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Escandon and Settlement of Lower Rio Grande, z738-z779
This settlement has already built all the houses for its settlers Only a church is missing. The Padres were living in two small huts, outside of the settlement, the distance of two gunshots away in the direction of the river [San Juan]. There they had built an arbor for the celebration of Mass. Father Fray Agustin received us here, dressed in his religious habit. After staying with him a while, we went on to the house of Captain Blas Maria, who has a very good home, although it is built of straw. The roof is high and it is very comfortable as com- pared with the others. Our party camped in the plaza [main square] and the soldiers were ordered to build an arbor to celebrate the formal foundation of the town. Orders were also given for a house to be built near the church for the Padres. This was easily done, because there is plenty of timber near the river [the Rio Grande]. "The official foundation was set for March 5. Mass was sung by Fathers Fray Simon, Fray Marquez, and Fray Agustin and the town was officially named Santa Ana de Camargo. Saint Augustine was desig- nated as the patron saint for the Indian pueblo. Although no lands were assigned (for the settlement], it was agreed that it would be located on the banks of the river, lower down [towards] the Rio Grande, about a league beyond."% 7 Escandon in his report declared that the town was founded in a great valley between the small range called Pamoranos and the Rio Grande, which had the San Juan River to the west. The site could be easily irrigated from the San Juan or the Rio Grande, he thought, and in a short time the settlement should enjoy great prosperity. The surrounding country was well adapted to the raising of cattle and the settlers had brought thirteen thousand head of goats and sheep. Since the site was practically on the crossing known as Paso del Azucar, the inhabitants of the new town would soon be able to engage in the profitable trade of bringing salt from beyond the Rio Grande. The settlers had a flat boat for that purpose already and two more were being built. The exploitation of the salt deposits would help to familiarize the settlers with the country beyond the Rio Grande, a knowledge that would prove valuable in establishing shorter and safer communication with the proposed settle- ments on the Nueces and the San Antonio Rivers. Four Indian chiefs from the neighboring ranchertas came to see Escandon, who received them kindly and gave them presents and clothing. They offered to come
27Diario que hizo el Pr. Fray Simon del Yerro en el Seno Mexicano aiio de 1749 . .A. G. M., Historia, vol. 29, pt. 2, pp. 282-283.
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