The Founding of Mission Nuestra Senora det Refugio
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some of the converted Indians, now living at Mission Rosario, to visit among their kinsmen, and to assure them that the Spaniards desired to be their friends. The mission of the peace emissaries proved successful. Within a few days Indians began to visit the presidia, and were con- vinced of the friendship of the Spaniards by the frank hospitality extended to them. On March 3r, r79r, a Karankawa chief named Frazada Pinta {Spotted Blanket) came to Mission Rosario and was so highly impressed by the cordial treatment shown him, that on taking leave he promised Father Silva he would return within ten days and bring an escort to conduct the good missionary to visit his people. Before the ten days were up, Chief Frazada Pinta was back with twenty-four stalwart warriors. Father Silva was overjoyed. On April 10 he set out with his host, taking with him five soldiers and two mission Indians in addition to the twenty- four warriors brought by the chief. 16 Two days later they arrived at the village of Chief Frazada Pinta, a settlement of considerable size. The shrewd friar said nothing to the natives about founding a mission for them, nor did he hint or suggest that they ought to join a mission. He devoted himself to making friend-;, distributing gifts of small value and talking to all the Indians. When after a few days he was departing, the Indians asked him to come again, and assured him that they would always welcome the Padres even if they were at war with the presidia at La Bahia. Before returning to the presidia, Father Silva went to another village, whose chief was Llano Grande (Great Plain). He was cordially received by the natives. He noticed that among the followers of Llano Grande there were several apostates from Mission Rosario. He convinced them that they should return to the mission and took them with him when he departed. Chief Llano Grande and his people invited Father Silva to visit them again and the happy missionary was only too glad to promise them an early return.17 Fatleer Silva temporarily called away. Shortly after his return, the new prefect received orders from Fray Manuel Maria Truxillo, commis- sary general of missions in the Indies, .to preside over the chapter meeting to be held in October by the Province of Zacatecas. Much to his regret, he found himself obliged to abandon his labors in Texas for
16 Bolton, op. cit., XIX, 402. 17 /bid., XIX, 402.
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