Destmction of tlze San Xavier Missions
337
Presidio del Sacramento, to replace Rabago and to conduct the investiga- tion. Lieutenant Joseph de Eca y Musquiz, of the same presidio, had previously been in San Xavier in an official capacity and he could give Garza Falcon valuable information. A possible alternate was Governor Pedro Rabago y Teran, of Coahuila, who although an uncle of Felipe, could be depended upon for his integrity. 70 The viceroy contented himself with the recommendations of the Fiscal and the suggestions of the Auditor. On January 16, 1753, he issued in- structions for the appointment of Captain Miguel de la GJ-rza Falcon, of Presidio del Sacramento, as Juez Comisionado (special judge) and Captain ad interim of Presidio de San Francisco Xavier de Gigedo on the San Xavier River. He was to be accompanied by Lieutenant Joseph de Eca y Musquiz, also of Sacramento, who was to act as his assistant in the formal inquiry into the sacrilegious murders committed in Mission Candelaria, to report on the general conditions of the presidio and missions and the advisability of continuing them in their present location. On February 7, Captain Felipe Rabago y Teran was officially ordered to turn over his command to Captain Garza Falcon and report at Sacramento, where he was to remain in charge of the garrison until the conclusion of the judicial investigation. 71 The recently appointed judge, founder of Sacramento and an experienced frontier officer, set out for Texas early in April. By the eighth, he was already on Rio Frio from where he sent official notice to Captain Felipe Rabago of his appointment and early arrival. 7 z But Rabago did not await him. Leaving Lieutenant Cos in charge, he hurried to Sacramento, taking with him all the mules, extra horses, and most of the supplies. This unwarranted action indicative of his character, caused Garza Falcon to order the detention of his train in San Antonio which gave rise to a long dispute with the new commander, who had acted at the request of the garrison of San Xavier. After six fateful years the San Xavier question had been reopened. The flattering prospects of a prosperous settlement and the successful conversion of the natives had been blasted by the series of tragic events 70 Dictamen del Auditor, December 29, I 7 52. In Testimonio de las diligencias, pp. 294-300. 71Testimonio de los autos fhos. a pedimto. de Dn. Phe. de Rabago y Teran...• A.G. I. Ar1diencia de Mexico, 92-6-22 (Dunn Tr. 1748-1763) pt. 1, pp. 134-136. Capt. Felipe seems to have been a natural-born trouble maker. Shortly after bis removal he began a long wrangle over his jurisdiction with l\'liguel de la Garza Falcon. 72 /bid., 136-137.
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