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Our Catholic Heritage in Texas
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farm implements, and tools for the construction of houses. If they agreed to come to li,·e in Mission Valero either to cultivate the two of its farms independently or work for wages and rations until the government decided their ultimate destination, the Father President offered to build a special chapel to enable them to attend services independently of the Indians; he agreed to administer to them all the sacraments without stipend, and to do anything within reason to alleviate their suffering. 8 But although Father Ramirez de Arellano was willing to help the suffering Adacsanos generously, he was fully aware that human nature is weak and that the present plight of the remaining settlers in San Antonio was not due entirely to fate and an unfair deal. 'Willing as he was to aid and comfort the worthy, he asked Governor Cabello that in either case proposed, the government should appoint an overseer or agent to compel the settlers to work regularly in order that the land assigned to them should be utilized to the fullest extent and as much grain as possible should be raised in accord with the desire of Croix. He concluded by frankly stating that he would regret the waste of land and the consump- tion of supplies by individuals, who in the name of distress and misfortune desired at heart to live and dress without sufficiently exerting themselves.' Reaction to Father Ramfre:; de A,-ellano's ,proposal. Governor Cabello called together the Adaesanos on April 5, 1778, and read to them the offer made by the Father President of the missions for their temporary relief. They listened in silence and showed little or no enthusiasm. There were forty-four men present, varying in age from fourteen to over sixty years. Asked what they thought of the alternate proposals just read, they replied they could give no answer because all were not present. They suggested that a committee of three be appointed to interview those absent, and that three days be allowed them for a formal reply. Agustin Rodriguez, Bernardo Cerventes, and Miguel de la Cerda were appointed and charged with the duty of questioning each and every one not present. Three days later, on April 8, Rodriguez and his companions solemnly declared that all the former settlers of Los Adaes, of whom there were now sixty-three heads of families left, fully appreciated the generous offer to help them made by Father Ramirez de Arellano.· They were reluctant to accept, however, because since the lands belonged to the mission Indians in the final analysis and titles were vested in them, •Fray Pedro Ramirez de Arellano to Governor Cabello, January (l\farch) 22,
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1778. A. G. Al. Historia, Vol. 51, p. 510. 9 /bid., A.G. M. Historia, Vol. 51, p. 411.
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