Plans for tlte Reorganization-of the Frontier
223
the viceroy reported that the Junta had held the first meeting to discuss the regulations of prices and had decided to wait until the necessary data was gathered to arrive at a satisfactory new schedule for presidia! commodities. 37 A general inspection of presidios had been contemplated for some time. The urgent need of data to formulate a new schedule of prices now decided the king to order its execution. On August 7, he informed the viceroy that he was issuing orders for a ticneral inspection to be carric!d out by the Marques de Rubi, Field Marshal in His :\fajesty's Army, who would set out for New Spain immediately. He was to ,·isit the entire frontier from California to Texas, to report on the status of each presidio, its location, condition of its garrison, the price of commodities and its fairness in view of changed conditions, and to make suitable recommenda- tions. The viceroy was to furnish the Marques de Rubi a copy of the regulations of 1730 and to give him all the information necessary for the more efficacious execution of his commission. Two days later the former order was issued to Rubi in Spain where he was at this time. 38 Instructions for tl,e inspec:tion. The Marques de Rubi set out shortly thereafter and arrived in Mexico early in February. 1766. After a number of conferences with the viceroy, the necessary arrangements for the inspection were completed, and Rubi started from i\lcxico on i\'larch 6, without waiting for the formal instructions. These were duly drawn on March 10 and sent to him by special messenger. The full importance of his commission may be inferred from the instructions ~iven him. The primary purpose was to make a thorough military inspection of each presidio from California to Texas. But he was furthermore to make special reports on the Presidio de Pasage in Nueva \'izcaya (Chihuahua) and Guajuquilla, which were being seriously menaced by the Apaches. \Vhile in Sonora he was to determine the causes for the recent revolt of the Seri and Pima Indians, the need of new presiclios, or the relocation of those already established, and to recommend whatl'wr changes Wt·re needed. He was also to investigate the possibility of sending supplil's to Sonora by sea from Acapulco. He was to make an investigation into the character and conduct of Governor Tomas Velez of New Mexico to ascertain the facts about his 37 Arriaga to the Viceroy, January 23, 1765; Same to Same. .-\u.i::-u~t 1, 1765. Rt!,1les CUu!as, Vol. 4, pp. 44-45. 38 King to the Viceroy, Au.i:-ust 7. 1765; King to the ~larqu~s dt Rubi, August 9, 1765. Rt!ales Cedulas, 1751-1789, Vol. 4, p. 46; A.G. JI/. Historia, Vol. 321, p. 196.
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