Our Catholic Heritage in T e:xas
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In view of the circumstances he had pleaded with the missionaries to allow two soldiers and four Indians from each of the five missions to go to Parrilla's aid, taking as many horses for the garrison as could be spared. While admitting the deplorable plight of San Saba, the missionaries wisely observed that San Antonio should not be left entirely unprotected. The Indians who had attacked San Saba might attempt to surprise San Antonio as they had boldly declared was their intention. Governor Martos y Navarrete concluded with a note of warning. The failure of the Spaniards to afford adequate protection to the Lipan Apaches at San Saba might cause these Indians to make peace with the Comanches. Such an alliance would result in the inevitable loss of the entire province of Texas to the natives. It was imperative that the hostile tribes from the north be driven from San Saba and followed into their own territory to restore the prestige of Spanish arms. Their success the previous year and the failure of the Spaniards to inflict exemplary punishment upon the transgressors had emboldened the natives to repeat the attack. After the destruction of the Mission of San Saba, a special supply of arms and ammunition was sent from Mexico in April, 1758. But these goods did not arrive in San Antonio, the governor declared, until January, 1759. For some unexplainable reason the train that brought the arms did not bring any powder or lead. The result was a shortage at this time of ammunition. Even the missions, where care was generally taken to keep a reserve supply on hand, were out of powder at this time. The need of horses for the soldiers was as urgent as that of powder. Without mounts the garrison was powerless to take the offensive against the Indians and was severely handicapped in repelling-attacks. The governor pleaded for the increase of the garrison of San Antonio. The twenty-two men, fifteen of whom were employed constantly as mission guards, were woefully inadequate to protect this important post or render aid to the other presidios in Texas. He also expressed deep concern over the safety of the annual train of supplies for the Zacatecan missions which had passed on its way east in the fall. Generally the train returned in December, but it was now April and nothing had been heard of it.zs Approval of the proposed campaign. Although the report and recom- mendations of the ltmta held in San Antonio had been sent to the viceroy at the close of January, it seems they did not reach Mexico City until
UGovernor Martos y Navarrete to the Viceroy, April 3, 17 59. A. G. I., A11diencia de Mexico, 92-6-·22 (Cunningham Transcripts, 1763), pt. 4, pp. 10-14.
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