Ottr Catlzolic Heritage in T cxas
fully, the Junta stated: "His person is essential for the defence and safeguard of the Province of Coahuila, which, at the expense of his diligence and care enjoys peace throughout its confines, and which experienced much concern on account of the hostile Indians during his absence in the previous entradas." But the fact is that he had fallen into disfavor. His positive and frank nature had displeased the viceroy. His failure to remove all traces of the French occupation from San Ber- nardo (Lavaca) Bay had caused unnecessary uneasiness to the officials of New Spain. Even his integrity had of late been attacked in an inves- tigation, in which Captain Francisco Martinez accused him of fraud in the purchase of supplies for the last expedition. The Junta recommended, therefore, that the viceroy appoint some other suitable person to lead the projected expedition, who should have the rank of governor and enjoy a salary of twenty-five hundred pesos a year. Thus came to an end the connection of Alonso de Leon with the history of Texas. Five times he haci crossed the Rio Grande in search of La Salle's fort, which he discovered on the fourth and burnt on the fifth. To his leadership was due the final establishment of the first mission in East Texas. Truly he deserves a first rank among the pioneers of Texas. In March, 1691, death closed his long and useful career as border captain on the northern frontier of New Spain. From an humble soldier he had risen to the rank of general and the position of Governor of Coahuila by dint of his iron will and his unquestioned merit and ability. 35 It was not until January that the viceroy carried out the recommendations of the Jrmta . On January 23, 1691, he named Domingo Teran de los Rios, Governor of the province of the Tejas and adjacent regions. Thus the honor of becoming the first governor of the newly created province, for the first time, officially designated by the name of Texas, fell to a com- parative stranger. But Teran had seen thirty years of service in America. For twenty years he had served the king in Peru, coming to Veracruz in 1681 as deputy of the Consulado of Sevilla. Shortly afterwards, he was made captain of infantry in the Castle of San Juan de Ulua, and in 1686 was promoted to the rank of Governor of Sonora and Sinaloa. The successful pacification of the Indians in these provinces, and more par- Appointment of Teran as gove1'nor and lzis instructions. 35 Junta de Hacienda, November 28, 1690, in Ibid., 98-101; Declaration of Captain Martinez, October 5, 1690; Portillo, Apzmtes para la historia de Coalmila ,y Texas, 240-241.
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