Our C atl,olic H e1·itage in T cxas
neophytes of the seven new missions proposed. He entreated the viceroy, however, not to send soldiers to found a presidio among the Tejas, as they were not necessary. Such soldiers as accompanied the missionaries in their entrada, should be strictly warned not to enter the houses of the Indians in order to prevent the abuses committed in the previous expe- dition. In his opinion it would be better to provide a Spanish protector for the mission Indians and to send various kinds of tradesmen instead of soldiers to teach them the most useful trades. It was important that supplies for the Padres, who had remained among the Tejas, and for those who were to found the new missions, be made ready as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary delay. His recommendations were not confined to the establishment of missions. In regard to suitable sites for Spanish settlements, he pointed out that the most convenient one was on the Guadalupe. This point was half way between Coahuila and the country of the Tejas, it was well adapted for the purpose, and was a strategic position from which to guard against the occupation of the Bay of Espiritu Santo by foreigners. He reminded the viceroy that the French were still active, and that it would be folly to allow them to reoccupy this bay. A Spanish settlement on the coast, near the mouth of the river, where the French had built the fort, would be sufficient at this time. If this was authorized, it would be well to keep the settlement distinct and separate from the mission by estab- lishing the former on the coast and the latter on the river, at a convenient distance. H~ suggested that soldiers could be sent as settlers, by paying them one year's salary in advance and giving them the customary aid of two hundred pesos, as had been done in Coahuila. But the men should be paid their salaries in specie and not in goods, if the settlement was to prosper. He then closed his report by making a list of the supplies needed for the establishment of the seven additional missions he had suggested. 32 Viceregal officials were now faced with two plans: Alonso de Leon's proposal for the establishment of a line of presidios and Spanish settle- ment that would safeguard the communication between the distant seat of missionary endeavors and the outposts of Coahuila, and Father Massanet's plan. The zealous missionary did not think the presidios were necessary and advocated the establishment of only one Spanish settle- ment on the Guadalupe River, and seven additional missions. The first
lZMassanet to the Viceroy, September, I 689, in Testimonio de autos en orden a las dilixs, 7 5-87.
Powered by FlippingBook