86
Our Cat!tolic IIeritagc in Texas
posed to move to El Atascoso. The Fiscal wisely observed that the only justification for the existence of the new presidio was the protection which it was to afford against French incursions. It was not a question. therefore, of finding a site that was comfortable but of maintaining the new garrison authorized in a strategic position with regard to French aggressions. The governor should be thanked for his concern in regard to the expenses incurred by the treasury, but he should be instructed to make a careful exploration of El Atascoso and its strategic advantages with regard to French attack before moving the Presidio de San Agustin. 62 The viceroy ordered Barrios on March 3 to make the new investigation recommended and repeated his orders on March 13. We have already seen how Barrios had undertaken the exploration without awaiting the orders of the viceroy. When his report of May 2, 1758, reached the authorities, it seems to have convinced them of the futility of the enterprise, because the request for a longer stay in Texas was denied and Governor Angel de Martos y Navarrete was ordered to go to Los Adaes to take charge of his post and conduct the reside11cia of Governor Barrios. Los Horconcitos and Los Pielagos. The new governor took charge of his office on February 6, 1759, and immediately busied himself with the residencia of Barrios. Just as soon as time permitted, he undertook to find a site for the new Presidio of San Agustin. He went at this task methodically. In October, he visited Santa Rosa personally and concluded it was not suited for permanent settlement. Accompanied by Domingo del Rio and Fray Abad de Jesus Maria, he went to El Atascoso on November 4, and likewise decided it was unsuited for the purpose. He now set out to find a new site. Three and a half leagues above El Orcoquisac he found a place called Los Horconcitos (little forks), and one league to the north, he found another one called Los Pielagos. The latter was on a creek. Both offered facilities for the establishment of the presidio and mission, as well as a civil settlement. 63 Fray Abad de Jesus Maria was convinced that El Orcoquisac was the best place and he so stated his opinion in a long report made to the vict!roy on November 27, 1759." But Governor Martos y Navarrete strongly urged the new site in his letters to the viceroy of December 6, 61 Dlctamen del Fiscal que se suspenda la poblacion de Santa Rosa. February 3, 1758. San Francisco el Grande Arcltiue, Vol. 7, pp. 12-15. 63 Bolton, Teras in the Middle Eighleent/1 Century, pp. 354-355. 61 For his reasons in opposing the removal to Los Horconcitos see p. 86.
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