Tlie Aguny of tlu Cliurch in Texas, r821-r836
329
families were still living on the mission lands; and that when inquiry was made as to the reason that they had not been moved, Alcalde Aldrete replied in June, 1830, that their removal had been delayed to enable them to harvest their crops. Father Doyle grew impatient at the slow progress made by the set- tlers and attributed the difficulties encountered to the inefficiency, or perhaps negligence of the empresarios. Complaints against his out- spoken criticism of human frailties were reported to General Mier y Teran in Matamoros, before whom he was accused of discouraging the settlers and of fomenting discontent. Teran, with characteristic under- standing, refused to believe the charges and recommended more tolerance. so Disposal of Goliad. mission lands. Although the missions at Goliad were formally given up by the missionaries on February 8, 1830, the lands remained undivided in spite of repeated remonstrances by the Ayuntamiento and numerous requests for grants. In December, 1830, Alcalde Aldrete informed Musquiz that numerous petitions for lands belonging to Mission Espiritu Santo had been filed with theAyuntamiento and many had been forwarded to him, yet no action had been taken. Mariano Cosio, another City official, warmly discussed in May, 1831, the suitability of the Refugio lands for settlement. The Legislature of Coahuila and Texas formally authorized the Alcalde of .Goliad on May 29, 1831, to sell the lands of Mission Refugio. More than a year passed before Musquiz ordered a portion of the lands of Refugio be sold, and then only to discharge certain debts left by Father Muro. Perhaps the provision of the law giving preference to mission Indians was respon- sible for the delay. The Kaiankawas in particular had been morose over the impending abandonment of the missions. Alcalde Manchola reported, late in 1831, that both Father Muro, chaplain, and Father J. Antonio Vasquez, pastor, had paid their debts to the City Council, and inquired what to do with the money he had received. Manchola was instructed to use the funds for improving mission lands. 51 Cltapel at Victoria. Empresaiio Martin de Leon solicited permission 50 Decree No. I 39, April 2 I, 1830; Antonio Elosua to Teran, May 6, I 830; Jose Miguel Aldrete to Jefe Politico, June 17, 1830; Manuel de Mier y Teran to Musquiz, August 21, 1830, B.i:car Arc/Jives. nAldrete to Musquiz, December 2, 1830; Cosio to Com:mdante Principal, May 3, 1831; Musquiz to Alcalde, October 1, 1831; Manchola to Musquiz, November 3, 1831, Bexar Arc/Jives. Supreme Government o! the State o! Coahuila and Texas to the Alcalde o! Goliad, May 29, 1831, !,fissions, Vol. so, Gninal Laml Offic,.
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