137
Aguayo Expedition and Sa11 Jose iltfissiou, 1719-1722
presidio and the missions, he sent out exploring parties to iocate possible sources of salt, and he actively attended to the many details of the expe- dition. On April 26, he sent a messenger to the viceroy with a detailed report on the occupation of the Bay of Espiritu Santo. He informed His Excellency that he was now ready to continue his march to the country of the Tejas, but he pointed out that it was extremely difficult to keep his men properly supplied from his base in Coahuila, which was about four hundred leagues distant. He suggested that if His Excellency was willing, a ship should be permitted to ply between Veracruz and Espiritu Santo by means of which the necessary supplies could be transported with a great saving in time and cost. He offered to defray the expenses for this experiment and, taking for granted that the per- mission would be given, he wrote to his agent in l\'Iexico City that same day to charter or purchase a vessel for the purpose and to secure the needed provisions. 55 ill/arc/, fro,n San Antonio to the Nec/1es. Delayed for various reasons, the expedition did not resume its march until May 13, 1721. It was decided to follow a more northerly course than that previously taken by others, in order to avoid the large and flooded streams encountered along the lower road. Under the guidance of an Indian chief from La Rancheria Grande, Juan Rodriguez, who offered his services on condition that Aguayo establish a mission for his people upon his return from the country of the Tejas, the expedition reached and crossed Comal River, near present New Braunfels, on May 17. That same day the Guadalupe was crossed, and by the 20th the men camped beyond the San Marcos. The new route took the expedition dangerously near the country of the Apaches, but a strict watch for enemies was kept constantly and every precaution was taken to prevent a surprise. The Colorado River was safely crossed on May 23·, 1721. From here to the Brazos progress became increasingly difficult because of the numerous small streams and it was not until June 19 that the latter river was crossed near the present site of the city of Waco. Aguayo was somewhat perplexed to find no Indians along the road. Not until July 8, when the vicinity of the Trinity River was reached, clicl the expedition meet any natives. 56 sspefia, Derrotero, 6. 56 Peiia, Derrotero, 11-13. For a detailed account of the route followed by the expedition see the splendid study of Miss Eleanor Buckley, "The Aguayo Expedi- tion," Southwestern Historical Quarterly, XV, 33-45. The official text of this important expedition has been translated and critically edited by Rev. Dr. Peter
Powered by FlippingBook