Destmction of the San Xavier Missions
3 1 7
m1ss10ns was in fact secondary, the real one being their desire to trade with the Spaniards as they had done with the French. Since sufficient food could not be raised for the Indians and the garrison, they would have to bring their supplies from San Antonio. This source was uncertain, because upon it depended not only the population of San Antonio, but the missions and garrison at La Bahia as well. Furthermore, three large rivers had to be crossed by the supply trains and one of these was the Colorado, which was impassable in time of flood. The long road was constantly exposed to depredations by the Apaches, who might cut off all supplies at any time. Consequently he had explored the spring at the source of the San l\farcos River. There he had found that irrigation was practical above the crossing known as Paso de los Tejas. He extolled the richness of the soil, the abundance of timber, and the natural facilities of the country to sustain a large settlement. The missions should, therefore, be moved there. But the number should be reduced to one, in view of the diminished number of neophytes and the fact that one of them had no Indians. On the San Marcos the presidia could be established and a large settlement founded. To reenforce his argument he declared that when he had issued the call for volunteer settlers in San Antonio, twenty families had declared their willingness to migrate to the new settlement, provided this was founded on the San Marcos. He concluded by saying that he would suspend the erection on the San Xavier until His Excellency made known his pleasure in the matter. 37 The affair was at once referred to the Auditor on February 13, 1752, who on the following day summarized the six years of the controversy which was now reopened "without the necessary foundation and full knowledge to form an opinion on a matter so discussed and pertaining to a province so remote." He advised that the Fiscal be consulted. On February I 5, the new consulta ( consultation) was referred to the Fiscal who rendered an opinion on March 9, _requesting that before the subject was again considered Fray Benito de Santa Anna, who was still in Mexico, be notified. The request was complied with on June 5, 1752. On or before July 5, Fray Benito, in a long exposition showed how prejudiced and unfair the report and proposals of Rabago were. It was evident from the suggestions of the new captain concerning the advan- J7Testimonio de los autos fhos., 322-348. A. G. I. A11dienci11 de ,1/exico, 9 2 .6. 2 :.i (Dunn Tr. 1750-1751). The facts summarized here are found in this detailed lnforme.
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