323
The Agony of tlie Clturcli in Texas, 1821-1836
be exempted from the order for secularization. Refugio, he was convinced, should continue at any cost. Its Indians, the Karankawas, the Jaranames and the Cocos, needed further instruction to keep them from returning to barbarism. While directing his main effort to the saving of Refugio, Diaz de Leon worked, likewise, to secure for the former neophytes of Espiritu Santo its rich mission lands. Pursuant to his two-fold plan he first presented a petition in the name of the twelve remaining Jaraname Indians for the lands of Espiritu Santo. The Political Chief forwarded the petition to the Governor and at the same time asked Father Diaz de Leon for additional information concerning the petitioners. Upon learning of the plan, however, the Ayuntamiento of La .Bahia protested. Alcalde Hernandez argued that serious damage would be done La Bahia were these lands to be allocated to "shiftless and lazy" Indians, who gave no promise of ever becoming useful citizens unless they were subjected rigorously to law and punishment. He pointed out that the arrangement proposed would result in making the citizens of La Bahia the tenants of their former murderous enemies. 35 Father Diaz de Leon at the same time urged the rehabilitation of Mission Refugio. Father Muro had induced the Karankawas and the Cujanes to return to the mission early in August, 1825. An estimate of the cost of putting the mission into operation was again submitted to the Governor. The request for funds to renew activities in spite of the peremptory order to secularize all missions was sent by Governor Gonzalez to the Administrator of the Diocese of Nuevo Leon. But Lobo replied promptly that although the Diocese had been allowed $4,500.00 for aid to the various parishes, none of this money could be used for Mission Refugio. Desirous of finding a solution, Governor Gonzalez appealed to the national Government either to grant funds for the rehabilitation of Refugio or to repeat the order for its immediate secularization. The resourceful Father Diaz had succeeded in making the officials reconsider the question." Conditions remained unchanged for the next two months, when Francisco Garcia, of La Bahia, petitioned Governor Gonzalez for the sssaucedo to Diaz de Leon, September 23, 1825; Hernandez to Saucedo, Septem• ber 29, 1825, Bexar A,-cl,ives. 36 Comandante Principal de Tejas to Jcfe PoliUco, July 29, 1825; Diaz de Leon to Comandante Ahumada, August 4, 1825; Saucedo to Rafael Gonzilez, August 7, 1825; Gobemador del Obispado to Rafael Gonzilez, August 31, 1825, Bixar A,-cJ,ives.
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