011r Catholic Heritage in Texas
finally found outside of the city limits, one mile or two to the northwest, where an old orchard and an abandoned building were purchased. Here the tireless missionaries began to build the foundations of a temporary hospice, which could be converted into a college of Propaganda Fide as soon as the royal approval was obtained. Uninviting, marshy, and full of brambles, the spot selected was far from promising, but thanks to the industry of the tireless friars, in a short time it was transformed into a garden spot, with a chapel, a modest friary, walks, groves of trees, and planted fields. In April, 1731, Father Alcantara had asked to be relieved as temporary president of the new hospice and the Commissary General had appointed to this superiorship Father Fray Isidro Felix de Espinosa, one of the companions of the saintly Father Margil, who had labored many years in the missions of Texas, giving him as his companions Fathers Fray Diego de Alcantara, former Guardian of the College of Queretaro, Fray Nicolas de San Joseph y Sandi, Fray Gaspar de Villegas, Fray Toribio de Nuestra Senora, and Fray Francisco Bustamente. By dint of incessant labor, the good friars succeeded in building the chapel in a surprisingly short time. This was dedicated with great solemnity on the feast day of San Fernando, the patron saint after whom the proposed college was named. In the meantime, the viceroy was requested to solicit the royal approval and authorization for the establishment of an apostolic missionary college as originally proposed. The viceroy ordered that a public investigation be held to determine the attitude of the civil and religious authorities to the establishment of the new institute. Eighteen of the most prominent citizens and officials of the city of Mexico expressed individually their endorsement of the proposed college and lauded the benefits that would accrue to the city. It is of interest to note that among those who gave their opinion were two former governors of Texas, the Marquis of Aguayo and Fernando Perez de Almazan. To these opinions was added the formal approval of the Archbishop of Mexico. The viceroy ordered copies of the various testimonies made and transmitted them to the king with his personal request for the royal approval of the plan. But it was not until October 15, 1733, that the king finally issued a cedula formally approving the plan and authorizing the missionaries to establish a new college of Propaganda Fide in Mexico City, under the advocation of San Fernando. On August 3, 1734, the Commissary General appointed Father Fray Diego de Alcantara, President in ca,pite of the new College of San
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