Occu,pation of tlte Trinity River, 1746-1772
85
settlement could not be founded here any more than on the San Jacinto because of the lack of facilities for irrigation. But he was so well pleased with the advantages over the site now occupied by the presidio and mission that without awaiting formal authorization from the viceroy, he issued instructions to the commander and the Padres at Orcoquisac for them to move to El Atascoso as soon as the crops were gathered in the fall. He explained to the viceroy that these instructions were subject to his final approval and that he had taken this measure because of the unhealthy character of El Orcoquisac. 59 Fearful, as usual, of incurring blame, Barrios carefully pointed out that it was at the insistence of Fray Vallejo and the other missionaries that he had decided to order the removal. The pathetic pictur~ painted by Fray Vallejo and Fray Caro has been described already. 60 Both friars were intimate friends of the governor and there is ground to believe that they colored their reports perhaps at his request. It is amusing to note the use which the governor made of their complaints. He had not entirely abandoned the idea of a civil settlement. 'While admitting that El Atascoso could not support such an establishment, he now suggested that a site for that purpose might be found on the San Jacinto. He doubted the possibility of finding any place that could be irrigated, but irrigation was not essential. The San Jacinto was in the heart of the Orcoquisac country, and a settlement there would have very definite advantages. In closing his report and recommendations, he asked to be allowed to remain in Texas until the close of 1759 in order to finish the various measures taken with regard to the proposed settlement. 61 A bandomnent of tlie civil settlement idea. When the report of October 20, 1757, was referred to the Fiscal on December 17, this official began to view the entire enterprise with serious misgivings. After carefully considering the antecedents, he advised the viceroy on February 3, 1758, that in view of the circumstances, it was best to suspend all action with regard to the new settlement. There still remained the question of the disposition of the presidio and mission, now established at Orcoquisac, however, which it was pro- 59Reconocimiento de El Atascosa por el gobernador. April 5-13, 1758. Sa11 Francisco el Gra11de Archive, Vol. 7, pp. :16-:19; lnforme del gobernador de Texas sobre haber dado orden de trasladar el Presidio de San Agustin al Atascocito. l\fav· 2 17 58, ibid., pp. 3:a-36. . • 60 See pages 7 5-76. 61 /bid., Vol. 7, pp. 3:a-36.
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