Tlee Beginnings of Missionary Activity, 1670-1676
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plished, while Father Larios tried to get aid for the new missions from the local officials. He appealed to Captain Francisco Barbarigo, govern- mental protector of the Indians of San Esteban and found him to be an enthusiastic supporter of the northern enterprise. He not only gave him encouragement, but eventually went with him to Santa Rosa, where he took charge of the material welfare of the mission. Writing of his help, Father Larios says: "In every way and with great generosity and charity, he has aided us and the Indians. He is now going with me [to Santa Rosa] in order to take charge of the sowing of the fanegas of corn which he has given us for this purpose and to decide on the form of the church and of the town. He does this with a love that would make him a very zealous religious." 22 While Father Larios exerted himself to secure the material resources necessary to carry on the work among his beloved neophytes, Brother Manuel de la Cruz, who had remained at Santa Rosa, was having a difficult time. The epidemic of smallpox had not abated and more Indians had been coming to the mission. In a letter which he wrote to the Com- missary General, he declares that there were seven hundred Indians, of whom five hundred and twelve belonged to the Guyquechale nation. In view of the sickness which prevailed in the mission, the chiefs of the various nations asked permission to leave temporarily the site of Santa Rosa for a healthier location, promising to return at the half-moon of March. It was impossible to refuse the request, so Brother Manuel acquiesced and the Boboles and Obayos went to a place about five leagues south of the Sabinas River. When a few days later, Father Larios arrived with Barbarigo, he found, much to his dismay, that Santa Rosa had been almost abandoned by the natives. It was already March 20, and the Indians had not returned. Much worried and fearful that with characteristic Indian fickleness the nations that had been congre- gated would not come back, Father Larios sent Brother Manuel de la Cruz in search of the Boboles. Six days later Fray Manuel reappeared with the Indians at Santa Rosa, having found them on an arroyo some twelve leagues away. In the meantime Barbarigo had begun to build a church and other dwellings." 22 Juan Larios to the Commissary General, Saltillo, February 26, 1674. San Fran- cisco El Grande Archive, I, 82-85. 23 Fray Manuel de la Cruz to the Commissary General, Saltillo, May 29, 1674, San Fra11ciscoElGra11deArchive, I, 118-125.
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