Our Cat/10/ic fl erit,r.ge in T t:.t'llS
be issued for the increase of the guard assigned to the missions, and a regular garrison should be established for their protection and the encour- agement of the neophytes in their daily tasks. 31 But the viceroy was still undecided and faced with numerous problems that seemed more pressing than the welfare of the two unfortunate mis- sions on the upper Nueces. On February 24, the indefatigable Auditor Domingo Valcarcel, to whom the two petitions for approval and help were referred, made his recommendations. He pointed out that the founding of the two new missions at El Canon and the attending circumstances had been duly reported both by the missionaries and Captain Rabago y Teran; that the need of a new presidio with an additional garrison had been argued; and that, while awaiting the decision of His Excellency, Father Jimenez had used every means in his power to maintain the missions, securing the assistance of Fray Manuel Antonio de Cuevas. The various reports on the establishment and progress made had been previously referred to him, and he had made his recommendations. Under the circumstances, he was of the opinion that the two memorials be sent to the Fiscal for his opinion. 39 The recommendations were sent to the Fiscal together with the additional information, but this official had conceived a dislike for Rabago y Teran, whose selfish motives he suspected. Further- more, a new inspection of the entire frontier was already being considered, and the Fiscal felt it would be best to postpone action until conditions were reported by an impartial observer. Conditions at El Caiion iu 1764. In the meantime the missionaries were experiencing the most trying conditions. They had to depend on the missions at San Juan Bautista and those of San Antonio for what supplies they could get. Captain Rabago y Teran, who realized that his hope of securing the approval of a new garrison for the Canon enterprise depended on the maintenance of the missions, did everything he could to help the missionaries secure the needed food, seed, and lh·estock. But as time drao-o-ed on and the soreh· needed ro)•al aid was not granted, his 00 • resources also began to fail. Three years had passed and the expected amount had not been sent. Nevertheless. in spite of the shortage of food and resources, the two missions were in a flourishing state spiritually. Each had four hundred neophytes in December, 1764. 3KFr:w Acisclos \"alverde to the Viceroy, January 18, 1764; Fray H1:menegildo Vilapla~a to 1h1: Viceroy, February 21, 1764. Sa11 Francisco el Grande A rc/1ive, \"ol. 12, pp. 94-101; 193-195. l~Uomingo Valcarcel to the Viceroy, February 24, 1764. Sau Francisco el Grande .Archi-c1,:, \"ol. 12, pp. 105-108.
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