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1 1111 I I
Tlee Beginnings of Present Na,;ogdoches
321
settlers were able to maintain one. In I7i5, the parish priest of San Antonio had gone to administer the sacraments in Bucareli and had received the corresponding perquisites. The Bishop of Guadalajara had approved the practice on August 3, Ii75, and had suggested it should be administered as part of the San Antonio parish by employing an assistant. Not to appear selfish Father Ramirez de Arellano made an alternative proposal. If the curate agreed to minister to Bucareli by going once a year to that settlement, a missionary could substitute in Bejar during his absence. He also suggested that the chaplain of the presidio might under- take to look after the spiritual needs of Bucareli. 41 In view of the objections raised by Fray Ramirez de Arellano, Croix instructed Governor Cabello to send either the Chaplain of San Antonio or La Bahia to relie\'e the missionary at Bucareli. 42 But Governor Cabello was no more willing to spare the chaplain than Father Ramirez de Arellano was to furnish one of his missionaries. He explained to Caballero de Croix. in August, I7i7, that the chaplain of the troops was also the curate of San Antonio. Under the regulations adopted by the Council of Trent, a curate could not absent himself from his parish for more than two months each year, the permission of the bishop being required e,·en for such an absence. Under the circumstances the chaplain and curate would spend most of his time communting between San Antonio and Bucareli, attending to neither properly, and require an escort constantly in his goings and comings. Such a plan was ill-advised and impractical. Furthermore, mis- sionaries were more appropriate for Bucareli, because they could advan- ta~eously exercise their sacred calling there, baptizing and converting the numerous natives that frequented the settlement. The Tawakonis and Xaranames came in large numbers, and some of the latter had agreed to return to their. former mission of La Bahia. The Mayeyes had been on the point of being congregated, but the accidental death of three of their number caused them to give up the idea temporarily. The Orcoquisacs were very anxious to be placed in a mission at the new settlement and had lately sent significant gifts to Father Garza, who was there now, accompanied by another missionary. In the opinion of the go\'ernor it would be best to continue the plan. 43 Croix evidently accepted the reasons 41 Fray Pedro Ramirez de Arellano to Co111111u11d,111lt Ct11t!ral Croix, April 27, 1777. A.G. Id. 1/istoria, Vol. 51, pp. 359-365. 42 Teodoro de Croix to Governor Cabello, June 24, 1777. In Ibid., pp. 365-367. 43 Governor Cabello to Caballero de Croix, August 30, 1777. A. G. 111. Hisloria, Vol. 51, pp. 367-372.
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