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Missionary Activity Among the Apaches, 1743-1758
He was obdurate in his decision. The exposition only raised new questions in his mind. He advised that his former recommendations be carried out; that the question of the removal of the presidio be submitted to the council of the Villa de San Fernando; that the captain of San Antonio, as well as the lieutenant of Sacramento, now at San Xavier, be asked to attend; and that the missionaries be invited also to participate in the discussion. When a report was made as requested, definite action would be taken. 2 ? The advice was accepted by the viceroy and on March 11 the necessary instructions were issued to Captain Urrutia. On June 16, he accordingly notified the padres of the resolution adopted by the viceroy and summoned them to attend the Junta (council) which would be held on June 20.? 3 Action of tire Junta leeld in San Antonio. Unfortunately for the success of his plan, Fray Benito took ill shortly before this time and was obliged to retire from the presidency, leaving Fray Mariano in charge. It was the latter who replied to the invitation of Captain Urrutia to attend the council. Feeling some resentment perhaps for the rejection of the Guadalupe plan brought about in part by Fray Benito, he now took advantage of the situation to discredit the Pedernales voject. In nis reply he declared that in his opinion the beneficent results of the proposed mission on the Pedernales were offset by the evil effects on the settlement of San Antonio. The citizens were poor and had no other market for their products than that offered by the consumption of the garrison. The removal of the presidio would deprive them of this trade. Furthermore, granting that the soldiers could hold in check the Apaches in their new location, San Antonio would still be exposed to attacks from the Natages, the Julimes, and other hostile Indians from the Rio Grande. The plan of Fray Benito did not seem practical. Having expressed his feelings concerning the question at issue, he begged that the missionaries be excused from attending the Junta. He did not think it was well for the religoius to participate on a plane of equality with the citizens in the public discussion of the plan. This was the reason given. But it seems that the prudent friar foresaw the militant opposition which the proposal would arouse and he wisely chose not to lend the moral support of the missionaries to a public condemnation not only of the Pedernales plan but of any plan to convert the Apaches. "Even if the priests should
22 Parecer de! Auditor, February 27, 1750. In Ibid., 147-178. 23 Razon, / bid., ff. 14Q.
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