Texas on tlze Eve of the irlexican Revolution
423
at once on his tour of inspection with an adequate number of troops to expel immediately all who had gained admission illegally. The governor was to be told not to return to Bexar until he had satisfactorily carried out this important mission. 42 Upon being informed of the commandant general's serious charge of negligence preferred against him, Governor Salcedo made a spirited reply. He disclaimed responsibility for the admission of objectionable characters, defended the integrity of the immigrants in general, and pro- tested against their arbitrary expulsion. He declared that the majority of the settlers, impelled by a desire to continue to live under the bene,·olent laws of the king of Spain, had moved either prior to or immediately after the retrocession of Louisiana. Their long residence in Texas and the circumstances under which they had felt compelled to immigrate were eloquent proof of their loyalty to Spain, he nah·ely contended. Arbitrary expulsion at this late hour, he warned, would but increase the number of dissatisfied squatters forced into the Neutral Ground, where numerous disreputable characters had already found refuge and were constantly harassing the province and carrying on a profitable contra- band trade. More pressing duties had prevented him from undertaking the long-contemplated tour of inspection, the governor explained, and although a year had elapsed, he assured the commandant general the delay had been unavoidable. He concluded by presenting an earnest plea against the arbitrary expulsion of foreigners, and asked to be authorized to use his own discretion in disposing of individual cases. He ventured to suggest that undesirable settlers found in East Texas be removed to the interior of the province instead of being expelled, pointing out that their removal from the frontier would put an end to their illegal activities. 43 When Bonavia transmitted the reply, he took occasion to endorse Governor Salcedo's suggestion ,for removing undesirable settlers farther into the interior. He maintained that the expulsion of all foreigners at this time would result in unnecessary excitement and confusion on the eastern frontier. The governor was right, Bonavia asserted, in that those who would be expelled would probably join the already too numerous dcsperados in the Neutral Ground and add to the worries of frontier officials. In an effort to allay the fears of the commandant general, Bonavia declared that the danger of French attack was remote. since
42 N. Salcedo to Bonavia, January 9, 1810. Berar Arcl1iv1s. "M. de Salcedo to N. Salcedo, January 21, 1810. Bex11r Archives.
Powered by FlippingBook