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Our Catlt0lic Heritage iu T ezas
was opposed to any plan that involved the expenditure of royal funds for the reduction of these worthless Indians. 33 Fray Mariano's letter and the governor's reply were forwarded to the viceroy, who in turn referred the matter to the Fiscal. This official, in his reply, made on March 15, 1752, reviewed the various petitions and memorials that had been presented on this subject, the Guadalupe pro- posal, the Pedernales plan, and the report of the council held in San Antonio. He suggested to the viceroy that in order to clear many points that the captain at San Antonio and the governor be requested to study the various proposals, investigate the facts. and make a detailed report on the advisability of founding missions for these Indians. the best location for them, and the steps necessary to carry out such an enterprise. This sensible suggestion was accepted by the viceroy, who, on March 24, ordered that the necessary instructions be drawn up and sent. These were finally issued on April 14, 1752. 34 Galvan's exploration of tl,e Apacl,e country, 1753. Although the orders were issued on April 14, 1752, more than a year elapsed before they were carried out. This is not so strange as it may seem, for it is to be remembered that the year 1752 was the eventful year of the tragic murders at San Xavier. The effects of this incident naturally upset the peaceful routine of affairs in the remote province. It was not until June 3, 1753, therefore, that Lieutenant Juan Galvan, of San Antonio, informed Fray Mariano, who had gone to San Xavier, that he had received the instructions of April 14, of the previous year and desired the friar to accompany him in an exploring expedition into the Apache country. Three days later, Fray Mariano replied that he was unable to go at this time, but that he had ordered Father Fray Miguel Aranda, of Mission Concepcion, to go in his place. Galvan then called upon the citizens of San Antonio on June 16, to furnish volunteers to accompany him, otherwise he would have to take the soldiers of the presidio and leave the defense of the city during his absence to them. The Cabildo, which .was antagonistic to the idea of missions in Apache territory, replied the same day that the settlers were poor men, who had to earn a livelihood by looking after their farms and interests. They could Slfbid., 34-37. MRespuesta Fiscal, March 1 5, I 7 52; De_~reto, March 24; Razon,_ A~ril 24, 1 7 s:z. All in Testimonio ... sobre .. . reducc1on . .. A. G. I. Aud,enc,a de Afexico, 92 .6. 2 2 (Cunningham tr., I 763, pt. 3), 5-9.
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