Reiistablislnnent of 1J1issions, I72I-I722
161
Rodriguez immediately went out to Rancheria Grande and brought back with him fifty families for the new mission. He again petitioned the Governor to found the new establishment as he had promised. Desirous of fulfilling his pledge His Excellency summoned Father Fray Joseph Gonzalez, resident missionary of San Antonio de Valero, all the captains of the battalion of San Miguel de Aragon, and all the Indians interested to appear before him on March 12. 15 On the appointed date, when all had assembled, Aguayo went out with them to choose a suitable place for the new mission. The site selected was on a beautiful plain, about one league to the south of the Mission of San Antonio de Valero. Water could easily be obtained to irrigate the lands either from the ditch that carried water to Valero or directly from the San Antonio River. It was the opinion of all those present that the location offered was the most satisfactory for the proposed mission. The Marquis gave formal possession of the site in the name of the king to Father Fray Joseph Gonzalez, of the College of Queretaro, and to Chief Juan Rodriguez and all the Indians present. The lands of the new mission were bounded on the west by the San Antonio River and on the north by the area already granted to the Mission of Valero. "In evidence of real possession His Lordship took the Indian Juan Rodriguez by the hand and led him to a high prominence found on the site, near a natural clearing. Walking over the ground he caused the chief to pull up weeds and grass and pick up dirt which he scattered to the four winds. He then appointed Chief Juan Rodriguez governor of the mission (which he named San Francisco Xavier de Najera], entreating him to comply with his duties. Father Fray Joseph Gonzalez promised His Lordship he would take charge of teaching the doctrine of our Holy Faith to the Indians until a missionary came from his College, destined for that purpose." He assured His Lordship that he knew that a missionary would come as soon as the report of the establishment of the mission was made known, because the Very Reverend Father Fray Felix de Espinosa, Guardian of the College, gave him this assurance. 16 A copy of the proceedings was sent immediately to the viceroy for his approval and another one to Father Espinosa that he might send a mis- sionary for the purpose specified. The act was witnessed by Captains Tomas Zubiria, Miguel Colon, Gabriel Costales, Manuel de Herrera, Francisco Becerra Luque, Pedro de Oribe, Juan Cantu, and Matias Garcia
15 /bid. 16/bid.
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