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Frenclt l11terventio11- in Spain and Its Reaction in Texas
made the sarcastic remark that there was little likelihood of Spanish, much less foreign, ships appearing at the port in the near future; that since the only vessel likely to put in soon at San Bernardo was that of De la Rosa, a whole maritime office was not essential to his reception. He informed Bonavia that as he considered De la Rosa a confirmed smuggler, he had issued orders for his arrest and detention and for the confiscation of all his goods. He instructed Bonavia to remind the governor of these orders and enjoined him to cooperate in their enforce- ment.77 Bonavia attempted to disabuse the commandant general of the idea that contraband was general by attempting to prove that it was insignificant; that, as a matter of fact, it was dictated by direst neces- sity; and that to attempt to stop it completely would prove to be a short- sighted policy. In a long letter to Nemesio Salcedo on September 20 he wrote that the frequent arrest of smugglers reflected great credit on the officials in Texas for trying to enforce the law. The kind of con- fiscated merchandise and its petty value bore eloquent testimony, however, to the motive that prompted it-not profit, but necessity. The contraband · traders in Texas were not defiantly violating the law; the wretched con- dition of the inhabitants of the province compelled them to deal in contra- band in order to supply the necessities of life. It would be better, he advised. to remove the cause of smuggling- than to punish with severity those who were constrained to furnish contraband goods. He explained that the majority of the people in Texas were farmers and cattle raisers in possession of a surplus of agricultural products and stock. but in need of clothes, furniture, and the essential comforts of life. For these goods they had to journey once or twice a year to the fair at Saltillo, where they were cheated and robbed by peddlers, who bought their goods on credit at exorbitant prices. Freightage to Texas increased the price on the merchandise. The same articles, but of much better quality, could be secured in the United States at much lower prices. Were the smugglers or the people of Texas to be blamed, Bonavia challenged, for either illegally introducing or purchasing these necessary goods at reasonable prices? Moreover, the unguarded frontier constituted an irresistible temptation to engage in contraband trade. The solution of the problem was to open the authorized port which would enable the inhabitants of the province to obtain necessities legally by exporting surplus products and importing goods they needed either free of duty or on payment of a
77 N. Salcedo to Bonavia, September 7, 1809. A. G. I., Audiencia de Guadalajara, 104-2-25 (Dunn Transcripts, 1800-1819, pp. 264-265).
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