199
Ret11r11 of Rabago and the Fo11nding of Cmion Jlfissions
very well they would never return. He decided, therefore, to use the traditional tactics of delay and postponement. This might have worked under more favorable circumstances, but Rabago was a marked man and his action was naturally misinterpreted, or better still his real intention was quickly and shrewdly discerned by the vigilant and exacting officials in Mexico. When on March 18, 1769, Rabago informed the viceroy that he had deferred complying with the order to send the twenty-one men to San Antonio to Hugo Oconor, the new governor, because this official had gone to Los Adaes, the viceroy immediately replied with a strong reprimand and repeated the order for the transfer of the soldiers in the most peremptory terms. Before Rabago received the new reprimand, while in San Antonio, he was informed of his removal by Manuel Antonio de Oca, the new appointee to the Presidio de San Saba. Rabago y Teran had no recourse but to abide by the orders of the viceroy. On the first of April he formally turned over his command to his successor and set out for Mexico City to make a personal report and a plea before the viceroy for the reimburse- ment of the great expenditure he had incurred in the maintenance of San Saba during nine trying years. On April 19, he notified the viceroy of his compliance and departure. On June 23, the viceroy thanked him coldly for his prompt obedience to the decree. Only once more do we hear of this unfortunate man, who played so sinister a part in the history of the Province of Texas. In his first appear- ance in Texas he caused the sudden death of Father Ganzabal and the ruin of the San Xavier missions. In his second he kindled the hope of Father Jimenez and was instrumental in bringing about the temporary establishment of two missions in the upper Nueces destined to languish and to dwindle by neglect. On July 5, 1769, Rabago y Teran was in San Luis Potosi, prostrated in bed while on his way to Mexico, too ill to continue his travel. He wrote to the viceroy to tell him he would be delayed here for medical treatment. It is doubtful whether he ever con- tinued his jo_urney. 62 62 Rabago y Teran to the Viceroy, March 18, 1769; Viceroy to Rabago y Teran, May 6, I 769 ; Rabago y Teran to the Viceroy, April 19, 1769; Viceroy to Rabago Y Teran, June 23, 1769; Rabago y Teran to the Viceroy, July s, 1769. A.G. M., Historia, Vol. 94, pt. 2, pp. 60-65.
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