Beginning of Secularization in San Antonio
347
Consequently the establishment of a settlement there would require an adequate garrison for its protection of forty-five or fifty men. The fortifi- cation of the proposed site on the San Marcos, however, would make the maintenance of the garrison at La Bahia in its present strength unneces- sary. A much smaller number of men there would suffice, if a strong garrison was placed on the San Marcos to check the raids of the Comanches before they penetrated to the coast. As to the aid required by the settlers, the governor thought they would have to be supplied with oxen, agricultural implements, tools, domestic animals such as hens, goats, and sheep, and should be allowed subsistence rations or their equivalent until the first crop was raised. 3 The second to reply was the Cabildo of the Villa de San Fernando, whose sympathy was with the Adaesanos. Aware of the strong recom- mendation for a settlement on the San Marcos by the governor and of the advantages that such a settlement would bring to them indirectly, they agreed with the proposal, adding a few more reasons for its estab- lishment. They were more concrete in the needs of the settlers, however, and stated that in addition to implements, tools, and working animals, they should be a11owed about fifty cents a day for maintenance. Further- more, they should be accorded the right to employ mission Indians from San Antonio to help them cultivate the fields at first, paying them the corresponding wages. While it was true that the new settlement and the establishment of a garrison for its protection would involve considerable expense, this would eventua11y be justified by the development of ranches and the settlement of the rich pasture lands between the San Marcos and the Guadalupe. 4 But the Cabildo went into the subject more fu11y. If the site on the San Marcos was not thought advisable, they suggested as second choice the springs of the Guadalupe, located seven leagues south of the San Marcos River (present New Braunfels). These were only thirteen leagues (thirty-two miles) from San Antonio. While land available for cultivation was not as extensive, it could be irrigated. There were also abundant timber, good pastures, convenient quarries, and extensive pasture lands. But the Guadalupe Springs were as much exposed to Comanche raids as JGovernor Ripperda to Croix, January 11, 1778. A. G. /ti. n;storia, Vol. 51, pp. 399-401. 4 Cabildo ~ Regi,nimto to Croix, January 13, 1778. A. G. Iii. Historia, Vol. 51, pp. 402-406.
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