Our Cat/1olic Heritage in Texas
orders for the removal of the presidio and mission to Los Horconcitos on August 12, 1764. But these were never carried out because the breach between Martinez Pacheco and Martos y Navarrete assumed such propor- tions that everything else was forgotten in the ensuing feud. The month's visit of the governor at Orcoquisac did little towards restoring harmony. Although Martos later claimed that the garrison was on the verge of mutiny when he arrived in June, 1764, and that only his presence had prevented an open break, it seems more likely, in view of the circumstances, that the governor did everything in his power to foment whatever discontent already existed. Claiming that Martinez Pacheco was quick-tempered, cruel, arrogant and avaricious, the soldiers of San Agustin began to desert and seek refuge in Natchitoches shortly after the governor's departure. By August 28, 71 only five remained at Orcoquisac, Lieutenant Domingo del Rio being one of them. On this date, the deserters addressed a petition to Governor Martos y Navarrete, through the French commander Periere, recounting their grievances, imploring permission to return and surrender, and asking for justice against Captain Martinez Pacheco. With suspicious alacrity the governor granted the request of the deserters, who came to Los Adaes immediately thereafter. A formal inv~stigation of their complaints was instituted, in which depositions were taken and all agreed on the charges against their former commander. Martos y Navarrete, without giving the accused an opportunity to answer the charges presented by deserters, considered the evidence sufficient and passed judgment on the Captain of San Agustin by formally deposing him on September 12, appointing Marcos Ruiz of Los Adaes to succeed him and pardoning the deserters, whom he sent under Ruiz to take charge of affairs at Orcoquisac. The newly appointed commander was instructed to serve notice on Martinez Pacheco that he had been suspended from office, place him under arrest, and send him out of the province until the matter was officially decided by the viceroy. Marcos Ruiz and his band of pardoned deserters departed at once to carry out the instructions received. They arrived in Orcoquisac on October 7, about noon. The Presidio de San Agustin was practically deserted. Only four soldiers were on duty. Lieutenant Del Rio had gone across the river in search of some cattle, and Captain Martinez Pacheco was taking his siesta ( after dinner nap). Ruiz marched his men to the 71 Bolton says August 18, but Martos y Navarrete gives the date as the 28th in his letter to the King of May I 7, I 776. A. G. I., A11dienda de G11adalajara, I 03-6-27 (Dunn Transcripts, 1767"), pp. 59-68; Bolton, op. cit., 368.
Powered by FlippingBook