Plans for tile Reorgani::;ation of tile Frontier
209
His Majesty should be inclined to leave it in the hands of France, then. the better to provide for the future," the counsdor said, "I recommend a stipulation by which it should be understood that France shall never cede that Province either to the English or to the colonists themselves, without the consent of Spain, reserving its reversion to us, whene,·er France shall be disposed to part with it." Grimaldi added his recommendations for the retention of the colony and the crushing of the incipient revolt directed by members of the council. The king accepted the recommendations and decided to put down the revolt and retain Louisiana for obvious political reasons. · Having decided on the policy to be pursued, Spain acted with unaccus- tomed energy and decision. Alexander O'Reilly, lieutenant-general and inspector of the Spanish army, was on the point of sailing for America to inspect Spanish fortifications in the Gulf area. He was instructed to hasten his departure to Havana, take such troops and armament as were needed from Cuba, and proceed secretly to Louisiana, where he was to suppress the rebellion, punish its leaders with as much clemency as was possible under the circumstances, remo,·e all those whose presence endan- gered the tranquillity of the colony, and restore order. He was given considerable discretion and was invested with almost dictatorial powers in order to meet whatever situation might arise "on account of the distance we are from that country," declared Grimaldi. O'Reilly was primarily a military man and his long experience in i;:uropc had taught him the importance of thoroughness. With a force variously estimated as between three and four thousand seasoned Spanish troops, a train or artillery of fifty guns, and all the necessary supplies and ammunition, he set sail from Havana about the middle of July with a frigate and twenty-three or twenty-eight transports. The expedition anchored at Balize on July 23. 1769. Francisco Bouligny was sent immedi- ately to report the arrival to Aubry in New Orleans and to prepare for the official reception of the new governor and the taking possession of Louisiana in the name of Spain. All opposition vanished upon receipt of the news of the arrival of the Spanish expedition. For several months the jubilant citizens of New Orleans had bee;:n apprehensive of the repressive measures that might be adopted by Spain. Only a few spoke of opposing the landing of O'Rdlly and his men. After some consultation with Aubry. the leaders of the revolt deciclecl to throw thcmselYcs upon the mercy of the new governor.
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