Early in 1686, the Spaniards, who at this time held possession of Mexico, hearing of the effort of the French, under La Salle, to make settlements in Texas, determined on driving them out of the country. An expedition of one hundred men left the Spanish settlement of Monclava in the spring of 1689. But on arriving at Fort St. Louis, on the Lavaca, they found it abandoned. Going into the country, they found two of the French colonists among the Cenis Indians, whom they took prisoners, and sent to Mexico, and there condemned to work in the mines. Returning to Fort St. Louis, they there established the Mission of San Francisco; and collecting some priests and friars, commenced their efforts to convert the Indians. The king of Spain now determined to recover the possession of all of Texas and Coahuila. A governor of the country was accordingly appointed; soldiers and priests were sent out to different points, to establish military posts and missions. They took with them cattle, and seeds for planting. They formed settlements on the Red River, the Neches, and the Guadalupe. But in a short time, all these infant colonies, and also that of Fort St. Louis, began to decline. The Indians were hostile, the crops failed, and the cattle died. So that in 1693, they were all abandoned, and Texas was once more without any European settlers.

Not much was done by the Spariards after this to settle Texas, until the year 1715. From this year may be dated its permanent occupation by Spain. They now commenced in good earnest to found colonies, to establish missions, and by arms, agriculture and arts, to extend and establish their influence and laws over the whole country. But notwithstanding all their efforts and sacrifices, the Government was not prosperous; and in the year 1745, the entire Spanish population in Texas did not exceed 1500, with perhaps an equal number of converted Indians. In 1758, a sad scene occurred at San Saba. The Indians, in large numbers, assaulted the mission, and murdered priests, soldiers, and Indian converts, leaving not one alive to tell the tale. This fearful butchery caused the Spanish missions in Texas everywhere to decline. They never recovered from the blow.

During the American Revolution, the Spanish possessions of Mexico and Texas remained in quiet. Texas was safe from danger. Her harbors were almost unknown; her property offered no temptation to pillage, and her scattered population could afford no recruits. The Spanish settlement at Natchez, however, had opened up a trade with Texas through Nacogdoches. This road had become familiar to many besides the Spaniards. Traders, on their return, would make known to the Americans in and around Natchez, the advantages of trade in Texas, the surpassing beauty and richness of the country, the abundance of the game, and a thousand other attractions to adventurers.--Thus the tide of travel and of trade began to set in the direction of this new country about the beginning of the present century. The town of Nacogdoches soon became a place of much importance. Many persons of wealth and education emigrated from Louisiana to that place. The old missionary station became a town. An arsenal, barracks, and other substantial buildings soon made their appearance--some of which are still standing.

Although the Spaniards held the country for upwards of one hundred and fifty years, yet little now exists in Texas to remind us of their rule here, excepting the names which they gave to the principal towns and rivers. Most of these names are still retained.