Ottr Cat/1olic Heritage in Texas
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the time being. But his absence did not halt the work started among the coastal tribes. Father Fray Jose Mariano Garza, who had in the meantime been appointed chaplain of Presidio Espiritu Santo, was assigned to continue the work of conversion among the Karankawa and the other coastal tribes. He was duly instructed to maintain the closest and most friendly relations with the military and civil authorities of Texas and particularly with Governor Mufioz, whose cooperation was to be enlisted in the new enterprise. Harmony between the ecclesiastics and the military was essential for the success of the contemplated c_onver- sion of the coastal tribes. Frictions between them had too often resulted in the failure of missionary endeavors. Father Garza was to keep Father Silva informed of developments. 11 Father Garza proved a wise choice, for his long experience in Texas, his acquaintance with the coastal and northern tribes, and his own zeal, guaranteed the successful prosecution of the work so enthusiastically begun by Fray Silva. Early in May, 1791, shortly after the departure of Father Silva, a party of Jaraname apostates from Missions Espiritu Santo and Rosario paid a visit to Father Garza and expressed their willingness and that of their kinsmen, now living on the San Xavier (San Gabriel), to return to mission life if the missionary would go with them to their ,-anclzerta. Father Garza immediately saw an opportunity to bring back a large group of apostates and to revisit the friendly coastal tribes. He could, at the same time, reconnoiter the country of the Karankawas, the Copanos, and the Guapites along San Bernardo Bay and try to deter- mine a suitable location for the mission on which his superior had set his heart. He consequently requested permission from Governor Munoz to make the trip. He gladly granted it and gave the missionary an adequate escort. Early labors of Fatlier Garza among tlze coastal Indians. Setting out from La Bahia, Father Garza first visited the coast and then went to the San Xavier where he persuaded twenty-three men, fourteen women, and twenty-one children to return to Mission Rosario. During his visit to the coast, he selected the most likely site for a mission. This was located at the confluence of the Guadalupe and the San Antonio, a few miles from the coast. The Indians were still friendly 11 Memorial of Fray Manuel de Silva, March 7, 1793; Fray Juan de Moya to Antonio Ventura de Toranco, February 11, 1794. A.G./., Audiencia de G11adalajara, 104-1-1 (Dunn Transcripts, 1790-1793, pp. 164-169; 1794-1798, pp. 1-4); also Dunn, The Quarterly, XXV, 128.
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