Our CtZtlt0lic 1/eritage in Texas
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proYince be giYcn discretion in carrying out the secularization under the plan outlined, and that he be authorized to make such regulation as he might deem necessary. 14 Apprcn.1al of plan by Croix. The recommendation of Galindo Navarro met with the hearty approval of the C vm111,mdm1te General. On June 8, I7i9, he ordered a copy of the report sent to Governor Cabdlo with in::;tructions for putting the plan into operation and a request to report the action taken. The parish priest of the Villa de San Fernando was to be informed of his duties to the mission Indians, who were to become his parishioners under the new plan. The Father President was to be likewise notied of the resolution taken, and asked to withdraw the two missionaries from I\Iission Valero. The Bishop of Nucvo Leon, in whose jurisdiction the mission was located, was to be sent a copy of the recommendations and of all the measures taken pursuant thereto for his information. Lastly, the king was to be informed of the plan adopted and put into execution for his final approYal. 15 Postponement of seculari::ation. The exact reasons for the failure to carry into effect the plans so carefully outlined are not clear, but some of the influences at work may be deduced from the touching appeal made by Bernardo CerYantes two years later. It seems that on October 20, 1780, this aged pioneer set out from San Antonio on foot, and after many hardships arrived in Chihuahua City sick and half-starved. He appeared before Croix on January 21, 1781. and explained that in spite of his age and poYerty, he had taken the desperate resolution of making the Ion~ pilgrimage on foot and without permission from the governor, because repeated appeals made by him and his companions had apparently ne,·er been forwarded. The remaining settlers from Los Adaes had by now been reduced to fiftv families besides some widows and orphan children, who - ,, if not gi,·cn aid would soon die of starYation and sufferi'i1g. He declared that nothing had been done concerning the secularization of Mission Yalero and that it seemed it would neYer be put into effect. Shortly before setting out, he had gone to Go,·ernor Cabello and asked permission to repair his miserable hut (jacal). His request had been refused on the 14 Dictamen de! Asesor General al Commandante General Croix, June 2 , 1779. In Ibid., pp. 431-447. 1 •Decreto de Teodoro de Croix, June 8, 1779. A. G. JI/. Historia, Vol. SI, p. 447. Copies of this and all other documents cited relative to the proposed secularization of :\fission \"alero at this time are found also in A. G. / ,, A udie11cia de Gut1da/ajara, 103-4-9 (Dunn Transcripts, 1777-1780), pp. 85-131.
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