spanish texas spanish texas interior provinces spanish colonial history spain claimed ownership territory comprised present day state texas including land north attempt area locating evidence failed french colony fort saint louis escorted catholic missionaries east texas established mission texas native tribes resisted spanish invasion homeland missionaries returned mexico abandoning texas decades spanish returned southeastern texas establishing missions maintain spanish territory french colonial louisiana district new france years later civilian settlement texas san_antonio established way station missions nearest existing settlement new town quickly target raids raids continued periodically decades spanish settlers peoples peace treaty angered enemies resulted raids spanish settlements tribes fear indian attacks area rest discouraged settlers moving texas remained populated immigrants provinces threat attacks decrease spain peoples peace agreement tribe later assisted defeating tribes continued cause difficulties settlers increase number missions province allowed peaceful indian reductions tribes end 18th century nomadic hunting gathering tribes area converted france formally relinquished claim region texas french louisiana ceded inclusion spanish louisiana meant texas longer essentially province easternmost texas settlements disbanded population relocating san_antonio spain gave louisiana france france sold territory known united_states president insisted purchase included land east rocky_mountains north large southwestern dispute resolved compromise spain ceded spanish florida united_states return recognition eastern boundary spanish texas western boundary claims vast spanish territories west province new_mexico mexican war independence texas experienced turmoil governor overthrown rebels persuaded release assist organizing counter coup years later north consisting primarily indians americans texas government executed spanish response brutal fewer hispanic citizens remained texas spain forced relinquish control texas province newly formed nation mexico leading period texas history known mexican texas spanish left deep mark texas european livestock caused spread inland farmers land changing landscape forever spanish language provided names rivers towns counties currently exist spanish architectural concepts flourish texas eventually adopted anglo american legal system spanish legal practices retained including concept homestead exemption community property location spanish texas colonial province northeastern mainland region southern edge bordered province boundary provinces set line formed miles northeast east texas bordered french louisiana spain claimed formed boundary france insisted border miles west mexican independence spain initial colonization attempts claimed texas spain area largely ignored spain late seventeenth century spanish learned france established colony area florida believing french colony threat spanish mines shipping routes spanish king recommended spain needed swift action remove thrust heart america greater delay greater difficulty having idea find french colony spanish launched expeditions land sea years unable fulfill original goal locating french settlement expeditions provide spain deeper understanding geography gulf_coast region expedition discovered french living southern texas april helped guide spanish fort saint louis destroyed expedition met representatives people lived trinity expressed interest learning christianity sent report findings mexico_city created instant optimism religious spanish government convinced destruction french fort proof god divine aid favor report recommended established missions established spanish called spanish written equivalent texas future province missions approved establishment mission rejected idea primarily short funds march set soldiers missionaries group stopped burn fort saint louis ground proceeded mission san francisco los completed near village late mass conducted june missionaries refused allow soldiers remain near missions returned mexico later year initial soldiers remained assist monks father priest charge mission left june meet tribes north mission returning mexico request additional priests lay brothers january spain appointed governor texas general los ordered help establish seven new missions including indians tribes near able recruit lay brothers expedition reached existing mission august discovered priests established second mission miles east los priests died leaving operate missions indians regularly stole cattle horses provisions running low chose establish missions left texas later year missionaries chose return leaving religious people soldiers missions group left smallpox epidemic indians natural immunity disease blamed outbreak waters thousands natives succumbed survivors rose missions warned missionaries leave area killed missionaries buried church bells burned mission returned mexico spanish attempt settle texas failed provided spain increased awareness terrain rivers coastline texas convinced government indians converted combination years spain ignored texas conflict france early eighteenth century france provided impetus spain interest texas french forts established mississippi_river ending spain exclusive control gulf_coast spain refused france right louisiana warned king france ignoring year old papal giving americas spain took actions stop france expand spanish presence countries allies war spanish succession americas despite friendship spain remained unwilling allow french trade territory hearing rumors french incursions texas ordered provincial governors prevent entry foreigners goods dissuade indians accepting goods french contingent soldiers traveled texas expedition reached far turned learning chief unhappy spanish group visit area impressed land availability water believed river unnamed called realizing camped nearby years feast day given river missionary served earlier texas missions wanted missions spanish government unwilling provide funding troops project approached french governor louisiana help orders turn louisiana profitable colony believed spanish settlers closer louisiana provide new trading opportunities sent brothers children spared massacre fort saint louis find offer assistance july french delegation reached spanish frontier time located arrested questioned ultimately released spanish recognized french threat spanish areas ordered texas french settlements louisiana april expedition led left texas intending establish missions guarded soldiers party people included children women soldiers missionaries recorded female settlers spanish texas marrying spanish woman joined spanish expedition party reached land people late june greeted warmly july mission san_francisco los indians days later established main village head tribe mission established miles east main village tribe final mission los built indians north present day built opposite san_francisco los period area named new philippines missionaries twin hopes gaining royal patronage spanish efforts successful philippines century half earlier alternate persisted use years virtually disappeared use favor texas end century persisted documents especially land grants time french building fort establish westward presence spanish countered founding missions west san los los missions located disputed area france claimed western boundary louisiana spain claimed eastern boundary texas leaving overlap miles new missions miles nearest spanish settlement difficult missions missionaries dire straits appointed governor texas late wished establish way station settlements new missions built thriving community near area spanish admired led group people including families texas april brought horses livestock group created temporary mud brush straw structure serve mission chapel later known mission initially populated indians missionaries raised childhood built mile north mission chartered municipality san_antonio given status higher village lower city san_antonio villa texas colonists settled relied farming survive new settlement established continued east texas missions found evidence illicit trade france following year war quadruple alliance broke spain france england austria war fought primarily italy england france war excuse attempt spanish interests north_america june took control los sole defender know countries war french soldiers explained additional soldiers coming spanish colonists missionaries remaining soldiers abandoned area fled san_antonio volunteered texas raised army soldiers named governor texas responsibilities office delayed trip texas year late departed fighting europe halted king spain ordered invade louisiana instead find way retake force expedition brought horses sheep goats constituted large cattle drive texas greatly increased number animals texas marked beginning spanish texas july approaching expedition met returned french leading raid san_antonio realizing badly outnumbered agreed abandon east texas return louisiana ordered building new spanish fort del los located near present day louisiana miles new fort capital texas guarded cannon soldiers east texas missions reopened known los moved site near mission near built fort known site nearby established mission santo known indians ninety men left garrison returned mexico_city resigned governorship beginning expedition texas consisted san_antonio soldiers resignation province grown consist soldiers missions small civilian town san_antonio settlement difficulties shortly returned mexico new ordered cut costs defense northern territory appointed colonel inspect entire northern frontier beginning california november rivera spent years northern frontier reaching san_antonio august reports san_antonio favorable unimpressed soldiers guarding missions native population refused communities missions refused baptism brink death indians armed unable join missions frustrated missionaries finally petitioned spanish government soldiers burn indians houses worship force build homes near missions troops forthcoming rivera recommended closing los reducing number soldiers suggestions approved troops removed texas leaving soldiers divided san_antonio missions depended relocated increasing number missions san_antonio area san_antonio missions usually contained fewer indians lived mission belonged small tribes extinct spain discouraged manufacturing colonies limited trade spanish goods handled spanish merchants carried spanish vessels ports including texas closed commercial vessels hopes law goods bound texas shipped veracruz transported mountains mexico_city sent texas caused goods expensive texas settlements settlers forced turn french supplies fort stocked goods travel far goods trade remaining spanish missionaries colonists little offer indians remained loyal french traders raids tribes traded freely soon acquired french guns traded spanish horses tribes access resource left disadvantage seasonal farmers soon pressed horses guns bitter enemies transferred spanish friends discovering san_antonio began repeatedly raiding area steal livestock especially horses average died year texas result attacks approximately animals taken year retaliation spanish launched multiple attacks capturing horses hides taking captives spanish household servants san_antonio garrison begging government help negotiating peace tribes spanish government believed settlers defend property need texas prospect settlers armed nomadic tribes high costs lack precious metals spanish government people women children san_antonio time hispanic settlers lived san_antonio dispersed rest colony new immigrants began farming renamed town establishing municipal civilian government texas oldest settlers appointed settlers municipality descendants designated established settlers resented new titles exclusive privileges city government newcomers know handle horses rendering useless mounted warfare unlike established settlers relied primarily farmers refusal build fences led disagreements livestock fields early need closer economic ties helped alleviate original settlers given permission serve council members threat raids led constant state san_antonio families left area refused leave safety town tend livestock problems culminated late night raid san_antonio june retaliation spanish military campaign months attackers repelled assistance indians preyed tribes including weaker tribes requested missions hopes spanish protect attack mission established confluence january serve indians raided mission times killing soldiers indian residents resident indians fled mission threat attacks deter missionaries founded missions area following year months potential converts left missions transferred new location missions peace finally declared august group chiefs spanish officials symbolically buried trouble parties burying weapons plaza san_antonio spanish promised provide military assistance asked missions times property missions military garrison briefly protected transferred new mission santa san san river northwest san_antonio log constructed miles mission river soldiers corrupt indians hold including women children accompanied soldiers mission march band tribes angry assisting enemies burned mission killing people mission spanish mission texas completely destroyed indians rebuilt indian force members chose attack fort spanish government refused abandon area completely fear action appear weak planned response indians raided horse herd stealing horses pack killing soldiers october spain sent commander colonel expedition north avenge attack tribes led army fortified village surrounded moat natives french guns french flag skirmish killed wounded deserted spanish retreated replaced limestone fortress moat allies remained close killed soldiers ventured spain abandoned fort missionaries established unauthorized missions south valley years lived missions year left winter hunt buffalo missions closed returned hunt surviving mission closed january force natives northern tribes attacked killing taking captives livestock valley spanish troops small cannon ambushed northern tribes returned spanish forced retreat indians spanish soldiers died battle refused return mission returned raiding near san_antonio raids northern tribes decreased peace france indians confirmed french traders periodically arrived sea trade tribes lower region years later spanish learned rumors french opened trading post mouth september governor sent soldiers investigate captured living indian village dissuade french returning spain built mission near mouth trinity galveston bay conditions awful new location mission closed moved san river years new mission tribes del los built upstream mission survived years despite new missions texas populated provinces northern frontier hispanic people lived texas half san_antonio los lived area considered new_mexico texas november treaty france ceded portion louisiana west mississippi_river spain spain assisted france britain seven years war lost manila havana british louisiana colony financial liability king spain reluctantly accepted meant france finally claim texas treaty paris february great_britain recognized spain right lands west mississippi great_britain received remainder france north american territories spain exchanged holdings florida havana france longer threat spain north american interests spanish monarchy commissioned inspect northern frontier recommendations future year journey beginning early covered seven thousand miles comprehensive look frontier conducted expedition unimpressed declared worst kingdom recommended san_antonio maintained east texas totally abandoned population moving san_antonio louisiana spanish control need reside closely especially missions relocated san_antonio august acting governor baron moved headquarters garrison san_antonio san_antonio new texas capital abandoned completely new governor augmented garrison san_antonio protect town recurring indian attacks new established miles southeast san_antonio protect farmers attacks result recommendations san closed leaving texas coast july governor texas heard rumors english traders building settlement area texas coast abandoned commander sent find settlement saw sign europeans expedition discover emptied gulf_of_mexico founding hispanic settlers lived near san_antonio years inspection removal settlers immigrant population increased europeans mixture spanish french indians blacks settlers given days prepare relocate san_antonio perished month trek died soon arriving protesting permitted following year return far miles led settlers founded town trail san_antonio crossed trinity settlers helped goods louisiana san_antonio helped soldiers coastal reconnaissance king created new position general general control frontier areas northern including spanish texas served governor commander chief area prepared office predecessor baron wrote detailed report dated april settlements texas report detailed village labeled greatest importance means acquiring reports coast extensive settlers regularly performed coastal developed friendship tribe reported signs foreigners coast summer discovered group come sea stayed long plant crop near led expedition find discovered fields expedition find settlers began raiding area settlers chose east old mission founded town new town quickly settlers authorization troops assigned protect new location conflict native americans difficulties indians missions told soldiers group europeans near mouth finding remains english commercial frigate soldiers warned refrain attacking seamen soldiers continued explore coast reported foreign powers easily build small settlement barrier islands difficult access mainland ascend trinity san rivers heart texas captain commander recommended spain build small fort barrier islands provide shallow draft vessel continually coast fort tribes english spanish government fearful smuggling declined permission port boat texas coast unimpressed new province complaining villa order seven missions population scarcely persons sexes ages occupies immense desert country stretching abandoned san_antonio deserve province texas concern entailed preservation despite area increased number troops interior provinces created units light troops carry heavy gear fight foot administration attempted build alliances native troops planned work raiders plan shelved spain entered american revolution ally french american revolutionaries money troops diverted attacking florida instead soldiers aligned spain able sign peace treaty attacking repulsed hearing englishman surveyed gulf_coast way galveston bay appointed french engineer conduct similar survey spain finished survey march anchored running dangerously low provisions period days lured men time ship offers assistance killed sailor named burned ship newly created map possibly detailed spanish map texas louisiana coast months later indians living near escaped join began raiding livestock settlers governor pardoned returned mission continued cause difficulties spanish interim commandant general noted unable explore region long held spanish arranged coastline mapped september left havana chart coastline journey gave galveston bay honor sponsor later mapped coast later belonged texas peace indians raided new_mexico driven new_mexico broad assault led new_mexico governor activities weakly defended texas time period guns received returned raiding settlements texas violating peace treaty promptly declared war regained control interior provinces ordered indians encouraged use alcohol trading firearms traded poorly awkward use easy break policies implemented spain money provide gifts tribes instead spanish negotiated treaty late treaty promised annual gifts peace brought lasted years late northern western texas secure single companion safely pioneered trail san_antonio distance miles willing fight enemies new friends soon attacked years killed area drove mexico natives lived barrier islands home january helped spanish fight large battle creek west san_antonio warriors participated raids forced mountains mexico spanish officials began attempt peace years fighting declined befriended native peoples friendship allowed explore coastal areas dangerous visit indians requested build mission junction san_antonio february mission del opened near head indians lived mission initially years forced flood prone site known end eighteenth century small number hunting gathering tribes texas mission following year remaining missions san_antonio partially dominant group southwest 1830s domain ruled empire known confronted spanish mexican american outposts periphery new_mexico texas northern mexico worked increase safety prosperity power empire collapsed spanish era villages repeatedly smallpox cholera late 1840s population thousand 1870s longer able deal took control region ended operated autonomous power inside area claimed spain controlled military power obtain supplies labor indians tribute spanish little stop controlled horses region wealth mobility powered violence empire primarily economic construction rooted extensive commercial network facilitated long distance trade dealing subordinate indians spread language culture region terms governance created centralized political system based foraging market economy social organization conflict united_states second treaty paris ended american revolution established united_states_of_america treaty extended new country western boundary mississippi_river year signed american settlers crossed difficult return east mountains settlers began looking spanish colonies louisiana texas find places sell crops spain closed mouth mississippi foreigners despite threat begin anglo spanish war matter americans arrest come texas capture wild trade indians anglo american known pursue horse trading texas arrested times spain borders spanish feared spy sent troops capture party men killed ensuing battle americans trading guns ammunition especially return livestock chiefs refused trade reported movements spanish authorities bands welcomed newcomers drought scarce stopped increasing meet american demand livestock turned raiding area san_antonio spanish government believed security come larger population unable attract colonists spain colonies late 18th century texas populated regions fewer inhabitants square league population relatively having grown individuals half population classified settled indians making largest category blacks slaves population census thirds adults texas married single men outnumbered single women high percentage fairly common white men women mixed origin children unions passed whites illegitimate increased steadily century reaching despite small population spain actively discouraged immigration texas permanent garrison placed foreigners settling area immigrants united_states allowed settle louisiana florida taking oath allegiance required convert spain gave louisiana france exchange promise throne central italy agreement signed october effect following year napoleon sold louisiana united_states moved colony left texas florida spanish held lands original agreement spain france explicitly specified borders louisiana descriptions documents ambiguous contradictory territories spanish control disagreement border decided need boundary recommended united_states insisted purchase included texas claimed louisiana stretched west rocky_mountains included entire watershed mississippi tributaries southern border spain maintained louisiana extended far include texas considered province time united_states spain planned send thousands colonists increase number residents texas hispanic inhabitants plan cancelled government money relocate settlers responsibility defending texas rested held newly reopened position promoted immigration texas new town founded road san_antonio brief time allowed spanish subjects louisiana come texas americans settled texas time warned foreigners pick eyes king spain ordered data compiled determine true boundary border settled sides led armed disputed areas spain began increasing number troops stationed texas number doubled stationed end local commanders negotiated temporary agreement spanish americans venture area neutral ground quickly haven stop individuals crossing boundary mission united_states_army explore disputed areas arrested spanish camping escorted maps notes confiscated pike able recreate memory glowing comments texas lands animals americans control territory end spanish period napoleon forced king ferdinand vii spanish throne replacement napoleon elder brother joseph appointed king spain violent protests spanish citizens uprisings continued years return ferdinand vii time little oversight colonies shadow government operated joseph reign operating spanish constitution constitutional government included representatives colonies including texas new_mexico king ferdinand vii resumed throne refused recognize new constitution representative government forced change mind way military coup time turmoil unclear actually governed colonies joseph shadow government representing ferdinand vii colonial officials revolutionaries province mexican war independence began fearing revolution reach colonial texas governor ordered texas borders closed foreigners soon reversed uncle commandant general revolutionaries soon imprisoned new government established texas persuaded return royalist cause organized counter coup captured executed officially neutral war united_states allowed rebels trade american ports weaponry ammunition rebels came united_states americans provided manpower conflict serving launching point expeditions texas mexican led small force americans texas indians eastern texas quickly joined calling north group captured san_antonio assassinated governor proclaimed texas independent spain death governor caused anglo americans desert cause april members composed texas constitution provided centralized form government spanish forces recaptured province later year battle killed executed accused having republican tendencies weeks rebels executed wives daughters imprisoned months royalist soldiers chased women children fled san_antonio killing captured americans given opportunity oath loyalty spain refused escorted united_states fearing constitute threat spanish general ordered temporarily san_antonio help defend city returned months later found slaughtered livestock leaving fell spanish army looted rest texas fewer hispanic citizens remained texas spanish texas remained unprotected land feed revolutionary created government september proclaimed group french united_states attempted create colony known planned use colony base liberate free napoleon abandoned colony shortly returned galveston february spain united_states reached agreement treaty ceded florida united_states return united_states claim texas official boundary texas set river current boundary texas louisiana following red arkansas rivers 42nd parallel california current northern border years early february spain delayed ratification treaty leverage prevent united_states formally recognizing rebellious spanish colonies independent nation period americans spoke treaty claim texas essay city washington gazette denounced treaty claiming league land texas worth united_states territory west led invade texas declared texas independent republic end year rebellion colonel spanish troops following year long established new base near galveston bay free texas spanish authority annals europe basis rebellion soon gone february launched drive mexican independence texas newly independent nation shot fired legacy spanish control texas followed mexican control texas difficult separate spanish mexican influences future state obvious legacy language state comes spanish rendering indian word major river modern texas spanish state counties numerous towns bear spanish names words incorporated american english canyon ranch plaza come spanish words additional obvious legacy end spain reign texas virtually inhabitants practiced catholic religion practiced texas large number people spanish missions built san_antonio convert indians catholicism restored landscape texas changed result spanish policies early brought european livestock including cattle horses expeditions province livestock stayed spanish retreated territory allowing indian tribes begin loosely managing animals heavily native grasses allowing native lower texas coast spread inland introduced livestock able adapt changing conditions buffalo difficult time grazing new vegetation beginning decline numbers spanish farmers introduced irrigation land changing landscape spanish architectural concepts adopted texas including addition tile floors roofs arched windows carved wooden doors wrought iron texas eventually adopted anglo american legal system spanish legal practices retained spanish model keeping certain personal property safe creditors texas implemented homestead exemption united_states property exemption laws liberal state united_states furthermore spanish law maintained husband wife share equally profits marriage like spanish provinces texas retained idea community property use anglo laws property belonged husband furthermore spanish law allowed independent named cases required gain court permission act explicitly listed testament texas retained idea eventually spread states included arizona washington idaho legal matters texas kept spanish principle adoption state allow adoption
Spanish Texas