Ot1r Catlwlic Heritage in Texas
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his command. He even asked for permission to present his respects to the Spanish commander. Eight ·days later, M. Rerenor made a courtesy call on Aguayo, who entertained him at dinner. M. Rerenor brought a dozen chickens, some melons, and some vegetables as a peace offering and Aguayo gave him some much needed wine and brandy, to take back to Natchitoches. Aguayo, in his report to the viceroy, is emphatic in stating that he had made it clear to M. Rerenor that there would be no more trade in merchandise or supplies. 72 But in spite of his strong protestations to the contrary, he goes on to say that due to unexpected delay caused by the flooded conditions of the rivers, he was obliged soon after to ask two French settlers who lived on the side of the island nearer to Los Adaes to sell him or let him have fifty or sixty cargas of corn, which they agreed to do on condition that the Marquis sent for them after dark in order that the French com- mander might not find out about the purchase. Thanks to this arrange- ment, Aguayo declares, he was able to keep his troops supplied until the arrival of provisions from La Bahia and the Rio Grande. 73 Fou11ding of Los Adaes. From September I until November 4, Aguayo busied himself with the selection of a suitable location for a presidio and its construction. After a careful exploration, he chose a site half a league beyond where the old mission had stood, near a spring of water, which flowed down the side of a sman hill. Here the presidio was stoutly built with a stockade of pointed Jogs two and three-quarters varas high all around it. The presidio was hexagonal in shape with three bulwarks placed on alternate corners, each protecting two sides. A garrison of one hundred men was placed in charge of the presidio which was officially named Presidio of Nuestra Senora del Pilar. Twenty-eight of these were married men and an were funy equipped with arms and horses. Six brass fieldpieces brought from Mexico were placed in the presidio and the necessary powder and bans supplied. The French post of Natchitoches was seven leagues from the new fort intended to hold in check an future attempts of the French to penetrate the Province of Texas. To guard this important post Don Joseph Benito de Arroyo ?%Aguayo to the Viceroy, November 7, 1721. In this letter Aguayo transmitted the one he received from M. Rerenor and his reply. A. G. I., Audiencia de Mexico, 61-2-22 .(Dunn Transcripts, 1713-1729, University of Texas). 73/ bid.
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