i1/issio11ary Activity Among the Apaches, 1743-1758
375
the ability of the Apaches as tanners and their skill in making wood artifacts. 52 Dou Pedro pro-poses presidio at San Saba, 1755. Upon his return to San Xavier, Don Pedro prepared a long report in compliance with the orders of July 27, 1754, dispatched to him on August I. With this he sent the diary of his exploration and the certified testimonials of the Cabildo, Captain Urrutia, and the two curates of San Antonio. In his report, he summarized the proposals of Galvan, the petition of Fray lVIariano, and all the other documents on the subject that had come to his attention. He stated that actual circumstances and his conscience forced him to admit the uselessness of the presidio and missions at San Xavier and the futility of maintaining them there any longer. His entire family, his servants, and he himself had all been seriously ill and had only miraculously escaped death. Many soldiers were constantly in bed, and only seventy Indians remained as the result of the awful epidemic that still raged unabated. In his opinion both the presidio and missions now at San Xavier should be moved to the San Saba River. The location chosen offered all the necessary facilities and it was very healthy. He had visited this stream in 1748 and had been impressed ever since that time with its abundant, clear, soft waters, sufficient to irrigate the fields of three missions anc to maintain a presidio. In his recent journey he had met Chief Tacu called El Chiquito (Shorty), who had four hundred and sixty-seven followers, ready to enter the missions. About thirty leagues to the north- west of the San Saba was the Florido River (Concho) where ten other chiefs lived, whose people roamed as far as the country of the Comanches. The Apaches included many tribes that spoke a common language, with the exception of the Jumanos. These were mostly apostates from La Junta. To restrain the numerous Indians of the projected missions, a garrison of no less than one hundred men would be required. The commander should be a man of experience, well tried for his integrity, and he should be free from interference by the governors of the neighboring provinces, depending directly upon the viceroy. A good fort of stone and mortar should be erected, with four curtains, defended by two guns each. The exposed and advanced position required it. A good stone church should also be built. Since the six thousand pesos paid to Felipe de Rabago y S2Exhorto y Testimonios, January 10-12, 1755. In Testimonlo ••. sobre ••• reducci6n ... A. G. I. Audiencia de 1 /erico, 92-6-22 (Cunningham tr., 1763, pt. 3), pp. 43-49, 50-54.
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