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Our Catliolic H eritagc in Texas
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suggested by Chief Llano Grande of the Karankawas, was too near La Bahia. Its permanent occupation close to the new mission might --- prove prejudicial to the interests of the J aranames already congregated in Rosario. 60 The party had made a careful examination likewise of the mouth of the Nueces River and Corpus Christi Bay, and experienced considerable discomfort from high winds and adverse weather on account of the season of the year. They had gone then to the Rancho de Santa Gertrudis where Juan Barrera, the tithe collector, kept his cattle herds; this place was known also as Cayo de Aranzazu and was probably in the vicinity of modern Aransas Pass, several miles to the north. Governor Mufioz was strongly impressed by the location, but Father Silva was not entirely satisfied. The governor had to return to San Antonio before he could inspect the last site suggested, known as Santa Dorotea. This was done by Captain Cortes and Father Silva. It was about three or four leagues from La Bahia on the San Antonio, probably near present Charco. 61 A fe,v faithful Karankawas were still at Rancho del Refugio, the original location of the mission. Governor Munoz instructed Father Silva to inform them of the decision to move to either Santa Gertrudis or Santa Dorotea. But Chief Llano Grande, to whose loyalty and sincerity the small measure of success attained was due, had died early in November, 1794. His brother was asked, therefore, to go into the woods to inform those who had gone to hunt, of the projected removal of the mission. 62 At the same time, Governor Mufioz wrote Captain Cortes that the reestablishment of the mission on whichever of the two sites was chosen by Father Silva should not be delayed. Cortes was instructed to put the missionary and the Indians in possession at the new location, to furnish them corn and meat in quantities proportionate to their number, and to report how many joined the mission. 63 Reestahlislmient at present Refugio. After a second v1s1t, Father Silva decided on a site near the Rancho de Santa Gertrudis, also known as Aranzazu. This was in the vicinity of Refugio, where the mission was formally reestablished on January 8, and possession of the lands given to the Indians on January 10, 1795, in the name of the king by Captain 1 1794. Bexar Archives. 61 Governor Muiioz to Nava, November 30, 1794. Bexar Arclzives. 62 Muiioz to Nava, November 7 and November 30 1 1794. Bexar Arc/lives. 63 Governor Muiioz to Captain Juan Cortes, December 7, 1794. Bexar Arclzives. 60 Governor Munoz to Pedro Nava, November 7
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