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226 wreck of one of La Salle's ships was discovered, though owing to its inland and secluded position the settlement escaped the search of the Spaniards. The following year, however, the arrival at Coahuila of a deserter from the colony removed all doubts as to its existence.

Accordingly in March 1689, by order of Viceroy Galve, an expedition under the command of Alonso de Leon, governor of Coahuila, set out with the Frenchman as guide, for the bay of Espíritu Santo. A month later they reached the fort, only to find it deserted. Of the twenty colonists left by La Salle more than half had succumbed to disease, or had been slain by the natives. The survivors were scattered among the neighboring tribes, and two of them having surrendered to the Spaniards the governor returned. Encouraged by his report as to the peaceable disposition of the natives, Galve despatched another expedition in 1690 under the same leader, for the purpose of establishing missions, three Franciscan friars being among the number. Two missions were founded near the river now known as the Neches, where the ecclesiastics met with a friendly reception.

In consequence of the reports of the viceroy, the crown determined on the permanent occupation of this territory, and ordered that steps be at once taken for that purpose. Early in 1691, a strong force was despatched by sea and land, and the country explored toward the north; but no settlements or missions were founded, although numerous settlers and friars accompanied the troops, and before the end of the year all returned to Vera Cruz except a few soldiers and a portion of the ecclesiastics.

The loss of crops by drought and flood; the disappearance of live-stock; the withdrawal of the native converts; the excesses of the soldiery, and the consequent hostility of the savages were among the causes which soon afterward compelled the evacuation of the country, and no further attempt to occupy this