Establislnnent of illissions in East Texas, 1689-1693
349
an undertaking thoroughly in keeping with the pious sentiments of the king and one that Divine Providence had miraculously brought to the attention of the Spaniards a second time by the appearance of foreigners in their country again. It should, therefore, be pursued with all zeal. Governor Alonso de Leon should be instructed to set out as soon as the time permitted, with strict orders to wipe out the last vestige of French occupation, so that the uneasiness which their presence had caused during the last few years should be removed forever. In order to accomplish this end, he should penetrate to the site of La Salle's settlement, destroy the ruins which he had previously found, and send out parties to scour the surrounding country and to take as prisoners every survivor they might encounter. When this purpose should have been satisfactorily accomplished, he was to establish communication with the Tejas Indians, calling them together to ascertain if they still wanted missionaries to instruct them and baptize them. In perfect peace and harmony, they should then decide whether the missionaries should remain alone, or a force of soldiers should be left for their protection. In the latter case, the number of soldiers should be sufficient to protect the Padres but in no case large enough to intimidate or coerce the natives. The question of the establishment of a presidio was beyond the juris- diction of the Junta, since this could only be erected with the consent of the king. The Junta authorized the enlistment of one hundred and ten men as proposed, twenty to be recruited in the Presidios of Cuencame and El Gallo, and ninety in Zacatecas, Sombrerete, Saltillo, and Nuevo Leon. Father Massanet was duly thanked for the zeal displayed in the conversion of the Tejas Indians and he was authorized to designate five companions from the -College of Queretaro to accompany him. The missionaries were to be supplied with the necessary sugar, chocolate, soap, four barrels of wine, and one hundred pounds of wax candles, as well as twelve pa.ck mules for their convenience. 14 Fifth expedition of Alonso de Leon, 1690. Unexpected difficulties, sickness, and unforeseen circumstances, however, delayed the actual departure of the new expedition, officially authorized in November, until March, 1690. Five priests, under the leadership of Father Massanet, who was made commissary of the new missions, accompanied De Leon. These were Fathers Fray Francisco Hidalgo, Fray Perea, Fray Miguel de Fontcuberta, Fray Antonio Bordoy, and Fray Francisco de Jesus
14 Junta General, November, 1689, in Ibid., 59-72.
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