259
Establislmtent and Early P1·ogress of San Xavier iltfissions
same opinion. If part of the garrison was needed at this time to cooperate in the vast exploration planned by Escandon, as the Auditor had observed, half of the men, that is twenty-five, could participate in the exploration of the country from Sacramento to La Bahia del Espiritu Santo, as desired by Escandon, and the other half could be sent to the San Xavier for the protection of the proposed missions. The important question that should not be lost sight of was the urgent need for the immediate execution of the plan presented by the friars of Queretaro for the erection of missions on the San Xavier. This matter should not be delayed any longer. The question of the ultimate disposition of Presidio del Sacramento should be taken up in a Junta de Gtterra y Hacienda as proposed by the Auditor. If it was decided that it should be maintained in its present location, the Junta could then consider the creation of a new presidio for the proposed San Xavier missions without further delay. The king had repeatedly expressed his ardent desire for the conversion of the natives and had recommended that it be undertaken and pursued at any expense. The Fiscal argued, therefore, that if in order to establish the proposed missions a new presidio was necessary, this should be authorized in the assurance that the king would approve the measure as indispensable. 17 Substitute ,plan of Fray Ortiz. The opinion of the Auditor of September 24, 1746, was sent to Fray Ortiz at the same time that it was submitted to the Fiscal. A few days before this official rendered his report, Fray Ortiz made his formal reply to the various objections raised. Like the Fiscal, he politely but firmly maintained that the sup- pression of the detachments at Boca de Leones and Cerralvo and the transfer of Presidio del Sacramento to San Xavier were advisable and feasible. The objections of the Auditor were based mainly on Bustillo's report, and Governor Mediavilla had clearly shown in his account how this officer had been mistaken about many things cited. The truth was that the men stationed at the three places could be used either for the exploration of Seno Mexicano as proposed by Escandon, or for the establishment of the new missions on the San Xavier. If the men stationed at Sacramento were transferred to the San Xavier, in ten years they would make possible so extensive and flourishing a
I7Respuesta Fiscal del Lie. Vedoya to the Viceroy, October 28, I 7 46. San Fra 11 • cisco el Grande Archive, vol. 19, pp. 77-82.
Powered by FlippingBook