Occupation of the Trinity River, Ii46-1772
treasury on April 30, 1757, to pay thirty thousand pesos to the agents of the Governor of Texas for the purchase of the cattle, supplies and equipment recommended by the Junta for the civil settlers. At the same time he informed the governor of his action and told him that the necessary guns, swords, and ammunition would likewise be furnished for the Spanish and Tlaxcalteca Indian families, who were to defend themselves against Indians and foreign aggressors. 56 It seems that Miranda was the bearer of the viceroy's communication. At any rate in October of the same year, he again undertook an exploration of the mouth of the Trinity River at the request of the governor. On October 5, 1757, he reported that the river flowed to the south; that it was from five to ten varas deep near the presidio and deeper two leagues below; that the bay was broad and roomy but shallow, only one vara deep four leagues from the mouth of the river. He had attempted to explore the bay in a canoe, first to the east and then to the west, but strong winds had prevented the accomplishment of his object. He recommended that the Presidio de San Agustin be moved to Los Ojos de Santa Rosa del Alcazar. 57 The governor cleanges his mind and tlze civil settlement is suspended. Almost a year before, Governor Barrios had been of the same opinion and had himself urged the removal to Santa Rosa. His request had been granted by the Junta and ordered carried out by the viceroy, who had furthermore made available the necessary funds. But for some unexplain- able reason, Barrios changed his mind and on October 20, 1757, declared Santa Rosa unfit for the civil settlement or the establishment of the presidio and mission. In order to save his face, he now turned on his good friend, Miranda, and unscrupulously blamed him for having mis- represented the facts concerning Santa Rosa. He declared that he had set out to explore this site himself a year before, but circumstances had obliged him to commission Miranda to carry out the enterprise and that on his recommendation he had indorsed the removal. But upon receipt of the orders for the transfer on August 15, he had gone personally to Santa Rosa and had found that although the site was most pleasing to the eye, the appearances were deceiving because irrigation was impractical. He deeply deplored the misrepresentation which had caused so many 56 The Viceroy to Governor Barrios. April 30, Ii5i- A. C. ,11., Jlist,,ri,1, \'ol. 91, pt. 1, pp. 20-2 1 ; Dictamen del Fiscal que se den a los Tlaxcaltecas las mismas armas. April 29, 1757. St111 Fra11cisco t!I Gra11d11 Ard1iv11, \"ol. 7, pp. 153-155. 57 Reconocimiento del Rio de la Trinidad por Bernardo de :\liranda, Oi:tobcr 5, 1757. Sa11 Francisco el Gr,111d11 Archh 1.:, Vol. 7, pp. J-6.
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