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Our Catliolic Heritage in Texas
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supplies for the three missions. 30 The heroic efforts of the indefatigable Fray Mariano de los Dolores and his confreres, had at last been crowned with success, after two and a half years of apparently endless controversy. But their troubles were far from being ended. Hardly had the approval been given when the reports of Captain Orobio and Governor Garcia arrived. As usual, they were referred to the Fiscal and Auditor. The former promptly rendered his opinion on January 23, 1748. He declared that after more than two years of careful reflection a decision had finally been made to found three missions on the San Xavier River. It was inconceivable that the missionaries should have misrepresented the facts and bribed the officials to give false testimony. Such insinuations should be given no consideration. Disregard of adverse reports. While the proposed exploration of the Gulf coast from La Bahia to the Sabine was a project worthy of being undertaken, this should in no manner delay the execution of the orders issued for the settlement of the San Xavier missions. Captain Orobio should be instructed to carry out the expedition with the force at his disposal, as was his duty. The question of the erection of missions in the unknown region for the Orcoquisacs should be postponed until the exploration was completed. In the mean- time, orders should again be issued to Governor Garcia, instructing him to detail the seventeen men previously indicated for the protection of the San Xavier missions. If these soldiers wished to settle permanently at the new site, they should be offered the grant of lands as an inducement. 31 The Fiscal's opinion was unhesitatingly approved by the Auditor on the following day, and the viceroy ordered the recommendations to be carried out on January 25, 1748. 32 Approval of the king. The petition of Fray Ortiz to the king also bore fruit. It was first considered by the Council of the Indies, who sub- mitted it to the king with its recommendations. In view of the facts, the JOFray Benito Fernandez de Santa Ana to the Vic~roy, June ~4, 1748, Archivo del Colegio ... (Dunn Transcripts, 1716-1749); D1ctamen Fiscal, July 21, 1748, A. G. M., Historia, Vol. 2 8. Bolton very ab~y has shown that the vicer~gal order was issued on December 23, 1747, and not m 1746. Bolton, Texas ,,, the Middle Eighteent/, Century, 181, n. 47• . 31Vedoya to the Viceroy, January 23, 1748. San Francesco el Grande Archives, Vol. 19, PP· 9 2 ·95• A f h · · . l Grande Archives, Vol. 19, P· 95• copy O t e ongmal dispatch 31 San Francesco e J 9 1748 is in the Bexar Archives, University of Texas of the viceroy dated anuary 2 ' ' •
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