Tlze Agony of the Clmrclz in Texas, 1821-1836
351
they attacked workers in the fields of Mission Concepcion, located much closer to the town, and even those working on the farms of Bexar itself. The assignment of troops to the missions had a salutary effect, for hostilities practically ceased during the rest of the year. Then the Fredonian Rebellion required the troops for service in East Texas. Cap- tain Francisco Roxo, who had succeeded Arcos as commander of the mission troops, suggested the organization of an active militia for defense purposes. 100 A sizeable community of more than three hundred had sprung up in the vicinity of Valero. In and around Concepcion there were about fifty families. Three bachelors and ten families, a total of forty-two persons of both sexes, were listed for Mission San Juan. Espada was the most distant and, consequently, the least populous mission; the census taken in 1826 showed twenty-eight persons living on its lands. 101 San Fernando Churcli. Early in November, 1828, a fire of undeter- mined origin broke out in the old parish church. The San Fernando Church records, most of the statues, vestments, sacred vessels, and other furnishings were saved, but the building was reduced to ashes. Musquiz reported the misfortune to Governor Gonzalez and pleaded for aid to rebuild the temple. The Governor immediately wrote Lobo to solicit his aid in the worthy cause, deploring the inability of the State Government to extend help at this time. Lobo replied that he had been informed of the sad incident by Father de la Garza and that the Cathedral Chapter had already voted !150, He, too, regretted that the limited funds at the command of the Diocese prevented the assumption of the full debt in erecting a new church. Moved, however, by the keen interest shown by the Governor, Lobo declared that he was raising the amount voted to $500, but at no little sacrifice. Lobo then expressed the hope that the State, if unable to contribute at the time, would exert influence on the local authorities of San Antonio to extend such aid as could be afforded. 10 z In the meantime, the citizens of San Antonio were making every effort to rebuild the church. Public meetings were held to discuss ways 100 Ahumada to Antonio Elosua, March 16, 1826; Ahumada to Elosua, April 2, 1826; Ahumada to Captain Candido Arcos, March 16, 1826; Saucedo to Ahumada, April s, 1826; Roxo to Ahumada, November 30, 1826, Bexar Ardiiv1s. lOILists of persons living on the mission lands of Valero, Concepcion, San Juan, and Espada, March, 1829, Berar Arcliives. 102Musquiz to the Governor, November 22, I 828; Lobo to Agustin Viesca, December 19, 1828, Bexar Arc/iiv1s.
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