85
The Founding of Mission N11estra Seiiora del Refttgio
be hired but that they demanded wages starting from the day they left San Antonio. 42 Tuna time (prickly pear season) was an irresistible temptation to the Karankawas to leave Refugio that first summer. Likewise, were fishing and surf bathing on the neighboring islands. On June 29 they asked the missionary for permission to go to Toboso, Copano, and Aranzazu (Aransas Pass) islands. Father Garza wisely observed that it was not possible to confine suddenly to a sedentary life those who had roamed all their days. Seventy-four happy Indians left the mission. Only twenty-four stayed behind to help the soldiers. 0 The country and coast near Refugio. Captain Cortes undertook an inspection of the new mission at the end of July. Setting out from Presidio de la Bahia with a corporal and three soldiers, he first went to the Rancho de la Misi6n del Refugio, the pasture chosen· for the cattle and stock. This was on the north bank of the Guadalupe, almost at its mouth, bordering on an inlet bay of brackish water, very likely present Mission Bay. Cortes noted along the lake front lime rock which he suggested might be used for building Refugio Mission. The stone could be transported in canoes. He estimated the distance from the ranch to the lake as one-quarter league. On August 2 he went to a point opposite an island called Toboso. It took one and one-half hours to row across on the following day. The water was shallow, and Cortes observed that at low tide it could be crossed on horseback or even on foot. But the numerous oyster shells cut the horses' hoofs badly. He described the island as small, and devoid of vegetation and hiding places. Near the place of landing there were a few clumps of trees and bushes that should be cut down to prevent the natives from using them to hinder landing parties. From Toboso Island he went to Matagorda Bay, landing probably near present Port O'Connor. He noted that the bar was too shallow to permit ships to enter and that the bay itself was not very deep. Landing was possible only by casting anchor about a quarter of a league out at sea. The new Mission of Refugio could be reached by water from the bay in a canoe, but the trip would take about a day. Along the beach he found no trace of shipwrecks or timber. There
42 Garza to Munoz, June
I 7, 1793; same to same, July :n, 1793; Juan Cortes to
Munoz, May 6, and July I 3, 1793. Bexar Archives. 43 Garza to Munoz, July 21, 1793. Bexar Archives.
Powered by FlippingBook