Our Catholic Heritage in Texas
the capable Marques de Rubi. But the Spanish frontier was soon to feel the impetuous rush of a mighty flood of people. For a moment it stiffened, it groaned under the unbearable strain, then it crumbled before the irresistible tide of the new era. The mission and the presidia were about to fulfill their role and pass on into history. For almost a century the mission had attempted to civilize the Indian with Christian love and gentleness under the protection of the presidio. Its labor of love and faith was not in vain. The missionaries gave the natives the plow and the loom instead of firearms, they taught them love and understanding instead of strife and hatred, they encouraged them to persevere in peaceful pursuits instead of engaging in wars of destruction and annihilation. It has been generally held that the defeat of Parrilla at the village of the Taovayas nullified the good effects of his previous victory over the Tawakonis, and that the expedition made little or no impression on the bold and daring spirit of the northern tribes. But the facts in the case seem to show that although the campaign failed to attain a decisive victory, nevertheless the brave fight at the village of the Taovayas and the display of a respectable force of Spanish troops inclined the victorious Indians of the north to make overtures of peace and friendship to avoid as far as possible a similar battle in the future. While the officials and missionaries in San Antonio and San Saba apprehensively awaited a fresh attack in the spring of 1760, a delegation of Tawakoni Indians visited the missionary at Nacogdoches several times and expressed an ardent desire to reestablish peace with the Spaniards. Their allies and friends, the Bidais and Orcoquisacs, were also anxious to justify themselves and prove their friendship. They asked Athanase de Mezieres and Louis de St. Denis, son of the renowned St. Denis, to intercede in their favor with the Spanish officials. The two young officers went to Nacogdoches and pleaded for these Indians in the belief that a campaign against them was being contemplated. Naturally they took occasion to disavow any connection with the past hostilities of these Indians. Nortlzern tribes offer peace. Early in April another delegation of Asinai Indians went to Nacog- doches from San Pedro, accompanied by some Nazonis, to plead for peace in the name of the Tawakonis and their northern allies. Why were so many delegations sent to Nacogdoches instead of Los Adaes, which was in fact nearer to the lands of the northern tribes? The reason is not far to seek. There resided in Nacogdoches a kindly and experienced old missionary, who had spent many years among the Indians of Texas and
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