Tlee Founding of Mission, Nuestra Senora del Refugio
91
settlement in connection with the mission, the increase of the Refugio garrison to twenty-five or thirty men, and the amount of money needed to complete the establishment. 53 Early in May, 1794, Father Silva, who had by now fully recovered from his illness, went to Chihuahua and interviewed the commandant general.s.i Nava, unwilling to make a hasty decision, referred the whole matter to his auditor, the able Galindo Navarro, who in a detailed report made on June 26, 1794, discussed the questions raised by the enthusiastic missionary and recommended the course of action to be followed in each case. Taking them one by one, he reviewed first the general policy regarding the number of missionaries for new missions. He cited the regulations drawn on December 14, 1780, by Fray Manuel de la Vega and approved by the Council of the Indies on February 15, 1781, which provided for the appointment of two for each mission; but he pointed out that this provision was not observed in the establishment of missions in California, where only one was allowed. He concluded, however, that in view of special circumstances in Texas, it might be best that Refugio Mission be given two missionaries during the first few years. The question of the removal to a more suitable and healthful location did not seem to present serious difficulties, declared Navarro. Governor Munoz and Father Silva, as well as Father Reyes and the Count of Sierra Gorda before them, were agreed on the unhealthful character of the present site. The Count of Sierra Gorda had suggested in the very beginning the mouth of the Nueces (Corpus Christi) as more suitable. This suggestion had been deemed inadvisable then because of the danger of attack by Lipans. In view of the circumstances reported now, the auditor was inclined to think it might be best that it be moved to a site as near as possible to La Bahia, that the exact location be determined after a careful survey and investigation was undertaken by Governor Munoz, Father Silva, and other persons experienced in such matters. The removal from the original location would involve little or no addi- tional expense, he explained, because no permanent buildings had been erected and the stockade put up was only temporary. 53 Silva to Munoz, December 12, December 19, 1793; January 3, 1794. Bexar Archives. 54 El Comandante Gral. de Provincias Yntemas de N. E. Ynforma sobre el estado de la mision del Refugio . . . November II, 1794. A. G. /., Audiencia de Guada- lajara, 104-1-1 (Dunn Transcripts, 1794-98, pp. 51-62).
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