Tlie Agony of tlie Church i-n Tezas, I82I-I836
325
in obtaining his consent for the transfer of Fathers Diaz de Leon and Muro to Nacogdoches and Villa de Austin, respectively. No sooner did news of the plan reach La Bahia than a protest was filed by the Ayuntamie11,to against Muro's transfer. Ever since the abandonment of Refugio in 1826, he had been teaching school for the children of La Bahia. Saucedo told the petitioners he was powerless and advised the settlers of La Bahia to look for another schoolteacher. Ramon Musquiz succeeded Saucedo as fefe -politico at this juncture and, pending final secularization of Refugio, agreed to allow the nominal missionary Muro to continue his teaching.' 0 By his determination Father Diaz had thwarted the secularization of the La Bahia missions for six years. But early in 1829, Rafael Antonio Manchola, resident of La Bahia and recently elected deputy to the State Legislature, protested to Governor Viesca against the inexcusable failure to execute the order of September, 1823, which provided for the immediate secularization of all missions that had been in operation for at least ten years. He cited proof of the existence of the missions in his district for more than ten years, recapitulated the list of griev- ances of the settlers against the uncivilized mission Indians, reiterated the hopelessness of the project, ana' sharply criticized the activities of Diaz de Leon in obstructing secularization. He concluded by demanding in the name of Goliad-La Bahia was now so designated-the immediate transfer of the missions to the Diocese and the sale of the lands to the civilians desirous of obtaining them as provided by the orders of September, 1823, a copy of which he attached to his memorial. 41 Secularization of Refugio and Es-pfrit1' Sa,1to. Governor Viesca had to accede to the request. On March 6, 1829, he explicitly ordered Musquiz to carry out the secularization of Refugio and Espiritu Santo without delay. The Administrator of the Diocese of Monterrey had been requested to talce the steps necessary for the transfer of the missions to him. As soon as this was accomplished, the / ef e Politico was to acquaint the ·former mission Indians of the law granting them first preference in the acquisition of land and water in order that they 40 Tomas Buentello to Saucedo, July 25, 1827; Saucedo to the Alcalde, August 9, 1827; Musquiz to the Alcalde, January 23, 1828, Bexar Arc/rives. Jose Antonio Valdez was chaplain of presidia! troops all this time and Father Muro was still in charge of Refugio but resided in La Bahia because of Indian hostilities. 41 Manchola to the Governor, February 4, 1829, Sollillo Arc/riv1s, XVI, 78-8r. (Photostat copies in University of Texas.) By Decree Number 73, the State Legislature granted La Bahia the title of Villa de Goliad, February 4, 1829.
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