Our C atleolic H critage in T e.,·as
the unlucky adventures and the listless wanderings of the dejected exiles of Los Adaes during their sojourn in San Antonio, their new trek back east, and the reports of happenings and decisions that eventually resulted in their final occupation of the region at Nacogdoches. Petition to rctl(.nt to tl1e site of 11/ission A is. The day after their arrival in San Antonio, the tired wayfarers from Los Adaes were officially ordered by Governor Rippercla to proceed at once to the selection of building sites, farm lands, and ranches where they might establish them- selves on areas within the jurisdiction of the Villa de San Fernando, taking care not to interfere in any way with property already owned or occupied by citizens of the Villa or the missions. At the same time he sent a personal representative to the Cibolo post to distribute and give lands to those settlers from Los Adaes who had remained there. 1 But the former residents of Los Adaes were not inclined to take advantage of the offer, because their chief desire was to return to their old homes. On October 4, 1773, a petition signed by seventy-six dwellers of that place was presented to Governor Ripperda. 2 They remonstrated that it was impossible for them to find the required lands for their settle- ment near the Villa de San Fernando without encroaching upon the rights of others; that deprived of most of their property and means, it was likewise impossible for them to undertake the construction of an aqueduct for the irrigation of their lands; and that. in view of the circumstances in which they found themseh·es and of their great sufferings endured in loyally obeying the orders of I-I is :Majesty, they begged permission to found a new settlement on the site of the abandoned Mission of Nuestra Senora de los Dolores de los Ais. This site, being near Los Adaes, would enable them to reco,·er much of the scattered property they had been forced to abandon because of the short time allowed them in leaving their homes. If their petition was granted, they agreed to bear all the(~xpenses of their return, but they hoped that the king would provide a parish priest for a period of ten years, after which they would be able to relieve the royal treasury of this expense. 3 lRipperda to the Viceroy, September 28, 1773; lbarbo to Oconor, January 8, 1774. A.G. M. Historia, Vol .51, pp. 238-251, 259, 266. 2Some question as to the actual number of signers has been raised. The copy of the petition in Volume 51 of Hisloria which we examined has seventy-six signatures. Cf. Dolton, Te:~as i11 tlie Jlliddle Eig/1tee11th Ce11t11ry, 394-395. JAutos que se han introducido por los Vecinos del Presidio de los Adacs. Sobre que se les deje a \'ecindar en el de la Mision de los Ais ... A. G. Al. Historia, Vol. 51, pp. 211-216.
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