Our C at/10lic Heritage in T cxas
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the first accredited representative of Spain to arrive. Vague rumors of the cession had reached the colonists, but they refused to believe their mother country capable of such a deed. When the official communication was published "consternation and despair were universal." 11 A public meeting was called by the bereaved citizens and a stirring appeal to Louis XV prepared, begging to be kept under the government of France. Jean Milhet, the richest merchant of New Orleans, left shortly thereafter for Paris to present the petition. In vain did he and the aged Bienville, founder of Louisiana, now eighty-six years old, plead with Choiseul for an interview with the king. "I am deeply grieved at not being able to give you any hope," the minister replied. "I have no hesitation to tell you that I cannot address the King on this subject, because I myself advised the cession of Louisiana." 12 In the meantime another year passed without the arrival of Spanish officials and the voluble citizens of Louisiana placidly convinced themselves that the cession had been annulled or would never be carried into effect. Governor D'Abbadie died on February 4, 1765, and was succ;eeded by Philippe Aubry. Great was the shock experienced, therefore, when in the summer of that year an official communication was received in New Orleans from Don Antonio de Ulloa, dated in Havana on July 10, announcing his arrival to take possession of Louisiana in the name of the King of Spain. A wave of deep resentment at their abandonment by France swept the colony and talk of resistance was soon heard. When Ulloa finally appeared on March 5. 1766. he was accorded a cold and sullen reception. The Spanish governor sized up the situation at once and tactfully decided to postpone the formal transfer in view of his small military escort. The French soldiers refused to accept service under Spain. The people of New Orleans were openly rebellious. Ulloa agreed to allow Aubry to continue to govern. The Spanish flag was to be raised at Balize, where Ulloa would reside, and at all other posts in Louisiana except New Orleans. He quietly proceeded to gather first-hand information on conditions in his province and tried by eYery means to give as little offence to his resentful new subjects as possible. Aubry showed as much tact as Ulloa. His letter of January 20, I 768. reveals the success he had attained in preventing an open rupture. "My position is most extraordinary," he declares. "I command for the King of France and 11 Goodspeed, Tlte Province and tlte States, I, 242; Gayarre, History of Louisiana, II, 113. UGayarre, o-p. cit., II, 129.
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