Our Catholic Heritage, Volume I

365

Establislzment of Afissions in East Tez{ls, 1689-1693

Leaving the Hondo on June 7, they arrived at the present site of San Antonio on June 13, where they found a large rancheria of Payaya Indians. When asked what they called their settlement they said "Yanaguana." Father Massanet gave this place the name of San Antonio de Padua. On the following day a special celebration was held to com- memorate the feast of Corpus Christi. "I ordered a large cross set up," says Massanet, "and in front of it built an arbor of cottonwood trees, where the altar was placed. Mass was said by all the priests. High Mass was attended by Governor Don Domingo Teran de los Rios, Captain Francisco Martinez, and the rest of the soldiers, all of whom fired a great many salutes ... The Indians were present during these ceremonies." Continuing their journey to the northeast they reached the Guadalupe on June 19. Here they were met by a large group of Jumano Indians and their allies. Teran estimated their number at two thousand. The leader was no other than the tireless wanderer, Juan Sabeata. From him and his companions it was learned, through two letters they brought from the missionaries who had remained at San Francisco de los Tejas, that a serious epidemic had visited the new mission, that many of the Indians had perished, and that the devout and zealous Father Fray Miguel de Fontcuberta had died of a malignant fever on February 5, after an illness of eight days. The Indians also reported rumors of renewed French activity among the Cadodachos. Although the Indians appeared to be friendly, Teran and the soldiers distrusted them, because of their large number, and kept a vigilant guard as protection while among them. In spite of the care exercised, the Indians succeeded in stampeding the horses and taking away a good many. Crossing the Guadalupe many miles above the place where De Leon had done, they continued their northeastern direction until they came, on June 26, to the present Colorado, which Teran called San Pedro y San Pablo. Just where they struck this river cannot be definitely ascertained, but it seems it was below present Austin some ten or fifteen miles south. Here the expedition pitched camp and agreeable to the instructions received, Captain Martinez was sent to the coast with twenty soldiers to meet the maritime expedition. Captain ,'J,J arti11ez attempts to meet maritime expedition. It will be remembered that the viceroy had provided for a vessel to sail directly to San Bernardo Bay (Lavaca) to cooperate· with the land forces. This was under the leadership of Captain Barroto, whose ship

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