Our Catltolic Heritage iti Texas
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left his assistant Francisco Favina as acting physician and surgeon. Governor Armifian complained to Arredondo in May that Dr. Julian Pons, assigned to replace Guerra, had not arrived and that Favina had to care for the civilians of San Antonio as well as the garrison. Much to the dismay of the Governor, Arredondo replied that since he had been compelled to assign Dr. Pons to another post where he was more needed, he was placing Favina in charge of the hospital with Arismendi as mana- ger, and that San Antonio would have to get along as best it could. Francisco Favina had, in fact, been in charge since April 29. He had re- peatedly requested that the supply of medicines be replenished. An in- adequate stock of medicines and drugs was not his only worry. In April the patients were reduced to a diet of saltless com. The Governor pleaded for relief of the numerous patients, pointing out that they sorely needed food, linen, and medicine. Arredondo deplored the lack of drugs and assured Governor Armifian that they had been ordered from Vera Cruz and would be forwarded as soon as possible. Before the badly needed medical supplies arrived late in July, Dr. Favina had himself become sick and been obliged to leave the hospital unattended. It seems that Baron de Bastrop unofficially looked after the sick. 12 Proposed school. The City Council, anxious to establish a school, wrote a letter to Arredondo proposing to raise five hundred pesos a year to pay a primary school teacher, provided the Government would furnish a build- ing. Commandant General Arredondo ordered the Governor to put at the disposal of the City Council any house being held by the Government on the conditions that it be used for a school and kept up by the city. He suggested that the Council sell some of the communal lands granted to the city so as to create a fund for the purchase of books and ink. 13 A meeting was held and, after some discussion, it was decided that the former home of Erasmo Seguin was the best suited for the proposed school. The Council made known its decision through the Governor, and asked if the lands of abandoned Mission Concepcion could be sold to raise funds for school supplies. Francisco Beramendi was suggested as the most likely candidate for appointment as teacher. The Commandant 11 Governor to Arredondo, May 1, 1814; Arredondo to Governor, May J 1, 181 4, Bexar .Arcllives. 12 Francisco Favina to Governor Armiiian, March 17, 1814; Governor to Arre- dondo, April 16, 1814; Favina to Governor, June J, 181 4; List of medicines sent from Vera Cru:, July S, 1814, Bexar Arcllives. This two-page list is most interesting. The cost of the drugs amounted to S1,462.oo. llArredondo to Governor, April 4, 1815, Be:car Archives.
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