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Last Attempts at Missionary Control of Indians
trade in these articles had been strictly prohibited in the past, but the Spaniards had come to realize that if they did not supply the natives with these things, foreigners would. Furthermore, the Indians became dissatisfied with the Spanish agents for not bringing them these sup- plies.36 Jose Gil Morin, agent for the Tawakonis, received from the governor of San Antonio for Chief Quiscat four pounds of powder, eight pounds of lead, eight bundles of tobacco, one and one-half varas of blue woolen cloth, two mirrors, and four pounds of red paint. 37 An idea of the number of Indians who came to San Antonio in 1795 to receive gifts may be obtained from a report for the months of May, June, July, and August. During these four months one thousand two hundred sixty-one Indians of the Comanche, the Tonkawa, the Tawakoni, the Taovaya, and the Wichita nations came. 38 More detailed and complete are the statistics kept for the year 1796. From January 1 to April 30, there came to San Antonio eight hundred forty-three Comanches, Ton- kawas, Tawakonis, and Lipans. They were all received as friends and entertained at the expense of the governor. The cost of entertainment and the gifts distributed was six hundred one pesos. From May 1 to August 31, the number of visitors was eleven hundred fifty-nine and included Comanches, Tawakonis, and Lipans. The cost of entertainment was six hundred twenty pesos. From September I to December 31, six hundred thirty-nine Indians, Comanches, Lipans, Tonkawas, Tejas, and Wichitas, were provided with gifts. The number was much smaller than in the previous three months, but the cost was almost twice as much, having amounted to eleven hundred eighty-eight pesos. In sum- marizing the cost of entertainment of Indian allies in San Antonio, we find that twenty-six hundred forty-one Indians visited the governor, that they represented six different nations, and that it cost twenty-six hundred nine pesos. 39 The number varied slightly, but the nations represented by the visitors increased. By 1797 we find Huasas, Aguagues (Iowas), and Wichitas frequenting San Antonio with other northern tribes to receive gifts. The cost of entertainment and gifts, according to the figures for the years 1795 to 1800, averaged about one peso per person. On March 12, 1800, 36 List of goods received by Bernardino Fernandez, Indian agent of Nacogdoches, January 16, 1795. Bexar Archives. 37 List of goods for Chief Quiscat, March 13, 1795. Bexar Archrves. 38 Lista de tribus, August 1, 1 795. Bexar Archives. 39 Reports of Indian nations and expenses of entertainment in San Antonio, 1796. Bexar Arc/iives.
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