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11/issionary Activity Among tlte Apaches, 1743-1758
of the sites suggested would make it possible also to put in effect the San Saba project as outlined by Galvan in his recent report. With the San Xavier garrison so near to San Antonio, the presidio there would no longer be necessary. It could be moved entirely, therefore, to San Saba to protect the mission or missions that might be founded there. In the meantime the settlers of San Antonio could continue their trade with the San Xavier garrison placed either on the San Marcos or the Guadalupe. This would make the grazing of cattle in the intervening country safe and furnish an opportunity for the development of new ranches.' 1 The drought, sickness, and portentous signs of divine wrath did not deter the fervent missionaries from toiling incessantly to save what they could from the ravages visited upon their flocks. In his report Lieutenant Eca y Mi'.1squiz declared that the missionaries, Captain Garza Falcon and he himself had used every means in their power to persuade the Indians to return. Shortly after their arrival in April, 1753, one of the missionaries, accompanied by ten soldiers, had penetrated the country and made contacts with the natives, some of whom came back as far as the Brazos River, where all but six stayed to hunt. The six who continued their journey to Mission San Francisco Xavier remained with the padres until early in August, when they left promising to bring the others back with them soon. Fray Mariano also sent a message to the Bidais of San Ildefonso. On June 24, two chiefs and several followers came to visit him. For twelve days they stayed in the mission. The good friar then allowed them to return to their lands. When asked by Garza Falcon why he had done this, the missionary replied that it was because he had no food to give them. The San Antonio missions had been heavily drained by the new establishments and could furnish no more help. Garza Falcon and Musquiz had to be content with the explanation because the lack of food, the youth, and inexperience of many of the soldiers, and their poor equipment made the situation almost hopeless. 42 Visit of Fray Pinilla to the Cocos. The faithful Fray Jose Pinilla, one of the missionaries of San Xavier who remained at his post at the time of the tragedy, undertook to visit the Cocos in the spring of 1753. Taking 41Fray Mariano to the Viceroy, September 26, 1753. A. G. I. A udi4ncia d 4 Mexico, 92-6-22 (Cunningham tr., 1763, pt. 3), 26-30: same to same, October 2 8 1760, in Ex S. San Saba (cited by Bolton in his T4xas i11 t/,4 Middl1 Eiglit 4111 ti, C4ntury, 269, note 8). 42 Informe de Jose Joaquin de Eca y Muzquiz al Virrey, August 30 1 17 53. SOIi Francisco ,z Gra11de Archiv,, Vol. 17, pp. 140-147.
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