THE CONSPIRACY OF BARKER A. 89 



and it was certain to occasion an annual expenditure of money largeiy in excess 

 of any income it could possibly yield. The Spaniard, accustomed at all times to 

 move slowly, in the present instance was in no haste to assume an onerous bur- 

 den; and accordingly it was in the spring of 1766 only that Antonio de Ulloa, 

 the newly appointed Spanish governor, arrived at New Orleans to take possess- 

 ion. 



It had been agreed between the two courts that the French troops in the prov- 

 ince, about 300 in number, should, if needed, serve under Spain for the time being ; 

 and it not being convenient just then to the Spanish king to send a sufficion.t 

 force to the colony, Ulloa brought with him but two companies, ninety men a.l 

 told, counting upon the garrison actually in Louisiana to make up what was nec- 

 essary to the proper military equipment of the new government. But immediate- 

 ly after his arrival he found to his great surprise that notwithstanding what had 

 been determined between the two kings, and the instruction to M. Aubry, the 

 French commandant, to place his troops at the disposal of ^pain's representative for 

 such period as he should require, the French soldiery refused positively to enter the 

 Spanish service, as their term of enlistment had expired. The new comers, there- 

 fore, could not take formal possession. 



Under these circumstances it was agreed between Aubry and Uiloa that they 

 would conduct the government conjointly as though the country belonged to 

 Spain, the former to continue in command, but subject to the directions of Ulloa, 

 until the arrival of the expected Spanish troDps. The machinery of government 

 thus devised was put into operation immediately, France ceased to supply funds, 

 the entire expenses of the colony were at once assumed by the Spanish ruler, all 

 public functionaries, ecclesiastical, civil, and military, thenceforward were paid 

 their stipends and salaries out of the Spanish exchequer, and the French officers in 

 charge of the several districts solicited and obtained from Ulloa the continuation 

 of their commands. 



Ulloa deemed it advisable to establish four new posts, as the English had 

 buill several on their side of the Mississippi, which lie did with the approval of 

 Aubry, and distributed among them his ninety men. One of the four was bu It 

 at the mouth of the Missouri, probably on the same spot where La SiUe camped 

 in [682 on his voyage of exploration, and named Fort St. Charles. It was a 

 stockade fortification, of ample dimensions, with bastions, defended by five guns 

 two of six and three of four pound calibre, besides small arms in abundance, and 

 swivels for use as occasion required. The ammunition consisted of 126 cannon 

 shot, 66 canisters of grape, quantities of lead bullets, and a large supply of povy- 

 der. It was to be the storehouse of the goods sent up for distribution among the 

 Indian tribes that were expected to visit St. Louis periodically as they had for- 

 merly visited Fort Chartres ; and besides serving as a place of refuge in case of 

 need, to guard the entrance to the Missouri river against interlopers from the 

 English side, as well as unUcensed traders of Louisiana. Its garrison consisted 

 of twenty men and some employes, mechanics and others who were not soldiers. 



