Our Catlzolic Heritage in Texas
The garrison had only fifty-three horses, however, lacking eighty-three to make up the required number provided by the regulations. But it was impossible to keep horses in good condition at this post, Rubi observed, because of lack of proper forage and the need of making frequent trips to Los Adaes, La Bahia, or San Antonio for supplies over the most difficult roads in Texas. On the whole the men showed more military instruction and discipline than any he had visited in the province, and Captain Afan de Rivera had done his duty well under trying circum- stances. He deserved to be rewarded by promotion, if possible. The location of the post was ill-chosen and the maintenance of the garrison seemed to serve no purpose. It was inaccessible both by land and sea. Nothing could be raised in its vicinity. The men were often forced to subsist on roots because of delay in securing supplies from distant posts. The fear that this area might be occupied by pirates or foreign intruders was a wild figment of the imagination and only those who had never seen the region could believe such tales. The river did not even flow into the open sea, but lost itself in a series of shallow lakes before it reached the coast. The climate was unhealthy and the dampness prevented the storage of supplies even when these were brought in sufficient quantity. He was thoroughly convinced of the uselessness of this presidio and made up his mind at once to recommend its suppression. 51 The last presidio \'isited was Nuestra Senora de Loreto at La Bahia, near the mouth of the San Antonio River. Lieutenant Tomas de Ojeda was in command of its garrison when Rubi arrived in November, 1767, to conduct his inspection. The old commander Captain Manuel Ramirez de la Piscina died on July 26 of that year and although Francisco Tovar had been already appointed to succeed him, the new commander had not arrh·ed at his post. Piscina had been captain for many years. In his will he revealed the attachment that had grown between him and his soldiers. He absolved from their debt to him all men. who had served at La Bahia for ten years or more. His attitude offers a refreshing contrast to the conditions at Los Adaes. The fifty soldiers of the garrison passed inspection in their best uniforms, consisting of red jackets and red flannel trousers adorned with metal buttons. But the stern marshal noted that many of the uniforms were threadbare and soiled. The horses numbered two hundred thirteen, of which only eight were unfit for service. But their guns were of different
• 1 lnspection of Orcoqulzac by Rubi, October 10, 1767. A. G. I. Audie11cia de Guadalajara, 104-6-1 3 (Dunn Tr. 1767) pp, 341-356.
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