Destruction of the San Xavier 11fissio11s
The neophytes saw themselves deprived of their wives and daughters by the soldiers, oppressed by excessive labor, insulted every moment of the day. and denied the right to voice their misfortunes ... The religious tried to correct or modify the abuses ... They admonished the captain and the soldiers, privately and with fraternal kindness, to mend their ways.''· 1 • Only a few of the soldiers of the presidio had brought their families with them and this fact was responsible for many of the excesses com- mitted. Rumors of improper relations and immoral conditions were rife. Arucha, a soldier, complained to the zealous Fray Pinilla of the undue in- timacy between his wife and Corporal Nicolas Carbajal, one of the close friends of Captain Rabago. Fray Pinilla remonstrated with Rabago and pleaded with him that he send for the families of the soldiers. The cap- tain showed surprise, promised to send for them and authorized the good padre to correct any and all abuses. Shortly afterwards it seems Arucha's wife confessed. The scandal over her relations with Carbajal, however, was public by now. Carbajal unjustly accused Father Pinilla of having violated the seal of the confessional and of defamation of character. Under the circumstance Father Pinilla asked Rabago to cause the arrest of Carbajal and to start an investigation to prove the falseness of the accusations. Instead of complying with the fair demand, Rabago appears to have called a meeting of about thirty soldiers who, at his instigation drew up a formal complaint against Fray Pinilla repeating the two charges against him and making him responsible for the unrest and dis- satisfaction prevalent in the garrison. The document was duly signed and dated on February 15, 1752.48 In view of the representation, Captain Rabago immediately issued a formal order prohibiting Fray Pinilla from ministering any further as chaplain to the garrison and denying him admittance within the limits of the presidio. 49 The auto, with the accom- panying representation of the soldiers was sent to Fray Pinilla without delay. This was an overt act of Captain Rabago, which involved the most serious consequences. The zealous missionary was perplexed and puzzled. He consulted his companions and after mature deliberation it was agreed that drastic action was necessary. 47 Castaiieda, 1l1orfi's History of Texas, pt. 2, pp. 330-331. 48Representation of soldiers of San XaYier against Fray Pinilla, February 1 5 , 17 52. In Testimonio de los Autos fhos. sobre ha,·er representado .•. A. G. I. A11diencia de Jlfexico, 91-3-2 (Dunn Tr. 1750-1751). 49Auto de! Capitan Felipe de Rabago, February 15, 1752. In Ibid., pp. 126-127.
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