351
1J,fissio11ary Activity Among tlze Apaches, Ii4J-1758
by the Apaches, which they considered as being within their territory. This fact was a decided advantage over the proposed location on the Guadalupe. In the oft-repeated allegation that these Indians felt an unusual attachment for their own country, Fray Benito was certainly farsighted in proposing the new site. The Pedernales River is a beautiful stream that runs into the Colorado some twenty miles northwest of Austin, after traversing the hilly country. When the matter was referred to Altamira on February 13, it is not strange that this practical-minded official should have questioned its advisability. It was the most radical proposal made since the time of Rivera. He naturally expressed a deep concern for the fate of San Antonio, the oldest settlement, left defenseless by the proposed removal of its garrison. Little wonder that he observes ironically that it seemed that it was expected that the work of years should be undone by a simple request unsupported by circumstantial and factual details to justify so fundamental a change. Why had not the number of Apaches who desired a mission been ascertained? What indications were there that any settlers would follow the garrison to form a new pueblo? What was the feeling of the citizens of San Antonio concerning this radical proposal? These and many similar questions were raised by the Auditor in his opinion of February 17. But the judicious adviser considered the plan deserved further investigation. He recommended that a copy of the proposal be sent to the captain of San Antonio with instructions that a council of the citizens be called to discuss the removal of the garrison to the Pedernales. 19 This advice was followed by the viceroy, who issued the corresponding orders that same day. Fray Benito, who had remained in Mexico, was informed of the report of the Auditor on February 19. His confusion may well be imagined. On the following day 20 he presented a long memorial answering all the objections raised by Altamira and explaining more in detail the reasons for his proposal and the choice of the new site to show that it was not a mere whim. By recounting the relations with the Apaches during the last few years he justified his belief in their sincerity. He assured the viceroy that there were at least three hundred Apaches who would join the mission as soon as it was established. This was by way of answering 19 Parecer del Auditor, February 17, 1750. A.G. ,JI. Historic1, Vol. 28, ff. 133-135. 20 Dunn in his "Missionary activities among the Eastern Apaches," gives the date of the Auditor's opinion as February 13, but it should be 1 7. This error makes his fol- lowing two dates wrong also. Op. cit., 193, note 1.
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