Our Catholic Heritage in T e:xas
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the question as to the number of prospective neophytes. Although they desired to be congregated and they were friendly, a presidia was neces- sary nevertheless for the success of the enterprise. The soldiers were needed to inspire proper respect and keep the Indians to their task when this became tedious and boresome, in order that they might acquire habits of industry. He had suggested the removal of the Presidio of San Antonio because the Indians feared and loved its captain, who was an experienced officer, and because its garrison was paid and kept up with more regularity than the others. The Pedernales River had been chosen as the new location because a force on this stream or beyond it would be at the gateway used by the Apaches in going to or coming from San Antonio. The only other pass was Bandera, which also led to the headwaters of the Pedemales. Thus the presidio in this new location would serve the double purpose of protection and defense not only for the new mission, but for the settlement in San Antonio as well. Since there seemed to be serious doubts as to the credence that should be given to the reports of Captain Urrutia and the missionaries con- cerning the peaceful disposition of the Apaches, Fray Benito suggested that either the captain of La Bahia, or the lieutenant of Santa Rosa del Sacramento, now at San Xavier, should be instructed to make an official investigation of the Pedernales and report the true facts about the various points raised by the Auditor. The missionaries of the College of La Santa Cruz de Queretaro were ready to undertake the conversions of the Apaches, and they had reason to expect that their efforts would be attended by the same success attained between the Rio Grande and the San Xavier. The reduction of the Apaches to mission life would enable the settlers of San Antonio, free at last from their bitter enemies, to enlarge their fields, raise abundant crops, establish new ranches, and develop the sur- rounding country. It was obvious that their only enemies were the Apaches. Consequently, it was equally obvious that if these Indians were permanently pacified, they had no further need of a presidio. Why, then, waste time in asking the citizens to vote on the removal of the garrison to the Pedernales? Fray Benito once more pleaded that the viceroy should decide the matter and issue the necessary orders to put the new plan in execution. 21 The well-prepared and thoughtful memorial made no impression upon the Attditor, to whom it was referred the same day that it was presented. 21Memorial of Fray Benito to the Viceroy, February 2 I, I 7 so. A. G. M. Historia, Vol. 28, ff.. 136-146.
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