Rivera's ln1,pection and Removal of iifissions to San Antonio 259
congregated in the mission pueblo. But the two nations that had not made peace were even more numerous. They had assumed a policy of neutrality and he hoped that they would soon become friends. He expected that at least two hundred more would be added to the mission when this happened. But he assured the viceroy that the Indians were so fickle that they were more to be feared when they pretended to be at peace because of their treachery than when openly hostile. 63 Upon being consulted concerning the letter of Captain Costales, Rivera declared that when the order was given for the presidio of La Bahia to furnish a guard of nine soldiers for the newly established missions on the San Antonio, the evil consequences that would follow as a result of the lack of military training and discipline were known; that Costales should not feel uneasy about this matter, as he would not be held respon- sible for the effect of this duty on the soldiers so detailed. He pointed out that it had been a well established custom generally observed and there was no reason to discontinue it. Considering the distance, however, and the other circumstances described by Captain Costales, it might be advisable to relieve four of the men assigned to the new missions and permit them to return to their official quarters, replacing them with four from the Presidio of San Antonio. At the time of the original order, which was given on October 2, 1730, the Canary Island families had not been settled in San Antonio, but with their establishment, which had now been decreed and was being put into execution, the Presidio de Bejar would be fully protected and could well afford to spare the men suggested. He said that the fears entertained by Costales with regard to the treacherous designs of the Indians in time of peace were unfounded because they were not likely to renew hostilities, unless the garrison or its commander provoked the savages, as was the case when Captain Domingo Ramon was killed. He pointed out, also, that the ten men employed to convoy supply trains to and from the presidio, were not, nor could they be, required to perform this duty continuously, since such trips were undertaken only twice a year, according to the schedule adopted for this service in the new regulations. Consequently it was only during the time they were so engaged that the garrison was handicapped by the small number of men who remained at La Bahia. He ad\'ised, howe,·cr, that the captain be instructed not to relax his usual \'igilance at any time,
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