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not started. The beginning of the Texas Revolution caused the project to be abandoned until after the struggle for independence. 61 Frencl,. priest i11 Nacogdoclies. An international incident appeared to be in the making in October of 1826. Alcalde Samuel Norris was considerably wrought up by the refusal of a French priest from Natchi- toches to answer his summons. An investigation had revealed that on October 3 Juan Cortes and Carlos Pavi arrived in Nacogdoches with a French cleric, Aristide Anduze, who proceeded to say Mass in a private home. Upon hearing of it, Norris sent a messenger requesting that he appear before the Alcalde to give an account of himself. Father Anduze coolly replied that the Alcalde could just as easily come to him for any information he may desire. Norris immediately reported the incident to Saucedo in San Antonio, adding that the priest had not rung the bell before saying Mass. The Alcalde wanted to know how he could make Anduze show him proper respect. Political Chief Saucedo promptly replied that the priest should present his credentials to the Alcalde; that the cleric was in fact acting without proper authority; and that if he persisted in refusing to comply with the law, he should be expelled as provided by the orders of the Supreme Government of March 18 and June 5 concerning the exercise of professions or trades by foreigners without express permission. Meanwhile, the whole matter was dropped after the cleric, who seems to have had no intention of staying, returned to Natchitoches. 62 Diaz de Leon at Nacogdoclies. Shortly after the departure of Father Galindo late in 1830, the veteran missionary Fray Jose Antonio Diaz de Leon took up his duties in the distant outpost of Nacogdoches in spite of warnings. For years he had labored incessantly to spread the Faith among the San Antonio and La Bahia Indians. His reluctance to abandon his beloved neophytes to the wiles of Satan had impelled him for years to plead for the continuance of Mission Refugio, and only his determined etforts against discouraging odds had postponed secularization until 1830. The last president of the missions in Texas, he still burned with the consuming zeal of the missionary for the sal- vation of scruls. He gladly accepted the opportunity to labor among 6 1Minutes of the Junta Piadosa, January I 6, 183 I ; List of subscribers prepared by Diaz de Leon and Piedras, January I 8, 183 I ; Circular of the Board of Piety, March 10, 1831, Berar Archives. usamuel Norris to Saucedo, October 3, 1826; Report of investigation by Patricio Torres, October 3, 1826; Saucedo to Vice Governor, October IS, I 826; Saucedo to Norris, October 17, 1826, Berar Arcliives.
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