011,r Catholic Heritage in Texas
military commander and the ability of a diplomat in maintaining friend- ship with the Indians." 66 Neither the detailed opinions of the three governors in Texas nor the arguments of the new frontier commander convinced the cautious com- mandant general. As early as May 13, N. Salcedo instructed Bonavia to make no changes whatsoever in the existing regulations in regard to either immigration or trade until the whole matter was considered by the viceroy. To a second proposal for adopting simpler regulations he replied on June 22 that, in view of the warning issued by the /zmta Central concerning the plans of Napoleon, it was imperative to close the doors completely to all Louisianians irrespective of their reasons for seeking admission. To put a stop to all communication between the two provinces, it was necessary also to arrest every Spanish subject returning to Texas. 67 The new governor, Manuel de Salcedo, was not easily dissuaded. He seems to have been earnestly concerned about developing the province placed in his care. Early in May, before the commandant general had repeated his stringent orders to stop all immigration, the governor made another review of the situation in Texas, and pleaded that more liberal immigration and trade policies were essential to the development of the province. He sought, likewise, the determination of the Texas-Louisiana boundary and the colonization of Texas. Governor de Salcedo severely condemned the removal of settlers from Atascosito to Villa Salcedo. He requested the immediate authorization of new settlements on the Frio, the Nueces, and the Arroyo San Miguel for easier and safer communi- cations between Texas, Coahuila, and Nuevo Santander. Doubtlessly informed by Cordero of the failure in 1806 to occupy the Nueces with immigrants from Nuevo Santander, he adjudged that policy short- sighted, and advocated new settlements in all directions from San Antonio. He suggested that they be established at Tortuga, one of the villages of the Taovayas on Red River; at Palo Alto, in the vicinity of the Tawakoni; at the village of the Tonkawas on the headwaters of the Colorado; and along the coast. The settlements on the Colorado and the Red would prove useful in maintaining communications with New Mexico, while those on the coast would prevent the invasion of Spanish territory from the sea. 66Bonavia to Corne!, May 31, 1809. The letter is cited In full by Hatcher, The Oper,ing of Texas to Foreign Settlement, 157-1 58. 6 7 N. Salcedo to Bonavia, May 13, and June 22, 1809. A. G. I., Audiencia de Guadalajara, 104-2-2 5 (Dunn Transcripts, 1800-1819, pp. :a I o-:.i I 2).
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