Tejano Origins in Mexican Texas — 9

The nature of the despoblado only compounded the challenge of life on the frontera. This hinterland held valuable resources, some of which were peculiar to Texas. To exploit these, Tejanos employed the Hispanic institution of the rancho. Indeed, some historians have viewed ranching as one of the most significant institutions on the Mexican frontier. No other place in the world had as many wild longhorn or as many mustangs as South Texas by the mid-eighteenth century. Indeed, mesteña is a uniquely Tejano word in the Spanish and Mexican dictionaries. The Tejano perfected horsemanship along with the branding, the round-ups, the cattle drives, and all the other aspects which have become hallmarks of ranching in the United States today. In their efforts to incorporate the despoblado economically, however, the Tejanos confronted all of its hostile elements. Tejanos therefore had to extend their authority outward from the municipality and onto the despoblado. By incorporating it, Tejanos tended then to combine their livelihood with their defense. Thus, as they extended the ranch into the Texas despoblado, Tejanos provided for the emergence of a rural policeman. This policeman had the authority of a rural judge. He was called the Juez de Campo. In all of its uniquely Mexican forms, this institution was to survive with ranching as an archetype in the defense of the Texas back country. The Juez de Campo served to register the brands, regulate the sale of cattle, and to arbitrate disputes among the ranchers. And in his pursuit of cattle rustlers, the Juez de Campo, Tejanos played a major role in developing a unique frontier defense unit called a compañía volante or cavalry flying squadron. Tejanos acquired their special knowledge of offensive cavalry tactics from the military squadrons of the frontera. The most important of these units was the flying squadron or the compañía volante which defended Texas and the surrounding frontera provinces. This unique type of military squadron structure was perfected during the liberalization of the independence years in Mexico. Tejano flying squadrons developed to the authority for extended pursuit and the authority to enlist the aid of comisarios, or to deputize citizens. Effective long-range pursuit was essential on the Texas despoblado, and it was a common method used by Tejanos. Their skill with horses lent them a natural mobility. Their experience with Indians and their knowledge of the despoblado made them formidable stalkers and scouts. And finally, their military ancestry and background had nurtured in them a familiarity with military organization, cavalry tactics, and particularly, a predilection for the offensive campaign.

Previous Page | Return to Archives | Next Page