The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 6, July 1902 - April, 1903 Page: 20
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20 Texas Historical Association Quarterly.
ing the missions he might reasonably hope to gain the friendship
of the Spanish, and thus render it easier to carry out his plans
of trade. The right of the French to the vast territory of Texas
he seems to have been willing to waive, if thereby he might better
his own material fortunes and those of his patron.
The defection of Saint-Denis to the service of the Spanish was
no doubt influenced to an extent also by an affaire de coeur in
which he became involved soon after his arrival upon the Rio
Grande. While he was at the presidio of San Juan he fell in love
with the granddaughter of the commander. The attachment was
mutual, and nothing but the necessity that Saint-Denis was under
of proceeding to the city of Mexico prevented a speedy consum-
mation of their desires. As soon, therefore, as he could come to
an understanding with the high officers of the government, he
returned to the presidio to celebrate his marriage with Dofia
Maria,' and to await there the coming of Captain Ramon and his
company.
He had time to enjoy but a few weeks of conjugal felicity.
February 17, 1716, Captain Ramon set out from the Villa de Sal-
tillo, leaving behind six soldiers as an escort for the friars, who
were to come later.2 On the 3rd of March the padres overtook the
company, and they all proceeded northward toward the presidio of
the Rio Grande, halting at several villas and missions along the
way. As a result of the bad financial policy of paying in advance,
six of the soldiers deserted before they came to the river, taking
with them their horses and the money they had received.3 Sup-
plies of all kinds, such as goats, meal, corn, etc., were collected
along the road. At the Mission de la Punta, Padre Hidalgo and
three other friars joined the party.4 They arrived April 18th at
1Dofia Maria was the granddaughter of Diego Ramon, and the niece of
Captain Domingo Ramon.
2Captain Ramon, in his Derrotero (Texas MSS., 135 vuelta et seq.).
carefully details the events of his entrada.
'Velasco, Dictamcn, Texas MSS., 214. Informe dado por Domingo
Ramon, ibid., 133.
'Le Page du Pratz (I 17, 20) speaks of a jealousy that existed between
Olivares and Hidalgo, and says that the latter besought Saint-Denis to
prevent Olivares from going on the expedition, on account of his jealous
and turbulent disposition. Olivares, although recommended by the fiscal,
is not to be found among the number of friars.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 6, July 1902 - April, 1903, periodical, 1903; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101028/m1/24/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.