Our Catholic Heritage in Texas
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de la Garza a petition from the new settlers on the Colorado for a priest to instruct, baptize, and marry them, and even specified that they wanted Father Maynes to be allowed to come to their settlement. Maynes had been in both Nacogdoches and Natchitoches. On his return to San Antonio in 1822, he had written a detailed report on conditions in East Texas, where he had met some of the early colonists and had made many friends. It was about this time that Father Maynes asked for permission to go to Monterrey on private business, probably to discuss the advisability of taking up work among the new settlers. A few months later, when a second request for a priest was made by the colonists, Political Chief Antonio Saucedo suggested to Dr. Jose Leon Lobo, ad- ministrator of the Diocese, the appointment of Father Maynes. Lobo expressed his regret shortly afterwards at not being able to comply with the request. He wrote that, after consultation with the College of Zacatecas, it was found impossible to send Father Maynes at this time.• In June of 1824 Austin again pleaded with the Political Chief for a priest. He suggested that Father Refugio de la Garza be sent to his colony on the Colorado and the Brazos. He asserted that many couples desired to be married, and asked, on the condition that a priest could not be sent, authorization for couples to enter into a marriage contract with the understanding that they would have their marriage blessed when a priest could come. The petition was immediately sent to Lobo in Monterrey. Austin was shortly afterwards empowered to witness and record marriage contracts, binding the parties, however, to be married by a priest at the first opportunity.' As early as October, 1823, Saucedo had forwarded to the Administrator of the Diocese of Monterrey a petition from Nacogdoches for a priest. Lobo replied promptly that he would send one as soon as he could. He wrote that the Government had agreed to pay the salary of priests for Nacogdoches, the Brazos, and the Colorado; that the College of Zaca- tecas had been approached for workers in the new field ; and that just as soon as priests became available, they would be dispatched to look after the spiritual needs of the new flocks. The settlers in Nacog- doches, anxious to overcome difficulties, sent a list of 24 individuals, who, desirous of the services of a priest, offered to raise $178.00 for •Garcia to de la Garza, September 16, 1823; Lopez: to Governor Trespalacios, December 7, 1822; Garcia to de la Garia, September 17, 182 3 ; Saucedo to Leon Lobo, September 9, and Leon Lobo to Saucedo, November 19, 1824, Be:r:ar A,-ckives. •Austin to Jefe Politico, June 20, 1824; Saucedo to Austin, September 21, 1824, Beza,- Ard,ives.
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