1530
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
signified his intention of becoming a settler, as well as the person who has been the infamous cause of them in the seizure of said prop- erty: but the character of that person is yet unknown to you unless you have been recently informed. As it respects the personal character of Doctor Oldivar, ns he styled himself, previous to his arrival here, I nm entirely ignorant, consequently shall allow it to remain in statu quo until those who are acquainted with him more intimately may expose it in a proper manner. I think however that such perfidy and villany, attached to any individual, particularly one who has acted so conspicuous a part in the late transactions in this quarter ought in duty to the community to be exposed to the public and that the aggressor be punished as he deserves. On the 7 th day of November last at this station about 4 o'clock P. M. this same Doctor Oldivar made overtures to me in order to impeach the good character and Reputation of the Em- presario of this colony Col. Green Dewitt holding out strong induce- ments for me to join with him in his overthrow as there were papers in the possession of the Governor as well as charges so strong that they would break the said Empresario: in that case I was told by the said Doctor Oldivar, if I would acceed to his proposal, and in my Official communication to the Governor would recommend him for his good con9-uct and respectable behaviour while he had com- mand here he would use his influence to obtain for me the office of Empresario, that the Governor was his particular and bosom friend and that he would enlist his influence if I would desert the Colonel's cause and acceed to his nefarious proposals.-! need not inform you my feelings or what my reply was to such iniquitous propositions but signified my detestation by telling him that "I had laid the cor- ner stone of my conduct (not to say church) n.nd that the gates of hell should not preYail against it".-I told him however that I should always be happy to hnve the confidence of the governor and govern- ment and should not decline any trust that I might be thought ade- quate to fill, or that I thought I had abilities to execute its duties, but that I did not aspire to that of Empresario of this Colony.- On the 8 th Novr the day on which Citizen Rafael A Manchola the Commandant of the troops left this station I had prepared an offi- cial communication to the Governor and on presenting it to the Com- mandant in order to be forwarded, the said Doctor Oldivar having as I suppose a particular fancy for seeing the contents did in the presence of many witnesses take violently from my hand the said sealed communication and did break the seal of the same.-I how- ever again got possession of it, and some little suspicion in conse- quence of that circumstance being excited in the breast of the Com-
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