No Man's Land: A History of El Camino Real — John Shaqi
No Man's Land: A History of El Camino RealNardini, Louis Raphael
History
No Man's Land: A History of El Camino Real
Nardini, Louis Raphael
El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail (Tex. and La.); Louisiana -- History
At Natchitoches Guiterez went to Sieur Barme’s Store and obtained more
wine for the priests at Los Adais. He then went to see St. Denis and
told him of the occurrences of the day, and his intentions. St. Denis
said, “I have no authority to do this other than to a Frenchman.” “Now,”
said Madame St. Denis, who had evidently been eavesdropping on the
conversation, “since when has M. De St. Denis ever questioned the word
‘authority’, especially in such a matter advantageous to the French as
well as the Spanish, not to mention the extra profits in commissions to
be received from trade goods sold Guiterez at this prospective trading
post.” “Madame,” said St. Denis, “you underestimate me. I merely stated
that I did not have the authority, I did not say that I would see that
Guiterez did not get the land. Now go quickly and send someone to fetch
Sieur Barme.” When Sieur Barme arrived St. Denis explained all to him.
“Now”, said St. Denis to Barme, “I will sell to you 10 arpents of land
at the base of Grand Montania this side of the Arroyo Hondo for ten
percent of the first year’s profits of the first year that this new
trading post is in operation. I will sell this land to you in the name
of the King of France, what you do with this land is your business. Now,
Senor Guiterez wishes to buy some land, on this land he intends to build
a trading post called The Three Cabins. If you wish to sell this land to
Senor Guiterez for ten percent of the profits of his first year’s
business, you would be in accord with the law to do so. As far as
merchandise for this said trading post I am sure your store could supply
the necessary merchandise. As for payment, I am sure Senor Guiterez can
be trusted, and as for security there would be the dowry given by Jean
Lagross. If you are in agreement I will send for the Notary and draw up
the papers. In the meantime you can issue a bill of sale to Senor
Guiterez for the land.” Addressing Guiterez, “Senor, you now own 10
arpents of land, but building the three cabins in the allotted time will
take some doing. In the meantime you have many friends here at
Natchitoches and I will see that they know about your problem.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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