Tlee Field and Its Worke1·s
31
in all local matters. Thus the missions founded by the College of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe de Zacatecas in East Texas constituted a separate presidency. This same organization was followed by the College of La Santa Cruz de Queretaro with regard to its missions. It is evident from the detailed provisions of the laws of the Indies that the missionaries who were to engage in the conversion of the natives were to be considered as being in the employ of the State. The commis- saries of the religious orders who went to Spain to bring new workers, were particularly instructed to select with all care the prospective mis- sionaries from the various provinces in Spain. Before these could embark for America, the commissary had to present a detailed list, giving the name of each one, the province from which he came, the friary, how long each had been in the Order, and the age. The list had then to be approved by the Council of the Indies, who issued the necessary permit to the Casa de Contrataci6n in Seville, with orders for the payment of all expenses connected with their embarkation and equipment. No sub- stitutes could be added at the last minute to replace those originally listed and approved. If any one failed to appear or was unable to embark, the vacancy could not be filled. The official roll of those who actually set sail was sent to the officials of the port of debarkation with instructions that the entire group should proceed without delay to their ultimate destination.' 8 If these provisions were complied with, each missionary was allowed seven reales a day for his traveling expenses from his monastery to Seville, the number of days being computed at the rate of eight league~ travel per day. While waiting for the fleet to sail they received two reale~ a day, but it was stipulated that the missionaries should arrive in Seville only a reasonable time before the date of departure. Should the fleet be delayed by adverse weather or other causes, they were to be continued this allowance until their embarkation. In addition to his expenses each discalced Franciscan was given seven hundred fourteen reales to provide himself with a habit, necessary equipment, books, and other things he might require. The cost of his fare was paid out of the royal treasury by the officials of New Spain upon his arrival." The viceroy and members of the A udiencia were required to make diligent inquiry to see that each one of the missionaries, sent at royal "Reco-jilacion de leyes de los Re,ynos de las /ndias, ( 1681 edition) Lib. I, Tit., XIV, Ley iv. 49 /bid., Lib. I, Tit., XIV, Ley vi.
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