259
Fotmding of El Paso and Establishment of Missions
the facts presented, the Junta recommended that one hundred and fifty men, of those capable of bearing arms, who were now at El Paso, should be given two hundred and fifty ,pesos each to enable them to equip them- selves for a campaign against the rebellious Indians. With this money they were to purchase the necessary horses, provisions, and equipment. One hundred of the longest rifles in the royal armory and twenty quintales of the best powder were likewise to be furnished them for the same purpose. To protect those who had to remain at El Paso and to prevent the enemy from attacking Sonora and Parral, a presidio was to be estab- lished at El Paso del Rio del Norte, subject to the approval of the king. This was to be garrisoned by fifty men, who were to be paid three hundred fifteen pesos each, the same as those stationed at Sinaloa. In addition to this number there should be an armorer, whose duty should be to repair and take care of the arms of the garrison and who should receive the same pay as a soldier. All the men for the new presidio were to be rccrnited from those who had fled to Sonora and Parral in past years, and if they defaulted, others might be enlisted from those living in the places indicated. After the reconquest of New Mexico was accomplished, if the king approved the establishment, this was to be moved to whatever place was deemed most convenient by the viceroy. 29 The lttnta further recommended that in view of the fact that one hundred and fifty men were asked to undertake a campaign and that their families would be left without the means of planting a crop, the dependent persons, who remained in the settlement at El Paso, should continue to receive the aid of ten head of cattle and ten fancgas of corn daily from March I to October 1, 1681. This aid was to cease on the date indicated, by which time the settlers should make provision to supply themselves for their most urgent needs. With appropriate courtesy, it was recommended that Father Ayeta should be officially thanked for the solicitude he had shown for the ·welfare of the refugees and the material help which he had given them. 30 The importance of the establishment of a presidio at El Paso had previously been presented to the king by Father Ayeta and by Viceroy Fray Payo de Ribera more than a year before the revolt. Both had pointed out that a garrison of fifty men at this strategic point was of incalculable 29 Recommendations of the Junta General, January 17, 1681, in Autos Tocantes, A.G. M ., Provincias lnternas, Vol. 37, ff. 114-115. 30 /bid., f. IIS,
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