Occupation of tlzc Tri11ity River, 1746-1772
on or near the spot where the garrison was established, this to be placed under the care of two missionaries from the Apostolic College of Our Lady of Guadalupe of Zacatecas, in whose territory lay the Trinity River. The missionaries were to begin at once to congregate the Orcoquisacs and the Bidais under the protection and with the cooperation of the thirty men assigned to the new post in order to begin to instruct them in the catechism. For this purpose the governor was instructed to request the Guardian in Zacatecas to send two missionaries at the earliest oppor- tunity, informing him that each one was to receive four hundred ,pesos a year from the royal treasury. They would likewise be provided with the necessary ornaments, sacred vessels, and all other things customarily supplied for such purpose. Since a civil settlement was approved, the viceroy requested the governor to inform him of the proper amount of money that should be allowed each of the fifty families for expenses. In arriving at the estimate, the governor was asked to keep in mind that they were to settle near the mouth of the river and that the families enlisted should be as large as possible. The settlers were to be in addition to the thirty soldiers and the lieutenant authorized for the new post, who were to be recruited at once and ordered to occupy the site indicated without delay. Their salary was to be the same as that of the garrison at Los Adaes, to whose commander they were to be subordinated. But it was to be understood that their enlistment was for only six years. The proposal of the Governor of Louisiana for the mutual return of deserters could not be granted. The king had issued strict orders on July 26, 1752, covering this point. It would be well for Barrios to inform Governor Kerlerec of the resolution adopted by the Junta, sending him a copy of the royal order prohibiting any such arrangement. With regard to the sale of cattle to the French in Louisiana for a reasonable price a concession was made. This trade should be limited, however, to the most indispensable need of the French in order to avoid overpopulation of the neighboring province. 30 Establiskment of Presidio San Agustin de Almmada, i1'lay 27, 1756. The decree with supplementary instructions was sent immediately to the Governor of Texas for its execution. Barrios had dispatched Marcos Ruiz to Mexico with his report of September 6, 1755, who appears to have 30 Junta de Guerra y Real Hacienda, February 4, 1756; Decreto del Virey, February 12, 1756, in A. G. / ., Audie11cia de Guadalajara, 103-6-23 (Dunn Transcripts, 1756), pp. 157-162. See also the Viceroy to Governor Barrios, February 12, 1756, A.G. Al., Historia, Vol. 91, pt. 1, pp. 37-42.
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