Our Catliolic Heritage in Texas
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a marked departure from the traditional policy of Spain, was the result not of liberalism on the part of the king, but of a growing fear of attack by either the English or the Americans. The frontier of the Spanish possessions in America and of the now independent and aggressive English colonies had at last met. The onward rush to the West had brought the Americans to the banks of the Mississippi. The viceroy warned the king that the establishment of communication between the two provinces and the extension of the boundary of the Province of Louisiana would entail considerable expense.s Three years later, with hostilities about to break out between Spain and France in which England might become involved, the viceroy took up the matter again. He considered as impractical the whole plan of opening a port on the Texas coast and of encouraging trade between the two provinces. "This great project, as well as other similar ones, proposed by the first commandant of the Interior Provinces and the Viceroy Conde de Galvez," he declared, "are praiseworthy undertakings, but they require many years and imply infinite combinations." The proximity of aggressive neighbors made its realization impossible. The time was not opportune for undertaking new settlements. There could be no objection to the extension of the boundary of Louisiana to the Sabine River, since both provinces were Spanish possessions. But before the jurisdiction was extended, it would be highly advisable to appoint a capable person to make a survey and draw maps of the areas involved in order to determine the best policy to be adopted in view of the obvious danger of attack. He had begun to take steps to carry out the survey, but before he was able to complete the necessary preparations, the commandant of the Interior Provinces was declared completely independent of the viceroy. He consequently sent to him all the docu- ments and maps relative to the subject. He was of the opinion, however, that given the circumstances that now prevailed, no innovation should be made in regard to the commercial relations between the two provinces; that all trade between Texas and Louisiana should cease; and that traders from Louisiana should be prohibited from entering Texas under heavy penalties. Furthermore, in order to put an end to illicit trade and contraband, it might be advisable to abandon Nacogdoches which now served as a half-way station and a safe hiding place for smuggled goods. If this post was not to be aban-
SV!ceroy Revillagigedo to Antonio Porlier, April 27, 1791. A. G. /., Audiencia de Mexico, 89-6-14 (Dunn Transcripts, 1787-1791, pp. 178-187).
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