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Early Exploration of Big Bend Country, r683-173r
nevertheless, Rebolledo concluded, that a new expedition be ordered before the end of the year, to be undertaken during the rainy season, possibly the fall, in order to traverse under more favorable circumstances the arid regions feared by Berroteran."' The viceroy, in view of the opinions of Rivera and Olivan Rebolledo, ordered on June 17, 1730, that the Governor of Parral be informed of the laxity with which Captain Berroteran conducted the expedition entrusted to him; and that this was not as impossible or difficult as he had reported, as evidenced by the opinions of the two counselors. Since it was not only important, but essential, to explore the land from San Juan Bautista to the Junta de los Rios, the Governor of Nueva Vizcaya was requested to make arrangements for a new expedition, which was to be undertaken as soon as possible, at a season of the year when the water was more abundant in the arid regions that were to be explored. The expedition, in addition to examining the land and noting its characteristics and the Indians that lived there, was to keep in mind the selection of a suitable place for the location of the Presidio of Sacramento on the Rio Grande. 45 It is evident that viceregal officials fully realized the importance of exploring this undiscovered area, which was justly considered to be the refuge of the hostile Indians of the Great Plains that constantly menaced and harassed the frontier settlements of New Spain along the north and east. "'Parecer del Auditor Olivio Rebolledo. A. G. I., Audiencia de Guadalajara, 104-6-15. 45 Acuerdo del Virrey, June 17, 1730. A. G. I., Audiencia de Guadalajara, I 04-6-1 5.
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