Our Catlzolic Heritage in T e:i:as
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significance of the conversion of the Apaches. But he was too practical to allow its realization to be entrusted entirely to fate. He was fully aware of the strong opposition which his plan would arouse in the covetous and shortsighted settlers of San Antonio and the governor. To them the Apaches had long been a source of free labor. In the frequent campaigns waged in the past the chief purpose had been to capture slaves, without stopping to figure the cost in lives and money of their dearly bought prizes. It was this inhuman policy that was largely responsible for the uncompromising attitude of these Indians and their cruel reprisals. Even now as the good friar wrote, Captain Urrutia was petitioning the viceroy for permission to undertake a new campaign against the Apaches. To counteract its effect and to try to secure the approval of his plan, Fray Benito decided to commission Fray Jose de Guadalupe, of Mission San Francisco de la Espada, to carry the proposal first to Queretaro, where he was to secure the approval of the Guardian and Discretorio, and then take it to Mexico to present it personally to the viceroy, adding whatever information might be necessary and explaining any questions that might arise. On June 21, 1743, Fray Jose de Guadalupe presented the consultation to the viceroy on behalf of his immediate superior, Fray Benito, President of the Missions in San Antonio, and of Father Fray Jose Hurtado, Guardian of the College of La Santa Cruz de Queretaro. He informed his Excellency that his purpose was to urge the approval of the plan for the conversion of the Apaches and to plead for the immediate adoption of measures for the establishment of a competent force in the country of the Apaches. There were both temporal and spiritual reasons for immediate action. "Those pertaining to the propagation of our holy faith and the conservation of the new conversions," he said, "deserve first attention." The continuation of Apache hostilities actually endangered the maintenance of the missions already established in San Antonio. The reduction of the Apaches to mission life, through the establishment of missions under the protection of an adequate garrison, would result in their conversion and the termination of their hostility. This would enable the missions in San Antonio and the settlers there to develop the surrounding country, for up to the present they were confined by the Apaches to a radius of three leagues, and even within this limited space their homes were not secure against thefts and fire. If his Excellency desired it, he could consult Cruzate, former Governor of New Mexico, Captain Manuel de Sandoval,
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