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Our C,z.t/1olic H e,·itage in Texas
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its de,·elopment. 61 Not until September did the commandant general approve the project officially. He expressed regret at the inability of the king's treasury to bear the customary expense of erecting the public buildings for the new villa. The details of the history of this little known settlement are, indeed, meager. 65 Stephen F. Austin's map of 1829 indicates the location and notes tersely but significantly "Destroyed by Indians." The country was not suitable for a settlement, and to this day there is not a town of any great size along the Rio Grande between Laredo and Eagle Pass. The story of the hardships and sufferings endured by the brave pioneers will remain unknown unless it will be found among the documents of some unexplored archives. 66 New Spain in revolt. With lightning rapidity the wave of discontent was spreading from Villa de Dolores over all New Spain. Thousands of natives flocked daily to swell the advancing hordes that were threat- ening the Capital itself. The viceroy and his advisors attributed the revolt to the activity of French agents, who, they claimed, had vigorously fanned into flames the smouldering fire of dissension between Creoles and Spaniards. But the rebellion had gathered force from three hundred years of misgovernment and exploitation to drive the masses of the people to join Hidalgo. Aware of the dangerous consequences of help being given the rebels from Louisiana, the commandant general urged the governor of Texas early in October, 1810, to redouble his vigilance along the frontier and at the first sign of conspiracy or revolt, to employ vigorous means to stop it. 67 The governor replied immediately that he had taken all necessary precautions against surprise, but because of the inadequate means at his disposal, he would be unable to act effectively in the event of an emergency or insurrection. It was at this critical moment that Bonavia was ordered to return to Durango, where his presence was needed to check the advance of the revolution into the northern provinces of New Spain. 68 Thus, Governor Salcedo was left practically alone to continue the policy of appeasement with the Indians, to stop American and French filibusters from crossing the frontier, to 61The original map is reproduced in Hatcher, Tl,e Opening of Texas to Foreig11 Settlem~nt, opposite page 202. 65The only available sources on Palafox are in Volume 58 of the Records in the Land Office (Austin, Texas), and the account in Hatcher, Op. Cit., 202. 66All efforts to find additional details have proved futile.
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67 N. Salcedo to M. de Salcedo, October 2, 1810. Bexar Arc/1ives. 6 8M. de Salcedo to N. Salcedo, October 27, 1810. Dhar Archives.
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