Occupation of the Trinity River, I746-I772
77
among either the Spanish or French settlements. The work on the building had been recently suspended because of the ever-present uncertainty as to the permanence of the post, but with the aid of the soldiers everything could be finished in a very short time. What was needed most of all, he asserted, was assurance of stability. If His Excellency would but order it, the work could be promptly finished. The natives liked this location. It was in the heart of their own country. Furthermore the proximity of the bay or lagoon was a constant source of food in times of need. The Indians caught fish, wrestled with the alligators, which they skillfully rolled on land and killed, and they could always obtain an abundant supply of oysters here. They would seriously resent moving to any other place. The abandonment of El Orcoquisac, as the site was called, would perhaps spell failure. There were enough arable lands, he assured the viceroy, and good crops could be raised. The trouble had been negligence. The presidio had never had a reputable commander. The lieutenant in charge did not inspire respect. The men observed no discipline. They spent their time trading and gambling with the Indians. The real cause for the scarcity of food was that the corn brought as seed was traded by the soldiers for deer- skins. The certainty that misdeeds and violation of regulations would not be punished encouraged excesses. He concluded by saying that the most serious objection to the present site was the inability to irrigate and the poor supply of water. There was no irrigation at Los Adaes nor at La Bahia, he pointed out, yet good crops were raised almost every year. It was true that the river water was brackish and undrinkable during certain seasons, but excellent and abundant water was obtainable by digging wells. The underground water was not deep and was of excellent quality. The mission had a good well and the presidio could have one also. Enough water could be secured from this source to supply all the needs of a large settlement. There were excellent pasture lands, fine timber, and abundant wood within easy reach. The present site was preferable to any in the whole district. Progress had been made. This was the best proof of its suitability. What was needed was to abandon the idea of moving in order to settle down to the development of the present establishment.'' Thus Fray Abad pointed out the real advantages and the fictitious objections to the site at Orco- quisac. Time has proved how clearly he saw the true nature of tht: Trinity "Carta dd padre misionero de Nra. Sra. de la Luz informando los inconvenientes de! traslado de la misi6n a los Horconcitos, November ~7, 1 i 59, S1111 Francisco el Gra11de Archive, Vol. 7, pp. 53-60.
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