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Last Attempts at Missionary Control of Indians
compared to what was being spent on the missions of California. Joaquin Dongo, he declared, had left an endowment of 500,000 pesos for those missions. If something similar could be done for the missions in Texas, the Indian problem would be solved without difficulty. In order to carry out his plan it would be necessary to set aside at least ten thousand pesos a year for supplies needed by the Indians and the settlers to establish themselves in their new homes. To induce settlers to move to the new lands, the inhabitants of Coahuila, New Mexico, and Texas should be offered a ten-year exemption from all taxes, and the enjoyment of free trade. In addition to the ten thousand pesos a year for supplies, Fray Alberola now increased the sum for himself to eight thousand, and requested a proportional allowance for two assistants and a separate secretary. 65 There was very little concrete detail in the second exposition other than the statement in regard to the expense for supplies and the increase in his personal salary and that of two assistants and a secretary..The suggestion for exemption from taxes and for free trade was to arouse the concern of the officials. As months passed and Fray Alberola received no reply, he decided to write to the viceroy a personal letter to solicit his cooperation in expediting the execution of a plan that would prove so beneficial to the interests of the king. He explained that he did not appeal to the com- mandant general of the Interior Provinces, because he was convinced that official was prejudiced against the missions. He was responsible for the order that resulted in their secularization in Texas. He would not understand the purpose of the plan proposed now. Alberola hinted that he dared not say more in the letter, and asked that he be allowed to tell his excellency verbally many things that could not be committed .to writing. 66 The insinuations against the commandant general only increased the misgivings of the viceregal advisors. The fiscal recommended on Sep- tember 16, 1801, that Fray Alberola be asked to outline fully the details of his plan, that the report be in writing, and that he be informed that his personal appearance in Mexico City at this time was unnecessary. The assessor general was of the same opinion, and the viceroy, accepting 65 Jose Maria Alberola to Felix Berenguer de Marquina, viceroy, April 17, 1801. Ibid., 50-56. 66 Alberola to the Viceroy, August 21, 1801. Ibid., pp. 56-58.
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