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Tlee Founding of Jltlissio,i Nuestra Senora del Refugio
Texas and outline a program for the conversion of the Tawakonis, Kichais, Taguayas (Taovayas), Tonkawas, Comanches, and other northern tribes, which up to this time had never been brought under missionary influence. 10 "Father Silva," says Dunn, "had worked for many years in the missions of New Spain, and was one of the most capable of the many sincere and zealous priests who endeavored to spread the doctrines of Christianity among the native tribes." He had just been elected com- ' missary and prefect of the College of Zacatecas in August, 1790, and he was anxious to set out on a task that had long fascinated him. He gladly accepted the decision of the Discretorio and lost no time in preparing for his departure. He wisely chose as his companion a veteran in the missionary field, Father Fray Jose Francisco Mariano Garza, who had taken an active part in the founding of Nuestra Senora del Pilar de Bucareli on the Trinity, and who had later served for a while at Nacogdoches. He knew conditions in Texas and was well acquainted with the northern tribes. Governor Munoz, in a private report to the viceroy, declared that Father Garza was a native of Linares, who had been a missionary for twenty-seven years, had been teacher of sacred theology .and a member of the Discretorio of the College of Zacatecas. He had served twelve years in Texas, particularly among the J aranames and Karankawas on the coast and had been president of the San Antonio missions. 11 Fatleers Silva and Garza set o,1t for Texas. Early in November the two missionaries were ready to start on their ambitious undertaking. Travelling by different routes to enable the commissary and prefect to visit some of the Franciscan houses on the way, they met, on January 1, 1791, at Boca de Leones where the College had a hospice.u They now proceeded together to San Antonio where they arrived within a week's time. Father Silva was amazed at the deplorable condition in which he found the once opulent missions of San Antonio. The number 18 Bolton, o,P. cit., XIX, 401 . 11 Dunn, op. cit., XXV, 176-177 ; Bolton, op. cit., XIX, 401 ; Manuel Munoz to Viceroy Revillagigedo, February 13, 1792. Nacogdoches Archives, Vol. VII, pp. 181-182. Ii Bolton, o,P. cit., XIX, 401. The brief account given by Bolton gives no references to any specific sources used by him, but he states that "it is based on considerable manuscript material in my possession." Dunn's account, to which frequent reference is made also, is fully documented, but he does not give the date of departure.
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