Om· Catltolic Heritage in Texas
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same time he wrote a polite but cold letter to Fray Mariano informing him that he would hasten to San Xavier. From the governor's report to the viceroy it seems that the news of the Apache attack reached him before the escort arrived in La Bahia. He immediately set out for San Xavier, as he had informed Fray Mariano he would do. Two days later he met the escort and in their company continued to San Xavier, where he arrived on May 20. 38 He found the soldiers stationed there deeply discouraged over the recent defeat and the loss of all their horses except those they were riding. He encouraged them as best he could, and gave them all the horses he could spare. He then proceeded to investigate conditions. The site, in his opinion, had been ill chosen. During the rainy season the river overflowed and in years of drought the stream dried up, leaving nothing but pools. The zeal of the missionaries was unquestionable and the Indians congregated were numerous, but the latter were more interested in trading with the Spaniards and the French than in Christianity, very much as at Los Adaes. What they desired was the profitable trade the post would afford them and the protection it would give them against their bitter enemies, the Apache!'.. Politely and without giving open offence, he tried skillfully to persuade the viceroy of the futility of the project. 39 In his report of the actual events, Fray Mariano declared a year later that the governor had informed him that he had instructions to make a thorough investigation. Later, he had learned that upon his arrival in San Xavier he had called the Indians together to question them as to whether they wished to live in missions. The soldiers had previously instructed them to answer negatively. To discourage the establishment he had then instructed the soldiers to send their families away because it was unsafe. His actions and measures taken showed a general displeasure with the entire project. 40 That the deductions of Fray Mariano were not unfounded was not only UThis is the date given by the Governor in bis official report of July 2 5. Bolton says he arrived on May 26. The confusion is due to a r~port ~ade b! Fra! Mariano a year later, in which be says he waited for the Governors pro_m1sed aid until May 2 6. Governor Barrio to the Viceroy, July 25, 1748, San Francisco el ~rande Arckive, Vol. 4 , pp. 95 • 9 8; J!:scrito presentado, July-Augu~t, 1.749, Arckwo del Colegio (Dunn Tr., 1716-1749). See also Castaneda, Morft s H,stor,i of Texas, pt. 2, pp. 303-304. . . "Governor Barrio to the Viceroy, July 2 5, 1748, 10 o,;. c,t. ,oEscrito presentado al Gov. July-August, 1749. Arckivo del Colegio (Dunn Tran- scripts, I 7I 6•1749) •
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