Our Catholic Heritage in Texas
or near Laguna de Guzman and Valle de Ruiz. From here it would be approximately forty leagues to El Paso. 57 This presidio was within the jurisdiction of New Mexico, whose limits extended southwest to El Carrizal. While it had the largest population of any frontier settlement. totaling five thousand souls, counting the villa and missions, it was unfortunately too far north of the proposed line, being thirty-three degrees and some minutes north. Nevertheless it was not close enough to Santa Fe either, being one hundred thirty-five leagues from the capital of that province. The presidio and garrison stationed in the prosperous settlement, however, was not needed in its present location because the settlers and mission Indians were fully capable of talcing care of themselves. Rubi proposed therefore that the presidio be moved to the vicinity of El Carrizal and placed at or near Samalayuca springs, where a struggling settlement had been erected by thirty brave families who were greatly in need of pro- tection. Furthermore, at Carrizal the presidio would be more closely in line with the proposed chain of forts and would afford more effective protection to the Province of Nueva Vizcaya. ln fact, the villa and missions at El Paso del Norte should be withdrawn from the jurisdiction of New Mexico and placed under that of the Governor of Nueva Vizcaya. The constant trade between Santa Fe and Chihuahua required pro- tection and the settlers of El Paso could not be expected to defend themselves and furnish escorts. This would require the establishment of a new post north of El Paso, to insure safe communication with Santa Fe. Rubi suggested this could be established at or near Robledo, some twenty leagues north, on or near the Rio Grande, with a garrison of thirty men and an officer from Presidio de Santa Fe. These could be reenforced by the founding of a settlement in the vicinity of the new post, offering free lands and other inducements to the poorer and less fortunate settlers of El Paso. If deemed advisable, a number of the settlers up to thirty might be enlisted as volunteers, to form a body of militiamen, who would aid the regular garrison in defending the settlement, or in their campaigns against hostile Indians, by being assigned fifteen pesos a month, amount- ing to half the regular salary allowed to the soldiers. This would constitute an added inducement to the prospective settlers, particularly if the salary was paid in specie.s• Recommendations concerning El Paso. S7Digttarnen of Rubi, April Io, 1768. A. G. I. Audiencla de Guadalajara, 104-6-13 (Dunn Tr., 1768-1772) pp. 6-17. 51/bid., pp. I 8-2 I.
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