Hide Article Text (OCR)
THE BEXAR ARCHIVESUniversity of Texas News ServiceAustin, Aug. 6.—The Texas-Louisiana frontier—like a magnet ■—drew men of steel from thestrongest nations. The proudest Spaniards, the keenest Frenchmen, the boldest Anglo-Americans were there to share in the profits of trade with the Redmen and, if possible, to gain the rich region for their respective countries. Quite as was to be expected, the Irish were early upon the scene ready to fight for even a chance at the rich prize.Among the first of this race to enter upon the stage, with a flourish and almost a blare of trumpets, was Philip Nolan who had been born in Belfast, Ireland, but who, under the protection of the famous Gen. James Wilkinson and the still more famous Thomas Jefferson, had turned his thoughts, toward the western country almost as soon as he had immigrated to America. It was openly whispered that Wilkinson planned to detach certain territories in the Mississippi Valley but extensive lands lying much further to the west. At the age of 20, Nolan decided to obtain permission from the Spanish authorities to engage in trade in Mexico in spite of positive prohibitory orders then in force. He wanted, he said, to catch wild horses for he knew they would bring a good profit back in Franklin, Ky., and in Natchez where he had lived for a season, since horses were greatly needed in that section. He wanted still more, though he did not say so, to map the country and to share in whatever territorial gains America might enjoy. He soon found a way and, armed with a passport from the Governor of Louisiana — who, by the way, was suspected of splitting profits with him—he made a final trip into Texas in 1801, although, on a former journey, he had been taken for a spy, had been cheated out of the goods he had taken along for trading anlt;i, had been forced to take refuge among the Indians. “The freedom and independence of the savage life” could not hold him long, however, and as soon as he had skill and prowess in the chase from his Comanche friends he finally set forth on the journey that was to bring him death instead of riches.As soon as the Spaniards learned of his plans through certain deserters from his party they made ready to meet his guile with force, as is shown by documents that are now being translated from the Bexar Archives in the library of the University of Texas. On January, 1801, Simon de Herrera wrote from Rancho de San Jose to the Governor of Texas, saying:“Confidential:“In order to protect the towns and ranches north of the colony of Nuevo Santander against the designs of the American Philip Nolan, I have set out with a detachment of 100 soldiers—in obedience to the superior orders I have received. I will march as far as the villas of Carmargo and Revilla and station myself on this the north side of Rio Grande, in the spot I deem most suitable for my purpose. I write this to you for your guidance so that you may communicate to me any information you make have acquired of Nolan’s march, since the news you reported to the governor of the colony, dated 7 and 30 or November last.“If you have any news for me,after you have sent back the messengers which will take this to you, you may send it through the captain at Bahia, whom I will inform of my whereabouts.“God keep you many years.”The commandant general, Pedro de Nava, likewise was concerned with Nolan’s activities in Texas, On March 3, 1801, he wrote the following letter from Chihuahua, addressed to the governor ad interim _ of Texas:“With your official letter number 164, dated February 4 last, I have received the testimony given by the American James Cook, and the Frenchman, Pedro Longuerville. I have also received the letters you inclosed which were written in English, and which were found on the former. I will study them, and if their contents reveal anything that demands defensive measures, I will communicate to you whatever may be necessary.“The aforesaid Cook must be kept under safe arrest for the reason I stated in my order dated February 17. When Antonio Leal and his wife Gertrudis de los San-ton arrive, you will inform them of how grave are the suspicions as to their conduct and connection with Nolan arising from the aforesaid declarations, so that until charges resulting therefrom are made, they will not try to claim ignorance and so that they may tell the truth about the designs of the said Nolan. Although I agree to let the Frenchman Longuerville go free because of your good opinion of him, nevertheless, we must be on the lookout and watch his actions.“You must not allow him to go to Nacogdoches without our permission. Whenever he has tofrish11WshShwienonTifchmibaW3edAito!edanWpaupwelaithiaAithiofbopr• IJOIeebesavekiiorrathiW)mWiinatEisera702 South Flores, San2x4 No, S all lengths 2x4 No. 2 special __$26,002820.001226,0026,00W$3.60NEWLWatch for announcement of lumt
Newspaper Details
Kerrville Mountain Sun
Kerrville, Texas, US
Thu, Aug 08, 1935
Page 8
Full Page
Clipped by
Butt-Holdsworth M.
Texas, USA 04 Dec 2021
Other Publications Near Kerrville, Texas
Kerrville Times
Hill View Times
Kerrville Mountain Sun
Kerrville Daily Times
