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Ripperda informed the viceroy that he was ready to carry out his orders and that he was sending word to Orcoquisac and Los Aclaes to begin preparations for the final abandonment. He was only waiting to hear from Oconor before going to Los Adaes in person to take charge. The instruc- tions from Oconor reached him on l\fay 18. It is time here to state that GoYernor Ripperda and Inspector Oconor had a jealous hatred for each other. This will explain in part the lack of cooperation between the two men. Ripperda resented the promotion of Oconor, who was a younger man, to··the rank of Colonel, and his appoint- ment as Comandante Inspector. It is easy to understand then, how deeply the governor resented the instructions of May 8, sent to him from El Carmen, in which Oconor went into great detail on matters purely admin- istrative. Ripperda immediately addressed himself to the viceroy and inquired: "Am I to exercise the political administration of this province without being dependent on the Comandante Inspector?" He pointed out that he was his senior in rank and asked if he had to obey Oconor under the circumstances in matters both civil and military. The viceroy replied on June 30 that although Oconor was Ripperda's junior in rank, nevertheless the appointment as Comandante Inspector of the Interior Provinces placed him above the governors of the provinces regardless of military rank or length of service. Under the circumstances it would be well to abide by his instructions. 38 Ripperda did not await the reply of the viceroy. As early as May 10 he had sent additional orders to the men at Los Adaes and Orcoquisac to stop all planting and to begin gathering their cattle and other property in preparation for the withdrawal. He mentioned for the first time a certain Antonio Gil Ibarbo, who he declared had established a prosperous ranch at a place called El Lobanillo, near the old Ais Mission, where fourteen families with sixty-five members were now living. The place was thirty leagues on this side of Los Adaes. Gil Ibarbo was one of those remarkable leaders of men which pioneer communities sometimes engender. At his initiative and under his leadership, the purpose of the New Regu- lations to abandon east Texas was to be eventually defeated. But more about him will appear later. Ripperda informed the viceroy that he had also instructed the mis- sionaries and the officers at Los Adaes and Orcoquisac to use every means to appease the Indian nations, particularly the Tejas, Bidais, Orcoquisacs
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38 Ripperda to the Viceroy, April 1 S, x 77 3; May 22, I 77 3; Viceroy to Ripperda, June 30, 1773. A. G. At. Provincias /11ternas, Vol. 100, pp. 456, 466, 468-469.
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