Ottr Catleolic Heritage in Texas
210
Tl1e fottnding of El Alamo, 1734-1735. At about the same time that renewed interest in the founding of the Presidio del Sacramento was shown, efforts were begun to found a new settlement of Indians and Spaniards destined to give its name later to the now widely known Mission de San Antonio de Valero, immortalized as the cradle of Texas liberty. On April 27, 1734, Governor Blas de la Garza Falcon informed the viceroy that more than three hundred Pausane and Pampopa Indian warriors had solicited permission to found a pueblo at Paraje de! Alamo. Twenty Tlascaltecas from Pueblo de San Miguel at Boca de Leones had asked to join them. The site chosen, the governor explained, was thirty leagues from Monclova on the road to San Juan Bautista and about the same distance to the Presidio. It was twenty-five leagues to the east of Boca de Leones on the main trail used by hostile Indians in entering Nuevo Leon and Candela. He said that he had told the Indians to wait until October, while he consulted the viceroy regarding the matter. Galza Falcon suggested that the eight soldiers from Boca de Leones be moved to the new settlement of El Alamo and that five more be detailed from Monclova monthly to assist them until the settlement was firmly established. The proposals were referred to the Auditor on June 7, who immediately replied that the information was insufficient. The Governor of Coahuila made a supplementary report on September 29, 1734. Almost a year to a day elapsed before a decision was reached. Finally on September 28, 1735, the viceroy issued a decree authorizing the founding of El Alamo on the river of this name for the Pampopa and Tlascalteca Indians from Boca de Leones. It was explained in the instructions that the site had been formally granted to the settlers of San Juan Bautista on the Rio Grande, and that since, according to the reports, the location chosen was suitable for a large number of people, Spanish colonists should be encouraged to come also. The warriors being as numerous as reported, the soldiers from Boca de Leones would not be needed. 14 In time a garrison was established at Alamo, which when San Antonio de Valero was secularized was stationed at the old mission, giving to it the name by which it is known today. 14B)as de la Garza Falcon to the Viceroy, Monclova, April 27, 1734; Olivan Rebolledo to the Viceroy, June 7, 17 34; Memorial of Blas de la Garza Falcon, September 29, 1734; Viceregal decree, September 28, I 7 35- Testimonio de la fundadon del nuevo Presidio q con Titulo del Sacramto , • • A• G. I., Atlft. de Mez., 61-2-18 (Coahuila, 1733-1738), 35-36, 42, 69-70, IIO·I I I.
I I I I I I I ''i I l • I I , I ! 1
Powered by FlippingBook