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Our Catlwlic Heritage in Texas
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ment of an archbishopric in Texas similar to that in the United States. The matter of granting either land or privileges of any kind was not within his power as President, he wrote, since those matters lay entirely within the province of Congress. In conclusion, he expressed his great reverence for religion and Christian education as invaluable influences in the formation of a new community. He assured the Count that "If the Holy See shall deem it fitting to employ your talents in the service of Texas, by so doing it will give genuine pleasure to your most respect- ful servant." 11 The Count apparently lost no time in transmitting to Rome copies of his plan and of Houston's reply. But his proposals raised a number of questions requiring the utmost tact at this time. Clearly it was unwise for the Papacy to take a stand on the international status of the new Republic. Relations between the Government of Mexico and the Vatican had been strained ever since independence, and the anti- clerical party, encouraged •by Masonry, constituted a constant threat to the precarious relations recently established with Rome. Nothing was to be gained by adding to the already difficult situation. As a recent his- torian has so aptly put it, ".. . the concern of Pope Gregory XVI for the Texans had to be tempered by the exactions of his prickly Mexican Church policy." 19 The time was not propitious for the erection of an independent bishopric, for such a measure would smack strongly of politics. The Vatican postponed action on the proposal, but declared that steps should be taken immediately to ascertain the true state of affairs in order that proper relief might be given to the shepherdless flock in Texas. Here was a challenge that could not be ignored. While waiting for a reply to his communication, the Count appears to have established himself near Houston, together with his family, who must have joined him shortly afterwards. A friend of his, William E. Bollaert, who had made the trip with him from England, visited him in 1840, and found the Count and his family in a sad plight, sick with chills and fever. Neither the soil nor the climate had been kind to the distinguished pioneer. Disillusioned and disheartened, he was ready to return to France at the first opportunity. "I fear that this instance of 11 Sam Houston to Count Farnese, Houston, Texas, August s, I 837. French text printed from original in Ashbel Smith Papers, University of Texas, in E. C. Barker and Amelia Williams, Tlte Writings of Sam HoustOff, II, 135~136. See also Fitzmorris, op. cit., 40; Bayard, o,;. cit., 21-22. English translations vary. The French text was probably written by Ashbel Smith at the request of Houston. 1 'Bayard, O'j. cit., 22.
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