one answer only Use the excerpt to answer the question. “The government lacks the resources to give each soldier enough to sustain [support] him, and this fact has not caused desertion to decrease. On this date 311 men are missing from the . . . division. . . . I have ordered the paymaster . . . to purchase and bring here the 150 loads of flour for the relief . . . of the [soldiers]. . . . I have absolutely nothing on hand . . . and the entire population is in the same unfortunate condition.” —Antonio Martinez, Spanish Governor of Texas, Letter to General Joaquin Arredondo, June 19, 1820 How can historians use and manage information about the lack of food and other resources mentioned in Governor Martinez’s letter to determine how the Mexican settlement of Texas contrasted from the earlier Spanish settlement of this region? (1 point) Responses Mexico required Tejano settlers to defend themselves against a possible French invasion. Mexico required Tejano settlers to defend themselves against a possible French invasion. Mexico abandoned the Spanish plan of building presidios to defend local settlements. Mexico abandoned the Spanish plan of building presidios to defend local settlements. Mexico placed former Spanish missions in Texas under civilian control. Mexico placed former Spanish missions in Texas under civilian control. Mexico offered soldiers from the United States Army cheap land to defend the Texas frontier.
Mexico abandoned the Spanish plan of building presidios to defend local settlements.
Mexico abandoned the Spanish plan of building presidios to defend local settlements.
Historians can use the information in Governor Martinez's letter to determine how the Mexican settlement of Texas contrasted from the earlier Spanish settlement of the region by understanding the lack of food and resources mentioned. The excerpt highlights the government's inability to provide enough resources to sustain soldiers, resulting in desertion and a lack of supplies. This suggests that the Mexican settlement of Texas faced challenges in maintaining military support and provisioning, which could be a contrast to the earlier Spanish settlement.
Thus, based on this information, the likely answer is that Mexico abandoned the Spanish plan of building presidios to defend local settlements. The lack of resources mentioned in the letter could indicate a shift in priorities and strategies, as Mexico may have moved away from the Spanish practice of establishing fortified military outposts (presidios) to protect settlements.