Tlie Beginnings of Present Nacogtiodtes
lbarbo now made a moving appeal to the viceroy, declaring that the wretched settlers, who had obeyed without question the dictates of the king, abandoning their homes and property in Los Adaes, and then founding a new settlement on the Trinity without royal aid, missed the consolations of religion in their numerous afflictions. The sick and the dying clamored in vain for spiritual ministration. In February, 1775, the curate and vicar of San Antonio had sent a priest, who had solemnly placed the image of Our Lady of Pilar in the new chapel and tended to the religious needs of the settlers for a few days. But he had returned to San Antonio and left the flock without a shepherd. The most urgent need of the struggling settlement was a resident priest. He begged that one be provided for ten years at royal expe_nse. 34 Upon receipt of the new petition at Bejar, Governor Ripperda immedi- ately forwarded it to the viceroy with his strong endorsement, suggesting that the ornaments and sacred vessels of the abandoned church of Los Adaes now being held by him in custody should be given to the settlers at Bucareli. 35 On April 29, 1776, the viceroy referred the petition to the Fiscal, who on May 7, rendered an opinion. The request was just and fair and should be granted, but the priest should be secured at the least expense possible, the settlers contributing what they could for his support "in order that they may hear Mass and have some one to administer the holy sacraments to them." 36 The matter was immediately referred to the Commandante Inspector, Hugo Oconor. The opposition of this official to the new settlement has been pointed out a.lready. Nevertheless in this instance he agreed to the request, but he pointed out that under the circumstances it was not necessary to burden the royal treasury with added expenses. In San Antonio there were five missions located along the river within a radius of three leagues with two missionaries each. The governor should be instructed to request the Father President of these missions to send a missionary to the new settlement to minister to the settlers until its permanence was determinecl. 37 The recommendation was once more submitted to the Fiscal, who in his 1 1776 1 In Expediente Sohre que el vecindario del Pueblo de Ntra. Senora del Pilar de Bucareli se le destine Parroco, por cuenta de la Real Hacienda. A.G. M. Historia, Vol. 51, pp. 350-353. 35 Ripperda to the Viceroy, January 15, 1776. A. G. ,I/. Hislvria, Vol. st, pp. 354-355. 36 Areche to the Viceroy, May 7, 1776. A.G. M. Historia, Vol. 51, pp. 356-357. 37 Oconor to the Viceroy, June 15, 1775. /bid., Vol. 51, pp. 358-359. 34 Ibarbo to the Viceroy, November 25
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