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Missionary Activity Among tl1e Apaclzes, 1743-1758
395
for the neophytes. It was a well-established practice to use these faithful Indians in the conversion of new tribes, and as a result we find that Tlascaltecas dotted the line of advance of the missionaries from Mexico to Texas. Fray Terreros and his companions, Fathers Joaquin de Banos and Diego Jimenez from Queretaro, and Fathers Jose Santiesteban and Juan Andres from San Fernando de Mexico, left San Juan Bautista a few days before Ortiz Parrilla, who followed them and arrived in San Antonio on December 22, 1756. Parrilla and Fray Alonso in San Antonio. The new commander lost no time in carrying out his multiple instructions. On Christmas Eve, he took $teps to remove to San Antonio the forlorn and destitute garrison of San Xavier, which had patiently waited on the San Marcos since August of the previous year. Their condition was truly lamentable and they needed clothes, arms, and horses. He next turned his attention to the removal of the remaining neophytes, but we have already seen the action taken in this regard, which resulted in the founding of a temporary mission on the Guadalupe. 86 At the same time messengers were sent to the Apaches inviting them to come to San Antonio to meet the founders of the new missions. A few days later a group of Lipans, led by two distinguished looking chiefs, came to Mission Valero and offered their apologies for the absence of their kinsmen, the Natages, Mescaleros, Pelones, Come Nopales, and Come Caballos. They assured Ortiz Parrilla and the padres that the~ were anxious to be congregated in the new missions and repeated theil professions of loyalty to the king. Much pleased, Colonel Parrilla gave them presents and invested the two chiefs with the insignia of Spanish alcaldes by offering a silver-headed cane and a full suit of clothes to each of them. The relations were so pleasant that the Indians stayed in San Antonio for three days, after which they left, promising to meet the Spaniards in San Saba. 87 Although Parrilla and Fray Alonso formally testified to the good will of the Apaches and praised Fray Mariano for his efforts in bringing about such a favorable state of mind, the two new leaders felt a slight mistrust. Fray Alonso broadly hinted that it seemed to him the Apaches showed too much interest in the presents of corn, sugar cane, and tobacco; and 86 See page 384 41 s4q. 87 Parilla to the Viceroy, February 18, 1757. A. G. Al. Historia, Vol. 95, pp. 134-35.
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