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Our Catleolic Heritage in Texas
The Captain of San Antonio should be instructed to appoint a lieutenant and an alferez to command the garrison of forty-eight men when he detailed the additional guard of eighteen. The soldiers should proceed to build adobe houses and prepare the site for the erection of the new presidio. 52 The recommendations were formally approved by the viceroy on July 7, when the corresponding orders were issued. The long struggle for the authorization of a presiclio had finally been won, but the troubles of the indefatigable missionaries were by no means ended. Before the recommendations of Altamira were approved and the orders to put them into effect were issued, Governor Barrio instituted a formal investigation in San Antonio, which he later transferred to San Xavier, in a determined effort to discredit the San Xavier project. Governor Barrio's investigation, !,me-August, 1749. On June 18, he called seven witnesses to testify concerning their knowledge of the character and nature of the San Xavier River and its vicinity. Those who testified were Juan Galvan, lieutenant of San Antonio; Joseph Miguel de Sosa, corporal; Francisco Hernandez, pioneer settler; Andres Sosa, soldier; Juan Cortinas, sergeant; Asensio del Raso, settler; and Francisco Avila, settler. In their depositions some of these men asserted they had known of the San Xavier River and had visited it on several occasions since 1720. In general they agreed that the river carried sufficient water for limited irrigation, that in time of heavy rains it over- flooded, and in time of long droughts it almost dried up; and that there was some tillable land. Their testimony in its nature was contradictory and vague, giving little support to the conviction of Governor Barrio that the San Xavier was unsuited for a mission site. 53 The governor, who was determined to prove his contention, decided to proceed to San Xavier to conduct a personal investigation there. For this purpose he issued a formal summons to Fray Benito Fernandez de Santa Anna to accompany him, or to appoint Fray Mariano or some other mis- sionary to attend the investigation. To this Fray Benito replied that he would have to be given a complete copy of the proceedings and the purpose or reason for the investigation before cotr~plying with the request. Governor Barrio, whose animosity against the pro1ect and the missionaries UParecer del Auditor, Marques de Altamira, April 23, 1749. San Francisco el Grande Archive, Vol. 19, pp. II 1-114. ~Investigation of Governor Barrio. Presidio de San Antonio, June I 8-20, San A L' Vol 4 pp 116-134. Francisco 1l Grande rcnwe, · , ·
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