Tlie Founding of Mission Nttestra Senora del Refugio
IOI
explained that it was imperative for him to leave in order to take the sulphur baths at a health resort near Monterrey. He had not asked the governor to come to Refugio to witness the transfer out of consideration for that official's poor health. Mufioz had been serious}y ill for some time. Silva sent him copies of the inventories and a report of the transfer, with a request that these be sent to the commandant general. 15 To the Discretorio, he explained that his poor health had forced him to turn the mission over to the College. He assured the College there were no debts outstanding, that Fray Domingo Ot6n, sf.ndico at Saltillo, still had a balance of one hundred fifty pesos from the original four thousand granted by Nava; that two hundred seven ,pesos had been paid to the servants employed at the mission to work during the rest of the year, which would preclude additional expenses; and that in addition to the four hundred ,pesos due Fray Garavito by the royal treasury for the previous year, nine hundred more would soon be due as allowance for the present year. These should be sufficient to meet all the obligations of the mission. But Father Garavito, in his report to Guardian Gomarra, declared that Fray Silva had not given him an account of the finances, but had only stated that he had received four thousand ,pesos from Nava, although he had been obliged to spend much more out of alms received from friends. 86 Tlie College of Zacatecas takes over Mission Refttgio. The news of the unauthorized transfer of the mission by Fray Silva came as a distinct surprise to the commandant general. When Guardian Gomarra informed him of the impending departure of Fray Silva on account of his health, and intimated his probable abandonment of Mission Refugio, Nava wrote Governor Mufioz that no information had been received concerning the progress made by the mission since October, 1795, and reminded him that an annual report should have been made. He wrote Fray Gomarra at the same time that if Father Silva had to retire, the College should assume the administration of the mission, as had been done with .the other missions in Texas. But in this instance, Father Silva should be required to make a full report of all the expenses incurred, and the transfer should be made through the governor. 17 8 SManuel Silva to Manuel Munoz, September 13, 1796. Bexar Arcniv4s. 86 Manuel Silva to the Discretorio of Zacatecas, September 11, 1796; Garavito to Francisco Gomarra, September 23, 1796. Bexar Arcnives. 87 Francisco Gomarra to Pedro Nava, September 26, 1795; Nava to Manuel Munoz, October 18, 1796; same to Francisco Gomarra, October 18, I 796. Bexar Arclliv4s.
Powered by FlippingBook