his services, the Crown granted him the title of conde de Sierra Gorda, free of lanzas (duty imposed on noblemen in lieu of military service) and media anata (tax paid on assuming office). He died forgotten in 1770, probably on September 10, in Quetétero or Mexico City. Five years later he was exonerated of the legal charges against him, and rehabilitated. The title passed to his eldest son, Manuel. Manuel died without descendants, and the second son of José, Mariano, became count. Ciudad Victoria, now the capital of the state of Tamaulipas, erected a statue to his memory in 1975. There are also streets named for him there and in Querétaro. In Laredo, Texas the Festival de Música José de Escandón is celebrated annually in November. There is also a statue dedicated to him in Alice, Texas. A statue was dedicated to Jose de Escandon in 2014. It's located at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, Texas. See also Blas María de la Garza Falcón References "Escandón, José de," Enciclopedia de México, v. 5. Mexico City, 1988. "Tamaulipas," Enciclopedia de México, v. 13. Mexico City, 1988. External links Handbook of Texas Online 1700 births 1770 deaths People from the Bay of Santander Counts of Spain Colonial Mexico Military personnel from Cantabria Politicians from Cantabria