Abandonment of East Texas
279
hostility of the Indians had forced them to abandon numerous ranches and farms along Cibolo Creek and in the area between this stream and the San Antonio River. They suggested at that time that the relief party of twenty-one men from San Saba, who had arrived in San Antonio, should be detailed to establish an advance post halfway between San Antonio and La Bahia, "in order that under their protection and safeguard the citizens may return to their abandoned estancias (cattle ranches). without which this settlement cannot subsist, and that they may gather the scattered remnants of their herds." 12 When in February, -1771, the troops recalled from Los Adaes and Orcoquisac arrived in San Antonio, Governor Ripperda informed the viceroy that he would utilize a part of this force to establish a post at the point thought most convenient to afford the citizens the necessary protection to enable them to reoccupy their abandoned ranches. By March, he had detailed a detachment to establish a post on the Cibolo, but in order to determine the best location to protect all the ranches, he had called a meeting of the citizens. He went further and suggested that the citizens select a site, where a common farm and ranch could be operated under the immediate protection of the soldiers for the benefit of the Villa de San Fernando until the Indians subsided and each settler could return to his own estate. The proposal met with no encouragement. Forced to make his own choice, Ripperda selected a site on Cibolo Creek, at the Tawakoni crossing of this stream, said to be some eighteen leagues east of San Antonio on the road to La Bahia, approximately halfway between the two presidios. This would place the old fort a few miles southwest of present Stockdale. Writing to the viceroy on April 12, 1771, the governor declared that there were fifty men stationed at the new post, which was to the right of the road to La Bahia. A fort was being constructed with a good stockade. He now asked for the official approval of the new post, which he claimed was indispensable for the protection of the citizens of San Antonio who occupied the numerous ranches in "its vicinity. By June, the new fort of Santa Cruz on the Cibolo was almost finished. Governor Ripperda again pleaded with the viceroy for its recognition, unaware that the establishment of such a post was included in the recom- mendations of Rubi and would be part of the Nuevo Regla111111,to (New Regulations) being considered at this time in Spain.
11 Representacl6n del Cabildo de la Vllla de San Fernando, July 7, 1770. Provitfcias /nternas, Vol. 100, pt. 1, p. 49.
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