Tlee Secularization of tlee Missions
Jl,'fission Rosario. While at La Bahia, Munoz also inspected Mission Nuestra Senora del Rosario. Here Fray Jose Francisco Jaudenes pre- sented the neophytes to the governor. There were one hundred thirty- nine, of whom only eight were old Christians; the rest, with the exception of thirty-six who had just joined the mission, had been at Rosario only about three years. 46 These Indians belonged chiefly to the Karankawa and the Copano nations and could not speak Spanish. They were incompetent to manage the temporal property of the mission. The governor informed Nava on October 25, that as in the case of Espiritu Santo Mission, it was impossible to put into effect at Rosario the decree of April 10. He explained that to comply with the decree would result in the return of the J aranames to the Arkokisas and to savagery. These missions had extensive farms, but their cultivation required more work and skill than those of San Antonio because there was no irrigation. Furthermore, they owned extensive herds of cattle which were at this time roaming wild in the woods. Under the direction of the missionaries some of these would be rounded up. 47 The commandant general referred this matter, as well as all the others in connection with the secularization of the missions in Texas, to the A sesor. Almost three years elapsed before a decision was reached. Finally, on May 10, 1797, Navarro, recommended that in view of the circumstances, the backward state of the Indians in Missions Espiritu Santo and Rosario, an exception should be made and that the missionaries should be allowed to continue in charge of the administration of their temporalities for a period of five more years. But during this period the missionaries were to be required to make to the governor a careful and detailed report of all the income and all the expenses of the missions under their care. At the expiration of the five-year period, the governor was to render an account to the commandant general on the actual progress made by the Indians and on the material improvements so that the latter might be in a position to decide intelligently the future policy.' 8 '6Estado que manifiesta el que tiene esta Mision de Nuestra Senora del Rosario segun existen sus individuos hoy 26 de Septiembre de 1794. Saltillo Arc!,ives, Vol. VI, pp. 203-204. ' 7 Manuel Munoz to Pedro Nava, October 13, 1794; October 25, 1794, Saltillo Arckives, Vol. VI, pp. 193-195; 205-208. "Galindo Navarro to Pedro Nava, May 10, 1797. Saltillo Arcliiv,s, Vol. VI, pp. 220-225.
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