Ow- Catliolic Heritage in Texas
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and San Antonio, as well as along the coast. He reminded Bonavia that the king had three years previously authorized the opening of the Port of San Bernardo. Opening this port now would contribute greatly to the development of all the Interior Provinces, and would at the same time strengthen the defences of Texas. The maintenance of friendly relations with all the Indian tribes he considered to be equally important. To that end, he advocated the estab- lishment of a general trading house in San Antonio, with branches at Bayou Pierre, Nacogdoches, and Villa Salcedo. These Spanish trading posts would cut down American-Indian trade, which was quite extensive. He pointed out that through trade the natives' friendship was won or lost. He made one more recommendation. It seemed to him that, in view of the importance of the province of Texas in the general plan for the defence of the entire northern frontier, its commander should be given military jurisdiction over all the Interior Provinces. He suggested that he be invested with powers similar to those which had been granted General Grimarest. 62 The efforts of Governor Cordero to secure settlers from the interior of Mexico for establishing the proposed settlement west of San Antonio, as well as for the new Villa de San Marcos de Neve, have already been noted. His work as a colonizer had won him some reputation in the northern provinces of Mexico. One of his greatest admirers and best promoters was Father Jose Maria Puelles, former missionary of Nacog- doches. Everywhere he went, he told of Cordero's success in founding colonies, and enumerated the natural advantages which the province offered prospective settlers. In March, 1·809, . Father Puelles wrote Cordero that 100 families, more than 1,500 persons, had decided to go to Texas but were held back only by lack of transportation. They were ready to enlist for military service in the province, provided they were furnished the means of moving their families and effects. The missionary enthusiastically extolled the character of the colonists, and added that many of them were persons of unusual attainments and considerable wealth. He assured the governor that many were anxious to answer his call, because they had heard of his remarkable success in establishing settlements in Texas. This letter, in spite of its exaggeration and flattery, evidences the results of Cordero's efforts in promoting interest in Texas among the inhabitants of the northern provinces of Mexico.
62 Cordero to Bonavia, April 23, 1809. Bexar A rcliiv es.
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