Our Catholi& Heritage in T ezas
I, 1729, together with a new ordinance and set of regulations for the administration of the presidios designed to correct all the abuses found by Rivera. 26 Provisions of new ordinance for presidios. Before taking up the effects in detail of the recommendations ·of Rivera in Texas, it will be well to note some of the provisions and rules of the new ordinance. Noth- ing can afford a better picture of life on the frontier of New Spain, along its first line of defence against the unconquered hordes of wild Indians, who constantly preyed upcm the outposts like a pack of hungry wolves, than the ordinance adopted at this time. Heretofore the presidio at Los Adaes had had a captain. The new regulations provided that the governor, who was to reside at this post, was to be the commander of the presidio without any other salary than that received as governor, performing all the duties of captain in addition to those of governor. By the time the regulations were finally adopted, on April 21, 1729, the number of soldiers at La Bahia was raised to forty, and that of San Antonio de Bejar to forty-four as originally recommended. 27 Governors of provinces were not to appoint captains, lieutenants, or sergeants major in the various presidios under their jurisdiction, other than as ad interim, as all such appointments could be made only by the viceroy. In case of a vacancy caused by death or other reason, the cap- tain was to be succeeded by the second officer in command, who was to perform all the duties of the commander until the viceroy either appointed some one else or confirmed him in his office. The governor might sub- mit in such cases a list of three possible candidates for His Excellency to choose from. But even the appointments made by the viceroy were temporary, until confirmed by the king. All captains ad interim were to receive only two-thirds of the regular salary until so confirmed. Gov- ernors were not permitted to summon the captains or commanders of pre-. sidios to confer with them, unless it be to take part in a!1 active cam- paign. All such officers were not to absent themselves from their respec- tive posts except when required by the royal service. Neither the captains nor the governors were to use the soldiers to escort or tend their pirvate herds, or as private messengers, or special escorts for friends. In regard to the policy to be observed with the natives, governors and Ufbid. 27Reforma y ordenanzas de Presidios segn el Proiecto del Visitador, A. G. I., .Audiencia tie Mezico, 62-1-41.
Powered by FlippingBook