Melville Fuller

“ And among these fifty-one men petitioning are thirteen Indians, and among them all are twenty-five firearms, and they are the same persons who appear in the subjoined list, which I present in due form; and we unanimously and harmoniously, as one person, do promise to inclose ourselves in a plaza well fortified with bulwarks and towers, and to exert ourselves to supply all the firearms and ammunition that it may be possible for us to procure. ”

“ Section 14 permitted the claims of lot holders in a city, town, or village to be presented in the name thereof, and authorized the presumption of a grant to such city, town, or village, when shown to have been in existence on the day named. ”

“ By individuals associating themselves together for that purpose, and applying to the governor of the province, through whose action a city, villa, or place was established. These municipalities appear to have been quasi corporations, corporations sub modo, and their ayuntamientos exercised political control over the pueblos, and over surrounding country attached to their jurisdiction. The alcalde made allotments subject to the orders of the ayuntamiento, and they, again, were apparently subject to the provincial deputation, or an equivalent superior body. ”

“ On the north, the Rio de la Vaca, from the place called the 'Rancheria' to the Agua Caliente; on the south, the Canon Blanco; on the east, the Cuesta, with the little hills of Bernal; and on the west the place commonly called the 'Guzano,' which tract we ask to be granted us in the name of our sovereign, whom may God preserve. ”

“ The papers in the expediente show that it was the intention that a town or pueblo should be, and that it was, established. The application stated that the land asked for was intended, not only for the 51 petitioners, 'but also for every one in the province not supplied.' The Alcalde Ortiz was directed to execute the grant on 'the conditions and requisites required in such cases to be observed.' The conditions are set out by the alcalde in his report as all agreed to by petitioners ”

“ That the tract aforesaid has to be in common, not only in regard to themselves, but also to all the settlers who may join them in the future.
'Second. That, with respect to the dangers of the place, they shall have to keep themselves equipped with firearms and bows and arrows, in which they shall be inspected as well at the time of settling as at any time the alcade in office may deem proper: provided, that after two years' settlement all the arms they have must be firearms, under the penalty that all who do not comply with this requirement shall be sent out of the settlement. ”