..
Our Catholic Heritage in Texas
274
he might make the necessary arrangements for the reception of the families and the continuation of their voyage. It would also be neces- sary for the king to decide whether the families should be sent from Havana to Veracruz or directly to the Bay of Espiritu Santo, 11 in accord with the orders given by the viceroy. Both of the recommendations were finally adopted. Nothing further was done, however, for two years. It was not until February 14, 1729, that the king again turned his attention to the mat- ter. On that date he issued a long cedtda which was immediately trans- mitted to the viceroy of New Spain. After reviewing in detail the serv- ices rendered by the Marquis of Aguayo during the expedition in Texas, his plan for the establishment of civil settlements with families from Spain or the Canary Islands and Tlaxcala was carefully summarized. The king then went on to state that in view of the facts presented, he had ordered four hundred families to be sent from the Canary Islands for the purpose indicated; that in this number were included the two hundred previously ordered on March 18, 1723; and that they were to be taken from the Islands to Havana in groups of ten or twelve at a time. Upon their arrival at Havana, the governor was to inform the vice- roy, who was to make all arrangements for their reception at Veracruz. He was requested to treat the new settlers with all consideration and provide them with everything they needed for their maintenance, the continuation of their journey to Texas, and the raising of their first crops, all of which was to be at the expense of the king. The families being sent should be established in the vicinity of La Bahia del Espiritu Santo, the Presidio of San Antonio de Bejar and Los Adaes. A new set- tlement should also be founded at a convenient location between the two posts last mentioned. After the settlers reached their final destination, they should be supplied with all they needed both for their maintenance and the sowing of the first crop for an entire year. 12 Upon receipt of the ccd1da, on November 27, 1729, the viceroy ordered that a copy be made and turned over to Brigadier Rivera, who was still in Mexico and was constantly consulted by the lVIarquis of · Casafuerte on all matters pertaining to the interior provinces. He was asked to report whether the number of families indicated in the royal order was needed llRecommendations of the Council of the Indies, and the Royal Fiscal, July IS and August 8, 1727. A. G. I., Audiencia de Guadalajara, 67-1-37 (Dunn Tran- scripts, 1710-1738). URoyal Cidula, February 14, 1729. A. G. N., Historia, Vols. 298-299.
·1
'' I. , I
'' i:
\. I
II I' ,I I
I I 1. ,: ii
_,
I j
: ' 'i I i:
Powered by FlippingBook