Aftermath of San Saba Massacre
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not be essential to its safety. Captain Manuel Rodriguez could take care of any emergency that might arise in his absence. In the meantime Father Fray Tomas Arcayos, the chaplain of the expedition, who was to return to Mexico, could be consulted concerning details of the campaign. The request was referred to the Fiscal, who on February 5, 1760, recommended that it be granted. He also suggested that Fray Tomas Arcayos be asked to make a personal report to the viceroy. Parrilla was informed in due time that he might come to Mexico after the end of March. 41 Dispatches traveled slowly in those days. Parrilla does n6t appear to have received his leave until late in April, although it was approved by the fttnta on February 16, 1761. Just when he left for Mexico City is not clear, but he was there by the end of July or the first week in August. By that time Captain Felipe de Rabago y Teran, former commander of Presidio de San Xavier, had been absolved of the charges in connection with the murders at the San Xavier missions and ordered to take possession of the Presidio de San Luis de las Amarillas. Parrilla soon entered into a long wrangle with Rabago y Teran, who superseded him, but he failed in the restoration to his command. He was to return to Texas six years later to conduct a special exploration of Padre Island at the request of the viceroy, but he never again held command over any of the presidios within the Province. The viceroy appointed him Governor of Goahuila instead. He had been in charge of the largest and most important presidio in Texas, he had been entrusted to carry out the most important and pretentious expedition since the days of the Marques of Aguayo. But he had failed to reduce the Apaches and to subdue or chastise the northern tribes. His failure is significant. It was not entirely the result of personal inefficiency. New forces were at work. Foreign aggressors had armed the Indians and they were beginning to crowd in from their native haunts. The docile and disunited tribes first encountered had been replaced by the more fierce and barbarous nations that were beginning to be swept southward by a more ruthless invader. Spain's thinly populated frontier, weakly garrisoned, could not withstand the frequent attacks. Parrilla clearly foresaw the need of a reorganization, destined to be outlined and to be carried out in part, seven years later by the indomitable will of 41 Parrilla to the Viceroy, November 18, 1758, A. G. I., Audielfcia d, Alhico, 92-6-22 (Dunn Transcripts, 1759-1761), pp. 240; 182-190; Respuesta Fiscal del Marques de Aranda, August 18, 1760, A. G. I., Audie,,cia de Jllerico, 92-6-22 (Cunningham Transcripts, 1763), pt. 5, pp. 180-191.
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