Rivera's Inspection and Removal of 111issions to San Antonio 243
who, on May 26, 1731, advised the viceroy that Father Sevillano had repeatedly assured His Excellency that the removal would cause no expense to the royal treasury. He thought, therefore, that there was no moral obligation to grant financial aid as requested. He recommended, however, that the viceroy might use his own judgment in the matter. Casafuerte, who seems to have been more and more influenced by Rivera as time went on, appears to have done nothing to relieve the need of the missionaries after the heavy expenses they incurred in removing the missions to the San Antonio. 40 The immediate effect of the extinction of the Presidio of Nuestra Senora de los Dolores de los Tejas had resulted in the abandonment of the East Texas field by the missionaries of the College of Queretaro; the undoing of all that had been accomplished in fourteen years of patient toil and constant endeavor, the weakening of the defence of the province against possible French incursions, and the loss of influence with the natives. On the other hand, it had enlarged the missionary activity in the neighborhood of San Antonio, where the Apaches offered the greatest menace to the development of Spanish settlement in Texas. Mission guards restored. The suppression of the mission guards formerly furnished to the missions under the protection of the Presidios of San Juan Bautista and San Antonio de Bejar by the new ordinance had also caused deep concern to the missionaries. No sooner were the new regulations promulgated than protests poured into the office of the viceroy. But as these were referred to Rivera, with whom the idea had originated, the petitions for relief went unheeded. Convinced of the futility of their efforts, Father Miguel Sevillano addressed a long peti- tion to the king. He argued that the regulations were adopted without consideration of all the essential facts. The Indians along the Rio Grande and in Texas were very different in nature from those of the interior of Mexico. They were much wilder and more inclined to murder and theft. The two soldiers assigned to the missions in this region had often saved life and property and prevented serious damages. At the Mission of La Punta de Lampasos, situated fifty leagues from San Juan Bautista, a party of Tobosos, surprised two missionaries, who were bringing supplies and took everything away. In the night, thanks to 4 0Mezquia to the Viceroy, l\fay 4, 1731; Ri\'era to the Viceroy, l\fay 26, 1731; Mezquia to the Viceroy, August 8, 1721, in A.G. N., Pr<Wi11cias lnlernas, Vol. 236.
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