These sources describe instances of shipwrecks on the Karankawas’ coast.
[February 14, 1777] Viceroy Bucareli to The Barón de Ripperdá
Author: Antonio María de Bucareli y Ursúa
Description: Discussing the shipwreck of the French ship Renombrado and the Karankawas who helped the survivors.
Relevance:
(1) Demonstrates that the Karankawas reacted compassionately to shipwrecks—not always with weapons drawn as popularized under Joseph María’s leadership.
Access: Viceroy Bucareli to the Barón de Ripperdá, February 14, 1777, Karankawas Archive.
Further Reading: Do you have any ideas?
Tags: Shipwrecks
[February 14, 1777] Viceroy Bucareli to The Barón de Ripperdá
Author: Antonio María de Bucareli y Ursúa
Description: After the shipwreck of the Renombrado, the viceroy is stating that maintaining a “good friendship” with the Karankawas is a wise policy decision.
Relevance:
(1) This source shows that war with the Spaniards, which explodes a year later, was not a foregone conclusion. The Karankawas had made peaceful acts toward the Spaniards prior to that moment.
Access: Viceroy Bucareli to the Barón de Ripperdá, February 14, 1777, Karankawas Archive.
Further Reading: Do you have any ideas?
Tags: Shipwrecks, War
[April 28, 1777] The Barón de Ripperdá to Viceroy Bucareli
Author: The Barón de Ripperdá
Description: The governor of Texas, the Barón de Ripperdá, informed the commandant general, Teodoro de Croix, that Captain Cazorla of the coastal fort La Bahía, approached the Carancahua tribe telling them that the Spaniards would reward them for sparing the lives of the sailors that crashed on their shores.
Relevance:
(1) This source shows that war with the Spaniards, which explodes a year later, was not a foregone conclusion. The Karankawas had made peaceful acts toward the Spaniards prior to that moment.
Access: Barón de Ripperdá to Viceroy Bucareli, April 28, 1777, Karankawas Archive.
Further Reading: Do you have any ideas?
Tags: Shipwrecks, War
Karankawas 