The Organization of Mission Life, I722-I728
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inspecting the proposed site, Bustillos sent his report with a special mes- senger, who was to stop in Bejar to pick up the letter of the governor and take both, without delay, to His Excellency. On July 4, the gov- ernor verified all the details given by Bustillos, adding that the new location was higher and free from marshes and lagoons; that there was abundant drinking water; and that the climate was much better in spite of the short distance from the former site. In describing the old pre- sidio, he declared that it would be advisable to build a new one, as the original consisted of a few miserable huts roughly made of logs and thatched with rushes. The stockade built in the beginning had been almost totally destroyed by time and the soldiers. Timber was so scarce that it was extremely difficult to find the necessary firewood. He pointed out that the fort would afford as much protection in its new location, because the actual distance to the entrance of the bay was almost the same and could be reached with greater ease by the river. He declared that in view of all the facts stated he was of the opinion that the pre- sidio should be moved to the Guadalupe, where the fortification could be rebuilt out of more permanent materials and placed in condition to with- stand the attack of foreign aggressors much better; where the climate was much more healthy, and where several missions could be established under proper protection. Subject to the final approval of His Excellency, he had instructed Captain Bustillos to clear the ground and assemble the materials for the construction of the new presidio. It would be highly advisable, he suggested, that the viceroy issue the corresponding orders for the removal as soon as possible, so that this work might be completed before winter set in. 28 The two reports were received in Mexico in August, 1726, and turned over to the Auditor de Guerra on the 9th, for his consideration and opinion. Two weeks later, on August 26, he made a brief summary of the facts presented by the two officers in Texas and recommended that in view of the deplorable conditions of the presidio in its present loca- tion and the advantages which the new site offered, His Excellency should issue orders for its immediate removal. Satisfied with the opin- ion rendered, the viceroy ordered that the corresponding instructions be drawn up and sent in duplicate to Governor Almazan and Captain Bus- 28 Perez de Almazan to the Viceroy, July 4, 1726. A. G. N., Provinciru /nler"4S, Vol. 236, Part x.
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