Royal Spanish Army, and his appointment as
Governor of Puebla, February 23, 1777.
In the municipal archives of the city of Puebla, on page 33 of the folio
covering the years 1776-1783, is the following description of Portola's
taking possession of the office as Governor of that city and state:
"Possession of Governor Portola."
"In the session (meeting of February 23d, 1777), the council saw a royal
title of Political and Military Governor of this city granted by his
Majesty to Senor Don Gaspar de Portola, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Royal
Army, and also a superior order of his Excellency the Viceroy, Governor,
and Captain General of this New Spain, in which is stated that said
title has been forwarded."
"The President of the Council, standing and uncovered, took the title in
his hand and kissed it and put it over his head, being a letter from the
king, our master, and said that he would obey and he did obey its
contents and in its provisions it was ordered that Lieutenant-Colonel
Don Gaspar de Portola be given possession of said office, and for that
purpose, said noble corporation went out with the heralds to bring him
to this hail of sessions, and when he was in, a notary-public having
certified to his identity, he swore to use faithfully and well the
office of Governor, doing justice, punishing, and not burdening the poor
with excessive taxes; to keep and cause to be kept, the rights,
privileges, royal decrees and ordinances, etc."
"Having signed the oath, the president gave him the cane of Royal
justice, by which the act of possession was completed."
In the same volume many decrees and ordinances are signed by Portola as
Governor of Puebla.
