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The Agony of tlie Cl,urch in Tezas, I82I-I836
time with Dr. Jose Leon Lobo, administrator of the Diocese of Mon- terrey, who reprimanded the provocative deacon.' Most probably Zam- brano heard from Lobo, for no untoward incident marred the religious services of Christmas, 1822, when special prayers were offered in San Antonio and La Bahia for the happy delivery of the Empress and for the good health of the Emperor. 5 The Church has been blamed for officious meddling in Mexican political affairs. Yet in December, 1822, Minister of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs Jose Dominguez issued a circular asking all parish priests throughout the country to instruct the people in their political and public duties. Cl,anges in personnel. Before the end of the year Fray Ventura Bustamante joined Father de Leon in San Antonio, increasing by one the meager personnel of the missions.' When Valdez at La Bahia learned of the Trespalacios appointment, the Chaplain hastened to congratulate him and his wife. He sent the Senora regards from his mother and asked permission of Trespalacios to visit him in San Antonio, as he was sick and wished to go to Mon- terrey for treatment. He painted a pitiful picture of conditions at La Bahia when he came to San Antonio.7 But before Trespalacios could do anything to improve conditions, he resigned in June, 1823, shortly after the abdication of Iturbide. He was succeeded by Luciano Garcia, the last governor of Texas before it was joined to Coahuila. In October of the same year he was replaced by Antonio Saucedo, the first jefe politico of the Department of Bexar, under whose jurisdiction the entire province was placed. Efforts to secure more priests. The terms of the grant made to Austin and of the Colonization Law required that the colonists be Catho- lics and that marriage by the Church was necessary to legalize the right of inheritance. Contrary to general opinion, the early colonists made a conscientious effort to comply with these requirements. As early as September 16, 1823, Governor Garcia sent Commandant General Felipe 'Ayuntamiento de Bexar to Lobo, Gobernador de la Mitra, September 4, 1822, Berar Archives. 5 Trespalacios to Lopez, December 25, 1822, Berar Arcl,ive.r. 6 Jose T. Buentello to Juan Martin de Veramendi, October 27, 1822; Dominguez to Trespalacios, December 23, 1822, Berar Arcl,ive.r. 7 Fray Jose Antonio Valdez to Trespalacios, October 29, and November 10, 1822; Trespalados to Valdez, November 19, 1822; Governor Martinez to Lopez, July 4, I 822, Berar Ardives.
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