011r Catleolic Heritage in Texas
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lost. But what is more lamentable [such an event] would place the entire province in a deplorable state. If the Indians now converted went back to their primitive stage, as happened in the case of the Tobosos and others, even though they should not arouse the other barbarous tribes, they would, nevertheless, increase the number of enemies of the Spaniards, give rise to new thefts, murders, and other hostilities, which might result in the ultimate abandonment of the entire province. To remedy so many evils, the king, our lord, may have to incur heavy expenses in addition to the large sums he has already spent in the settlement of this province. For these reasons and the experience, knowledge, and under- standing which the witnesses have concerning the natives, they are of the opinion that the most practical and efficient means [for the attainment of the purpose desired] are those employed until now by the missionaries. If the Province of Tejas is to be maintained and if in the future it is to grow spiritually and materially, it is necessary that no change be mad~ in the present administration of the missions. "Tenth. They declare that in view of the practical experience of the witnesses in dealing with the natives, they are of the opinion that even granting that no new converts were brought, the neophytes in the missions now are incapable of managing their own affairs and are not ready now for the goods they enjoy as common property to be turned over to them.... The reverend missionaries, without causing any additional expense to the royal treasury, but merely by having the control and administration of all the temporal goods as common property, give to each one whatever he needs for his maintenance and dress, and by the progress attained, attract other Indians and in this way succeed in reducing them to mission life, inducing them to persevere in their work. Although the spiritual labors of the missionaries, required by their holy institute, are greatly increased by having to see that the Indians cultivate their fields, build their irrigation ditches, look after the livestock, make their houses, and build their pueblos, they receive no benefit whatsoever from this work, and they go about in this land as humbly clothed and as barefooted as they do when they are in their holy college. Their zeal for the temporal welfare of the missions is inspired by their desire for the conversion of souls.'' 72 The significance of this detailed account of the work of the missionaries, their zeal, their conduct, and their policies cannot be overestimated,
UTestimonio dado el 25 de junio de 1745. Ardivo de San Francisco 4l Grande, vol. 3, pp. 84-92,
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