377
Frenc/1, Intervention in Spain and Its Reaction in Texas
Governor de Salcedo possibly had a sympathetic place in his heart for Louisianians. He again pointed out how much cheaper and more con- venient it would be to bring settlers from Louisiana than to attempt to bring them from Spain or the interior of Mexico. By opening a port on the Gulf coast and allowing the former subjects of the king to emigrate to Texas, two ends would be attained: the extension of the king's benev- olent protection to former subjects, as the king himself desired, and the increase in the population of the province. A port on the Gulf coast would enable the settlers to import the goods they needed at much more reasonable prices and to export their surplus products for much better prices. This measure would result in the rapid development of the province and the prosperity of its people. 68 In line with the petition of the go,·ernor, Bonavia called a new fmita to discuss measures for the development of Texas as a means of defence. On June 19, at nine in the morning, the meeting was opened by Bonavia in his residence. The roll call was answered by Colonel Antonio Cordero, governor of Coahuila; Lieutenant Colonel Simon de Herrera, governor of Nuevo Leon and commander of the auxiliary troops of the viceroyalty on the frontier; Lieutenant Colonel Manuel de Salcedo, governor of Texas; and Captain Mariano Varela, secretary of the Junta. Bonavia explained that the development of the province went hand in hand with its defence. A larger body of troops could not be maintained, he said, without a larger population, one capable of supplying the soldiers with food. Likewise, agriculture, trade, and the arts could not develop with- out an increase in population and adequate protection. Growth in popu- lation would bring the development of agriculture, the increase of trade, and the promotion of the arts; settlers would be attracted in larger num- bers; and the prosperity of the province would be assured. But it was necessary to begin with the simpler tasks that would lead to the attain- ment of the desired end. He, therefore, proceeded to make a number of recommendations for the consideration and approval of the ltmta. Bonavia first recommended giving more encouragement to immigrants who were former subjects of the king and gave satisfactory evidence of high moral character. This did not at all mean throwing caution to the winds and admitting undesirables. Such an extreme policy would produce nothing but evil consequences. Improvement of the settlements already established, he belieYed, was most important to the future development of the province. There was 68 M. de Salcedo to N. Salcedo, May 7, 1809. BJ,:ar Arcltiv11.
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