The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 10, July 1906 - April, 1907 Page: 22
ix, 354 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Texas Historical Association Quarterly.
mentioned, they supplemented this service by acting as the direct
agents of the Spanish governor, who shared the profits of their
trade. Even if this latter statement were true, and there certainly
it reason to doubt it, their reported complicity with the governor
availed them but little. After remaining upon the Trinity two
months and ten days, Blancpain and his companions were arrested
in October, 1754, and sent to Mexico City, where they were ex-
amined on the 19th of the following February. Their succeeding
fate is uncertain. One writer reports that he met Blancpain in
Spain, whither he was transported, and another that he died in
prison in Mexico City.'
Barrios's term of office was to close in 1756. As the time drew
rLnear he may have feared some unpleasant complications from the
above affair in his inevitable residencia, or official inquiry into
his administration. Accordingly, he represented to the viceroy the
danger that menaced the province from French clandestine trade
on the Trinity. Moved by the actual instance as well as by his
vigorous representations, a junta of war held in 1755 decided to
erect a new presidio upon that river and to settle some fifty Tlas-
calan families in its vicinity. Barrios then effected an arrange-
ment with his 'destined successor, Lieutenant Don Angel de Mar-
tos y Navarrete, by which Barrios remained in Texas a year longer
to assist in the erection of this new post, known as San Agustin
de Ahumada.2
Notwithstanding his vigorous action in the case of Blancpain,
Barrios found that he had not frightened away all French intrud-
ers. Below Adaes, on the little river Flores, a certain M. Mass6
established himself with his slaves; while a short distance away
lived a M. Cortablan, likewise "without any other authority than
'Bonilla, loo. cit.; Memorias de Nueva Espafa, XXVII; Morff, Memorias,
316, 317; Historia XLIII, Doc. LXX, Pars. 3, 5; Ibid., XLI, Par. 383.
The details of this incident, as given by the ordinary authorities, includ-
ing Morff, seem greatly distorted. Fortunately, my friend Prof. H. E.
Bolton, has helped straighten the story by calling my attention to the
fact that Blancpain's own statement, dated February 19, 1755, is to 'be
found in the Bcxar Archives. This document not only serves to fix the
date of the incident, but also throws doubt upon the charge of Governor
Barrios's complicity in the illicit trade carried on by the Frenchmen.
ABancroft, North Mexican States and Tewas, I 643; Cf. also the authori-
ties cited in the previous note. Later this post was more familiarly
known as Orcoquisac.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 10, July 1906 - April, 1907, periodical, 1907; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101040/m1/30/?rotate=270: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.