Our Catl1olic Heritage in Texas
Parrilla, in a private report to the viceroy, stated that it appeared to him that the Indians were as treacherous as ever. His experience in deal- ing with the natives made him fear the ultimate outcome. 88 Discord and misgimngs. Four months were to elapse before the new presidio and mission on the San Saba were established. During this time misunderstandings and hard feelings developed. The disappointment of Fray Mariano, who had labored so long for the conversion of the Apaches, at seeing Fray Alonso as director of the enterprise was turned into bitter opposition by the refusal of the latter to lend his support to the Guadalupe mission. 89 Two factions were soon formed, one headed by Fray Mariano and his sympathizers, among whom was Colonel Parrilla, and the other by Fray Alonso and his right-hand man, Father Francisco de la Santisima Trinidad. Their misunderstandings soon grew into an open feud. How high these feelings ran may be judged by the arbitrary decision of Fray Mariano to take away from Fray Alonso his personal servant, a young Indian lad who had been given to him by the former, who had raised him. When reminded that such action was not in keeping with brotherly love, Fray Mariano declared he would rather lose his life and his honor than permit Fray Alonso to keep the boy. The supplies for the San Saba mis- sions had been stored in Mission Valero, headquarters of Fray Mariano. He now asked peremptorily that these goods and the livestock be moved out, and Fray Alonso was forced to transfer them to Mission Concepcion. The irksome delay through the long winter months only increased the nervous tension. Fray Alonso accused Parrilla of purposely delaying the departure for San Saba in an effort to ruin the success of the enterprise. Conditions were far from pleasant during the enforced stay in San Antonio. Parrilla, an experienced military commander, was reluctant to venture forth into an unsettled country held by fickle Indians, known for their treachery. Many supplies for the garrison of one hundred men and for an undetermined number of Indians expected to join the missions had to be gathered before setting out. It is to the credit of the firm com- mander that in spite of bickerings and acrid recriminations fourteen hundred head of cattle and seven hundred sheep besides many other supplies were actually collected in San Antonio by March. When every- thing seemed ready for the start, however, Parrilla was forced to remove "Parilla to the Viceroy, February 18, 1757. A. G. M. Historia, Vol. 95, pp. 134-135. 89For details see pages 385-386.
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