Om· Catltolic Heritage in Texas
Mexico] with others of this nation who came out at the time of the revolt, [establishing them] in the most convenient place on the banks of the Rio Grande; to congregate likewise the Spaniards in two or three towns and to establish the presidio in the most suitable place ... that by removing the [former] apostates to El Paso del Rio [del Norte] they would find themselves protected there from the Apaches ... and that these settlements will serve as a defensive bulwark to Parral, Sonora and Casas Grandes ... All of these [actions] appear highly advisabll! both for the reasons he alleges and because there are three conversions in the vicinity of El Paso called La Soledad, Guadalupe, and San Fran- cisco de los Zumas, which are the only ones that remain" since the revolt of New Mexico. 34 When the matter was referred to a general council, on July 28, 1682, this body reviewed the whole situation and made in substance the fol- lowing recommendations. It advised that the soldiers for the presiclio, which evidently had not been formally established yet, should be enlisted from Zacatecas instead of Parral or Sono·ra; and it approved the salary previously recommended by the Fiscal. The action of the /tmta was reported to the king, who finally gave his royal approval on September 4, 1683, by which time the presidio had been established. With regard to the settlement of the Spaniards and the Indians, the Fiscal recommended that the Indians should be estab- lished in one or two settlements at a convenient distance from the presidio so that they might be properly protected. He suggested that it would be prudent not to settle the Spaniards and the Indians together; thus avoiding difficulties that might arise from closer association. The Span- iards should, however, be located near the presidia also so that they could all withstand attacks from the Apaches and other enemies more effectively. 55 Location of the Spanisli and Indian ,Ptteblos. Before being replaced by his successor, Governor Otermin proceeded to establish the Spaniards and the Indians at El Paso in permanent settlements as he had declared he would do. The Cabildo of Santa Fe, in a long communication to the viceroy, written on July 6, 1684, gives the details of the location of the 34Parecer de! Fiscal, Mexico, June 25, 1682. Autos Perte11ecientes, A. G. Al., Pr01,incias lnternas, Vol. 37, ff. 119-120. SSParecer del Fiscal, in Autos Pertenecientes, f. 1 I 9. Hughes, op. cit., 322, cites the r.edulas concerning the approval of the establishment of the presidio.
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