Last Attempts at iJrfissionary Control of Indians
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suffering; nevertheless he was ready to brave the same hardships for the privilege of carrying the comforts of religion to these Indians who still cried out for it. 49 Ugalde was impressed with the sincerity of the plea of Father Reyes and the recommendations of Governor Martinez Pacheco. He wrote to Viceroy Flores to acquaint him with the circumstances of the request to reestablish the mission of the Arkokisas. He explained to the new viceroy that the mission had been abandoned primarily as the result of the new regulations for presidios issued by the king on September 30, I 772. The petition of the delegation of Orcoquisacs, Atacapas, Bidais, and Cocos had been unsolicited and was endorsed by both Father Reyes and Governor Martinez Pacheco, who knew the petitioners and had lived among them. With characteristic caution, Ugalde was unwilling to recommend, however, that the reestablishment be undertaken without further inves- tigation to ascertain the true attitude of the natives. He suggested, there- fore, that Father Reyes be assigned to Nacogdoches in place of one of the two missionaries now at that post in order that from that place he could determine better the sincerity of the petitioners. This was essential before a decision was made. He recommended that if his suggestion was followed, Father Reyes be allowed five hundred pesos to purchase and transport to Nacogdoches such supplies and gifts as he might deem advisable to win the good will of the natives. 50 When the fiscal was consulted in due time, he summed up the situation in these words: "It is not wise to waste the resources of the royal treasury without reasonable assurance of fruitful results, but it is equally unfair to ignore a petition, made perhaps in good faith, which may result in the spread of our religion and of the confines of the State." The suggestion made by Ugalde seemed reasonable. It would involve the expenditure of only five hundred pesos. The viceroy was of the same opinion, but financial disbursements, no matter how insignificant, had to be approved by.the Junta Superior de Real Hacienda (Superior Council of Finance). Consequently, he ordered that the question be submitted for its consideration. 51 The J,mta finally approved the recommendation and 49 Jose Mariano Reyes to Juan Ugalde, October 30, 1788. A. G. M., Hisloria, Vol. 93, pp. 18-24. 50 Juan Ugalde to Viceroy Flores, December 9, 1788. A. G. M., Historia, Vol. 93, pp. 25-27. 51 Dictamen Fiscal, February 10, 1789; Auto del Virrey, February 19, 1789. A. G. M., Historia, Vol. 93, pp. 29-30.
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