Tlie Organization of Mission L~fe, q22-1728
203
busy watching the presidio horses, assisting the missionaries, and escort- ing travelers and supplies to and from Saltillo, La Bahia, and Los Adaes. But he was determined to carry out his plans as soon as possible and he promised the viceroy he would return from Los Adaes at the earliest possible moment to rebuild the presidio. 57 The Mission of San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo was now in a flourishing condition. Father Miguel Nunez de Haro had done much to improve the farms and attract new Indians. With the aid of Captain Flores the aceq1,ia, or irrigation ditch, had been completed. It will be remembered that it was from the granary of this mission that Governor Almazan dispatched one hundred cargas of corn to relieve the distress at La Bahia in the spring of 1724. Such neophytes as became tired of regulated life and ran away to enjoy the freedom of the forest, much as school boys are wont to do, were quickly brought back by the diligent Flores. Progress in San Antonio de Valero had been no less satisfactory in spite of the relative indifference of the presidio commander. The irriga- tion ditch of that mission had been completed also, its farms were just as productive, and the number of Indians who had been brought under the direction of the tireless missionaries may be judged from the fact that Father Gonzalez was able to furnish Captain Flores thirty Indian warriors, fully equipped, for his campaign against the Apaches. 58 Aided by Governor Almazan and his lieutenants, the missionaries in East Texas accomplished much. The three missions founded among the Tejas particularly were making satisfactory progress. The temporary churches and the living quarters of the Padres so hastily erected in 1722 had been replaced by more permanent structures made of such timber as the country afforded. Stone was difficult to secure and it seems the mis- sionaries were not ready to construct buildings that would withstand the ravages of time and the elements, and they hoped that locations more suitable and convenient to all the Indians might be found later. The various tribes of East Texas had steadily refused to be congregated in pueblos, and only a few had come to live in the missions. Using these as centers, the zealous Franciscans, undismayed by existing conditions, 57 /bid.; also report of soldiers on peace with Apaches, January 6, 1724. S1J11 Francisco el Grande Archive, Vol. 10. 58 Aguayo to Father Margi!, July 4, 1724; Report of soldiers on Peace with the Apaches, January 4, 1724; Almazan to the Viceroy, October 24, 1724. Arcnivo San Francisco el Grand11, Vol. 10.
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