Rivera's Inspection and Removal of iJ1issions to San Antonio 25I
spiritual welfare not only of the Indians, but of those in the nearby presidio. At this time, Father Sevillano stated that the missions were far from a flourishing condition. The chief article of food for the Indians and the missionaries was corn, and this had to be carefully rationed. Meat was served only every fifteen days, in order to conserve the mission herd. Every two weeks a cow was killed and everybody was given his share, but as the number of neophytes was large, this supply was not very large. Out of the meager allowance made by His Majesty for the subsistence of the missionaries were bought all the necessary tools, the things needed for the church and divine service, and at times, even clothing and food for the Indians. It was customary for the college to send each religious a supply of food, clothing, and other articles for his own personal use, purchased with the money given annually by the royal treasury for that purpose. It was not uncommon for most of these goods to go to the neophytes. "With the exception of a little chocolate, some soap, salt, enough cloth for one habit, and sandals ... all the rest is used for the Indians," said Father Sevillano. From the slender means at their disposal they had to buy rosaries, hats, cheap cloth and tobacco to give to the natives as presents. Nothing was a more powerful incentive to the good will of the Indians than tobacco. This was the chief means of keeping them pacified and of attracting new converts. He asserted that it was his belief that without it, most of the Indians would leave their missions. When the crops were abundant and there was a surplus of corn the Indians of the missions on the San Antonio traded these to the soldiers and settlers, through the missionary, for cloth with which to dress them- selves. But as there had been several bad years, there was a scarcity of wearing apparel at this time. With the arrival of new Indians who applied frequently, the supply of clothing had been exhausted. It was not rare to see many of the neophytes poorly clothed now, and in some instances naked. On two occasions, Father Sevillano had been obliged to take off his cloak and divide it so as to permit some Indian women to cover them- selves, and more than once his extra tunic and that of his companions had been used to make clothing for their almost naked wards. The tribes congregated were not like those of Mexico. They were of a different character and much less inclined to work. But no hardships, no privations, no sufferings, no sacrifices seemed to dismay the ever-enthusiastic sons of Saint Francis, whose hearts bled with almost divine sorrow when they beheld the unfortunate and helpless
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