The proposed border force belongs on the Mexican-American frontier. French garrisons would make incursions risk direct fighting with France. Sustaining them would require ports farther up the coast and supply routes to the northern towns. Tampico is one option, while another coastal bay offers proximity to Monterrey but difficult access behind a large sandbank. Ships of this period are suggested as potentially better suited to using that bay than vessels of other periods. Capturing and supplying the northern positions would make the proposed deterrent possible.
Notable Point · 43:19-44:34
French frontier garrisons and Gulf supply routes
Northern ports and supply routes would support French garrisons intended to raise the cost of American intervention.