• I
Our Catleolic Heritage in Texas
370
More magnanimous than his colleague, Fray Benito did not press his Pedernales plan again, but supported the proposal of Galvan. He was sick at this time and desired to retire to the peace of the College at Queretaro. On July 18, 1754, just as Don Pedro made preparations to leave Coahuila to go to San Xavier, the Fiscal in Mexico rendered his opinion on the pending proposal of Galvan and the unfavorable reply of Governor Barrios to Fray Mariano's petition. He concluded that the questions raised by the governor and the recommendations of Galvan should be further investigated and confirmed before definite action was taken on the authorization of new missions for the Apaches in their country. He recommended therefore, that the Governor of Coahuila, who was about to set out for Texas, be instructed to report fully on the sincerity of the Apaches' desire for missions, to explore their country and to suggest a suitable site for the proposed establishment, pointing out the facilities offered, the garrison needed, and the number of mis- sionaries. With this information the plan proposed by Galvan could be more intelligently considered. The Discretorio and the Guardian of the College of Queretaro should also be asked to give their opinion. On July 19, the viceroy consulted the Auditor, Domingo Valcarcel, who on July 23 subscribed to the recommendations of the Fiscal. The viceroy gave his formal approval on July 27, and on August 1, 1754, the corresponding orders and instructions were issued.4 9 On November 30, these were delivered personally by two special couriers to Don Pedro at Presidio de San Francisco Xavier de Gigedo. The new commander had been attacked by the prevailing epidemic in- duced by the unsanitary waters of the stagnant river and was still con- valescing when the orders for the exploration of the Apache country arrived. Only ten men were available for the expedition. The others were either sick, or had gone on escort duty to Los Adaes, or to look after the horse herd. He, therefore, wrote the commanders at San Antonio and La Bahia to send him twelve men each, ready for service, by December 15. But hardly had he dispatched the orders on December 1, when he decided it would be best for him to go to San Antonio and start from there. That same day he countermanded the first instructions and ordered that the men indicated should meet him in Bejar. - "Respuesta Fiscal,- July x8, I 7 54; De~reto de! Virrey, July x9; Respuesta del Auditor, July 23 ; Decreto, July 27; ~azo?, Augu~t. I, I 7 54- In Testimonio .. . sobre . .. reduccion .. . A. G. I. Aud,encta de Me:ruo, 92-6-22 (Cunningham tr., I 7 63, pt. 3), pp. 37-42; 24-25.
Powered by FlippingBook