Ottr Cat.liolic fl e,-itage in Texas
34 2
to Mexico. The Indian governor had asked him on parting to kave a guide who could lead his brother and six chiefs to Coahuila later, declaring that they wanted to communicate with the Christians and bring back missionarie:; to teach their people. Governor Leon closed his glowing account by saying that Father Massanet had promised him that if the viceroy would permit it, he would undertake the conversion of these Indians with other religious from the College of the Holy Cross of Queretaro. Since this zealous missionary was anxious to return to work among the Tejas with his brethren, Leon believed that with a little aid from the viceroy a great harvest of souls could be reaped in the lands just visited. 1 Plans for missionary activity among tlie Tejas. The Count of Galvc was deeply impressed by the circumstances, and the suggestion of Gov- ernor Leon found prompt response in his grateful heart. He imme- diately ordered an excerpt of the report sent to the Fiscal, Doctor Benito de Noboa Salgado, with a request for his opinion. Noboa, who seems to have been a devout man, was equally impressed and recommended tha:t a Junta de Hacienda be called to discuss the advisability of establishing missions among the Tejas. Accordingly, the J1mta met on July 5, 1689. It was unanimously agreed that in view of the providential deliverance of the kingdom, which had revealed not only the removal of the danger but of countless souls, the offer of Father Massanet to return to work among the Tejas should be accepted with due thanks; that all supplies needed to carry out this worthy enterprise should be furnished at the expense of the king; that Governor Alonso de Leon should be requested to make a report as to the best means for carrying out the proposed conversion; and that he be asked to court the friendship of the Tejas chief. The J1mta closed their deliberations by invoking the blessings of Divine Providence upon the viceroy and the undertaking_% "However one may question the relative importance of religious zeal as a factor in the general decermination of Spanish Colonial policy, there can be little doubt that the first definite steps taken by the viceregal government IDe Leon to the Viceroy, May 16, 1689, in Auttos y Diligencias q se an Executado, pp. 44-47, A.G. / . , Audiencia de Merico, 61-6-20 (Dunn Transcripts, 1685-1688). %Respuesta fiscal, July 4, I 689; Junta de Hacienda, July S, 1689, in Testimo. de autos de las rlilixs. para la seg. entrada qe se ha de Executar a la Provincia de los Texas ... A.G. /., Audienda de Mexicn, 61-6-21 (Dunn Transcripts, 1688-1690), pp. 6-17.
Powered by FlippingBook