Our Catl,olic Heritage in Texas
By April 10, 1768, Rubi had completed his various reports and prepared a detailed opinion on the reorganization of the entire line of presidios along the northern frontier of New Spain, which he sent to Viceroy Croix from Tacubaya. Shortly thereafter, he left for Veracruz, where he remained until July 6, waiting for an opportunity to embark for Spain without further delay. In a carefully worded opinion, he presented a serious indictment of the policy followed by viceregal authorities in the establishment of presidios at random along the northern frontier of New Spain. With the experienced eye of a military commander, he pointed out that the entire northern frontier should be considered as a unit, whose effectiveness in restraining the hordes of savages that raided the settled areas and of repelling foreign attack, whether from the Russians in the northwest or the English in the northeast, depended on the effectiveness of each post and the ability of giving each other mutual support. The presidios now maintained numbered twenty-four. but their distribution was authorized without due consideration for the full and proper protection of the royal domain, having been founded haphazardly at the dictates of interested parties or misguided idealists, without regard for the true interests of the king or the ability of aiding each other in time-of need. Proposals and plans for the establishment of new presidios and for the purported extension of the frontier were constantly being presented and were being given serious consideration by viceregal officials, which a knowledge of the facts involved would reveal as utterly impractical and unworthy of any consideration. Concrete examples were the recent requests for a presidio in the village of the Taovayas in the Province of Texas, more than one hundred leagues northwest of Los Adaes and even farther from San Saba, in hostile territory; or the proposed establishment of communication between Santa Fe and the mouth of the Colorado on the west coast, or the penetration to Monterrey Bay by way of the Gila and the Colorado. A more intimate acquaintance with the true character of the frontier would have prevented the blunder of attempting the found- ing of a settlement and the establishment of a post near the mouth of the: Trinity which proved so costly. Projects of this nature would receiYe General recommendations. the taking of office. Devoted to Charles III, he served him faithfully in New Spain, and carried out with stern resolve the expatriation of the Jesuits, aided by his able cousin Teodoro de Croix, styled the Caballero de Croix. Rivera, Los Goberna11tes de ,1/exico, I, 407-421; Rubi to Arriaga, .March 1, April 3, and September 30, 1768; Viceroy to Rubi, April 12, 1768. A. G. I. A11die11cia de Guadalajara, 104-6-13 (Dunn Tr., 1768-1772) pp. 2, 69-73, 66-68.
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