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01'r Catleolic Heritage in Texas
Mendiondo, who, it will be remembered, was sent by De Leon to escort Jean Gery to Mexico, he was asked to prepare a memorandum of what would be needed for the expedition. Mendiondo complied with the request on July 30, at which time he suggested the most essential items needed for the soldiers. The memorandum was immediately referred to the Fiscal, who, on August 3, pointed out that a list of articles to be dis- tributed as gifts to the Indians should be added. The matter was again referred to Mendiondo, who suggested that fifty dollars worth of beads, two hundred cheap cotton blankets, three large bundles of tobacco, and one hundred and fifty Indians' shirts would be sufficient. His suggestion was approved, but the an1ounts of goods for Indians' gifts were consid- erably increased. On August 9, the viceroy formally ordered Alonso de Leon to undertake the expedition at such time as he considered the most advisable, allowing him full discretion in its organization. The main purpose to be kept in mind was to find the French colony at all costs.ta Governor Leon was busily engaged at this time in the founding of the Villa de Monclova, which he had been authorized to establish since 1687. Once more he was obliged to suspend this long delayed project and to devote all his energies to the organization of the expedition entrusted to him. With characteristic diligence, he soon assembled seven hundred and twenty-one horses, eighty-two loads of flour and hard-tack, and a large store of provisions and supplies as well as many Indian gifts. On March 24, 1689, the troops from Coahuila and Nueva Vizcaya set out from the presidio near the site of present Monclova and making their way to the northeast, arrived at Sabinas River (Mexico) on March 27. Here they were joined by the detachment of soldiers sent from the Nuevo Reino de Leon. Before proceeding on their journey, Alonso de Leon, who had been made general, held a review. As the men marched past him, he made a roll of all the persons present. Heading the list are the names of two Padres: the Baclziller Toribio Garcia de Sierra, curate and vicar of the province of Coahuila, and Father Fray Damian Massanet, minister in charge of the Mission of Caldera. Then follow the soldiers, the half- crazed Jean Gery, who had been sent from Mexico as a guide; twelve mule drivers, most of them well armed, and thirteen servants. The total
"Memorias presented by Captain Mendiondo; Respuesta fiscal; Decreto del Virrey, August 9, 1688, all in Ibid., pp. 40-45.
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