93
The Founding of Mission Nuestra Seiiora del Refugio
buildings or in tilling the soil; that the missionaries of Refugio were to be allowed from two to four soldiers as an escort when going after runaway natives, but that soldiers should never be sent alone on such errands. Lastly, the governor was told that the establishment of a civil settlement was authorized for whatever new location was chosen, settlers for which might be recruited in Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Nuevo Santander with the consent of the respective governors. 57 The instruc- tions were received in San Antonio on August 15, but measures to carry them out had to be temporarily postponed. Selecting the new site. When the orders of Nava arrived, Fray Silva had not returned from Chihuahua. It seems he first went to Saltillo to purchase some needed supplies. Governor Munoz, worried over the change in policy outlined in the new instructions, asked Nava who was to pay for the meat and corn supplied by La Bahia and San Antonio since February 4, 1793, the date of the founding. The original order of the viceroy had stipulated that payment would be made at San Luis Potosi. During this period, four hundred ninety-four fanegas of corn (more than one thousand bushels) had been sent to the mission. These cost nine hundred eighty-eight pesos, besides five hundred seventy-four pesos for drayage. 58 Father Silva was back in San Antonio late in October or early in November. In company with Governor Munoz, he undertook the selection of a new site. 59 The governor reported on November 7 that they first explored the Guadalupe, and found that the spring said to be near its mouth was a fresh water lake formed by rain. No location suitable for ~ the permanent establishment of the mission was found in the vicinity. They then carefully examined the lower San Antonio to its mouth, the bay, and the site of Rancho del Refugio. No place was found where irrigation was practical. There were a few wooded areas and some places where rock was available in this region, the pasture lands were good, but the consensus of opinion was'against a permanent establishment here. The party next visited the Paso del Apache, a crossing on the San Antonio just below Missions Espiritu Santo and Rosario. This site,
57 Pcdro Nava to Governor Munoz, July S, 1794. Bezar Arcliives. 51 Govcrnor Munoz to Nava, August 18, 1794. Bezar Arc/rives.
59 Dunn, who has to date written the fullest account, speaking of this incident, says: "No details are available to the writer in regard to the removal." T/re Quarterly, XXV, 183. The account given here is based on materials used for the first time.
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