The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 17, July 1913 - April, 1914 Page: 33

The Louisiana-Texas Frontier

the Rio Grande was a strong reason for Spanish jealousy of their
presence. The Indian trader, Davenport, warned Ugarte that the
Americans would insist upon this claim. Casa Calvo urged El-
guezabal to meet their advances on the Sabine. The general effect
of these admonitions was shown in Nimecio Salcedo's orders to keep
all foreigners from the Texas frontier and to organize scouting
parties to search for possible American intruders. On the other
hand, Claiborne emphasized these fears and resulting movements
as affording an opportunity to obtain the Floridas by relinquishing
all claims beyond the Sabine. This suggestion, in addition to
those of similar nature already given by Clark and Dunbar, may
have influenced the instructions given to Monroe and Pinckney.s
The Spaniards of the Internal Provinces had not awaited the
formal transfer of Louisiana before taking measures to prevent the
inroad of foreigners. Nimecio de Salcedo instructed the Governor
of Texas to allow Spanish subjects to remove from Louisiana, to
Texas, provided they settled far enough from the border to pre-
vent contraband practices. In December, 1803, the viceroy closed
his dominions to those who continued to reside in Louisiana. Sal-
cedo forbade any American to approach the disputed frontier. In
these orders we note the general dread inspired by the Americans in
view of unmarked boundaries and the uncertain allegiance of the
Indians.'"
The Americans soon learned the existence of this feeling and
uniformly misinterpreted it. In February, 1804, Claiborne re-
ported to Madison that a large Spanish force was marching from
Mexico to the province of "Tacus." This movement, the disorder
prevalent in certain communities of western Louisiana, and the
refusal to hold office under his administration he associated
with Spanish fear and jealousy. He insisted still more strongly on
this when he heard that the Spanish were strengthening their forti-
fications at Nacogdoches.20 Just at this time Salcedo informed the
'SElguezabal to Salcedo, May 9, August 1, October 10, December 19, 1804;
Casa Calvo to Elguezabal, March 5, 1804; Ugarte to Elguezabal, October 8,
1804; MSS., Bexwar Archives. Also Claiborne to Madison, January 24, 1804.
Claiborne Correspondence. Parker, No, 6919.
"9Salcedo to Viceroy, October 18, 1803, MSS., Archivo General, Californias,
Vol. 22; Salcedo to Elguezabal, January 18, 19, and May 2, 1804. MSS.,
Bexar Archives.
20Claiborne to Madison, March-June, 1804. Parker, Nos. 6950, 6953, 6995,
6996, 7002.