Our Catleolic Heritage in Texas
more than one or two families, except in the rainy season. La Anguila, the other site, although closer to the bay, had likewise not much water and the fields in the neighborhood were covered with rocks. Rivera expressed surprise that Aguayo should have suggested either of these two places for the establishment of a new settlement. He concluded this part of his report by declaring that if all the difficulties of the long distance and the unfavorable conditions of the sites selected were over- come, the settlements proposed would still be doomed to failure, because the settlers would be unable to dispose of their products with advantage and profit. In his opinion the settlement of Texas should be undertaken from Coahuila as a base, and the fringe of outposts gradually extended with- out losing communication with the portions already occupied. This was the only wise and sound policy. The Indians of the new province, Rivera declared, were extremely jealous of their liberty. The establishment of isolated settlements, far from the frontiers of New Spain, would only arouse their suspicions and result in hostilities. This condition would necessitate the establishment of garrisons to protect the new settlements and instead of saving expense to the royal treasury the foundations would involve additional expenditures. Rivertls plan. Having shown how impractical and unsound was the project presented by Aguayo for the establishment of civil settlements in Texas, he now offered a substitute plan of his own. He said that the ·Sabinas River, which was only two days' journey from Los Adaes, formed a comfortable bay at its mouth, capable of accommodating ves- sels of medium draft. Upon the arrival in Havana of the families intended for settlement in Texas they could be sent directly to this bay and established in the vicinity of the eastern group of missions. The country was occupied by the Tejas Indians, who were the most friendly, and the lands were by far the most fertile in the entire province. A set- tlement founded at or near this point could be given all the necessary protection by the garrison stationed at Los Adaes without additional expense to the royal treasury. But he added that he fully realized considerable time would be required before his suggestions could be carried out, as it was neces- sary to submit them to the king for his approval. In view of this fact, which precluded the possibility of settling the first families in the vicinity of Los Adaes, where they were most needed to prevent the further
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