Our Clltholic Heritage in Texas
sionaries from the new m1ss1ons at La Junta, who baptized five children in the ,-a11cl1er1a of Chief Bigotes that morning. Romero, who acted as interpreter, explained to the assembled Lipans that if they wanted to be the friends of the Spaniards they must not steal from them any more, nor cause them any damage; that the governor of Coahuila, through his captain, offered them peace, but he would punish them if they refused to be friends. Romero informed Captain Rodriguez that he and his com- panion had followed the Puerco River (Pecos) all the way to this ra11cheria, that the country was generally open and fertile, that there were several springs along the river valley, abundant salt deposits, and many wild grapes and fruits of different kinds. In his report to the viceroy, Captain Rodriguez explained that Captain Manuel Ramirez of the Presidio of San Juan Bautista, had known the Indian Romero while at San Saba. Romero had at that time gone back to New Mexico and reported his successful trip to Governor Marin del Valle, who doubted his story. While there was a possibility that the two Indians from New Mexico might be fugiti,·es from the missions there, since they could produce no documents from the governor of that province, Rodriguez declared that the coincidence of having found them at the ra11c/1eria of Chief Bigotes was a fortunate one. The two Indians had assured him that they could show him a route back to New Mexico, which would take only twelve days to traverse, and they were willing to wager their heads on it.s: Inspection of Presidio de S1111 Saba by Rubi. While Captain Rabago was bending all his efforts to secure the approval of the two new missions in the Valle de San Jose (upper Nueces), the Marques de Rubi arrived to inspect the presidio. On July 27, 1767, he reviewed the garrison and inspected the presidio with his accustomed thoroughness. Whether he had been predisposed towards the commander of San Saba by the current rumors concerning his character cannot be determined. In his official report to the viceroy he declared that the commander, although only forty-five years old, was broken down in health. The garrison consisted of ninety-four men, being short seven. It was, without doubt, the worst in the entire kingdom, made up of men kept at their post by debt. Constant dgilance alone prevented the desertion of the entire garrison. Many of S 2 Testimonio de los Autos a conzta. de Don Lorenzo Gansio Capitan del Real Presidio de Santiago de la Monclova, en que da quenta de haver aprt:hendido dos Indios de! Nuevo Mexico, que aquel Governador embio a descubrir la comunicacion de aquellas Provincias con el Presidio de San Sava. Aiio de 1763. A.G. I., Audienci,z de Aferico, 92-6-22 (Dunn Transcripts, 1748-1763), pt. 2, 176-182.
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