Aguayo Expedition and San ]oJc 111ission, I7I9-I722
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viceroy, started for Monclova in April, with about three thousand six hundred horses. When they reached their destination, on June 23, they had only five hundred sixty horses. As a result of the severe drouth and the· intense heat of the season, almost three thousand five hundred had died or had been left on the road to die. Aguayo immediately dispatched messengers to all the haciendas in the neighborhood and succeeded in purchasing three thousand four hundred additional horses to replace those that had been lost, but on account of the weather these did not arrive in Monclova until late in September. 39 The men, who were now waiting in Coahuila to enter Texas, grew restless and began to desert in great numbers. Aguayo had to take severe measures to put a stop to this serious evil that threatened the success of the expedition. Notice was given that any soldier who deserted would be tried by court-martial and if convicted would be shot. This warning was disregarded, however, until on August 2, 1720, he issued a proclamation stating that Jose Chavez and Juan Castillo, deserters, had been duly tried, found guilty, and convicted by a court-martial to be shot. These men were to be executed publicly on the main plaza three days hence and due warning was given to all those incurring in the same transgression.'° This harsh means seems to have accomplished the desired result, for desertions decreased notably. It was not until October, that the Marquis of Aguayo was at last ready to start. Early this month six hundred mules, loaded with clothes, arms, munitions, and six fieldpieces arrived in Monclova from Mexico. These supplies had been ordered by Aguayo and he had been anxiously waiting for them to start. The new governor had by now succeeded in assembling six hundred cargas of supplies, four thousand horses, six hundred head of cattle, nine hundred sheep, and almost eight hundred mules.' 1 This was the most formidable attempt ever made to establish the king's dominion over the Province of Texas. The five hundred men were divided by Aguayo into eight companies and formed into a battalion of mounted infantry, which he called San Miguel de Aragon. In accord with the authority given him by the viceroy he appointed Fernando Pedro de Almazan, later to become governor, his Lieutenant General, and he made Tomas ·zubiria, Miguel Colon, Manual de Herrera, Francisco Becerra, 39Castaiieda, Morft's Histor')I of Teras. 4 0Public proclamation of Aguayo, August 2, I 720. Saltillo Arcl,ive, Vol. I, 187-189. 41 Aguayo to the King, June I 3, I 722. A rcl,ivo de la Sa11ta C,11:: de Queretaro, 1714-1729.
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