Handicaps to Mission Development, I7JI-I750
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indicate that this, like many of the other charges made by the governor, was unfounded. Fray Benito refused to give the governor any satisfaction, claiming that he had no jurisdiction in the matter. When the charge was brought to the attention of Father Sevillano, this conscientious and experienced missionary was much concerned, and he immediately requested the viceroy to institute a formal investigation in order to vindicate the good name of the missionaries. This request shows conclusively that the religious did not fear to have the administration of the missions investigated by the proper authorities, their consciences being clear. That the charge was considered unfounded is further proved by the fact that it was com- pletely disregarded in the formal trial of Governor Franquis, who again pressed it at that time as a justification for his actions. When the complete proceedings of the trial and the various charges and counter- charges were sent to the Council of the Indies, the Royal Fiscal recom- mended that the charge of defrauding the treasury, hurled against the missionaries, be examined by the viceroy to determine its truth.' 5 Whether the investigation revealed any irregularities cannot be determined because the records have not been found, but since nothing more is heard about the matter it is safe to assume that the charge could not have been substantiated. Mission g1'ards ordered restored. Early in January, 1737, Fray Pedro Mufioz, Guardian of the College of Queretaro and Vice-Commissary of missions in New Spain, presented a formal protest to the viceroy, complaining that the withdrawal of two soldiers from each one of the missions on the San Antonio River would greatly hamper the spiritual and temporal welfare of those establishments. He requested, therefore, that the guards be restored and no innovations be made in this practice, so essential to the maintenance of peace and order among the neophytes. The matter was referred to the Auditor de Guerra, who, on January 9, recommended that the request of Father Mufioz be granted. Accordingly, on January I 1, the viceroy ordered Don Carlos Franquis de Lugo, governor ad interim of Texas, to desist from his policy in this respect, to restore the three guards usually stationed in each mission, and to make no innovations that might in any way jeopardize the welfare of the new conversions." ' 5 Real Cedula, July IS, 1740, in McGill, Administration of Carlos Franquis d 6 Lugo, Appendix B. "Viceregal decree of January I I, I 7 37, in Testimo de las diligenclas executadas
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