Our Catlzolic Heritage in Texas
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Spain. He declared that the friars of this College had attempted to carry out the purpose for which they came but with little success because of lack of opportunity. Since one of their religious, Father Massanet, had accompanied Alonso de Leon and had been instrumental in winning the good will of the governor of the Tejas, to whom he had promised to return, Father Fontcuberta argued that it was only just and fair that the work of conversion of this new region should be entrusted to his College. He explained, however, that he was not asking for exclusive rights in the new field, but merely for the right to participate in the salvation of souls and the preaching of the Gospel. "vVe do not ask," he said, "to be the only ones, nor that others should not participate, even though we could. What we ask is that our faith be planted there so that the Precious Blood of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, may not have been shed in vain; that the purpose for which we came to this province [New Spain] be attained; and that whether we enter alone or accompanied by others, we be not excluded." 5 This matter was appealed to the Council of the Indies who, on February 18, 1690, long after the viceroy had acceded to the request, wrote to this official: "The viceroy is ordered to entrust this conversion to the religious of Saint Francis, through their Commissary General, with instructions that some of the missionaries be from the convent of Queretaro." 6 Preparations for De Leon's fiftle entrada. While these letters were being received, the viceroy and the Junta had already decided to under- take the establishment of missions among the Tejas and to place Father Massanet at the head of the new conversions. On July 27, the decision of the Junta held on the fifth of that month was received by Governor Leon, who made a detailed report on August 12, setting forth his ide~ on the subject. The veteran pioneer of the northern frontier, who kne,v the fickle nature of the Indians, suggested that the safest way of converting the Tejas, as well as the numerous tribes that roamed from Coahuila to their country and beyond, was to establish four forts. The first one, garrisoned by thirty men, should be located on the Rio Grande; the second, with forty men, on the Rio Frio; the third, with sixty men, on the Guadalupe; and the fourth, with eighty men, in the principal pueblo of the Tejas. This last post should be the place of resi- 5Fontcuberta to the Viceroy, August 28, 1689, in Ibid., pp. 22-25. 6Consejo, February 18, 1690, A. G. I., Audiencia de ilfexi<:o, 58-6-1 (Dunn Transcripts, 1688-1690).
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