Ou,r Catliolic Heritage in Texas
the men who had escaped from the storm and found their way back to port. Without loss of time, Villafana and his men set to work and succeeded in recovering a good portion of the rich cargo of silver and gold. The fleet had been wrecked on the sandy banks in relatively shallow water and it was not difficult to retrieve the treasure from its watery grave. Having accomplished its purpose, the rescue party returned to Veracruz, carrying with them Francisco Vazquez, the sole lay survivor of the fleet, who told how his two companions, Frays Diego de la Cruz and Juan Mendez, had come to their end on the banks of the Rio Grande. A -~ontemporary writer of the events described has left us an interesting account of the effect produced by the rescue of the treasure shipped in the fleet. "The Viceroy, Don Luis [de Velasco], he says, "sent a gen- tleman called Angel de Villafana to get it, giving him divers and what was needed [for the purpose]. The result was not negligible, for much treasure was recovered, since the ships were wrecked on the coast where the silver found bottom and from where it was taken and brought to Mexico. It was a sight worth seeing to behold the many suits that each one [of the shippers] presented in an effort to collect what they claimed they had sent. Many became rich with the fortunes of the unfortunate ones that died in the wreck." 31 Francisco Vazquez seems to have received his portion of the rescued treasure. He lived many years in Mexico, where he enjoyed the reputation of being a peaceful and respected citizen. He was generous in his support of charity and the alleviation of suffering. Perhaps his experiences on the lonely coast of Texas made him grateful for his deliverance. 31 Suarez de Peralta, "Noticias Hist6ricas de la Nueva Espana," published by Don Justo Zaragoza, 180; see also Barcia, E,i.sayo Cronologico, 31; Davila Padilla, oj. cit., 281-284.
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