The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 5, July 1901 - April, 1902 Page: 155
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.
155
Their petitions, or rather demands, for a parish church exhibit
much of the quality of impertinence as well as helplessness in doing
anything for themselves. There were two mission churches fairly
near them and it seems that they could have arranged for services
in one of these. But they could not be satisfied, save with an edifice
of their own, and they thought that a contribution of $24,000 from
the royal treasury should be made for this purpose.' It will be
observed that the date of this representation is about seventeen
years after their arrival and ten after the probable laying of the
corner-stone of the edifice. Evidently they had done very little to
help themselves, in the interim, so the authorities donated only one-
half of the sum asked for, but stated explicitly that no more need
be expected. The government had set a bad precedent in paying
all of the early expenses in settling the municipality.
As a partial excuse for the childishness and injustice of these set-
tlers' demands we may mention their ignorance. In the earliest
documents containing their signatures we find many who did not
know how to write, for whom others must sign "by request." Thus
Arocha, the notary, signs one document for Martin Lorenzo, the
second alcalde, and Juan Curbelo, a regidor. In the same docu-
ment Goraz asserts that he could find no person in the place, who
was able to write enough to witness his papers; and he himself was
so troubled with short-sightedness that he could not write a counter-
charge which he had to make against the three above mentioned.
His signature, as well as that of the others who claimed to be able
to write, shows a lack somewhere. Joseph Padron and Manual de
Niz, both of whom later acted as alcaldes, must have some one sign
for them. Francisco Delgado, Patricio Rodriguez, and Joseph Leal,
all members of the cabildo, were under the same necessity. Juana
de Urrutia and Plova de los Santos Coy request others to sign deeds
for them. If this was the condition in the earlier days, educational
matters must have been much worse in the next generation, with
the still fewer advantages of a frontier hamlet. So we need not be
surprised in the following years to find such a report as this: "The
officers of San Fernando form a most ridiculous cabildo, because of
the ignorance of all, and do many absurd and shameful things, be-
cause of the difficulty of appeal to distant superiors."2 There
1Incomplete document, seal of 1747-'48.
2Report of De Croix, September 23, 1778; Archivo General, Historia, 43.
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/m1/161/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.