Our Catlzolic Heritage in Texas
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the occupation of the territory and that he be given the same titles and discretionary powers as had been granted to him while engaged in its exploration. For this purpose he thought it would be well to call a Junta General, as the Fiscal had suggested, to consider the various points of Escandon's proposals in order that they might be approved and put into execution without delay. The viceroy accepted the recommendations of the two officials on the same date that the Marquis of Altamira rendered his report, and by viceregal decree ordered a hmta called on May 8, 1748.~ 3 As ordered, the ltmta met on the appointed day. Among those present were some of the most distinguished officials of New Spain and several former officers who had seen service in Texas. In addition to the viceroy and the members of the Audiencia, Francisco Antonio de Echavarri, Domingo Valcarcel, the Marquis of Altamira, Pedro de Vedoya y Osorio, Antonio Andreu, Joseph de Escandon, Juan Antonio Bustillo, former Captain of La Bahia and Governor of Texas, and Gabriel Costales, ex-Captain of La Bahia, took part in the meeting. The full report of Escandon and the opinions of the Fiscal and the Auditor were read to the Junta, which, unable to reach an agreement that day, met on the 9th and 10th and was obliged to adjourn until the following Monday, May 13, to take a vote. The plan as proposed by Escandon was finally unanimously approved, with the exception of his suggestion for the suppression of the Presidio of Sacramento. The viceroy was empowered to select and appoint a suitable person to carry the plan into execution and to issue all the necessary orders.u Agreeable to the opinion of the Junta, the viceroy officially reappointed Joseph de Escandon to carry out the pacification and settlement of the new Province of Nuevo Santander, investing him with the titles of Governor, Captain General, and personal representative of the viceroy in the territory to be occupied, with the same authority, powers, and privileges as were granted him on September 3, 1746, in order that he might carry out the instructions of the Junta. Escandon, who was in 2lAltamira to the Viceroy, March 21, 1748; official approval of recommendations by the Viceroy, March 21, 1748; Decree ordering Junta to meet on May 8, 1748, dated April 23, 1748. A. G. M., Provincias lnternas, vol. 179, pt. 1, pp. 345-380; 381; 384. Copy of Altamlra's report found also in vol. 29, pt. 2, pp. 241-245, Historia. "Report of the Junta, May 13, l 7 48. A. G. M., Provincias /nternas, vol. l 79, pt. 1, pp. 401-416. Copy also In Historia, vol. 29, pt. 1, pp. 247-265.
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