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Establislmuut of Jlfissicms in Et1St TextlS, 1689-1693
for the occupation of Texas were inspired largely by genuinely pious considerations." 3 But the members of the Junta were not the only ones interested in the immediate execution of the plan to found missions among the Tejas. Shortly after the meeting adjourned, letters began to pour into the viceroy urging him to take immediate steps to carry out the enterprise. First among these was one written by the Bishop of Guadalajara, who on August 3, offered his whole-hearted cooperation. He declared that he was of the opinion that the new missions should be entrusted to the friars of th~ College of La Santa Cruz de Queretaro, who had proved their zeal and ability in some of the missions on the outposts of Coahuila. He pointed out that since the country of the Tejas appeared to be within his episcopal . jurisdiction, he had taken the liberty of notifying the superior of the College in regard to this matter. He ended his letter with an ardent appeal for prompt action on the part of His Excellency. On August 9, Father Fray Toribio Garcia de Sierra, who had accom- panied the expedition, wrote the Count of Galve, stressing the importance of "converting the numerous heathens that live in the country from this Villa [ Monclova] to the Tejas and Cadodachos, by establishing presidios in and sending missionaries to such places as might be deemed advisable." "The land," he said, "is very pleasing, very level, and well watered, and there are many buffalo, fish, wild chickens, deer, hares, rabbits, and quail like those of Spain, while among the Cadodachos there are beavers." He:: assured the viceroy that over a million souls could be saved, and he enthusiastically praised Alonso de Leon for his conduct during the expedition. Father Massanet also wrote to advise the Count of Galve of the great care with which the prelate of the new missions should be selected, hinting diplomatically that he himself was particularly fitted by former experience for this responsible position.' These letters were followed by a "formal request from Father Fray Miguel de Fontcuberta, Guardian of the College of the Holy Cross of Queretaro, that the friars from his College should be entrusted with the work of the conversion of the Tejas Indians. He reminded the viceroy that the College of Propaganda Fide had been established in 1683 for the purpose of spreading the Gospel among the heathen natives of New 3 Dunn, op. cit., I I I. 'Bishop of Guadalajara to the Viceroy, A11gust 3, 1689; Father Garcia to the same, August 9, 1689; Father Massanet to the sante, August 6, 1689, in 1/Jid., A. G. I., Ar1die11cia de i'd erico, 6 I -6-:io, pp. I 6-:i I.
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