The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 9, July 1905 - April, 1906 Page: 85
ix, 294 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Spanish Abandonment and Re-Occupation of East Texas. 85
In view of the hostility of the Spanish government toward
French trade among the Indians and of the chronic complaint
about French smuggling on the border, Ybarbo's position might
be regarded as a questionable one did we not have good reason to
suspect that, in spite of a multitude of laws, such things were
customarily winked at by the local officials and lightly regarded
as a question of private morals. Once at least, however, Ybarbo's
trading activities had got him into trouble. It was during the
administration of Hugo Oconor, who, in some circles, had the un-
usual reputation of having entirely put an end to contraband trade
in Texas.1 This official tells us that at one time Ybarbo had been
imprisoned several months, in handcuffs, for complicity in the
sale at Natchitoches and New Orleans of various droves of mules
and horses stolen by the Indians from San Saba, B6xar, and
Bahia.2 Just what form the complicity took is not stated.
Notwithstanding his questionable pursuits, he was prominent in
the affairs of the locality, and was held in favor by Oconor's suc-
cessor, the Baron de Ripperda. Because of his prominence, he was
intrusted by Governor Ripperda, who had never seen him, with the
administration of the funds for purchasing the presidial supplies,
a responsibility which he is said to have discharged wisely and
honesty.3 Other indications of his good standing with the gov-
ernor and of his influence in the affairs of Texas will appear as
the story proceeds.
3. Consternation among the settlers.-As soon as he had arrived
at Adaes, Ripperda had issued an order that within five days every
one must be ready for the march to B6xar.4 To the inhabitants
this meant no less than expatriation. The love of home is deeply
rooted in the human breast-the more deeply the simpler the peo-
ple. Many of these had been born and had spent all their lives
in the place; some had personal ties across Arroyo Hondo in the
French settlement or in the Indian villages; and some had smaller
or larger material interests in ranches and in Indian trade.
It can not, therefore, cause surprise that the governor's order
'See Expediente sobre la dolosa y fingide paz.
a0conor to the viceroy, Dec. 31, 1775. Quaderno que Corresponde, 41.
'Testimony of Father Garza, Nov. 14, 1787 (B(xar Arhcives).
'Ybarbo to Oconor, Jan. 8, 1774, in Quaderno que Corresponde, 6.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 9, July 1905 - April, 1906, periodical, 1906; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101036/m1/89/?rotate=270: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.