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various capacities. Contrary to the statements made by Father Gonzalez, the garrison was complete, as Mateo Perez himself testified when it was turned over to him, consisting of fifty-four soldiers. Referring to the campaign against the Apaches, he declared that the Indians had been attacked while trying to run away; that they began the battle and fought stubbornly for six hours before they were overcome. The proposed peace negotiations which followed his return to San Antonio with twenty women and children prisoners, had been a ruse of the Indians to obtain the release of their relatives. This had been shown by the declarations of the Indian Geronimo and the Spaniard Juan Santiago de la Cruz. Father Gonzalez did not understand the method of making peace with the Indians. No treaty with them is binding unless made by their chiefs. This was the reason why the Captain had refused to treat with them. In support of his character and veracity, he presented several testimonials from the Marquis of Aguayo, Father Margi!, and Father Nunez de Haro. Claiming that an injustice had been committed, Flores begged His Excellency, out of regard for his past record and his family, to restore him to his command. 51 Aguayo in his representation in favor of Flores said that Father Gon- zalez had always caused trouble wherever he went, that he was of a domineering nature, and that his own College admitted that he was turbulent and unruly. With regard to the supporting testimony given by Father Hidalgo, he stated that it was but a repetition of what Father Gonzalez had said and that it was evident the former had been unduly influenced by the latter. He praised Flores highly, giving a detailed account of his services in various capacities, and particularly during the expedition in Texas. In conclusion he recommended strongly that he be restored as Captain of the Presidio of San Antonio and that he be given his back pay for the time he had been suspended. 52 Father Margi! affirmed in his declaration that Flores had always served the king with zeal and had consistently given assistance to the missionaries in their labors; while Father Miguel Nunez de Haro, of the Mission of San Jose, declared he had known Flores for two years, while in San Antonio, and that during that time he had always cooperated with him. He said that the Captain had brought runaway Indians back, S 1 Flores to the Viceroy, no date, Ibid. 52 Aguayo to the Viceroy, no date, in Ibid. In the long letter of Aguayo refuting the charges brought against Flores, he cites a letter of Father Espinosa as a base for his statements with regard to the character of Father Gonzalez.
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