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Establis/11nent of San Fernando de Bejar, z723-z73I
and that he would carry out all the other orders as soon as it was practicable. 52 Of the fifty-six persons that set out, only one died en route at San Juan Bautista. This was Maria Rodriguez Granadillo, a little girl five years old. The rest of the party arrived in good health in spite of the long and toilsome march. Agreeable to the orders of the viceroy, a care- ful list of each one of them, with their full name, the names of their parents, the place where they were born, and all the other information requested, was made on July 18, 1731. On the following day Captain Almazan summoned all the new settlers before him and read to them the decree of the viceroy of November 28, 1730, by virtue of which he now declared them Hijos Dalgo, persons of noble lineage, entitled to all the honors and preeminences granted by His Majesty to those who founded new settlements and to their descendants and heirs in perpetm,1n. To the grant of these honors and distinctions all of them replied by giv- ing thanks to the king with all humility for the singular favors bestowed upon them through the viceroy. Thus by this ceremony the fifty-five original settlers of the new villa, which was officially called San Fer- nando de Bexar, were made Hijos Dalgo, knights of nobility, entitled to all the privileges, dignity, and prerogatives granted the Hidalgos of Castile. 53 Agreeable to the detailed instructions of the viceroy for the actual survey and distribution of the lands for the establishment of the new civil settlement in the Province of Texas, the governor declared, on the same day that the Canary Islanders arrived, that he was ready to carry out the commands. He consequently read the decree and ordered that it be put into execution at the earliest possible moment. But he pointed out immediately afterwards, that it was not possible to proceed at this time to the exploration, survey, and distribution of the lands designated and chosen for the purpose for several reasons. He stated that the site to the west of the presidio lacked an irrigation ditch to supply the families and the proposed town with the necessary water, and although it was not impossible to build the acequia, this would require time and labor. It was far more important to prepare the farm lands for cultiYation, this being the best season for the planting of corn, than to attempt to sur- 52 Auto en q se da razon de haver ospedado alos Y~leiios y otras providencias. March 10, 1731. A. G. N., Provi11cias /11t.:r11as, Vol. 32, Pt. 2. 53 Diligencias y Declaracion de su nobleza y Ydalguia. July 18 and 19, 1731. A. G. N., Provincias lnternas, Vol. 32, Pt. 2.
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