01'1' C atleolic Heritage in T e:xas
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could raise a crop of their own. With deep regret, the zealous missionary was forced to inform them that they would have to return to their ra11cl1enas until he could get the necessary provisions and the seed required for planting. 16 Father Patron lost no time in notifying the Marquis of Aguayo of the success he had met with in getting the coast Indians to agree to be con- gregated in a mission. He asked for His Lordship's authorization to start a foundation for these Indians and he suggested that, if the plan met with his approval, he might issue .the corresponding orders immediately to Captain Ramon that he might assign the necessary lands close by. Without delay Aguayo sent orders to Captain Ramon from Penuelas, while en route to East Texas, to select a suitable site for the new estab- lishment and to give formal possession, in the name of the king, to Father Patron and the Indians who might come to live there. But the arrangement could not be carried out because the com and cattle which the viceroy graciously granted for the purpose were delayed many months on the road as a result of the high stage of the rivers. It was not until early in March, 1722, that a portion of the supplies arrived. Captain Ramon, agreeable to the instructions received from Aguayo, immediately sent word to the Coco and the Cujame nations to come, as everything was ready to found a mission and pueblo for them. By the I 6th, when Aguayo arrived at La Bahia del Espiritu Santo from San Antonio, many Indians had already come with their families and many others had gone .in search of their friends to bring them to the new mission. Aguayo, who was anxious to win their friendship, distributed gifts to them, giving them cotton and woolen goods, skirts, blankets, butcher knives, pocket knives, mirrors, beads, and tobacco. He gave presents to the men and the women alike, treating them with sincere kindness. The lands selected by Father Patron were plowed and made ready for the sowing of the crops, and everything was prepared for the official establishment. 27 The location selected by Father Patron for the new mission was on the bank of the stream that flowed by the presidia, and this rivulet has been definitely identified as Garcitas Creek. It was about three-fourths of a league from the fort. Here there were good farm lands near the fresh water and hence the farms were capable of being irrigated without much trouble, Father Patron requested Aguayo to give him possession of the 26Testimonio de Ia Misi6n de Nuestra Sra. de Loreto. A. G. I., Audiencia de Guadalajara, 67-3-II (Dunn Transcripts, 1710-1738). 21/bid.
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