F1·encli Intervention in Spain and Its Reaction in Texas
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furnished means to carry out his plans.' 3 Bonavia at the same time wrote directly to Francisco Saavedra, Secretary of the Junta Suprema in Spain, deploring his inability to take positive action under the circumstances. He explained that, in order to attain the desired end, it was necessary that no obstacles be placed in his way, and that he be furnished the means necessary to put his program into operation. 7 ~ Port of San Bernardo and free trade. Determined to institute a new era, Bonavia called another Junta on July 20 to consider establishing direct water communications between Texas and Vera Cruz and opening a port for free trade. By way of introduction, he informed the Junta that he had recently authorized Francisco de la Rosa to proceed from Matagorda Bay to Vera Cruz to place himself at the disposal of the viceroy, to whom he had written recommending the employment of De la Rosa. He had requested at the same time the appointment of someone competent to take accurate soundings and to make a careful exploration and survey for the Port of San Bernardo, near La Bahia on Matagorda Bay. A survey of the port had been ordered by the commandant general three years before, but for some inexplicable reason it had been dropped. He reminded the assembled officials that the royal orders for opening a port on the Gulf coast were tantamount to authorization of free trade. The question in his mind, he said, was whether the king had intended to extend this privilege to only Texas citizens or to all the inhabitants of the Interior Provinces. The new frontier commander said he was inclined to accept the latter interpretation, as he was convinced that the king's intention was to promote the welfare of the entire commandancy. He pointed out that importation and exportation by only the citizens of Texas would encourage smuggling in all the other Interior Provinces. Once started, smuggling would be practically impossible to stop. It is to be remembered that Bonavia had been mstrumental in formu- lating and establishing the commercial reforms of Charles II I, which had granted the colonies a large measure of free trade. He was thor- oughly conversant with the subject. As an illustration of what to avoid, he cited the case of Florida, where by royal decree the resident subjects had been exempted from the payment of all duties on imports and exports. The intention of the king had been to encourage the settlement and development of the province. But this exemption, intended to apply only 73 Bonavia to N. de Salcedo, June 28, 1809. A. G. I., Audiencia de Guadalajara, 104-2-25 (Dunn Transcripts, 1800-1819, p. 226). 14 Bonavia to Francisco Saavedra, June 28, 1809. Ibid., pp. 221-222.
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