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Our Catlzolic Heritage in Tezas
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struggling soldiers of the presidio and their emaciated families from starving. Why had the missions, however, failed to reach in East Texas the state of prosperity and development enjoyed by those on the San Antonio River? The chief reason for the slow progress and meager results obtained, in spite of the almost superhuman efforts of the zealous missionaries and their heroic sacrifices, was that the number of soldiers assigned to the Presidio of Nuestra Senora del Pilar de los Adaes, which was too far from all the three missions, with the exception of San Miguel, was insufficient to give efficient aid to the missionaries. This had made it impossible from the beginning to persuade the Indians to congregate in pueblos at the missions where they would be under the total supervision of the Padres. The Indians in this area, furthermore, had limited but independent means of subsistence, raised a modest amount of products, and traded freely with both the French and the Spaniards, the former having supplied them since an early date with a generous number of firearms. These facts made them refuse obstinately to be reduced to mission life. They felt secure in their ability to resist with their firearms any determined attempt to coerce them. If the Spanish soldiers tried to help the missionaries by forcing the natives to live regularly in the missions, they would not only become openly hostile, but would, in the final analysis, take refuge among the French. Lastly, the good friar pointed out that the missions had never been properly supported and had always lacked the material means to care for a large number of neophytes for a period of time sufficient to make them see the greater benefits and fruits to be obta1ned by their conversion to Christianity. 16 Zacatecan martys. "In the service of these missions," says the report, "and in the interest of their development, many religious from this College [of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe of Zacatecas] have lost their lives, innocent victims of their faith. Father Fray Luis Montes de Oca died in the flames of a conflagration started by enemies of his mission. Father Fray Francisco Xavier Cubillos was frozen to death in the icy waters of the Rio Grande del Norte. Father Fray Francisco Xavier de Silva was pierced by arrows and torn to pieces by the Apaches, whose fierce appetite made food of his flesh. Lastly, Father Fray Joseph Villar died in the desolate fields, under a tree, with no other roof over his
76Fray Ciprian to Fray Abasolo, October 27, 1749. Sa11 Fra11&isco 1l Gralld1 ArcMv11, vol. 5, pp. 41-47.
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