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Om- Catleolic Heritage in Texas
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where his services as governor were greatly needed and had long been missed:' 0 The liberal party in Texas lost one of its most able and courageous leaders. Cordero's associates thereafter did not dare openly oppose the commandant general. They resorted to less direct methods, which were as effective in obtaining their end. Bonavia and Manuel de Salcedo seemed to be possessed of a blind faith in the goodness of human nature and believed that immigration would solve the problem of defend- ing the province and of developing its resources. The commandant gen- eral, more experienced in dealing with men, had long since learned to distrust all Louisiana immigrants, whether American, French, or Span- ish. Numerous cases of treachery and deceit had increased this distrust of his, and subsequent events in Texas amply vindicated him in his opinion about the majority of the immigrants who gained admission in spite of his determined opposition. Conditions in East Texas. Early in 1809 Governor Salcedo had informed the commandant general that he was about to undertake an inspection of the province. Summer came and went, but there was no inspection. Commandant General Salcedo, uneasy over the disquieting news concerning French agents and American filibusters, wrote the gov- ernor in August to urge him to proceed without further delay to execute the long-postponed tour of inspection. He instructed the governor to make a list of all persons, particularly of all foreigners and recent immigrants, in order that those who had violated any regulation might be expelled immediately as provided by the Laws of tl,e lndies. 41 In spite of this peremptory order, the tour was not undertaken until some six months later. Instead, Governor Salcedo contented himself with ordering all local officials to take a census, which he sent to the commandant general. A careful study of the reports convinced the commandant general that many foreigners had succeeded in evading the immigration laws, and were now living in the five Texas settlements. Many of these, especially in Villa de Salcedo, should never have been admitted under any cir- cumstances. In despair, Commandant General Salcedo now appealed to Bonavia, pointing out that many of the settlers were undesirable on account of their religion, their nationality, and their questionable char- acter. He severely criticized the Texas officials for their negligence in enforcing the laws designed to keep this type of immigrant out of the country, and instructed Bonavia to request Governor Salcedo to start
4 0N. Salcedo to Bonavia, June 6, 1809. Bexar Archives. 41N. Salcedo to M. de Salcedo, August 7, 1809. Bexar Arclzives.
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