Our C at/1olic If eritage in T p;ra.r
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the real purpose of the royal order of September Io, 1772. Los Adaes, he assured the viceroy, had long been the center of contraband trade in arms and ammunition, carried on among the Indians in spite of repeated royal orders to the contrary. The Marques de Rubi had been moved primarily by this consideration in recommending its abandonment. Hence the real reasons for the desired return to east Texas of lbarbo and his companions was that they might engage in this illicit trade. He regretted the whole-hearted support and endorsement given to the project by the governor and bitterly reproved him for his lack of judgment in having permitted a northern Indian to go to Mexico City with a passport. This afforded potential enemies an opportunity to learn the routes into Coahuila and its defenses. It grieved him to see others obstructing the execution of the orders of the king, while he was laboring day and night to put them into execution. His present duties made it impossible for him to go to Texas. He asked the viceroy, therefore, to instruct Governor Ripperda in the strictest terms to carry out to the letter the orders with respect to the exiles from Los Adaes and to suppress all contraband trade from Natchitoches. 17 Areche, the Fiscal, was deeply impressed by the report of Oconor, with whom he was personally acquainted. The objections raised by so faithful and loyal a servant of the king deserved consideration. He recommended, therefore, on March 28 that the question of the return to Los Adaes be reconsidered by a Junta. The viceroy accepted his advice, a new Junta was convoked on May 5, and after due deliberation it was decided to submit the previous decision to Oconor for his approval or rejection. 11 Effect of Oconor's opposition. lbarbo and Flores ret1,rn to Texas. If the reoccupation of east Texas was left to Oconor an adverse decision was inevitable. The two emissaries felt their presence in Mexico was no longer necessary. They decided to play their trump card and to make one final appeal to the sympathy of the viceroy. On May 10, they addressed a petition to Bucareli, stating their sorrowful plight and how they had survived only through the mercy of His Excellency, who had generously ordered a daily allowance of two r1al1s (twenty-five cents) to each for his maintenance. They could stay 17 0conor to the Viceroy, February 21, 1774. A. G. M. Historla, Vol. 51, pp. 274-280. llAreche to the Viceroy, March 28, 1774, Junta of May S, A. G. M. Hi1tt>ria, Vol. 51, pp. 280-283, 301-304,
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