The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 6, July 1902 - April, 1903 Page: 27

View a full description of this periodical.

Educational Efforts in San Fernando.

EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS IN SAN FERNANDO DE
BEXAR.
I. J. COX.1
To one only superficially acquainted with the history of Texas,
under the Spanish and Mexican regimes, the above title may be the
occasion for two surprises: first, that the authorities or citizens of
the villa of San Fernando ever made commendable efforts in any
direction whatever; and second, that any effort that they should
chance to make should be directed towards education. Yet both
of these facts are true; and, when due consideration is given to the
aggregate of such efforts, the net result is not inconsiderable, nor
the effect upon our present system lightly to be ignored.
By my title I am restrained from any consideration of the edu-
cational system of other portions of New Spain; in which, however,
not a single public free school was established, prior to 17932
I must also pass over the work of the Franciscan missionaries,
which, though churchly in character, was creditable in result. The
field is restricted to the villa of San Fernando, which later devel-
oped into the "city" of San Fernando de Bexar, more familiar to
us by its modern name of San Antonio. The subject naturally
divides itself into two principal chapters: Education under Spanish
Rule, and Education under Mexican Rule.
I.
EDUCATION UNDER SPANISH RULE.
Matters strictly educational did not early occupy the attention
of the officials of San Fernando. Indeed, this is not surprising,
for the members of the cabildo (town council) were far from
being men of keen intellectual perception, while the generality of
1Mr. Cox is holder of the C. C. Harrison fellowship in American history
at the University of Pennsylvania for the year 1902-1903.-EDITOR QUAR-
TERLY.
2Revilla Gigedo, Instruccion Reservada, par. 335.

Upcoming Pages

Here’s what’s next.

upcoming item: 32 32 of 371
upcoming item: 33 33 of 371
upcoming item: 34 34 of 371
upcoming item: 35 35 of 371

Show all pages in this issue.

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 .

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 6, July 1902 - April, 1903, periodical, 1903; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101028/m1/31/ocr/: accessed March 29, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.

Univesal Viewer

International Image Interoperability Framework (This Page)

Back to Top of Screen