Our Catl,olic Heritage in Texas
found the missions in East Texas, a similar expedition sec out from Nueva Vizcaya to reestablish the missions founded by Mendoza and Fray Nicolas Lopez in 1684 at La Junta de los Rios in the vicinity of present Presidio. Its significance lies in the fact that West Texas was the scene of mis- sionary activity before the eastern section of the state, and the history of the Spanish occupation of Texas had its dawn along its western border rather than in the remote eastern area along the Neches and the Trinity. Furthermore, the missions at La Junta founded in 17 1 5 present a con- trast to those of East Texas. The former were founded without the use of a military garrison while the latter required presidios for their pro- tection. The method adopted was determined by circumstances. The East Texas experiment was dual in character, having for its purpose the evan- gelization of the natives and the establishment of a barrier against foreign aggression, hence its military aspect. Those at La Junta were far removed from the disquieting influence of the enterprising French traders and were not the result of a defensive movement but were the outcome of true missionary zeal on the part of the Franciscan friars. Reestablishment of Missions at La ltmta, I7I4-I7I5. On October 24, 1714, the Duke of Linares, Viceroy and Captain General of New Spain, addressed a letter to Sergeant Major Juan Antonio de Trasvina Retis, resident at the time of the Real de San Francisco de Cuellar and acting Lieutenant General of the governor of Nueva Vizcaya, in which he asked him to lend such assistance as was in his power to the missionaries of the Province of the Holy Gospel of Mexico City, who were on their way to visit the Indians at La Junta for the purpose of establishing missions among them. This enterprise would redound to the honor and glory of both majesties. Trasvina Retis was to accompany the missionaries to their destination, supply them with whatever they needed, and to make a report on the number and character of the Indians visited and their lands. The letter was delivered personally by Father Fray Jose de Arranegui, Pro- a,rador General of the Custodia of New Mexico, on April 12, 1715. Trasvina Retis lost no time in making the necessary preparations to carry out the wishes of the Viceroy. Supplies for the expedition were assembled, thirty men were enlisted, and twenty Indians were secured from the pueblos of San Antonio de los Julimes, San Pablo, Santa Cruz, and San Pedro de Conchos. At the head of the Indian contingent he placed the reliable and trusted Indian chief Antonio de la Cruz, native of La Junta, who enjoyed great prestige among the natives. All this was done at Trasvina's expense. But not considering this force sufficient, he
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