Our Catholic IIe,·it,ige in T c:rns
180
of Candelaria. It, too, had a friary, its chapel, soldiers' quarters, and a granary. Lafora, during his visit with the Marques de Rubi, drew a plan of the mission which may come to light some day. The experienced engineer criticized its location as poorly chosen for defense. It was pro- vided, however, with two small cannon to repel attack and had a rude fortification in the shape of a quadrangle around it. "These buildings," Lafora explains, "were constructed by the Lipans to please and flatter the missionaries, making them believe they would subject themselves to the discipline of a permanent settlement, which they never did, taking adYantage of the simplicity and credulity of the missionaries." 42 But the Lipans would not have so easily robbed the missionaries of their glorious dream had they been backed more resolutely by governmental officials. They were neither so credulous nor so simple in their hopes as the Marques de Rubi and his observant engineer-secretary would make us believe. "It was an imperfect conversion," says Arricivita, the official chronicler of the Queretaran missions, "because the Indians, being left to enjoy their barbarous freedom, no fatigues or efforts on the part of the mis- sionaries availed to improve them ... These Lipan Indians made constant raids and thefts in Chihuahua and brought before the eyes of the mis- sionaries countless saddles, harnesses, mules, and horses taken from the Spaniards, all of which revealed how urgent was the need of checking a freedom so pernicious, and of reducing them by means more steadfast to the laws of Christianity." The missionaries fully realized the extent of. their task. They were not deceived by the wiles of the treacherous Lipans, but they were determined to convert them to Christianity at all cost. They failed in their efforts because of lack of support and cooperation. 0 These two missions on the upper Nueces were unique in the history of mis~ionary endeavors in Texas. They were founded and maintained for six years without official approval or aid, and cost the royal treasury nothing. They were the product of missionary zeal, a monument to the enterprise, determination, and faith of Fray Diego Jimenez, President of the missions of San Juan Bautista on the Rio Grande. They offer a remarkable contrast to the Orcoquisac venture in which, although full viceregal support was granted, and the necessary funds were provided, the enterprise failed through the petty and selfish quarrels of ci,·il officials in Texas. 42Lafora, Nicolas. Relacion del viage qutt ... /1izo t1l capita11 de ingenieros ... ff. 60-61. "Arriclvita, Cro11ica, 390.
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