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Missionary Activity Among tlie Apaclies, 1743-1758
the site was so near to San Antonio. In order to avoid even the semblance of a military guard, to prevent trouble between the Indians and the soldiers as at San Xavier, he now proposed that the viceroy be asked to allow the proposed mission on the Guadalupe the usual stipend of two missionaries and the equivalent in money of six soldiers' pay a year. With this amount the necessary supplies, tools, and implements could be purchased, and six Spanish families could be induced to establish them- selves in the vicinity to help teach the Indians the arts of civilized life. In a few years the mission and settlement would become self-supporting. 67 The plan had some new elements, and Fray Ortiz submitted it to all the missionaries of Queretaro in Texas for their opinion. Fray Francisco Cayetano y Aponte and Fray Miguel de Aranda, both of Mission Con- cepcion, heartily endorsed the proposal, as did Fray Joseph Guadalupe Alcivia of Mission Capistrano, Fray Acisclos Valverde and Fray Bartolome Garcia of Mission Espada, and Fray Jose Lopez and Fray Juan de los Angeles, of San Antonio de Valero Mission. The plan was then sent to the San Marcos, where it was enthusiastically recommended as eminently practical by Fray Sebastian Flores of Mission Candelaria on July 2, 1756. Whereupon the Father Visitador gave his approval and authorized Fray Mariano to take steps to put his plan into effect. 68 Inspection of tlze Gttadalupe by Diego Ramon. The tireless Fray Mariano immediately transmitted a copy of his plan and the endorsements to A lferes Diego Ramon, in charge of Presidio San Francisco Xavier on the San Marcos, and requested him to inspect the proposed site on the Guadalupe and render an official report with his recommendations to the viceroy. On July 15, Diego Ramon, now in full command, because of the death of Don Pedro de Rabago y Teran, who had fallen a victim to the San Xavier epidemic, inspected the site, accompanied by Geronimo Rod- riguez, Ferrer Montalvo, Felipe Neri del Valle, and Joseph Martinez. The site was evidently at present New Braunfels, for the present Landa springs are graphically described. Ramon declared he had been in Texas for forty years and knew that the Guadalupe River was one of the largest in the province. He reported that irrigation was practical, that there was good arable land, two good pastures, and abundant woods of sabines, elms, and oaks. 67 Memorial de! Rev. P. Fr. Mariano al R. P. Comisario Visitador Fray Francisco Ortiz, June 25, I 7 56. Arcllivo del Colegio de la Stu1te1 Cru:, 1750-1767, pp. 189-196. 68 Consulta of Fray Ortiz. Archivo del Colegio, 1.150-1767, pp. 196-200.
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