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Establisl1me11t and Early Progress of San Xavier 111issions
established mission on the San Xavier River. After spending a month or two among them he returned to San Antonio, from where he sent them such supplies as he was able to secure, but by June, 1746, his resources had been practically exhausted and official aid was not provided. On the I Ith, he wrote a long letter to Fray Alonso Giraldo, Guardian at Queretaro. "Indians," he began, "are won best by gifts and food than by words." It was essential that help be secured at the earliest possible moment. More than eight months had transpired and no decision had as yet been reached by the viceregal authorities. He had promised the Indians that a regular mission would soon be established with sufficient supplies, but months had passed and the natives could not understand the delay. They were becoming discouraged. He then told how on June 4 a group of Indians had come to San Antonio from San Xavier, and on the 8th the principal chief had arrived with others. They declared before Captain Urrutia and the Cabildo that various nations had gathered at different times to wait for the missionaries and Spaniards, but they had tired and disbanded because of the long delay. They explained that the fields that were planted early in the year were being cared for and the site was being held by their people in spite of great danger of annihilation by the Apaches. Five Indians had been killed recently by the enemy. The chief and his companions said their people could not hold out much longer without supplies, and they asked that corn, tobacco, and other things be sent to them. To all of this Captain Urrutia testified. Fray Mariano closed his report with a strong plea for immediate aid. Personally he did not mind the delay, but the Indians could not under- stand it. If a decision was not reached soon many souls would be lost. He was trying to secure a train of mules to dispatch such supplies as he could spare, but these would not be sufficient.12 Rebuttal to Bustillo's report. The agents of the College of Queretaro were having troubles of their own, as has been shown by the unexpected opposition encountered in official circles. Fray Alonso Giraldo, on learning of Bustillo y Ceballos' report, wrote to former Governor Mediavilla y Azcona on June 23, 1746, and asked him to express his opinion. 13 The 12 Fray Mariano de los Dolores to Fray Alonso Giraldo de Terreros, June 11, 17 4 6. Arcltivo del Colegio .. . (Dunn Transcripts, 1716-1749). Copy also in Sa,. Fralf- cuco el Grande Archive, vol. 19, pp. 71-72. llFray Alonso Giraldo de Terreros to Gov. Mediavilla y Azcona, June 23, 17 4 6. ArcMvo del Colegio ... (Dunn Transcripts, 1716-1749).
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