Our Catl,olic H e1-itagc in T cxas
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interpreters of native languages as pathfinders. One of the leaders who reached the Pecos and New Mexico in 1752 was an interpreter, the same as in the case of Blancpain. Should the French succeed in establishing a post on the Trinity, they would sever communication between San Antonio and the missions on the Neches, Nacogdoches, and Los Adaes. Measures to occupy the Trinity must be taken at once. He expressed surprise at the opposition of the Fisct1l to a civil settle- ment at royal expense. Valcarcel, an experienced officer and follower of the farsighted Marques de Altamira, strongly pointed out that the founding of a civil settlement would obviate the need of a regular garrison in a few years, citing many instances to prove his contention. The military force assigned to the new post should be temporary and the time of service specifically limited to six years. The settling of fifty families at royal expense would prove a great saving in a few years by eliminating the need of maintaining a permanent presidio. He recom- mended that the governor be immediately instructed to explore the country and to select an appropriate site for a mission, a temporary presidia. and a settlement. The three French prisoners and the two negroes should be sent to Spain for trial.n Deatli of Bla11cpai11 and fate of companions. The viceroy approved the recommendations of Valcarcel in regard to the disposition of the prisoners, who were notified shortly thereafter of their early embarkation for Spain. Joseph Blancpain had been ill for some time and now pleaded that the trip would endanger his very life. On January 5, 1756, the ,·iceroy ordered Doctors Antonio Martinez, Nicolas Torres, and Domingo Russi to examine the prisoner and make a report. The doctors reported that the unsanitary conditions of confinement and a poor diet had aggravated a hereditary ailment which the prisoner had suffered for ten years. He was in no condition to travel and needed a long treatment that could not be administered in the prison. Before much could be done, however, the unfortunate Frenchman became worse and died on Febru- ary 6. Two court doctors made the autopsy and testified as to the causes of his death. 26 On March 14, 1756, Elias George and Antonio Dessars, together with 1 I 7 s s; Respuesta Fiscal, October 29, Decreto de! Virrey, January 5 1 17 56; Medical report, same date, in A. G. I., Audiencia de Guadalajara, 103-6-23 (Dunn Transcripts, I 7 56), pp. 83-92; Certificaci6n de los medicos sobre la muerte de! reo frances Blancpain, San Francisco el Grande Archive, Vol. 6, pp. t 89-190. 25 Dictamen de! Auditor, October I I, I 7 55, in ibid., pp. 65-82. 26 Escripto de Blancpain, October 2 5
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