Reiistablis/e,nent of Missions, r72r-r722
temporary arrangement, grew dissatisfied with mission life, and went back to their ranclecrf.a. The Marquis of Aguayo, who had been deeply touched by the fidelity of the old chief, had furnished the Mission of Valero, out of his own pocket, supplies to keep him and his followers until the new mission was permanently provided with the necessities and he had asked his successor, Governor Perez de Almazan, to do likewise. 19 Three years later in 1725, when the Marquis of Aguayo learned that nothing had been done in the matter, he pointed out in an interview with Viceroy Casafuerte the importance of establishing the mission for the Indians of Rancheria Grande and promised His Excellency that he was ready and willing to contribute all the things necessary to furnish the new chapel and supply the Indians with the required tools, cattle, and· grain. He said that a new missionary was not necessary because the loca- tion of the proposed mission being only a quarter of a league from San Antonio de Valero, one of the two friars stationed there could be assigned to take care of the new mission without inconvenience. It seems that the viceroy was under the impression that the Fathers of the College of Queretaro had refused to take charge of San Francisco Xavier and were still of the same mind. In view of this fact, Aguayo communicated with the Guardian and made an agreement with him in writing in which the Marquis listed the various supplies, provisions, tools, and grain he would furnish for the establishment of the mission, if the College undertook to order one of the missionaries of San Antonio de Valero to take charge, and the viceroy gave his approval. 20 He offered to supply one red vest- ment, corporals, burse, amice, pall, and antependium; one surplice;-one manual; one bell; twelve oxen; eight young bulls, three or four years old; two bulls for breeding; ten cows, three or four years old; eight bulls seven or eight years old to feed to the Indians; eight carders and plows to cultivate the mission farms; eight new axes; six dozen large knives; six dozen pocket knives; six bundles of beads; two iron bars, one twenty and one twenty-five varas long; two saws, one large and one small; two chisels, two bits, one large and one small; one adze; one compass; one paring chisel; two planes, one small and one large; one bolt of blue woolen cloth; one-half bolt of cotton goods; one bolt of red woolen cloth; two bundles of tobacco; fifty blankets; two brass pots; two copper kettles; 19 Aguayo to the Viceroy, February 26, 1725. A. G. N., Provincias /11/ernas, Vol. 32, Part 2, 1725-1731. 20 /bid.,· also Fray Pedro Perez de Mezquia to the Viceroy, June 22, 17:.:5, A. G. N., Provi11cias /11ter11as, Vol. 32, Part 2.
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