O"r Cat/1olic Heritage in T ezas
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adequate supply of water, good pastures, and timber. A diary should be kept, and in making the report, Governor Garza Falcon was asked to note the distance from Monclova to the site recommended, the ad\'antages it offered for settlement, the relative location of plains, valleys, and mountains, and whether it was frequented by hostile Indians. Upon his return and while awaiting final action, he was told in Coahuila and Nuevo Leon to recruit fifty men, experienced in the use of arms. and he was ordered to submit lists of three candidates for each one of the subordinate officers. Subject to the approval by the king, the viceroy extended an appointment of captain for life to Blas de la Garza Falcon. 3 The orders did not reach Governor Garza Falcon until October 23, 1735. At that time he was actively engaged in a campaign against the Toboso Indians, but he replied immediately, saying that he would carry out the instructions with all care and that he was sending orders to Captain Joseph Antonio de Eca y Musquiz of San Juan Bautista to be ready with twenty men to join the expedition. On December 10, he informed the viceroy that he was ready to start. From such information as he had been able to gather the principal nations that lived in the unexplored territory were the Jumanos, the Pelones, and the Apaches.' Tl,e Garza Falcon-M1,squiz expedition. On December 12, Governor Garza Falcon set out from Presidio de San Francisco ( Monclova, Mexico), with twenty soldiers, ten experienced Indian guides, and several servants and herders. Taking an eastern course, slightly north, he traveled eleven leagues to Nadadores River, continuing the next day in the same direction as far as Alamo Seco, on the Alamo River, some eleven leagues distant. Following this stream to the east, he went eight leagues on December 14 to La Laja and crossed at this point. Many wild horses were seen during the march. The next day he reached the Sabinas River and crossed it, losing three loaded mules in the operation. On December 16, he changed his course to the north and went twelve leagues to Las Animas. Hastening on, he arrived in Eca y Musquiz's ranch the next day and learned that ten Apaches had attacked it a few days before. Here he was met by Father Fray Joseph Antonio Rodriguez, 0. F. M., who said Mass for ~ Viceroy to the Governor of Coahuila, Septe~ber 28; ~735. Te 5t imonio de_ la f d ., d 1 p 'd' A G J Audienc,a de Mexteo, 61-2-18 (Coahu1la un aoon e nuevo res1 10 . . . . . ., • 1733-1738), 111-113. 'Garza Falcon to the Viceroy, November 20, aDd December 10 , x735. Ibid., 114-117 .
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