The Begiunings of Civilized Life in Texas, IJJI-I745
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promulgating a public ordinance on October 2, 1745, urging all citizens to do their share to complete the structure. He explained how the work had been practically abandoned for lack of funds and willing workers. Repeated appeals had been made to the Bishop of Guadalajara and the viceroy but to no avail. The part of the barracks of the presidio still used for religious services had fallen down and the portion still stand1ng was a menace to the faithful who attended divine services. It was imperative, therefore, that every citizen give a number of days' work to help finish the church. Each citizen would receive, therefore, a notice as to the days he was to work and would be expected to report and labor for the period indicated. Failure to do so would be punished with a fine of twenty-five pesos and fifteen days in jail, the fines being immediately applied to the general fund for the construction of the church. The ordinance was to be -read after High Mass on the coming Sunday that all might hear it. 45 While urging the citizens to persevere, it seems the C abildo continued to request aid from the Bishop of Guadalajara and the viceroy, pressing their contention that the king had offered to build a church for them. Practically eight years after the laying of the corner stone, the longed-for aid was almost granted by the Bishop of Guadalajara, but an adverse report made to that prelate caused him to change his mind. In a letter to the Cabildo, former Governor Orobio y Basterra informed that body that he had presented their petition to the Bishop of Guadalajara and that after having been informed that the desired aid would be granted, he had learned that a certain person had misrepresented the facts and the final authorization for the grant had been suspended. He promised the Cabildo that he would continue to do everything in his power to secure financial aid for the construction of the church. 46 As a matter of fact the viceroy had ordered that twelve thousand pesos be paid out of the royal treasury to aid the citizens of the Villa de San Fernando to complete the church, altering somewhat the original plan, as early as April 7, 1740, with the understanding that the payment of this sum was to relieve the king of all responsibility in the matter. But for some unexplainable reason, the money was not paid by the treasury for eight years. In 1748, Vicente Alvarez Travieso, who had gone to 45 Antonio Rodriguez Mederos, Alcalde, to the citizens of the Villa de San Fernando October 2, 1745. Bexar Archives, University of Texas. ' 46 Prudencio Orobio y Basterra to Cabildo de la Villa de San Fernando, May i 6, 1746.
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