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Establishment of San Fernando de Bejar, z723-r73I
elect two ordinary alcaldes to administer justice. In the selection and appointment of these officers the governor was told to exercise his serious judgment and try to choose those who were best fitted for the pur- pose, as their appointment and election was for life. He should attend their first meeting in person in order to install them officially in their offices and to take their oath. He was instructed to send a certified copy of the appointments and election to the viceroy for their confirmation and approval. The governor was directed to preside at the election of the alcaldes in order to teach them how an election should be conducted.' 7 Since the municipality to be established by the Canary Islanders was to be the first civil settlement in the province of Texas, the viceroy declared it was his wish and desire that it should be designated a ciudad (city) and become the capital of the province. At this time, however, he was undetermined as to what should be its name and left the space blank where this information should be inserted. The act of foundation should be sent to him in order that this might be forwarded to the king for his confirmation and the assignment of a coat of arms." Further instructions were sent to the governor, ordering him to lodge the fifteen families in the houses of the presidio, immediately upon their arrival, where they were to remain until they were able to build their own homes. He was told to place their horses, oxen, and other stock in the pasture lands used by the animals that belonged to the soldiers, but they were not to be mixed indiscriminately either with those of the gar- rison or of other persons living in the vicinity of the presidio. He should see that experienced herders went out with the new settlers to show them where the best pasture lands were and how far from the post they could graze their stock without exposing it to the ravages of the Indians. In this manner the Canary Islanders could learn to take care of their horses and cattle without the need of aid. Both the settlers and all their stock were to be treated with every consideration and given an opportunity to recuperate from the hardships of the long trip. The governor could deter- mine the approximate time of their arrival by keeping in mind that they had set out from Cuatitlan on November 15, and that it would take them about thirty days to reach Saltillo and as many to arrive in San 47Para que el Govr. de Texas, y en su falta el Capitan del Presidio de Sn. Antonio, haga nueva Resefia delas quince familias, que van a poblar; eleccion delos sugetos, que ban de exercer oficios consejiles, y las demas providencias, que se le previenen en este despacho. November 28, 1730. A. G. N., Historia, Vol. 84. 4&/bid.
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