After the Massacre of the Spanish padres at the Mission de San Saba in 1757 (abt 4 miles east of present Menard Tx.) by the "Nortenos", a french trader obtained the sacrements from this mission at the Taovaya village on the Red River. He turned them in to the commandant of the French garrison, Post des Nachitos (Ft. St. Jean Baptiste) at present day Natchitoches, La. I believe they were then sent 15 miles east to the Spanish Presidio at San Pilar de Los Adaes. Then the colonial capital of Texas.
The illegal trade in deerskins, horses, and wild cattle from Texas fostered by the French, made several men very rich. The Spanish commandant at Presidio Los Adaes tolerated the illegal trade to some extent. Due to their location, shipments from Mexico were sparse to say the least. Most soldados were paid in tobacco. The Spanish depended on the French for re-supply and the French were more that willing to sell to them! At one point when one Spanish commandant tried to enforce Spanish embargos on the goods, the Caddo in east Texas were ready to wipe the tiny garrison off the earth. Had not Louis Juchereau de St. Denis, French commandant from Natchitoches, stepped in and talked the Caddo out of this action. St. Denis was double dipping from both the Spanish, and the Caddo!
The French pretty much had free reins in the area of Texas north of present IH 10 from the Sabine to present San Antonio. Then up the IH 35 corridor all the way to the Red River. The Mallet brothers even went as far as Santa Fe (from Natchitoches!) in the 1740's trying to set up a trade route there. They were immediately arrested, goods confiscated, and after a while released with words never to return......
More later on the Talon brothers. IMHO the most interesting adventure story to come out of colonial Texas!!!!!!!!!!
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