Our Catleolic H erittege in Texas
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of the San Jose River (upper Nueces) which was about halfway between San Saba and San Juan Bautista on the Rio Grande. The principal chiefs of the Apaches explained that they had chosen this site out of regard for the safety of their people. Cabez6n agreed that San Saba had good lands and abundant water and that his people liked it, but that it was not safe against surprise by their enemies. They were afraid of being killed if the mission was reestablished there, as the Padres and soldiers who were surprised there before. But in order to be congregated in the valley of the San Jose River, the chiefs stipulated three conditions. In the first place, a big buffalo hunt to provide themselves with an abundant supply of meat would have to be undertaken, and Captain Rabago should furnish them with an adequate escort of soldiers to protect them against attack or surprise. In the second place, they asked for the return of the daughter of the big Natage chief, who was being held a prisoner in the mission at La Punta, Nuevo Leon. Thirdly, they requested the aid of the Spaniards in one last campaign against the Comanches, which they had planned to undertake when the tuna season came. To the first two, Rabago readily agreed, but to the third he objected. He finally succeeded in persuading them to give up the idea of such an enterprise, pointing out that it would only serve to bring the northern tribes in search of them. Fray J imcnez was to return to San Bernardo to make arrangements to bring another missionary and as many supplies as he could secure when notified of the return of the Apaches from their buffalo hunt.: 0 Fray Jime11ez requests appro~•al from tltc College of Querctaro. It was customary in the case of the founding of new missions to get the approval of the mother college and of viceregal officials. Captain Rabago, in his reappointment to San Saba, had been instructed and urged to restore the former mission, or to found others in its vicinity. But from this proposal to the selection of an entirely new site, located some thirty or forty leagues from San Saba was a far cry. Father Jimenez was fully aware of the fact, but realized how, to the innumerable handicaps attendant upon the founding of a new mission, would be added that of incurring the dis- pleasure of his superiors and the viceregal officials. On the other hand, ZOFray Jimenez to the Guardian of the College of Querftaro, November :z J, 176 I ; Auto of Captain Ft:lipt: de Rabago y Teran at Valle de San Jose, December 31- January 23, 176:z. A.G. M., Historia, Vol. 84 1 pt. 1, pp. 164-190; Vol. 28, pp. 195- 197; Arricivita, Cro11ica, 383; Castaneda, Morfi's History of Texas ( Quivira Society Publications), Vol. VI, pt. :z, pp. 397-399.
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