Plans for tlee Reorgani::atiou of tl1e Frontier
calibers and six were useless, while fifteen swords were found unsatis- factory. The men lacked shields, cartridge belts. and lances. This appeared to be a shortcoming of all the garrisons in Texas and Rubi noted the fact with an urgent recommendation that this deficiency should be repaired without delay. The soldiers appeared better feel and more contented than any of the garrisons inspected. The missions in the vicinity were in a prosperous condition. The guards assigned to them for their protection should, however, be relieved more frequently, and the men should be instructed not to perform any other duties at the missions than those pertinent to their position. The practice of exacting contributions from the soldiers for the celebration of religious feasts should be abandoned. Such contributions should be left to the will of the individual. This practice, be it said, was not confined to La Bahia, but appears to have been common to all the prcsidios in Texas. 5 : R1,M retttms to Mexico. On February 23, 1768, Rubi arrived in Mexico. On March 1, he informed Arriaga, the king's secretary, that he had retired to the town of Tacubaya with the permission of the viceroy to complete his reports on the inspection and he promised to send him copies as soon as they were finished. The Viceroy Marques de Croix, who had taken possession of the government of New Spain in August, 1766. appears to have taken a dislike to Rubi on grounds that are not clear and which seem to have had no justification. Don Carlos Francisco de Croix was, like Rubi, a stern military commander who had attained honor and distinction in Europe in the sen·ice of the king. The dislike may have been caused by a feeling of rivalry. Be that as it may, Rubi requested permission to return to Spain even before he had completed the inspection. This request the king granted on November 25, 1767, at which time he informed the Viceroy Croix that Rubi was to be allowed to return to Spain as soon as Brigadier General Marques de Torres or Colonel Duchet arrived in Veracruz to succeed him as military inspector. The viceroy resented the haste shown by Rubi in arranging his departure. This only prepared the way for further misunderstandings. These circum- stances account perhaps for the little importance given heretofore to the inspection conducted by Rubi. 53 52 lnspection of Espiritu Santo at La Bahia by Rubi, Noember 1, 1767. A. G. I. Audiencia de Guadalajara, 104-6-13 (Dunn Tr., 1767) pp. 357-366. 53 Croix was a native of Lille, Flandtrs. He was appointed to succeed the Marques de Cruillas and took the oath of office in Mexico City before the .4 udienciti on Augu~t 25,1766. He discontinued the custom of elaborate celebrations in connection with
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