Fo1mding of El Paso and Establislmeent of 11'/issions
247
province and the outposts of Nueva Vizcaya, and allow prospectors to explore the country in the neighborhood which was said to be rich in mineral ores. What effect the suggestions of Father Benavides had on the subsequent activities in this area cannot be definitely determined, but there is little doubt that it was in part responsible for the first recorded attempt to establish a mission among the Mansos undertaken by Father Fray Antonio de Arteaga shortly after the visit of Benavides in 1630. 6 Early missionary endeavors at El Paso. Fray Antonio was a native of Mexico, the son of a distinguished family who had come from the Canary Islands. Before taking Orders, he attended the University of Mexico, where he obtained a degree in theology. He later joined the Franciscan Order on April 11, 1612, at the age of twenty-three. Shortly after his ordination, he attained distinction as a sacred orator, but he longed for the conversion of the heathen and asked to be allowed to go to New Mexico. When Father Estevan Perea was appointed Custodio of New Mexico in 1628, he took Fray Antonio as one of the thirty mis- sionaries that accompanied him. This enthusiastic religious began his labors among the Piro Indians. Encouraged by his success, he later founded the Mission of Senecu together with Father Garcia de San Francisco de Zuniga. Not satisfied with this success, he undertook the conversion of the Mansos, "a fierce and barbarous nation," exclaims Medina, "whose fierce actions belied their title and name of tame." By his tender care and ardent zeal he succeeded in winning the heart of this heretofore unconquered nation, who accepted Christianity and were con• gregated in a mission. So impressed were the neighboring tribes, that they came of their own free will and asked to be instructed and baptized. But the establishment was temporary and it seems that the good friar was obliged to abandon his work among the Mansos of the El Paso region shortly after his arrival in 1630. 1 Just how long he stayed is not known. But his work was to be taken up by his former companion at Senecu, Father Garcia de San Francisco de Zuniga, who was eventually to found a permanent mission among these Indians. Father Garcia de San Francisco had come with the Custodio, Father Perea, in 1628, and had been a lifelong companion of Fray Antonio. It is said that he refused to take Orders until he set out for New Mexico, 6 Benavides, Memorial, (Ayer translation) 1 J•I s; 202-203. 1 Medina, Daltazar. Cl,ronica de la Santa Provincia de San Diego de Mexico, (Mexico, 1682), 168-169.
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