to Matagorda Bay. He informed the viceroy that he had authorized De la Rosa to sail in ballast to Vera Cruz, so that he could bring back a shipload of supplies if the plan was approved. 40 It seems strange indeed that Bonavia should have been deceh·ed so completely by De la Rosa. When the commandant general learned of Bonavia's action, he immediately denounced him in the strongest terms to Viceroy Lizana for having exceeded his powers in requesting the payment of 19,000 pesos by the Vera Cruz treasury, and in authorizing De Ia Rosa to proceed to that port in ballast to bring back supplies for the troops in Texas, especially after he had been warned of De la Rosa's character. He also accused Herrera of collusion in this transaction, but held Bonavia responsible for the consequences. He should haYe con- sulted the commandant general before granting permission for his departure for Vera Cruz, Bonavia was told, and he should have requested from Saltillo the money he needed to pay for the supplies. N. Salcedo insinuated in his letter to the viceroy that De la Rosa intended to take advantage of his commission in order to introduce contraband and secure other goods to export without paying duty. 41 Bonavia hastened to explain to Commandant General Salcedo that he thought De la Rosa had been exonerated by the investigation held upon his first arrival. He apologized for having requested the viceroy to honor his draft on Vera Cruz and promised N. Salcedo to write imme- diately to Viceroy Lizana to stop payment. He assured the indignant commandant general that he would comply with his previous orders to arrest De la Rosa, and seize all his property and documents; he requested instructions on the disposition he was to make of the ship and the provision he should make for the family until such time as the case 40 /bid., ,pp. 2 59-260. ' 1N. Salcedo to Viceroy Francisco Xa,-ier Lizana, October 31, 1809. A. G. I., A udiencia de Guadalajara, 104-2-9 ( Dunn Transcripts, I 800-181 9 1 pp. 2 50-2 S 1).
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