Th8 Aguny of the Clmrch i,i Texas, I82I-I836
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Austin replied on February 1,-1825, signifying his pleasure in learning of Pena's appointment. He assured the Rural Dean that all the families in his colony were Catholic, and were living as nearly like Christians as circumstances permitted. He expressed regret that he could not send a census at this time because colonists continued to arrive daily. He urged the appointment of a priest who knew some English. Austin reported that some children had been born but not yet baptized. Five couples had contracted marriage in the presence of their relatives and before the required witnesses, all having bound themselves to have their marriage witnessed and blessed by a priest at the first opportunity. He asked for instructions as to what was to be done in the future. He inquired what to do about two colonists whose wives had abandoned them to return to the States with other men. The two men wished to contract matrimony. They needed helpmates to care for their homes while they worked in the fields. The marriage of these two Catholics had been a civil ceremony only. Austin felt he could not decide a matter that was reserved to a minister of the Church. He asked what he should do in these two cases and in similar future cases. Funerals had been conducted in accord with Christian usage in the absence of a minister-all the dead were buried in a cemetery that awaited the Church's blessing. 12 The Dean then informed Father Garza that the burial of persons in churches had been strictly prohibited and ordered him to exercise diligence in the observance of this regulation. The same order was transmitted to the acting chaplain of the troops in the Alamo, Francisco Maynes. Father Valdez in La Bahia complained to the Dean of his penury and was promptly informed that the cost of the candles, altar breads and wine was to be borne by the presidia! company, and that he as chaplain should request the money necessary from the paymaster.u Visitation by R11ral Dean Pnia. On February 18, 1825, Pefia issued a public notice of his visitation which was sent to all officials concerned in Bexar, the Alamo, La Bahia, and on the Colorado. He ordered under oath of obedience all in his jurisdiction, regulars and seculars, resident and transient, to present themselves within eight 12 Peiia to Austin, January 14, 1825, Libro tU Gobier,ro, San F1r,rando ArcAives. Austin to Pena, February 1, 1825, In E. C. Barker, Tire Austin Pa-jers (Annual Report of the American Historical Association, 1919, II, 1032-1033). UPeiia to Rev. Refugio de la Garza, January 16; to Rev. Francisco Maynes, January 17; to Rev. Jose Antonio Valdez, February 20, 1825, San F,r,ra,,do Archives.
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