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French Intervention in Spain and Its Reaction in Texas
At the same time Bonavia wrote directly to Corne!, Spain's Secretary of War, to present the case of Texas as he saw it, for he was convinced that his request for putting a constructive program into operation with regard to immigration and free trade would be refused by the com- mandant general. In this interesting communication he declared that he and the others who were actually acquainted with the true conditions were in absolute agreement on the policy that should be adopted to defend the province. They, too, opposed the commandant general's plans of not only abandoning certain strategic frontier areas, but also of restricting still further the immigration of former subjects desirous of forming new settlements in Texas. They wished to go on record as in disfavor of those pln!"ls and in favor of admitting all immigrants except individuals proved disloyal. "In my opinion," he declared, "encouraging communications by sea and land and permitting free trade would be the best means of increasing the population." The introduction of families at government expense, he believed, should be left out of consideration. Such a scheme would be tantamount to robbing Peter to pay Paul. In the past, the region whence they came was depopulated, the treasury was burdened not only by unnecessary but also by excessive expenses, and the settlers were generally dissatisfied with the place to which they were moved. The policy had ultimately brought misfortune and unhap- piness to all concerned. \,Visely he remarked, "Wherever people find prosperity, protection, and security, there they will go without being called." Bonavia did not consider the United States a serious menace, because he thought the Constitution did not allow of the vigor necessary to make for conquest. He realized, however, that the avaricious, unscrupulous, and aggressive citizens had to be watched constantly and held back by an adequate force. The frontier commander pleaded with the Secretary of War for the establishment of the independent command of the Eastern Interior Provinces as previously planned. This he regarded as essential to the effective protection of the province and all New Spain. To post- pone enactment of this measure was to continue wasting time and squan- dering opportunities. He made it plain that he had no personal interest in the matter and was not advocating the measure in order to be appointed commander. "If I had been commandant general of the Interior ProY- inces," he wrote, "I would haYt! delegated the! command of the Eastern Interior Provinces to Colonel Antonio Cordero. who. in addition to expert knowledge on all pertinent matters. possesses the professional skill of a
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