Our Catlzolic Heritage in Te:ras
from Isleta, along the same Rio de! Norte, he founded the third pueblo under the advocation of Nuestra Senora del Socorro with Piro, Thano and Jemez Indians." 37 But it should be kept in mind that there were Indians from New Mexico at El Paso since 1680; that when Otermin set out in November, 1681, to reconquer the revolted colony, he left these Indians and the Spanish families in the vicinity of N uestra Senora de Guadalupe, with a garrison of fifty men to protect them in his absence; and that on his return, he expressly declared in his letter written from Estero Largo that it was his intention to reorganize the Spanish settle- ment and the Indian pueblos. Consequently, it is logical to deduce that the reference of Father Escalante is to the reorganization of the already established Indian pueblo of Isleta and the Spanish settlement in the vicinity of Guadalupe and the founding of two additional pueblos to separate the various nations that were now living in El Paso. Shortly after the re-organization of the settlement at El Paso and of the Indian pueblos, Governor Otermin, who was broken in health, appears to have retired. It seems that the same /1mta of July 28, 1682, which approved the establishment of the . presidio also recommended that Don Domingo J ironza Petris de Cruzate be appointed to succeed him. Before the end of the year a royal cedula approving his appointment was issued by the king. But it was not until August 30, 1683, that the new governor finally reached El Paso and took charge of his new office. 38 Governor Petris de Crttzate assumes command. Permanent establisltment of tlte presidio and tlte re-organization of tlte settlements at El Paso. Although we have seen how the garrison for the establishment of a presidio had been enlisted since the fall of 168 r by Governor Otermin, no fort had been as yet erected on a permanent location. Thus when Governor Cruzate arrived on August 30, 1683, with the necessary supplies and equipment for the purpose, he immediately proceeded to the selection of a site where the presidio could be perma- nently established. Accompanied by several officials of the Cabildo of Santa Fe, now residing at San Lorenzo as indicated, and several other persons of rank, he carefully explored the river for a distance of sixteen leagues above and below Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe. Some parts were found to be too low and consequently subject to overflow, while others l 7 Escalante, Carla, in Docu111u1/os para la Hisloria de Mexico, 3ra serie, I, 120-121. 38Hughes, op. cit., 326; Certification of the Cabildo, Autos sobre los Socorros, f. I 35; Petition of the Cabildo, in Ibid., f. 145.
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