The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 5, July 1901 - April, 1902 Page: 151
370 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
The Early Settlers of San Fernando. 151
Naturally the order caused some hard feeling on the part of the
settlers and soon a specific case was brought before the authorities.
Vicente Albares Travieso, the alguacil mayor, asked for permission
to go to Mexico, or, at least, to Saltillo, to be cured of a severe ill-
ness from which he was suffering. He did not mention the disease,
but, from his subsequent importunity, it must have been dangerous.
There appeared to be no one in the province who could cure him.
Although he claimed that the decree of the viceroy applied only to
matters of business and offered to bring witnesses to certify to the
truth of his statement, his petition was in vain.1 The next year,
the other members of the cabildo came to his assistance and in a
series of petitions asked the governor for the specific decrees by
which he refused their associate's request. They spoke of the great
injustice done them, in being the only settlers refused free depart-
ure from the province, and mentioned the obligation of the govern-
ment to fulfill the promises by which they were induced to make
their voluntary journey from their distant island home. Surely,
they said, the authorities would not refuse the first settlers of the
place license to leave the province, upon such a serious matter as
seeking the necessary cure for diseases. With reference to the pro-
hibition against leaving the province for commercial purposes they
complained of the difficulty of maintaining themselves by means of
their scanty products, with no opportunity to seek other markets.
What seemed to make this prohibition especially galling was the
fact that the new settlers who had joined them, and all others of
the vicinity, had the privilege of going freely, back and forth, for
the purpose of trading, while the Islanders, the "voluntary first
settlers," were restrained. They bitterly contrasted this with the
fair promises made them before their departure and the considerate
treatment they had received everywhere along the route of their
journey. Here, in their chosen abiding place, they lived in a state
of captivity, virtually worse than that of the galleys. Thus com-
plaining, they sent their petition to Governor Sandoval, asking for
copies of the orders concerning their detention, and desiring the
governor to forward their petition and complaint to the viceroy, at
his own expense.2
'Petition of Travieso.2Petitions of cabildo, February 6, and March 5, 1735.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 5, July 1901 - April, 1902, periodical, 1902; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101021/m1/157/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.