Tlee Ago11,y of the Cliurch in Te%as, I82I-I836
341
appointment, for about a month later, he wrote from Monterrey to Austin that Lobo had just appointed him pastor of San Felipe de Austin and vicar general for all the new colonies. Practically nothing is known of the antecedents of Muldoon-where he came from, when he arrived in Mexico, or how long he had been in the country before he came to Saltillo. His mercurial temperament was irresistible, and he made friends easily. Within a month Austin decided that the good-natured and polished Irishman was the ideal mis- sionary for his colony. Apparently basing his opinion on the love of Muldoon for land, Austin· wrot.e Williams that his was the spirit of the pioneer. "I think he is sincere, for he has obtained a large bite [sic] of land from the Governor and looks to Texas as his home and final resting place." Austin advised Williams that "his counsel will be of service to you and the colony . . . he has the true interest of that colony at heart." Austin added that the good Padre had his vanity and that he curried favor with Muldoon by appealing to this weakness in bis character simply by mentioning that Texas might become a bishopric in a few years, thus subtly inferring that Muldoon would be in line for the office. 7' Muldoon, instead of proceeding directly to Texas, went to Matamoros to visit General Manuel de Mier y Teran, whom, perhaps, he had not met previously but whose acquaintance he wished to make before Austin would find out that he had not even met the General. Not until the end of March did he write Austin that he would set out the next day for San Felipe. "I shall go like a patriarch, attended by an escort ..." Teran reported to Austin at this same time that be was well pleased with the Padre and his ardor to begin work among the settlers. He praised highly Muldoon's knowledge of English, but, significantly, said nothing about their being old friends. The colonists in San Felipe mean- while were awaiting his arrival ,vith genuine interest because of Austin's favorable reports. 75 Muldoon must have arrived in the settlements about the middle of April, 183r. Austin in Saltillo had anxiously inquired about him and helped him get his grant confirmed. Wade adduces no proof for these statements, and there is no corroborating testimony of Austin's having met Muldoon. 74 Austin to Williams, February 2 and 19, 1831, in Barker, Ausli,s Pa,;ers, II, 594, 603. Wade states that Austin secured several grants of land for Muldoon in Wharton, Fayette, Lavaca, and Galveston counties, but cites no authority. 75 Mier y Teran to Austin, March 21, 1831; Muldoon to Austin, March 28, 1831; Mier y Teran to Austin, March 29, 1831; F. W. Johnson to Austin, March 21, 1831, In Barker, o,;. cu., II, 623-624, 631, 635,
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