At the Edge of an Empire The Spanish Frontier French Louisiana The Caddo From Mission to Capital AT THE EDGE OF AN EMPIRE In the early 1700s, Spain and France controlled large areas of North America. France claimed the Mississippi River and the region it drained. Spain's empire included land now in Mexico, Texas, and Florida. Both countries established settlements to protect their territories. The French set up a trading post at Natchitoches in 1713. Three years later, the Spanish built the Los Adaes mission only 20 miles to the west. Images The presidio and mission at Los Adaes are shown on the far eastern edge of this 1770 map of New Spain.