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26^/	SPAIN	IN	THE	MISSISSIPPI	VALLEY, 1705-1794
1st: Is its shape square or pentagonal ? To this I reply that at the time it existed it was square.
2nd: Has it a stockade or a moat ? It has a stockade, with no moat.
3rd: How many cannon guard the fort, and of what caliber? There are seven iron cannon, one four-pounder, two three-pounders, and four two-pounders, with four swivel guns, all almost useless, without carriages, powder, or ball.
4-th: What royal buildings are there and in what condition are they ? They consisted of a main building for the commandant, which is the only one now existing, though absolutely useless; another very large one for the troops; an excellent magazine; two guard-houses: four sentry-boxes; one royal jail, and an oven. All these are noted in the plan-drawing which I have enclosed.
6th: How many men garrison the fort and how many are needed for its defense? A corporal and two soldiers are all that are at the post at present, and for its defense in case of war at least twenty-five soldiers would be necessary with their respective sergeant and corporals, and whatever Your Lordship may think suitable in artillerymen. I put confidence in my brave militiamen, and believe that only by sending around a drawing of a painted leg, a well-known symbol among all the Indian nations of this jurisdiction as well as of the provinces of Texas, I would instantly have at my command all the Indians who have voluntarily subjected themselves to my obedience, just as though my ancestors, their conquerors and benefactors, were still existing; for this symbol represents my grandfather, Don Luis Jucherau de St. Denis, founder of this post and of the first settlement which Spain had in the province of Texas, in conjunction with His Excellency, Viceroy Duque de Linarez.
This post, by its location, is a general meeting place for the peoples of all nations as the roads are open on all sides; the Indians of the Illinois, Miami, and Abenaqui nations frequent these places often. The Chickasaw and Choctaw come in great numbers and cause me a great deal of trouble -by their thefts of horses and cattle, which they kill on the cattle ranches of the inhabitants. Your Lordship will clearly see that this vicinity is very much exposed to attack. On the other hand, the Americans have introduced themselves in the entire province, and are well-informed of the locality and condition of all the posts and their roads. This post, by its location and that of the Indians of its dependence, is the barrier of the province of Texas of New Spain, and it is, in my opinion, of the greatest importance to the royal service to prevent the Americans from entering this region, as well as the Indians of Florida, who may seduce ours. Moreover
I	have a strong suspicion of a party of Chickasaw and Choctaw who spent all this winter with the Caddo.
PROBLEMS OP FRONTIER DEFENSE, 1762-1794
27
Because of the powerful reasons presented herein, I expect that for the sake of the efficient administration of the government entrusted to your care, and the love and zeal you bear for the royal service, you will adopt such measures as may seem most advisable to you for the security and defense of this post. On my part, I offer as meagre proof of my infinite love and zeal for the royal service of my Sovereign, the land that is the most suitable for the building of a fort.
God keep Your Lordship many years.
Natchitoches, April 16, 1792.
Luis de Blano (Rubric)
Senor Baron de Carondelet.
Las Casas to Floridarlanca April 21, 1792 20
No. 18.	!
Your Excellency: The governor of Louisiana, the Baron de Carondelet, under the date of the 22nd of last month encloses for me a copy of the confidential official letter, No. 11, which he addresses to Your Excellency concerning the affairs of Don William Bowles. Under the same date I include a copy in case Your Excellency may not already have the original.
As a continuation of its contents I believe that I ought to inform Your Excellency of the following:	The	subsequent official letter
which the same governor has forwarded to me enclosing a letter from Don William Wellbanks to his chief, Bowles; Bowles? arrival at this place where I put him under arrest in the Morro Castle, using decent treatment while assuring myself of his safe keeping; the document which he has given to me since his arrest; the remission which I am making of him to Cadiz at the disposition of the governor; and what occurs to me on this subject.
Under the date of March 28th last I gave an account of the imprisonment of Don William Bowles to the Senor Conde del Campo de Alange, in conformity with the royal order of May 20, 1790, which demands that I take up with the minister of war the correspondence bearing upon the disagreements of the Indians with the Americans, et cetera. I stated to him that I would detain Bowles here until I knew the will of the King. Nevertheless, I have decided to send him to Spain, taking into consideration that, if for the fulfillment of what His Majesty decides in the matter, it should be expedient to have Bowles here in person, he can be returned to this place at the same time that the royal order is issued. He will thus arrive here with it and nothing will have been delayed by his having been sent.
*? AGI, Estadn. Rnntn	? 1 - - '*