The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 8, July 1904 - April, 1905 Page: 6
xiii, 358 p. : ill., maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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6 Tewas Historical A ssociation Quarterly.
copies, nothing positive can now be stated. It is hoped that more
definite conclusions can be reached later.
In addition to translating Bonilla's history, I have made a some-
what detailed comparison of it with Altamira's Testimonio, by
which, as has been stated, Bonilla was aided in his work. In mak-
ing this summary, Altamira was carrying out an order given in
royal c6dula of July 15, 1740, in virtue of which Boneo y Morales,
afterwards [1743] appointed governor of Texas, was called upon to
sketch the previous history of Texas.'
Altamira's summary2 emphasizes the question of international
claims and rights. Its descriptions are more detailed than those of
the Breve Compendio. Its narrative, however, except in the San-
doval case, is more condensed. A comparison with other documents
will show that it is in the main accurate.3 Besides giving addi-
tional information in the Sandoval case, it has been helpful in gain-
ing an understanding of the Breve Compendio, and, in one case,
1His death soon after his arrival in Texas prevented his doing the work
(Bonilla, Breve Compendio, Sec. 18). Altamira, in the opening para-
graph of the second part of the Testimonio, mentions this same cedula and
two later ones to the same effect. The long delay in carrying out orders
he explains by a reference to the voluminous evidence and the numerous
appeals in the Sandoval case.
'As this document is brought before the reader only in fragments, it
may be well to give here an analysis of its contents:
1. The second opinion (otro parecer), mentioned in the title, urging
resistance to French encroachments (See. 1).
2. The opinion mentioned in the title (Secs. 2-58). a. Introduction,
stating the occasion of bringing forth the document, and giving a general
description of its contents (See. 2). b. A general survey of the Span-
ish and French possessions in North America (Secs. 3-22). (1) A
bird's-eye view of the actual status in North America (Secs. 3-14) ; (2)
A statement of the right of the Spanish to all the territory west of the
Mississippi (Sees. 15-17) ; (3) A more detailed description of Texas, its
physical features, its resources, its state of settlement. Incidentally, its
boundaries are partially defined (Sees. 18-22). c. A brief summary of
Texas history, 1685-1744 (Secs. 23-58) ; (1) The history, 1685-1730 (Secs.
23-34); (2) Reflections on the conditions and the needs of Texas (Secs.
34-41) ; (3) The history, 1730-1744, with especial attention to the Sando-
val case (Sees. 42-58).
"Some of its errors of historical detail may be, like many of its mechani-
cal imperfections, slips of the scribe or the printer.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 8, July 1904 - April, 1905, periodical, 1905; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101033/m1/8/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.