Destruction of the San Xavier i11issions
309
On February 1, 175 r, the former official rendered his detailed opinion. He again reviewed the entire history of the project; he pointed out that the recent investigation had amply proved the advisability of the erection of the presidio approved and recommended by the Junta de Guerra in July, 1749, at the present site of the missions; and he outlined the plans for the erection, recommended a garrison of fifty men, and suggested that the site of the presidio be selected by the padres and the captain of the garrison upon his arrival in San Xavier. 25 The A11ditor concurred in all the recommendations of the Fiscal and urged the early consideration of the matter by a Junta de Guerra y H acienda. 26 The viceroy, who had long since been in sympathy with the project, accepted the reports of his two trusted advisers and called a ltmta de G11erra :Y Hacienda for March 11, 1751. It was an august assembly that gathered in the great hall of the viceregal palace on the appointed day. The members of the A udiencia, highest judicial and administrative body of New Spain; the officers of the royal treasury; Juan Albuerne, Marques de Altamira, Auditor General of New Spain; Doctor Antonio de Andreu y Ferras, Fiscal of His Majesty; General Juan Antonio Bustillo y Ceballos, ex- governor of Texas, now A lea/de Ordinario of the most noble city of Mexico; and Captain Joaquin Orobio y Basterra, former commander of La Bahia del Espiritu Santo, took their seats and the viceroy presided in person. The bulky accumulation of claims and counterclaims con- cerning the advantages of the San Xavier River as the site for the new missions and the proposed presidio were briefly but intelligently sum- marized and the long and detailed report of Captain Joseph Joaquin de Eca y Musquiz, of Presidio del Sacramento, was carefully considered. After due deliberation it was the opinion of the majority of those present that the recent investigation "showed patently that all the difficulties that had heretofore embarrassed the establishment of the presidio on the banks of the San Xavier River had been effectively dissipated." Conse- quently the necessary steps to put into execution the recommendations of the Fiscal and the Auditor for the erection of the proposed presidio Approval of the Junta. 25 Relacion de los antecendetes de las misiones de San Xavier y reconomimiento por Eca y .Muzquiz, February 1, 1751. San Francisco el Gramie Archive, Vol. 19, pp. 186-190. 26 Parecer de! auditor sobre la ereccion de un nuevo presidio con so soldados para la proteccion de las tres misiones de San Xavier. In Ibid., pp. 190-191.
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