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Chapter 1. CHANGING FLAGS OVER TEXAS
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1 C H A P T E R 1 Changing Flags over Texas 1.1 Cortez and Coronado The first Christians in “New Spain,” which included modern Texas, were certainly not of the Baptist or even Protestant faith. These men were known as conquistadores, or the Conquerors, and claimed to be devout Catholics. Three conquistadores, Hernando Cortez (1460–1521), Francisco Vasquez Coronado (1510–1554), and Rene-Robert-Cavelier Sieur de La Salle (1643– 1687) are prominent for their lasting effects on religion in Texas. Known primarily for his destruction of the Aztec Indians, Cortez may have pushed as far north as modern-day SanAntonio.After vanquishing theAztecs, Cortez pillaged their gold, infected the population with smallpox, and forced Catholicism upon them. While in search of the “Fountain of Youth” and the “Seven Cities of Cíbola” in North Texas, Coronado also forced the Catholic faith upon the indigenous population. While holding mass whenever possible , La Salle explored all along the Gulf Coast, killing all Indians who stood in his way. Under the auspices of the cross, the actions of these conquistadores were reminiscent of the Crusaders in the Middle Ages. A. Cortez: The Enforcement of the Faith On Sundays and feast-days, the inhabitants and all who may be in the village shall attend mass in the principal church, entering before the reading of the gospel and remaining until the priest says, “Ita Missa est,” and gives the benediction, under penalty of a fine of half a peso of gold. On said Sundays and feast-days, nothing of any sort shall be sold from the time the bell calls to mass until it is all over, nor shall any store 2 ⁄ CHANGING FLAGS OVER TEXAS or office open during that time, under penalty of a fine; one-third of it to go to public works; one-third to the officer who reports it; and one-third to the work of the church. Source: Colección de Documentos Ineditos Relativos al Descubrimiento Conquista y Colonización de las Posesiones Españoles, 42 vols. (Madrid: n. p., 1885), 26:180. B. Cortez: Developing an Indigenous Catholic Faith by Force Since as Catholics and Christians our principal intention ought to be the honor and service of God, and since the motive of the Holy Father in giving to the emperor the rule of the lands and the profit from them was that the people be converted to our Holy Catholic Faith, we, therefore , require that all persons who have repartimientos of Indians be obliged to take away all their idols and warn them against further idolatrous practice, and that they refrain from all sacrifice of human life to their gods. Failure to comply with the order will on first offense be punished with a fine, the second offense with a double fine, and the third offense with the loss of the Indians. Source: Colección de Documentos Ineditos Relativos al Descumbrimiento Conquista y Colonización de las Posesiones Españoles, 42 vols. (Madrid: n. p., 1885), 26:141–42. C. The Dominicans’ Role: No Indigenous Clergy No fruit can be expected from their study . . . because they have not the ability to understand surely and correctly certain things of faith nor their reasons, nor is their language abundant enough to serve to explain the faith without great improprieties that can easily lead to errors. And it follows that they should not be ordained, for it would be better for their reputation if they are not. Because even the sacrament of the Eucharist is not given to them, for numerous reasons given by many learned and religious persons. . . . It is therefore very necessary that they should be removed from study. Source: Joaquin F. Pacheco, Francisco de Cardenas, and Luis Torres de Mendoza eds., Colección de Documentos Ineditos Relativos al Descubrimiento Conquista y Organización de las Antuiguas Posesiones [54.167.52.238] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 14:43 GMT) Españoles de America y Oceania, Sacados de los Archivos del Reino y muy Especialmente del Indias, 31 vols. (Madrid: Real Academia de la Historia, 1884), 7:541–42. D. Coronado and the Seven Cities of Cíbola Coronado’s primary assignment from the Spanish government was to find the treasures of the mythical “Seven Cities of Cíbola.” He was to push east from modern Mexico and search for a path along the Rio Grande. Coronado, however, often pushed into the northeastern areas of New Spain searching for glory and riches that were...