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Texas on the Eve of tire ivlexican Revolution
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aging settlers from Louisiana or bringing them from Spain and the interior of Mexico, and that a port be opened on the Texas coast to enable the inhabitants to import the goods they needed and export the products they raised. He elaborated on the danger from the United States, and pointed out various reasons for checking the aggressive pioneers of the West at the Sabine. The popular notion that there was nothing to fear from the Americans was a serious mistake to make, he declared, emphatically. The governor discussed at some length the importance of maintaining friendly relations with the Indians. Control over the natives was of the utmost importance for the defence of the province. He warned that although all the border Indians were then at peace, the Government would have to offer them greater trade inducements in order to retain their friendship. The Spaniards would lose their influence over the Indians unless they could offer goods at lower prices than the American traders. He suggested, therefore, the establishment of several new trading houses among the northern Indians and the erection of several presidios in the lands of the more important tribes. In connection with the Indians he discussed the mission system which he asserted was outmoded, incapable of coping with the present situation. There were only 343 Indians in the six missions of the province. The Indians, he contended, had been attracted to the missions by the assurance of food, clothing, and gifts rather than by a desire to be instructed in the teachings of Christianity. Their conversion and civilization could be more effectively attained by increasing the number of settlements and promoting more intercourse with the Spaniards. Closer relations would teach them Spanish and acquaint them with the customs and ways of civilized life. Governor Salcedo concluded his report with the statement that the most important matter to be attended to was that of increasing the population of the province. He agreed that adequate precautions should be taken to prevent the entrance of disloyal or undesirable settlers from Louisiana, but he maintained that these restrictions should not prevent the immigration of honest and hard-working colonists who desired to move to Texas. He expressed the conviction that a larger number of troops, as well as the appointment of an independent commander for the Eastern Interior Provinces, was essential to the defence and pros- perity of Texas. 1 1 Report of Governor M. de Salcedo, August 8, 1810. A. G. ,II., Historia, Opera• cw,us d11 Gt1erra, A,ios 1810-1812.
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