83
The Fou11ding of Mission Nuestra Seii-ora del Refugio
rode away. On the way out, he attacked and wounded a muleteer who was bringing much needed supplies. 36 Little wonder that Father Velasco contemplated abandoning the project until adequate means were available for the successful operation of the mission. "Might it not be better," he asked, "to allow them all to go away than to see them drift away without consent ?" 37 The governor, it must be said, did everything in his power to remedy the situation. Upon his return to San Antonio on March 23, he had sent one hundred thirty- six fanegas of corn (272 bushels), and authorized the purchase of some bulls for slaughter. These were to be bought at ten reales a head from Mission Espiritu Santo. He also secured a mule from each of the San Antonio missions to carry supplies, and obtained several yoke of oxen from Father Cardenas to be used for sowing a crop at Refugio. 38 Progress was being made. Father Garza, who went to Refugio on May II, found the stockade had been repaired and finished. The north wall was 82 varas long, the south 68, the east 38, and the west 49, to form an irregular quadrilateral figure with 980 posts, and with a gate on the south side. The church and the other buildings were much in the same condition and afforded scanty shelter. The clzamacuero ( cow pen) had been completed and was capable of retaining perhaps 600 head of cattle. The Indians at the mission were still firm in their determination to become Christians. On May 14, Father Garza gathered the natives, young and old, at the foot of a large rustic cross set up on the con- secrated burial ground, and began formal instruction in catechism. The Padre's heart was warmed by the spontaneous response, and he praised the good example set by the soldiers. Within a week the Indians had learned the Pater Noster and were making progress with the Ave I'll aria. Father Garza urged the governor-until respect for authority was established-to increase the guard to twenty-five or thirty men to prevent insults. 39 The unhealthful climate proved a serious handicap. Colds, chills, fever, and malaria prevented both the soldiers and the Indians from building the houses, clearing the fields, and planting the crops. The governor inquired about the cause of the sickness, ~nd Captain Cortes replied 36 Diario kept by Mariano Rodriguez, March I 3-May 23, I 793. Bexar Arc/rives. 37Father Garza to Munoz, April 1, 1793. Bexar Arclti11es. 3 BMunoz to Juan Cortes, March 23, I 793. Bexar Archives. 3 9 Garza to M,muel Munoz, May I 7' I 793; Juan Cortes to Manuel Munoz, May 6, I 793. Bexar Archives.
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