Our Catl,olic Heritage in Texas
Proposal for an A paclte mission on t/1e Guadalupe, I 7 49. The success- ful negotiation of peace with their bitterest enemies was the culmination of the patient and persistent efforts of the missionaries. Since March, 1749, the Apaches had consistently observed a truce. On August 20, two emissaries were sent to Fray Mariano by two Apache chiefs to inform him that they were coming with all their people to live in the missions in San Antonio until others were founded for them. On September 24, one of the chiefs arrived in person and reported that the other was camped with all their people a short distance away. At this time Fray Benito, who had first sponsored the idea of missions, was away. Father IVIariano was puzzled just what to do under the circumstances. Here were the Apaches ready to enter mission life, but could they be congregated with those in San Antonio? "Foreseeing the grave consequence which would follow from uniting them with the others," says Fray Mariano, "I suggested that they should go to the Guadalupe, fifteen leagues from this presidia, to look there for a suitable location where a good crop could be raised, and to allow as many as wished it, to congregate, coming [to San Antonio) for as much corn and other supplies as they needed." He warned them that no missionaries could accompany them until the viceroy approved the project. Thus did the idea of founding an Apache mission on the Guadalupe originate in the absence of Fray Benito. Fray Mariano was fully convinced that the hour for action had arrived and that all haste should be made before the auspicious occasion passed. He therefore made a formal appeal to Captain Urrutia that he request authorization from the viceroy for the execution of the plan. No garrison would be necessary in view of the proximity of the site of both the Presidios of San Antonio and San Xavier. Should the Apaches rebel, or attempt a treacherous move, they could easily be subdued by the combined garrisons and the war carried into their lands, the captives taken being a good supply of labor for the new missions. But a revolt was a remote probability, judging from their friendly disposition and their earnest desire •for missions. Nevertheless a definite policy should be adopted and some action taken to prevent the Apaches from becoming disappointed or from losing trust in the Spaniards. Rumors were rife that a peace had been negotiated between them and the Cadodacho Indians. If such an alliance was formed, there was grave danger that the Apaches would in time become attached to the French through their new friends. All that Urrutia would require in the meantime, were provisions for one or
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