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Establisliment and Early Progress of San Xavier Missions
viceroy himself, made an appeal directly to the king. The exact date of his memorial is not known, but it is evident that it was written a short time after February 14, 1747. After reviewing in detail all the circum- stances up to that date, and listing the various tribes whom it was intended to congregate in the new missions, he stressed the political advantages of the project. The tribes to be congregated were and had long been under the influence of the French; they lived on the French border; they obtained their weapons and supplies from French traders. Consequently, "if France should become hostile-God forbid it-she might, without any difficulty gain possession not only of this province, but of many others of New Spain," he emphatically declared. He then pointed out the advantages that would result from winning the friendship of these Indians through the establishment of the proposed missions and a presidio. In view of the facts presented, he urged, not only permission and aid to found the missions on a permanent basis, but also the means necessary to establish a hospital in Texas, either at San Xavier or some other con- venient place. There was great need for such an institution to serve as an infirmary and a place of rest for the sick and worn-out missionaries, who had spent their strength in the conversion of the Indians. The hospice could become the headquarters for the prelate of the San Xavier missions. At present, ailing missionaries in Texas had to travel from three to four hundred leagues for medical attention. While arguing the advantages of the hospice, he presented the needs of the new missions. These would require a prelate, and two missionary priests in addition to those regularly assigned to each mission, who could reside in the hospice and act as sub- stitutes for those who became ill. Two lay brothers would also be needed, one to serve as nurse, and the other to act as financial agent to secure funds in Mexico and to help on the project. 29 Formal autlzorization of the missions. Before the king took action, and before the adverse reports of Captain Orobio and Governor Garcia arrived, the viceroy ordered on December 23, 1747, that three missions be founded on the San Xavier River. These were to be erected within eight months. The corresponding appropriations were authorized at once for the payment of a year's salary in advance for six missionaries, and the royal factor was instructed to purchase the necessary ornaments and
29Memorial of Father Ortiz to the King, cited by Bolton in Texas in tl,e Middle Eigllteentl, Cent11r'1, 173-175.
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