Details For Cover ID# 30385

FRANCA/EN BEXAR. (later San Antonio, Texas). Red two-line handstamp on folded letter with different dates but originating on May 27, 1809, addressed to José Joaquín Ugarte, Commander of Arms of the Province of Coahuila at Monclova, sender's endorsement at lower left translated as "Commander of Arms of Coahuila and Texas" and "Real Servo" (Royal Service) at top, manuscript "3" reales paid rate on back.

A RARE LETTER FROM TEXAS DURING THE SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD WITH THE "FRANCA EN BEXAR" PREPAID MARKING.

The following biographical information about the addressee, José Joaquín Ugarte, from: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/ugarte-jose-joaquin

"José Joaquín Ugarte was military commandant of Nacogdoches in 1803. Following the purchase of the Louisiana territory by the United States and Spain's prohibition on trade with that new U. S. possession, Ugarte suggested the establishment of settlements between Bexar and Nacogdoches to support the eastern frontier of Texas. Acting on orders from the governor, he stopped American survey and exploration parties on the frontier and curtailed the contraband trade in horses. Replaced by Dionisio Valle as commandant at Nacogdoches on February 4, 1805, Ugarte was made commandant of the presidio of San Antonio de Béxar on April 21, 1806. From August 1807 until August 18, 1809, he served as substitute governor of Coahuila for Manuel Antonio Cordero y Bustamante. During the governorship of Manuel María de Salcedo, Ugarte was called upon in 1810 to serve as lieutenant governor of Texas during Salcedo's tour of coastal regions near La Bahía del Espíritu Santo. Along with Governor Salcedo and other members of his staff, Ugarte was assassinated on April 3, 1813, on orders of Antonio Delgado, a rebel captain in the service of José Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara."

Illustrated in Ter Braake Texas: The Drama of its Postal Past (p. 9).

Ex Magnolia