Establislmzent of San Fernando de Bejar, 1723-1731
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before in 1723. 9 When the report was submitted to the king, he accepted the alterations made and wrote a note that Viceroy Casafuerte be informed before the final orders to carry out the suggestions were issued. Renewed interest in settlement of Canary Islanders. Three years passed before the matter was again presented to the Council for consid- eration. On July 3, 1727, Joseph Patino, the private secretary of His Majesty, transmitted to that body an order of the king instructing it to issue the corresponding orders to put into effect the recommendations made on July 2, 1724. He called attention to the fact that the king wished the counsellors to remember that the two hundred families ordered sent on March 18, 1723, must be included in the four hundred now stipulated and that under no circumstances should the number be increased. At this time the secretary also transmitted two letters dated July 24, and September 29, 1723, written by Juan Montero, Intendant of the Canary Islands, stating the measures taken by him in fulfillment of the royal orders and the proposal made by the Cabildo of the Islands for the immediate transportation of the families at its own expense. 10 The Council, after studying the matter, declared that it was proper that the two hundred families ordered sent prior to its recommendations should be included in the number and advised that the necessary orden be issued by the king for the transportation of the additional two hun- dred designated. With regard to the two letters of Montero, the officials said that they agreed with the Fiscal who declared it was never the intention of the Council that the two hundred families should be sent at one time. He had ably pointed out that two hundred families meant about one thousand persons, allowing an average of five members to each family; that the arrival of such a large group either at Campeche or Veracruz would embarrass the officials who would be unable to gather the necessary supplies to feed them, minister to their wants, and to furnish transportation to their final destination. The Council recom- mended, therefore, that the plan suggested by them be followed, and that the families should be sent in groups of ten or twelve at a time. If the king agreed, some of them could be sent by way of Havana, as suggested by the Intendant of the Canary Islands, but in that case the Governor of Havana should be informed of the king's pleasure so that 9Satisfaccion a un RI. orden de! Rey nro. Sor. July 28, 1724. A. G. I., Audi- enda de Guadalajara, 67-1-37 (Dunn Transcripts, 1710-1738). 1 0Joseph Patino to Duque de Arion, July 3, 1727. A.G. I., Audiencia de Guada- lajara, 67-1-37 (Dunn Transcripts, 1710-1738).
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