Power's Promise of Paradise

Part I: Power's Promise of Paradise

You know before I explain, I'd like to make a point. It's heartbreaking to know that such an individual could wreak so much havoc over our people and future generations to come. It takes looking at it very closely, to see truths.
So let me explain a preliminary fact. This is the kind of man he was. When he was getting desperate, because they (Power & Hewetson) had one year left on their empresario contract, Power decided to make the voyage to Ireland because he needed to rapidly meet his quota of 400 families or settlers, of which he never did.
But he went to several counties up in Ireland, including Wexford and Ballygarett and made promises to these people, simply lied. He promised those poor souls that there would be riches waiting for them, green pastures and wonderful times.
Well, when they made the voyage, very few knew it was going to take over 6 months by sea to finally get to the Gulf of Mexico. I believe over half of the passengers died of cholera and the one quarter remaining were in dismay when they arrived.
They weren't treated to pleasantries, Refugio was nothing more than a mission that was inhabited by soldiers, they were also dealing with wandering Karankawa, and the South Texas heat was just about to kick in.
As a matter of fact, many of the Irish that did make it to Refugio settlement, bitterly complained to their family's back in Ireland. That is a fact. This is a fact, they complained about him, Powers. They even considered the possibility that he was taking part in piracy over the sea. Everything was being leveled against him. This is the kind of man he was. A pirate.
Mark


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