Chapter 6 The Spanish Colonial Period The Spanish had lost interest in Texas after the failed expeditions of the 1500 s. They did build colonies in New Mexico along the upper Rio Grande (remember that most colonies needed to be built by waterways in order to survive). The Pueblo Indians in New Mexico became unhappy with the Spanish colonists and revolted against them. This is known as the Pueblo Revolt. The Pueblo Indians forced the Spanish out of New Mexico. Refugees from the Pueblo Revolt set up settlements along the Rio Grande by 1684. The first settlement in Texas is Ysleta and is considered the oldest Hispanic settlement in the state. The Spanish and the French were longtime enemies and the Spanish were no longer the only Europeans in the Americas. France had claimed Canada and the land from the Great Lakes down to the Gulf of Mexico that was drained by the Mississippi River. They named this region Louisiana. The LaSalle Expedition left France headed for the mouth of the Mississippi River, but after running into pirates and getting caught in a storm the French landed in Matagorda Bay. The French settlers were stranded in Spanish territory so they built Fort St. Louis near the Garcitas Creek. The settlers faced many trials in the 2 years they were in Texas, but the expedition was doomed from the beginning. With the
Karankawan Indians attacking the settlement and the lack of supplies the settlers did not survive. When the Spanish learned of the French colonists in Texas, they sent out several expeditions to drive the French out. Alonso de Leon led an expedition with Father Damien Massanet to search for the fort. Only 2 surviving French settlers were found. In the process Alonso de Leon met the Hasinais Indians whom they called Tejas (Hasinais word for friend). Alonso de Leon and Damien Massanet returned to East Texas and the land of the Tejas to build their mission. The mission, San Francisco de los Tejas, was built west of the Neches River. A year later the mission San Francisco de los Tejas was doomed. The crops were ruined, so the settlers and the Indians were starving. Then the Tejas Indians began to suffer from diseases the Spanish had brought to them. When the Tejas Indians turned on the Spanish, the Spanish fled the mission after burning it to the ground. This failure kept the Spanish out of east Texas for 20 years; however, several missionaries wanted to return to east Texas, including Father Francisco Hidalgo. After petitioning the Spanish government serveral times, Father Hidalgo turned to the French. He asked the French governor to help build a mission in East Texas. The French governor sent Louis Juncherau de St. Denis to discuss this mission with Father Hidalgo. This encouraged the Spanish to renew their interest
in East Texas and Domingo Ramon was selected to lead the expedition. They set up several missions in the East Texas area. Father Hidalgo settled in the first mission built near the original Tejas mission. The religious leadership then fell to Antonio Margil de Jesus who continued to build missions in East Texas. The distance between East Texas and Mexico proved to be detrimental to the previous missions in East Texas. Therefore, the Spanish decided to build a mission-presidio outpost along the San Antonio River under the leadership of Martin de Alarcon. These colonists called their mission San Antonio de Valero and their presidio that they built a mile away San Atonio de Bexar. Spanish officials wanted to the settlements to include more than missions and presidios. They wanted to establish towns as well, so they recruited 15 families to move into a town near the San Antonio presidio. This town became known as San Fernando de Bexar and had the first organized civil government in Texas. Eventually, the missions the presidio and the town along the San Antonio river officially became known as San Antonio de Bexar; often shortened to Bexar or San Antonio. El Camnio Real or royal road stretched from East Texas to Mexico City and was the major route of travel in Texas. San Antonio became an important stop on this road.
The Chicken War only served to worsen relations between the French and the Spanish. The French took supplies from a Spanish mission including chickens. When the horses were spooked by the chickens and threw the lieutenant of the French to the ground. This chicken war was a minor incident, but it indicated to the Spanish in the East Texas area that the French would launch a large-scale attack. The Spanish fled the area, but would not stay gone long. Marques de San Miguel de Aguayo was sent on the Aguayo Expedition to reclaim the area of East Texas from the French. The French had withdrawn from the area before Aguayo arrived. Aguayo built several missions and presidios in East Texas including the presidio called Nuestra Senora del Pilar de los Adaes (Los Adaes) which later served as the capital of Spanish Texas. Another presidio was Nuestra Senora de Loreto de la Bahia (La Bahia) which later becomes known as Goliad. With East Texas securely in Spanish control, Spain turned toward the Gulf Coast region. Jose de Escandon was sent to claim the region for Spain. He moved the La Bahia presidio to this region located on the San Antonio river. The area thrived as a ranching industry developed and the relations with Karankawan Indians improved. The Spanish wanted the Indians to live in the mission in order for them to learn the Spanish way of life. Their day began with worship, followed by daily
chores, then ended with worship. Many Indians attempted to keep their own culture, not completely convert to Spanish ways. Some of the Indians were frustrated with Spanish ways as life was hard for them under Spanish control. The Spanish forced the Indians to grow crops for the Spanish and Indians and were forced into small, closed quarters. Despite these conditions, many Indians flourished in the Spanish missions. The successful mission tended have a presidio nearby. The soldiers in the presidios guarded the missions, supervised the Indians, delivered mail, performed construction work, and provided escorts for travelers. The soldoers worked for meager salaries and were often paid late. The civil settlements had a variety of people including some Spaniards, American Indians, and free African Americans. Many settlements had well defined streets that passed houses, shops, and government buildings. The people of San Fernando de Bexar (the first settlement to have a civil government) had an ayuntamiento or governing council that enforced local laws and those of the Spanish government. The alcade was a member of the ayntamiento and held both judicial and law enforcement powers. A governor was appointed by the viceroy in Mexico to govern the settlements in Texas. Farming and ranching became the primary economy of Texas. The cattle business helped many cities grow. The vaqueros or cowboys worked on ranches
near the civil settlements. These vaqueros were skilled horsemen and were known for the cattle handling skills. These vaqueros also provided entertainment to the populations of the civil settlements with their horse riding skills. The Spanish introduced horses and cattle ranching to Texas. Many of the city names are Spanish. Spanish law gave property rights to women in Texas. This is a la that continued when Texas became a state in the Union.