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Ot1r C atliolic Heritage in Texas
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and the other services of the Padres. Commandant General Pedro Nava reminded the governor that the secularized neophytes were to contribute individually hereafter for such services. They were to understand that they were no longer charges of the king. They were now independent members of the new parishes created by secularization. The same was true with regard to the maintenance and repair of the church and other buildings in each of the new parishes. All these expenses were to be paid hereafter out of piofits derived from the products raised on the communal lands set aside for that purpose. The religious were excused from the administration of all temporalities in order that they might dedicate themselves entirely to the spiritual and moral welfare of the natives still under instruction. 10 The missionaries, relieved from the temporal responsibility, continued to instruct the remaining neophytes not only in religion but also in their civil duties in order to fit them to become citizens and to exercise the right of suffrage. For example, on January 1, 1796, Father Jose Cardenas, president of the missions, informed the governor that the annual election of officers for the Indian pueblo of Mission San Jose and Mission Concepcion had been held under the supervision of their respective missionaries. Each mission had its native governor and alcalae, who had charge of the affairs of the mission Indians. At this time, Jose Antonio Bustillos was elected governor and Jose Nunez, alcalde of San Jose; and Felix del Castillo and Lorenzo Villegas, governor and alcalde respectively of Mission Concepcion. It was the duty and privilege of Governor Munoz to install the new officers and invest them with the insignia of their office. Two years later, the election held at San Jose placed the responsibility of the respective offices on Fermin Ramirez and Francisco Xavier. 11 Indian /,,ostilities. The efforts of Ugalde and others to annihilate or reduce to submission the Lipan-Apaches and to win the support of the Comanches and the Indians of the north were not entirely successful and the hostilities of both groups harassed not only the settlements in Texas but also those in Coahuila and the whole Rio Grande area as well. Early in 1795, a band of six Comanches slipped into the vicinity of San Juan Bautista and drove off a herd of cattle from the missions. A group of 10 Pedro Nava to Manuel Munoz, July 18, 1795; also his letter of May 24, 1797. Be:rar Archiver. 11 Jose Mariano Cardenas to Manuel Munoz, January 1, 1796, and January .x, 1798. Berar .Archives.
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