Our Catlzolic Heritage in Texas
Their principal source of revenue appears to have been derived from burials in the small chapel. The new regulations, however, forbade such a practice. Musquiz was told in July, 1828, that there were but six pesos in the fund for repairs and that until a cemetery was laid out, there would be no more revenue for renovations of the church. Four years later Alcalde Juan Jose Hernandez reported that the church had become a menace and that repairs could not wait. He solicited authority to raise funds by public subscription and inquired whether some of the money from the sale of mission lands could be used for the purpose. Musquiz gave his approval and suggested that the Ayuntamiento use some of its funds for this worthy cause. Unfor- tunately, the City Council had no money.' 7 In September of 1829 Domingo Duton died and left a small bequest for the repair of the church. Immediately the Ayuntamiento questioned its legality. The matter was submitted to the Governor, who, in turn, consulted the national Government, because the Mexican Congress had made bequests to the Church illegal. In the meantime the dilapidated building at Goliad fell into worse disrepair." Celebration lwnoring Pius VIII and Gregory XVI. But the precarious condition of the little church at Goliad did not deter the faithful from commemorating as sumptuously as possible the elevation of Pius VIII and Gregory the XVI to the throne of St. Peter. The latter was destined to erect the first diocese in Texas. Pastor Vasquez reported the solemnities of September 11, 1829, with which the accession of Pius VIII was remembered, and Alcalde Manchola reported on August 8, 1831, the celebration in connection with the elevation of Gregory XVI. 49 Tke frisk colonists at Goliad. Father Enrique Doyle was authorized by Decree Number 139 early in 1830 to build a chapel for the Irish colony established by McMullen and McGloin, not far from the abandoned Mis- sion Refugio. He was, likewise, to repair the old mission church if possible. In May, Elosua, military commander in Texas, reported that considerable progress had been made by Empresario McMullen, who had temporarily established his first settlers on the sit_e of Refugio; that some Indian 47 Guadalupe de los Santos to Musquiz, July 18, 1828; Juan Jose Hernandez to Jefe Politico, October 19, 1832; Musquiz to Alcalde, October 24, 1832, Berar Arcl,ives. 41 Musquiz to Alcalde, September 16, 1829; Musquiz to Ayuntamieno, November 12, 1820; Musquiz to Governor, December 13, 1831, Berar Arcl,ives. .,Father J. Antonio Vasquez to Jefe Politico, September 11, 1829; Rafael A. Manchola to Jefe Politico,· August 8, 1831, Berar Archives.
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