Our Cn//,olic IIeritngr. iu T e:rns
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measures immediately "and the opposition to the missions growing every day, unless God takes a hand, an enterprise will be lost," he concluded, "which would have been one of the most glorious of our day, the con- version of all the Apaches and the settlement of more than two hundred leagues of good land, said to be rich in minerals also." 31 Almost at the same time that Fray Jimenez was making a desperate attempt for aid, the viceroy formally requested a report on conditions at Valle de San Jose and the need of the missions. But, although the request was issued on October I, 1762, it was not received until January, 1763. In compliance with the viceregal decree, Fray Jimenez and his new assistant Fray Manuel Antonio de Cuevas prepared a report, which gives us a detailed description of conditions at San Lorenzo and Candelaria almost one year after their establishment. Viceregal inqttiry concerning 11ew missions. Replying as to the general attitude of the Apaches. the two missionaries earnestly declared that they were more docile than ever before; that they showed more inclination to work; that they brought their children to be baptized and called the Padres ·when they were sick. Still more, they did not dare leave the missions without the consent of the friars. In former years, when at San Saba, the same Indians would not hear the word of God preached, nor would they do any work in the missions, declaring it was the duty of the Spaniards and the docile Indians from other missions to cultivate the fields for them, alleging they had to go on frequent hunts to keep from getting sick. All this was changed now. As to the number congregated, they declared that four chiefs had joined the two missions: Cabez6n, Borrado, Boruca, and El Cojo. Two others had recently promised to come to live with the Padres, and a third, who had recovered his health, when baptized on the point of death, was also ready to join. But the missionaries did not urge them to carry out their good intentions, because they could not feed them with the scant supplies at their command. According to the Lipans there were about three thousand Apaches, including the Mescaleros, Natages, and Pelones. Of these, over four hundred were now living in the two missions. When these were com- pletly converted and civilized, they would contribute greatly to the reduc- tion of all their kinsmen. With reo-ard to their character, these Indians. the friars declared. were 0 llFray Jimenez to Fray Manuel Naxera, Commissary General, October 28, 1762. A. G. M., Hisloria, Vol. 28, pp. 197-200. The full text of this letter is translated in Castaneda, Mor/i's History of Texas, Vol. Vl, pt. 2, pp. 402-404. (Quivira Soci~ty Publications, Vol. VI.)
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