Rivera's Inspection and Removal of Missions to San Antonio 227
and the danger of an attempt by foreigners to effect a landing was too remote. Unmindful of the apparent contradiction, he explained that before leaving Texas, he had instructed the captain of the presidio to explore the course of the Guadalupe to its mouth in the bay and make it navigable in order that communication with the Huasteca (Veracruz) might be established by water. A road overland was to be opened also to carry on trade with the Nuevo Reyno de Leon, which should be about a hundred leagues distant from this post. By building a dam, about six leagues from its mouth, the waters of this river could be used to irrigate the lands in the vicinity of the presidio, in spite of its high banks. In this way a number of settlements could be established along the river, ,vhich could be supplied with the products raised on the broad plains that bordered it and made prosperous by the trade established between this section and the commercial centers just mentioned. The garrison would be occupied in carrying out these projects, there being little else for them to do in the line of military duties in the absence of a foreign enemy and Indian hostilities. Determined to cut down the number of soldiers in every presidio in Texas, he recommended that the garrison of San Antonio be Bejar be also reduced from fifty-four men to forty-four. Its admirable location, the excellent discipline of the soldiers, the efficiency of the captain, and the many victories over the troublesome Apaches, showed clearly that the same protection would be afforded to the missions founded here and the civil settlers who had established themselves in the neighborhood by the force he suggested. But to give to the reduced garrison added strength, he made his own suggestion which had been offered by the Marquis of Aguayo six years before. Describing enthusiastically the facilities afforded by this ideal location for a settlement, he urged the establishment of a group of families on this pleasant and fertile site. Unlike Aguayo, how- ever, he thought that twenty-five families were sufficient for the purpose, assuring the viceroy that with this number, ample protection and security would be afforded the entire region. This successful colonization would induce similar groups to inhabit other suitable localities. He then turned his attention to the guard of twel\"e men, including a captain, kept at Saltillo as an escort for trains of supplies for the mis- sions and presidios in Texas and those entering the province. Each one received four hundred and fifty pesos a year. When he visited them he found they were all fully and adequately equipped with everything nee-
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