O"r Catholic Heritage in Texas
from Mexico to distant Natchitoches, a post that was more than five hundred leagues away; he added that the character of the country was such that all supplies needed by the commission would have to be shipped over that distance; and that, under the circumstances, it would probably cost more than ten thousand pesos. 2 The thoroughness of the investigation planned may be deduced from the set of instructions submitted by the viceroy. The commissioner and his assistant, accompanied by an adequate escort, were to proceed by way of San Luis Potosi to Saltillo, and thence to Monclova. The soldiers from Saltillo were to return to their post, for they were to be replaced by a similar escort from each successive post visited. The itinerary to be followed was to take them first to San Antonio, hence to La Bahia, the Trinity, Nacogdoches, the Sabine, and Natchitoches. They were to keep a careful diary from the day they left Saltillo, noting the distances between places, the direction of travel, the state of the missions visited, the number and condition of the ranches and haciendas, the state of the presidios and their garrisons, the development of the civil settlements, and the nature of the agricultural and grazing areas, indicating how these could be improved. This information was to be forwarded from each of the principal points visited. While in La Bahia the commission was to make a careful survey of San Bernardo Bay and the adjacent islands, the home lands of the Karankawas and other coastal Indians. They were to observe carefully the number, the customs, and general character of the various natives. The findings of the explorations were to be set down on maps and drawings to show the location of the islands, the presidios, the missions, and the chief physical characteristics of the country between San Antonio and La Bahia. From La Bahia the commission was to go overland to the Trinity River by the lower road and follow that stream to its mouth, where a similar reconnaissance of the coast was to be conducted. A special report was to be made on the port that had been discovered and named Galves- town by Jose Antonio Evia. After making similar notations on Nacogdoches, they were to explore the course of the Sabine River and the location of the abandoned site of Los Adaes; they were, likewise, to determine the distance between that old post and Natchitoches, and report on the character of the
2 Viceroy Revillagigedo to Antonio Parlier, April 27, 1791. A. G. I., Audiencia de Me:rico, 89-6-14 (Dunn Transcripts, 1787-1791, pp. 178-181).
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