Our Cathotic If eritage in Texas
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must of the year, except during the hunting season, when they followed the herds of buffalo over the plains. They had no other allies to the north of their villages than the numerous and roaming Comanches who lived far away. Next the Junta took up the question of whether the Apaches should be invited to take part in the proposed campaign. In order to justify their conclusions on this subject, the Junta made an interesting report on the nature and character of these Indians. They explained that there were seYeral nations to whom this general appellation was applied, who were distinct in themselves and lived in different areas. There were the J ulimes, the Mescaleros, the Natages, the J atacosas, the J umanos, and the Lipans. Only the last group named were in fact the friends of the Spaniards. Although these nations occasionally united to fight a common enemy, they were in reality separate and distinct groups with their own tribal organization, living in widely separated areas. In November, 1758, most of them had joined in a general campaign against the Comanches, their common and inveterate enemies, but their combined effort had been unsuccessful. It was necessary to keep in mind, therefore, that while the punitive expedition being planned marched in pursuit of the northern tribes, the other Apache groups, who were not friendly to the Spaniards, might attack the Spanish settlements and missions not only in Texas but in the neighboring provinces, aware that their defence had been weakened. It was highly important to make provision to reenforce the garrisons in Coahuila and Texas with rnlunteers from among the settlers in order to afford them proper protection while the campaign was in progress. The Junta took occasion to urge in the strongest terms tke restoration of the garrison of San Antonio to its former strength of forty-four men. The Presidio of San Luis de las Amarillas also needed to be increased by forty soldiers, while the garrison at La Bahia and Los Adaes deserved to be equally strengthened to safeguard the integrity of the frontier. Governor Martos y Navarrete of Coahuila presented at this time a special plan for the reorganization of the entire line of presidios in Coahuila and urg-cd the importance of increasing their garrisons to check the growing boldness of the Indians of the north. There can be little doubt that local influence was in part responsible for the strong plea in favor of the gar- rison of San Antonio, whik the interests of the various commanders assembled, who always profited in proportion to the size of the garrisons of their respective posts, induced the request for more troops. Nevertheless. the alarming reports brought by Governor Barrios y Jauregui concerning-
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