San Antonio de Valero and 11'/issionary Activity, 1716-1719 91
new mission and settlement on the San Antonio River had been accom- plished, and the presidio and missions of East Texas had been supplied and reenforced, Alarcon was to send immediately a full and complete report of everything that had been done and observed from the time the expedition left the Rio Grande until it reached the missions in the Province of the Tejas. If any Indian chiefs wished to visit the viceroy, or if it was thought advisable to send a soldier who could give a verbal account as an eyewitness of everything that had taken place, these need not travel as fast as the couriers. They could make the trip by easy stages after the Rio Grande was reached. It was important, however, that the written report or reports reach the viceroy as soon as possible. 21 Although in the instruction it was suggested that the Bay of Espiritu Santo be examined and that its distance from the location of the new mission on the San Antonio River be determined, as well as the character of this stream and that of the Guadalupe, there is nothing to indicate that this was of primary importance. It is difficult to understand why, in view of these orders, Alarcon should have changed his route and attempted to reach the bay before going to San Antonio. But let us return to the governor and the expedition at the Rio Grande where early in April he was still completing his arrangements to set off. Fom1ding of San Antonio de Bexar. On April 9, 1718; the entire expedition crossed the Rio Grande and started on its journey to found a mission on the San Antonio River and to reenforce the presidio and missions in East Texas. There were seventy-two persons in all, including the mule drivers and the families. 29 Unfortunately, Alarcon was not as careful as Domingo Ramon and failed to make a list of all the persons. There were, besides the soldiers, missionaries, and families, seven droves of mules loaded with the clothes, provisions, and supplies; a considerable number of cattle and goats; some hens; and five hundred and forty-eight horses. Three hundred of these were furnished by the Marquis of Aguayo, who also gave from his hacienda most of the cattle for the expedition. 28 Directorio que ha de observar, y ordenes que ha de Practicar el Sargento l\fayor Don Martin de Alarcon. Provincias lnternas, Vol. 183; a copy also in San Fran- cisco el Grande Arcl1ive, VIII, 217-225. The copy in Historia, XXVII, is defec- tive and undependable. 19 The number of persons has been a question of conjecture, but the Diary now available has cleared all doubt and the number is further confirmed by the state- ment made in the Relacion de Servicios of Alarcon. Sa., Francisco el Grande Archive, IX, 201. See Diorio y Derrolero of Alarcon, 1. (All references arc to the typewritten copy presented by Senor Alessio Robles to the University of Texas.)
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