Tlze Beginnings of Civilized Life in Texas, IJJI-I745
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else. 7 In this case, however, he was not overstating the truth, for as early as the spring of 1735, the Lieutenant Governor, Joseph Gonzalez, had informed Governor Sandoval that the stockade was full of holes and in sad need of repair.• He added, however, that the necessary timber to repair it had been cut and that the stockade would be rebuilt as soon as time permitted. The men were busy repairing their own living quarters, and so many were sick that it was impossible to work on the stockade. Furthermore, on January 23, a severe storm had struck the struggling post and the Mission of San Miguel, destroying many houses, among them the living quarters of the missionaries. Since the winter was still severe, Gonzalez declared he was helping the Padres at this time to rebuild the friary. 9 When Sandoval learned of the condition of the presidio at Los Adaes, he wrote Gonzalez to repair it at once. But the Lieutenant Governor very humanly explained in his reply to this order that "one cannot always do all one wants and should." He pointed out that com had to be planted and many other pressing duties performed before the stockade could be repaired. He said that a set of barracks had already been completed, and a new presidia! chapel had also been started, but the rest would have to wait, particularly since so many of the men were sick. 10 Difficulties in trading witk tlze Frenck. The years 1735 and 1736 seem to have been particularly calamitous, and the much worried and overworked Lieutenant Governor Gonzalez, left entirely to his own resources in Los Adaes, more than three hundred miles from the nearest Spanish settlement capable of giving him aid, found himself in an unenviable position. His only hope of relief was to obtain the most essential supplies from Natchitoches or the missions. The latter, as will be shown, did all they could to help the distressed garrison and settlement of Los Adaes, but they were unable to meet the heavy demand for com, beans, and cattle, having themselves suffered severely from adverse weather and sickness among the natives. When Gonzalez turned to the French settlers of Natchitoches, as in the past, he encountered a new 7 Governor Franquis, Orden para que se haga revista, June 19, 1737. A. G. M., Historia, vol. 524, pt. 3, pp. 641-651. 'Joseph Gonzalez to Governor Sandoval, March IS, 17 35. A. G. Al., Historia, vol. 524, pt. 3, pp. 894-902. 9 /bid. 10 Gonza.J.ez to Sandoval, November 12, 1735. .A. G. M., Historia, vol. 524, pt. 3, pp. 906-909; same to same, March 15, 1735, in Ibid., pp. 894-902.
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