Rive,-a's Inspection a11d Removal of Missions to San Antonio 225
spring of 1728, he had not yet finished his work. Endless conferences with the viceroy, who consulted him on everything, followed. Each case was taken individually and every point carefully discussed before a decision was made. But in spite of the scrupulous care of the viceroy to avoid error and the upright and impartial spirit that animated the aging inspec- tor, the final judgment in regard to the innovations and changes that were to be put into effect to improve conditions in Texas were destined to prove inadequate and ill-advised. Rivera's recommendations. On March 23, 1728, Rivera prepared a long report for the viceroy in which he presented his recommendations with regard to Texas, based on his personal visit and a careful study of all the facts concerned. Taking Los Adaes first, he pointed out that its garrison should be reduced to sixty men. When the presidio was originally founded a force of one hundred men had been stationed there because of the danger of French attack and the hostility of the Indians. But since that time the natives had become friendly and were peaceful, even though few of them had been reduced to mission life. The French garrison at Natchitoches, located about seven leagues away, had a force of only twenty- five men, and there was little or no danger of attack from this quarter, now that peace between the two crowns had been established. Should hostilities break out, he said, even the one hundred men would be insuffi- cient to check the advance of the French, who would bring large reen- forcements of well trained and seasoned troops from Mobile and Canada, against which the garrison would prove a poor match. Furthermore, the French could penetrate the Province of Texas unopposed, if they so desired, by way of the country of the Cadodachos, located to the north, and by taking a position among the Navidachos, they could cut off all supplies to the Spanish garrison and cause its surrender without firing a shot. From the arguments presented up to this point, it seems that Rivera had a low opinion of the courage or ability of frontier officers and men. He added, however, that the sixty soldiers which he suggested should be left at Los Adaes, could be reenforced, whenever it became necessary, from La Bahia or San Antonio, forgetting the difficulties offered most of the year caused by the swollen rivers, the danger of Indian attacks, and the slow means of communication. 11 With regard to the Presidio of Nuestra Senora de los Dolores de los Tejas, he recommended its total abolition. The Indians in its immediate
llProyecto Mandado hacer ... A. G. N., Provi11cias lnternas, Vol. 29.
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