01'r Cath.olic Heritage in Texas
Although this inhuman trade was strictly prohibited, the officials along the frontier were often persuaded to overlook the stringent regulations. Thus by 1580 the route along the Conchos to La Junta de los Rios was well known, having been frequently traversed by such men as Lope de Ariste, Mateo Gonzales, Hernan Gallegos, and Diego Perez de Luxan. 4 Fray Agustin Rodngttez plans expedition. \,Vhile out on one of these raids in 1579, Hernan Gallegos, a soldier of fortune, captured an Indian, who, when brought back to Santa Barbara, told the Spaniards that beyond the jurisdiction of Nueva Vizcaya there were settlements of natives, who had cotton and knew how to weave it into cloth with which they clothed themselves, and that they raised much corn, pumpkins, beans, and native chickens. He also told how they lived in houses and he described the cows that furnished meat to the Indians of that country. 5 Among the interested listeners was Fray Agustin Rodriguez, a zealous Franciscan missionary, whose daily labors had often brought him in contact with many of the tribes that lived along the Conchos River. The good Friar had read the account of the adventures of Cabeza de Vaca and had secretly longed for an opportunity to visit the nations therein described. The story told by the captive had, therefore, particular interest for him and made him conceive the idea of visiting these settlements for the purpose of preaching the Gospel among them. 6 Anxious to start as soon as possible, Fray Agustin Rodriguez deter- mined to go to Mexico to present his petition to the viceroy in person. In November, 1580, he applied to the Count of Corufia for permission to enter the unconquered lands beyond the jurisdiction of Nueva Vizcaya to preach the Gospel to the natives. Although the king had prohibited the authoriza- tion of all entradas without previous royal sanction, the viceroy, "seeing the good zeal" of the missionary, granted his request, giving him per- mission to take other religious with him and an escort not to exceed twenty soldiers, who might also carry along some articles for barter. Fray Agustin was further authorized to appoint the military leader of 4 Mecham, "Antonio de Espejo and his journey to New Mexico," Soutkwesterr1 Historical Quarterly, Vol. 30, p. 122; Hammond, Expedition itJto New Mexico made by Anlo11io de Espejo, Quivira Society Publications, Vol. I, pp. 55-56; Bolton, Spanish Explorations, I 37; I 44 note I. 5 Pacheco y Cardenas, Documentos, XV, 82, 89. 'He was not the only one who had read or heard of the adventures of Cabeza de Vaca. Both Gallegos and Pedro de Bustamante refer to him in their declarations. Ibid., XV, 8:z, 89.
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