The Beginnings of Civilized Life in Texas, 1731-1745
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interests. Had they failed in this, the missions would have long since been ruined or abandoned. "Seventh. They declared that the tribes that are unconverted have been gradually brought under the influence of the missionaries, replacing from these [Indians] many of those who have died in the missions. Furthermore the missionaries have gone on various occasions to visit in person nations that are more than two hundred leagues distant and have used all means in their power to convert them. So successful have they been in their efforts, that as a result of their persuasion, four nations have come to these missions of those who have neyer seen such establish- ments, with a view of being congregated. "Eighth. They declare that even if the missionaries are fortunate to find other sites suitable for the founding of new missions farther inland, with all the requisites, these can never be established without additional cost to the royal treasury, both for the construction of the missions and the establishment of new presidios which will be required for the protection and defence of both the missionaries and the newly congregated natives against the hostile Indians. For this reason it has seemed to the witnesses that the determination of the missionaries to add to the missions already established those brought from unconverted tribes, distant though they may be, is a wise policy. In this way the number of neophytes can be further increased, relieving for the time being additional expense to the royal treasury. The policy should be continued, except in the case that there be nations, who, being well satisfied to remain in the lands where they live, refuse to be converted rather than to abandon their native country. In such cases the circumstances and the zeal for the salvation of their souls will move the Christian heart of the king, our lord, to order the establishment of other presidios in their lands and the necessary missions for the salvation of their souls. "Ninth. They declared that although these missions have reached the flourishing state of development which is known to everyone, they do not believe they are ready to be turned over to the secular [priest] because new converts are brought daily, and even among those who have been in the missions a long time, there are many who frequently run away, making it necessary for the missionaries to go after them and start their labors anew to bring them back to the bosom of our Holy Mother the Church. If the missionaries were removed for any reason, the neophytes could not be made to persevere in the state in which they are today and the fruits of the missions would, unfortunately, be totally
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