French lnte,-vention iu Spain ,md Its Reac:tion in Texas
387
The new governor believed that there was urgent need of immediately obtaining sufficient troops to restr~in the overambitious neighbors. In order to determine the effective manpower of the province, and to train and discipline them, he suggested the enlistment of all able-bodied men. He made the observation that the troops needed more discipline and the officers further training in their duties. He doubted that there were more than two or three officers in the three companies of presidial troops in Texas fitted for taking command in an emergency, or even for com- manding an outpost. 82 Bonavia had already suggested organizing the militia of Coahuila and Texas into regiments. This proposal had been made by Godoy at the time that the plans for reorganizing the Eastern Interior Provinces under General Grimarest were being considered. But the commandant general was unwilling to make the innovation. N. Salcedo argued that the population was too sparse, and that the troops stationed in the various presidios of Texas were doing their part in promoting the development of the province, for upon expiration of their term of service, they took up the life of settlers in the frontier establishments and protected them against Indians. 83 Governor Manuel de Salcedo conceded that presidial companies were invaluable in establishing new settlements in Indian territory, but he believed that they were not conducive to developing communities of solid and dependable citizens. The presidial troops in Texas had performed their duty, he acknowledged, but they should be reorganized to cope with the better trained troops of the United States or moved to other Indian outposts. Then the new governor employed contradictory argu- ments to press his point for reorganizing the presidia! troops. He asserted that the sale of Louisiana had changed the status of the Texas frontier and had made its defence more important than the establishment of settlements on the frontier. Furthermore, the presidios in Texas were such only in name, for their commanders were subservient to the civil authorities, and their fortifications were absolutely inadequate. Under the circumstances, he believed that the presidia! companies should be reorganized into militia." Bonavia's views were sustained by Cordero, who pointed out that one of the original intentions in organizing presidia! companies had been 82j\,f. de Salcedo to Bonavia, June 26, 1809. Naco_rrdoches Arclth•es, Vol. XI, pp. 1:2-15.
83N, Salcedo to Bonavia, June :27, 1809. Bfrar Arclth,,:s, "M. de Salcedo to Bonavia, July 24, 1809. Bexar A rckfo,,s.
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