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responsive cord in the heart of the missionaries. When in 178g, Rafael Martinez Pacheco, the former commander of the presidio established to protect the mission, came to San Antonio as governor ad interim, he naturally listened with unfeigned interest to the pleadings for its reestablishment. On September 8, 1788, an Orcoquisac chief, fourteen Atacapas, and one Coco came to San Antonio for their annual gifts and remained four days. Martinez Pacheco and the Indians were equally surprised at their chance meeting, and they talked of the days at the old mission of the Orcoquisacs. They assured Pacheco that all the coastal tribes in the vicinity of the mouth of the Trinity were anxious for the return of the Padres and the Spaniards. Martinez Pacheco wrote Colonel Juan Ugalde, declaring to the commandant that he knew these Indians per- sonally and could vouch for them. In his opinion, their request deserved serious consideration. He had lived among them for years and was convinced of the importance of refounding the mission so hastily abolished. 46 At this same time there was a zealous missionary living in San Antonio, who had also been among the Orcoquisacs, knew them, and loved them. This was Father Fray Jose Mariano Reyes, now in charge of Mission San Juan Capistrano. He explained to Governor Martinez Pacheco how these Indians, after their visit with him, stopped to see him. They had begged and entreated him to go back with them, saying that their people cried for the Padres when they died, and that since the missionaries had gone away, the dead were left to be eaten by the wolves and the coyotes. When they saw their pleadings were in vain, they threatened to kidnap their old friend and take him back to the Trinity. Father Reyes patiently explained to them that he was anxious to go, but that he could not under- take to visit their pueblos or to reestablish the mission without the consent of the governor. He advised them to go back peaceably and promised he would visit them soon if he was allowed to do so.4 7 He lost no time in requesting the desired permission. Martinez Pacheco, who was thoroughly in sympathy, replied immediately that he would intercede both with the president of the missions in San Antonio and the commandant general in Chihuahua. He asked Father Reyes to tell the Indians in the mean- 46 Rafael Martinez Pacheco to Juan Ugalde, September 15, 1788. A.G. Al., Historia, Vol. 93, p. 14. 47 Jose Mariano Reyes to Rafael Martinez Pacheco, September 13, 1788. A.G. M., Hisloria, Vol. 93, pp. I 5-16.
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