Return of Rabago and tlze Fo11,ndi11g of Caiion ,1/issions
Ii5
In order to force a decision, Rabago y Teran declared that the plan outlined was indispensable to the maintenance of San Saba. He knew full well how the viceroy's advisers were set on the maintenance of this fort for reasons of sentiment and hoped to carry out his purpose in this way. Under the present conditions, the garrison was divided and consequently rendered impotent to resist attack effectively at San Saba or to afford adequate protection to the new missions in the Valle de San Jose. Thus the garrison accomplished neither of its objects. There were forty leagues from San Saba to the Valle de San Jose. The more vigorous attacks of the northern tribes made the defence of San Saba impossible with a reduced garrison. Consequently Rabago urged, in conclusion, that if a new presidio with a garrison of fifty soldiers could not be established for the protection of ·the new missions in order to restore San Saba to its full strength, it would be best to abandon the post on the San Saba River and remove the entire garrison to the Valle de San Jose. It was the only alternative in view of existing conditions. 35 It was a bold move on the part of Rabago. but it clearly revealed the motives of his great zeal and interest in the establishment of new missions for the Apaches in the Valle de San Jose. \Vhile there can be little doubt of the earnest desire of the missionaries to convert these Indians. who had so long expressed a wish to become Christians. it seems that Rabago's real interest was his own material advantage. From this time until the final abandonment of the Valle de San J osc project his end becomes more and more evident. , Refusal of tlze viceroy to approve tl1e new missions <lllti tlu establislement of a presidio in tire Valle de San Jose. The Yiceroy apparently saw through the designs of Rabago. He was suspicious from the very begin- ning. But the powerful Auditor, Domingo Valcarcel, befriended him and tried to get the approval of his schemes. In a report made on March 16, he summarized the recommendations of the missionaries and of Rabago y Teran in regard to the plans for the permanent occupation of Valle de San Jose. He favorably reviewed the advantages of establishing a new presidio, pointing out at the same time that San Saba should not be abandoned. In his opinion the matter should be referred to the Fisct1l for his serious study. The viceroy followed the advice without expressing his opinion. and the Fiscal instead of making any recommendations seems to have called for further information. 36 35 Rabago y Teran to the Viceroy, January 31, 1763. A. G. /., A11di111cia d1 ,1/exico, 92-6-22 (Dunn Transcripts, 1748-1763, pt. 2), pp. 164-171. 36 Domingo Valcarcel to the Viceroy, March 16, 1763. In Ibid, 171-174.
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