Our Catholic Heritage in Texas
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The problem of who was to tender the stipend for services for the military in the absence of the chaplain was a constant source of bickering not only in Texas, but also throughout Mexico. The Federal Government finally made a ruling on the matter; the Secretary of War issued a circular instructing commanders to pay out of military funds the cus- tomary offering for all such services. 109 Another controversy of much importance concerned the issuance of marriage licenses. The Secretary of Education and Religion informed Commandant Ahumada in Texas that a license to marry could not be issued until certificates of Baptism, Confirmation, and good Christian character were presented by the fiancee. 110 Clmrcl, and State. The threat of a Spanish invasion in 1828 com- pelled the Government in Mexico to resort to extreme measures in order to raise funds for defense. In its hour of need the Government turned to the Church, whose resources had been steadily dwindling. Administra- tor Lobo responded by issuing a circular to all parish priests in the Diocese ordering them to comply with Decree Number 59 on National Defense by placing at the disposal of the Government all funds not essential to the actual administration of their respective churches. In spite of the generous and loyal response of the Administrator of the Diocese, the Government at Saltillo seemingly doubted his sincerity and issued secret instructions to all alcaldes to watch closely the returns made by the parish priests in reporting funds available for national defense. m At the same time Political Chief Musquiz was requested to report in detail what mission lands·, if any, were still available, and how much of the land granted for Indian settlements remained unoccupied in order that the Government might be able to estimate possible revenues from these sources. 112 Alcalde Juan Martin de Veramendi checked the San Fernando ac- counts and satisfied himself that the parish had no surplus moneys that could be used for national defense. He reported to Musquiz that the parish of San Fernando was not liable under Decree Number 59.m J09Marquez de Vivanco, Secretary of War, Circular, March 2 I, 1826, Be:rar Archives. llOJose Moran to Comandante de Tejas, September 14, I 826, Be:rar Archives. lllLobo to Jose Maria Viesca, May 23, 1828; Viesca to Alcaldes, May 27, 1828, Be:rar Archives. ll2Musquiz to Diaz de Leon, June 25, 1828, Be:rar Archives. mveramendi to Musquiz, July 2, 1828, Be:rar Archives.
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