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Frencli Intervention in Spain and Its Reaction in Texas
anxious to secure the opinion of those who had been in the province for several years trying to solve the problems connected with its defence and development. He lost no time in requesting all ranking officials to prepare for him a written statement of their views on these important questions, for in his communication to them he said he wished to devise a plan based on their experience to bring about not only the security of the frontier but also the development of Texas into a prosperous province. Each of the governors complied with the request and ex- pressed himself with frankness. In the opinions rendered, we find an analysis of the causes retarding the development of Texas, and the state of affairs at the time. Their suggestions for improvements might have proved salutary had not certain events intervened to preclude the possibility of putting them into effect. Cordero's opinion. The first to reply was Governor Cordero, the veteran supporter of immigration. Convinced that the security of Texas was of paramount importance to the safety of all New Spain, he pro- posed the organization of a regiment of provincial cavalry. This force aided by an adequate body of mobile troops stationed along the frontier and on the principal river crossings would be sufficient, in the event of a sudden attack, to hold the enemy in check until reenforcements could be rushed from the interior. He apparently was not one of those who believed that an open attack by the United States was imminent, but he did believe that deficiency in the number of settlers in East Texas was largely responsible for the advance of American claims to the Sabine. In his judgment, it was important to the defence of this strategic area not only to hold and fortify Nacogdoches, but also to settle the surrounding country-and that as soon as possible. With- drawal from this outpost would certainly result in the United States' advancing claims to the Rio Grande. Fortunately for Spain, the presence of only a small garrison at Bayou Pierre had so far kept the Americans out of the territory occupied solely by Indians. Immigration was Cordero's panacea for the ills of Texas. Once started on the topic of immigration, he waxed eloquent. Cognizant of the various arguments advanced by the commandant general on different occasions for evacuating the Nacogdoches outpost, he presented argu- ments in refutation. The sickness and suffering endured by the troops in that region could be remedied by exercising foresight in arranging for their care. More settlers should be established not only at Nacogdoches and in its vicinity but also on each of the riYers between the frontier
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