Om· Catlt0lic Heritage in Texas
worth 3,000 pesos-at least it was so certified by Vidal, vice-consul of New Orleans-yet, De la Rosa disposed of it for 19,000 ,pesos. He wondered whether or not Vidal, as well as Simon de Herrera, and the newly appointed commander, Brigadier General Bernardo Bonavia, was also guilty of collusion, and he desired the secretary to acquaint His Majesty with the circumstances of the case in order that those respon- sible for this flagrant violation of the trade regulations and the immi- gration laws might be charged with the blame. 45 New settlers in East Texas. The case of De la Rosa has been given at length, because it furnishes a vivid insight into the character of the immigrants and the difficulties which commanders were confronted with and had to solve. But this was by no means an isolated instance. During the year 1808, many came, as the commandant general per- sistently contended, for no other purpose than to engage in contraband trade, and became thoroughly angry when obstacles were placed in their way, even though the laws were not enforced with the rigor recommended. Many of those who had been moved from Atascosito to Villa de Salcedo to prevent communication with friends and relatives in Louisiana re- peatedly requested permission to return to their former homes under the pretext of bringing back property left behind. Among them were Santiago Fear and Juan Debis (John Davis?). Davis, in particular, complained bitterly of the privations and discomforts endured at Villa de Salcedo. He declared that his wife had been sick ever since her removal, and that it had been extremely difficult, under the stringent regulations in force, to secure the essentials of life. 46 Some did not even take the trouble to secure permission to leave. Salome Duxen (Solo- mon Dixon?) resorted to a ruse. He asked permission to go to Atas- cosito to bring back some property which he had left there. In possession of a passport, and accompanied by a brother and his family, he left with his wife and child ostensibly for Atascosito, but did not stop until he reached Louisiana. Immediately orders were given to all frontier com- manders to issue no more such passports except in very special cases, and never to permit anyone without a permit to leave for Louisiana.' 7 The wisdom of this restriction is revealed by a letter of the tireless Clouet, who wrote to Cordero in June, 1808, that everything that went 4SN. Salcedo to Saavedra, November 7, 1809. Ibid., pp. 242-244. 46 M. de Salcedo to Cordero, June I 4, July I 2, I 808, and January I 9, I 809. Bexar Archives. 47 M. de Salcedo to the commander of Trinidad, December 5, 1808. Bexar Archives.
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