Ottr Catllolic Heritage in Texas
312
A villa, according to the LtrWs of tlee Indies, could be founded either by agreement or contract with one person, or with individual settlers who moved of their own initiative to the desired location at their own expense. In either case, the four square leagues granted for the town could be in the form of a square or rectangle-whichever would prove to be more convenient for the ·subsequent subdivision of the land. The site having been selected, the town was to be surveyed and its subdivisions properly marked by the commissioner appointed to take charge of the settlement. This officer had control over the distribution of the building lots and farm lands, the assignment of water rights, and all matters pertaining to the administration and development of the settlement. But whenever the town had thirty heads of families and adult citizens, a public meeting could be held to elect a cabildo or ayuntamiento ( city council), which was to consist of two alcaldes (mayors), six t'egidores (city magistrates), one procurador (solicitor), and one mayordomo de ,pro-pios (city steward). These officials, under the supervision of the commissioner, were to take over all matters of local admin- istration, police, and public welfare. The results of the election were to be reported to the governor for his formal approval. Within the four square leagues granted to the villa, sections of pasture and woodland were to be set aside for the common use of the settlers. All were to share in the tierras de ,propios (lands cultivated in common within the city limits), the proceeds of which were to meet the expenses of administration and public improvements. As a special privilege, settlers of new villas were to bt\ allowed to pasture their cattle, gather wood, fish, and hunt on vacant royal lands beyond the town limits. In order to give symmetry to the town, the church and public buildings were to be erected around a central square or plaza; and to the rear, the the house lots were to be arranged in rows to form streets. After the blocks had been laid out, the commissioner could grant to a settler- according to his needs-a whole, a half, a quarter, or an eighth block. To avoid complaints of favoritism in granting building sites, the first settlers were to draw lots to determine the location of their property. Beyond the town limits, lands were to be set aside in all four directions for the common benefit of all for amusement, pasture, and cultivation. It was from this outlying land that grants were to be made to new settlers. The land adjoining the villa could be assigned to individuals for farming. These grants, called suertes, averaged 200 by 400 varas.
. I
j'
Powered by FlippingBook