Our Catholic Heritage in Te.i:as
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Governor Cabello became worried over the threatening attitude of the so-called friendly Indians. He was surprised at the insolence of the natives who, while claiming to be friendly, committed depredations and openly insulted the Spaniards. "The Indians," he said, "within our own borders are as co\·etous as those outside; in a word, they are all Indians." He urged Croix to take immediate steps to appease the nations of north- east Texas by sending trading agents. 77 By the end of August, Governor Cabello had become convinced that the solution to the problem of growing Indian discontent and Comanche hostilities was the establishment of a garrison at Nacogdoches. He informed Croix, on August 31, that the most important consideration to aid the settlers now at Nacogdoches and to appease the Indians was to authorize the establishment of a military garrison. This could be made up in its entirety from enlisted volunteers recruited among the settlers. If there were not enough men at Nacogdoches, half of them could be enlisted in San Antonio. The force should consist of an officer, a sergeant, two corporals, and twenty soldiers. The officer in charge could be assigned twenty-two pesos a month, the sergeant eighteen, the corporals fifteen, and the soldiers tweh-e. This would imply a monthly expense of three hundred and ten pesos, or an annual expenditure of three thousand se\"en hundred twenty pt!sos. In the opinion of the governor, men could be secured for the salaries indicated if these were paid in cash. Under the arrangement proposed, there would be a competent detachment of troops always on duty, who could meet any emergency without the need of calling upon San Antonio for aid. Furthermore. the payment of the men in cash would pro\"e a great incenti\·e to the settlers, who had no other source for cash sale of their products. 78 The concrete plan proposed by Go\·ernor Cabello received careful consideration and e,·entually resulted in the establishment of a garrison at Nacogdoches.; 9 Recognition of Nacogdocltt!s. The Comandante General referred the matter of the approval to Pedro Galindo Navarro, an able and judicious- minded adviser. In a remarkable report this officer reYiewec.l the whole case and made the recommendations that resulted in the approval of the settlement on the former site of l\I ission Nacogcloches. I-I e pointed out that the original question of authorizing the settlers to remain at Bucareli 77 Governor Cabello to Teodoro de Croix, June 20, 1 7i9• In / bid., pp. 53i-5J8. ; 8 Governor Cabello to Croix, August 31, 1 7i9• A. G. ,If., H isloric1, Vol. 5 I, pp. 551-553. 79 The development of Nacogdoches will be the subject of a chapter in Volume V.
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