Ottr Catholic Heritage in Texas
Antonio de Echevarria. It was explained that the pasture lands on Leon Creek belonged to them also, as well as all branded cattle and stock found therein. But if any unbranded livestock was caught or killed, their number was to be reported to the governor for the payment of the fee exacted by His Majesty. Father Pedrajo declared that there were some debts owed the mission by various individuals and that he would prepare a detailed report of these assets, so that the new jttsticia might take steps to collect them. He added that there were in Reynosa thirty-two horses and one mule which belonged to Mission San Jose. These were to be brought back by Felipe Neri Montoya who had already gone for them. The neophytes were given possession also of the granary, a stone building forty varas long and eight wide, with a domed roof and two doors. There were, besides this structure, the carpenter shop with its t~iple arch corredor, a workshop, and fifty-four dwellings. Six of the latter were in ruins, but the others were in fairly good condition. Most of them had doors and windows. 27 Misgivings conceming La BaMa Missions. While wa1tmg for the completion of the survey and division of the San Jose mission, Governor Munoz reported to the commandant general the secularization of San Juan Capistrano and La Espada. At the same time Munoz called his attention to the fact that there were three men and five women at San Jose who were not civilized or capable of administering their own affairs. These eight Indians had many relatives on the coast who might come to join them. The governor wanted to know what he should do with them. In the meantime, while awaiting the decision, he would assign them sufficient property to insure their livelihood under the supervision of the missionary. It is of interest to note that he also informed Nava at this time that there was a group of Indians at Reynosa who had expressed a desire to join Mission San Jose. In view of the circumstances, he had sent an Indian and a Spaniard to inform them of the secularization and to find out if they still contemplated coming. Should they decide to come, the governor assured Nava he would take such steps as were necessary to provide for them until he received instructions. 27 Ynventario de los bienes de Temporalidad de la Mision de s. S. Jose, Provincia de Texas, Entregados con arreglo a orden del senor comandante general de estas Provincias Ynternas de N. E. Briger. Dn. Pedro de Nava a los Yndios de ella por el Govemador Dn. Manuel Munoz. Saltillo Archives, Vol. VI, pp. I 35-1 57.
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