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349
Missionary Activity Among tile Apaclees, 1743-1758
Fray Mariano be requested to furnish the desired information. 16 The order was executed February 2 , 1750. There is some justification for the impatience of the Auditor with the apparent lack of concrete information in the numerous reports received from the different points along the frontier. But to the petitioners many of the omissions were obvious facts. These seemingly trivial omissions and demands for fuller details consumed nevertheless precious time when immediate action was necessary. Many of the resultant failures and errors are concrete examples of the inefficiency inherent in a highly centralized system of government without adequate means of rapid communication. Before a fuller report about the proposed plan of Fray Mariano for a mission on the Guadalupe could be made, a substitute plan was presented in Mexico by Fray Benito. This new plan was to cause a misunderstanding between the two zealous and fervent leaders and to arouse to action the entire Villa de San Fernando, whose very existence and security it seemed to threaten. The viceregal authorities were given to understand that the Guadalupe project was impractical, without pointing out the objections, and the matter was dropped for the time being. 17 But the Guadalupe as a missionary center became a pet hobby of Fray Mariano for many years. The Pedemales River plan. While frantic efforts for the approval of the Guadalupe River as the site for the proposed Apache Missions were being made, Fray Benito returned from San Xavier to San Antonio. Neither the site suggested by his co-worker, nor the method adopted met with his approval. Impatient at the delay and fearing failure from a belated and ill-advised consent to the proposal presented in his absence, he dared not trust the urgent mission to a messenger or indifferent agent. He decided to go at once to Mexico City, braving the hardships of the long journey, in order to present his own plan. Just when he left San Antonio or when he arrived at his destination is not clear, but from the short and direct petition which he presented to the viceroy, asking for immediate action shortly before February 13, 1750, it seems he was in Mexico early in January and had both heard and seen the arguments advanced against the idea of founding missions for the Apaches at this 1 •Auditor Altamira, Parecer, January 31, 17 50; Decreto del Virrey, February 4, 1750. Notification to Urrutia, February 2, 1750. Ristoria, Vol. 28, ff. 125-131. Copy in San Francisco el Grande Archives, Vol. 24, pp. 141-147. 11 Auditor Altamira, Parecer, February 17, 1750, in A. G. Al. Historia, Vol. 2 8, ff. 134. Copy in San Fra11cisco el Grand, Arcl,;ve, Vol. 24, pp. 150-154.
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