Our Catlioli& Heritage in Texas
and Father Fray Joseph Gonzalez. Thus was the Mission of San Francisco Xavier de Najera formally established on March 12, 1722, subject to the approval of the viceroy, as a result of the unwavering faith of Chief Juan Rodriguez, of Rancheria Grande. The foundation, however, was destined to have a precarious existence for a few years before its disappearance, as will be shown by subsequent events. When the report of the establishment of this new mission reached the viceroy with a request for the royal aid usually granted on such occasions, which consisted of all the things necessary for the furnishing of the chapel and a liberal supply of grain, cattle and tools for the same Indians, he was in no frame of mind to regard the proposal with favor. The new Viceroy Casafuerte had but recently arrived in Mexico with special instructions from the king to curtail all expenses possible. At this time, he was already contemplating drastic measures to correct the serious abuses of all the frontier presidios of New Spain which were the chief source of drain upon the royal treasury. The Aguayo expedition had already cost the king over two hundred thousand pesos, and with the danger of the French apparently removed, the viceroy did not see why the expense for the establishment of a new mission so near to those of San Antonio Valero and of San Jose was necessary. He consequently curtly informed Father Espinosa that the royal treasury was unable to supply the customary aid for the new mission of San Francisco Xavier de Najera, or to pay the usual stipend allowed the missionary. Under the circumstances, Father Espinosa replied to the viceroy that the College of Queretaro could not undertake to bear the financial burden of the foundation; that such Indians as wanted to join either of the other two missions already established would be welcomed and would receive instruc- tion in the do&trina the same as all others.17 In the meantime, true to his promise. Father Gonzalez tried to take care of the Indians of Rancheria Grande until a new missionary arrived. A special record of baptisms and burials for these Indians was kept in the Mission of San Antonio de Valero, until the new mission was estab- lished, in order that they might be transferred at that time. 18 But years passed and nothing more was done. Father Gonzalez lost interest in the work as the result of misunderstandings with the captain of the presidio and many of the followers of Chief Juan Rodriguez became tired of the 17Fray Pedro Perez de Mezquia to the Viceroy, June 22, 1725. Arckivo de Santa Cruz de Querelaro (Dunn Transcripts, 1716-1749). 1aaolton, "Spanish .Mission Records at San Antonio," Quarterly, X, 297-308.
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