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Tlte Founding of Jlllission Nuestra Sefiora del Ref1,gio
and interested. In his report to the viceroy, Father Garza for the first time gave the name of the contemplated mission as Nuestra Senora dd Refugio.1 9 This may have been suggested by the location chosen, or by the proximity to the island near the mouth of the river, where the Indians were in the habit of taking refuge. 20 Following the policy of Father Silva, he said nothing to the natives concerning the advisability of their joining a mission. Father Garza seems to have made several visits to the coast during the summer of 1791, but he waited patiently for the Indians to take the initiative. He wrote a long letter to Governor Munoz on August 17, giving him an account of his visits and the favorable reception. He expressed his hope of success and assured the governor it would not be long before the Karankawas would want a mission in their lands. 21 Request for mission. On October 24 the faithful missionary found his hopes realized. Upon his return from the coast to Rosario with fifty-two apostates, he found a delegation headed by Chief Frazada Pinta waiting for him. They had come to ask him to go with them to their rancleeria. Before he could set out, another delegation sent by Chief Llano Grande arrived in Rosario with a similar request. By October 28 he was in the village of Frazada Pinta, where one hundred twenty-four persons had gathered to welcome him. They told him that they wanted a mission established in their own country in order that they might not be obliged to leave the coast. Elated at the request, Father Garza went on to the village of Chief Llano Grande where one hundred eighty-six Indians had congregated to solicit a mission for their people. This was on the site previously visited by Father Garza and chosen as the best suited for the purpose, at the confluence of the Guadalupe and San Antonio rivers, some eight miles from the coast. One of the chiefs said to the missionary, "If you build a mission at the mouth of the Guadalupe, the whole coast is yours." 22 19 Pedro Nava to the King, November 11, 1794; Manuel Munoz to Pedro Nava, January 26, 1795. A. G. /., Audiencia de Guadalajara, 104-1-1 (Dunn Transcripts, pp. 51-62; 42-46). 20 The place chosen is referred to in the documents as Cayo del Refugio, Caballo del Refugio, and Nuestra Senora del Refugio. Cayo means "islet," or "small island." Caballo is evidently a corruption of the word. It was perpetuated, however, in the neighboring Caballo Pass. Bolton states Garza visited and named the site on July 17, 1791. Bolton, op. cit., XIX, 402. 21 Manuel Munoz to Pedro Nava, January 26, 1795. A.G./., Audiencia de Guada- lajara, 104-1-1 (Dunn Transcripts, 1794-98, pp. 47-50). 22 Dunn, "The Founding of Mission Refugio," The Quarterly, XXV, I 72-179.
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