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Aftermath of San Saba 11/n.ssacre
IOI
the m1ss10ns of San Xavier an opportunity to return to m1ss10n life. After the suppression of the missions many of the Indians, who had been baptized and were being instructed, had relapsed to savagery.: The officers and soldiers of the presidia presented a similar petition on the same day. Three days later, on April 8, 1758. Colonel Diego Ortiz Parrilla wrote three different communications to the viceroy reporting conditions at San Luis de las Amarillas, discussing the problems that faced him, and making proposals for their solution. In the first of these he explained at great length that he could in no w~y be held responsible for neglect in the tragic deaths of Father Fray Giraldo and Fray Santiesteban nor in the destruction of the new mission. But the tragedy made a deep impression on the garrison, and the men and their families were anxious to abandon the place. Some of tl1e soldiers had deserted. But if all were to go, he assured the viceroy, he was determined to hold the site single-handed rather than abandon the post without permission. Parrilla's proposals. Turning to the character of the Indians that attacked San Saba, he shrewdly pointed out that they were very different from those of New Mexico, Nueva Vizcaya, Sonora, and Nuevo Santander. In these provinces the natives used bows and arrows chiefly, they were either apostates or savages that had attained a very low grade in civilization, and they had relatively meager natural resources for their subsistence. The northern Indians, however, appeared to be much more numerous, they operated in larger bands, had had relations and trade with the French for many years, knew how to use firearms, had a supply of these and munitions, had horses of excellent quality and in sufficient numbers, planted corn and vegetables, and had an abundant supply of meat in the countless buffalo that roamed the plains. Furthermore, as a result of their long contact with Europeans, they had learned modern methods of warfare and they were more aggressive and determined fighters than any of the natives 1i\"ing in the interior of New Spain. These differences made them a more formidable enemy, who must be met with better trained men, more efficient firearms, and better fortifications. In view of the character of the enemy that threatened the presidia, the proposals of the soldiers and officers, as well as of Fray Aparicio, were worthy of being considered. The present site was unquestionably
zcertificaci6n de Fray Francisco Aparicio. A. G. / ., Audiencia de Jflhico (Cun- ningham Transcripts, 1763), pt.:?, pp. 42-45.
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