Our Catholic fl e,-itage in Texas
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value for the greater security of the provinces of New Mexico and Nueva Vizcaya. Father Ayeta had written to the king on May 28, 1679, con- cerning this matter, and the viceroy had reenforced his request by adding his recommendations for the royal approval of the plan . In view of these representations, the king had seen fit to order that the presidio suggested should be established at the first opportunity with a garrison of fifty men as requested, and that it should be maintained for a period of at least ten years. The royal order was given in Madrid on June 5, 1680, a little more than two months before the revolt occurred in New Mexico, but it did not reach the viceroy until late in the fall. 31 It was natural, therefore, that in view of this cedtda and the urgent need which had arisen for its immediate execution, the Junta of January 17, 1681 , would ha,·e unanimously approved the request of Governor Otermin and Father Ayeta. Tl1e enlistment of tl1e garrison. Almost nine months elapsed before the recommendations of the J1111ta were finally transmitted to Governor Otermin with the orders of the viceroy for their execution . On September 18, we find that the governor ordered a new muster roll to be made of all the soldiers and citizens living at El Paso at that time , preparatory to the enlistment of the fifty men for the presidio and the organization of the expedition which was to be undertaken against the rebellious Indians as recommended by the Junta. By September 30, he had com- pleted the enrollment of the fifty soldiers for the new garrison and he had secured an armorer. At the same time he had organized an expedition to subdue the apostate Indians. Before setting out on his expedition for the reconquest of the Indians of New Mexico, he issued a proclamation declaring that he had been unable to enlist the men for the presidio from those who had previously left that province to live in Sonora and Parral. He gave strict orders, however, prohibiting those who had been recruited from leaving El Paso during his absence. 32 It showed that he kept in mind that the garrison was enlisted and instructed to protect the families and missions, but that the regular presidio was not actually established at this time. Setting out in November, the Governor was obliged to return to El Paso in February, 1682, after a practically fruitless campaign in which JI Real Cedula of June 5, 1680, in Autns Tncnntes, A. G. Al., Prnvhtcins l11ter11ns, Vol. 37, f. 94. 3~Hughes, np. cit. , 320-321.
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