In February 1773 the Spanish viceroy in Mexico City expressed
his eagerness to Governor Ripperdá of Texas about executing the
King's New Regulations of 1771, which ordered the abandonment of
Presidio Los Adaes based upon Rubí's recommendations as part of
Spanish Bourbon reforms and the transfer of Louisiana from
France to Spain during the French and Indian War. By April,
Governor Ripperdá informed Governor Unzaga of Spanish Louisiana
about the pending closure of this fort and the "useless" East
Texas missions. He specifically asked Unzaga to ensure the
commandant at the Natchitoches post, Athanese de Mézières,
remain vigilant against any resistance and to make the Indians
understand that the settlers of Louisiana were as much Spaniards
as those at San Antonio de Béxar. Governor Ripperdá arrived at
Presidio Los Adaes in June 1773 to initiate removal, but stayed
only eight days before returning to San Antonio de Béxar and
attending to Comanche troubles. He left Lt. Joseph Gonzales in
charge of removal from Los