Tl,e Province of T c:xas in 1 762
three guards to each one of the five missions, was totally inadequate, especially since the presidia was a fort only in name. First of all the presidia should be rebuilt out of strong timber at least, for at present it was a group of miserable huts roofed with grass, exposed to being set on fire by a lighted arrow. It had neither a wall nor a stockade. The settlers were justified in feeling uneasy with the persistent rumors of a contemplated attack by northern tribes. The bishop explained that he had obtained information of the danger that threatened San Antonio not from its commander or the settlers but while sojourning in La Bahia and other places and while talking with the older and more experienced pioneers of other sections. The truth was that the country from Monclova and San Juan Bautista in Coahuila to San Antonio was practically uninhabited and infested by hostile bands of Indians. In his opinion the Apaches constituted a serious menace, and under the circumstances, since they could not be effectively resisted by force, it would be wise to tolerate them and to court their friendship. He sagely pointed out that if this nation was alienated under the existing conditions it might cause the loss of the entire province to France or England. 10 The discouraging picture so vividly painted by the bisb,p in his sincere anxiety for the safety of the forlorn outpost is corrobuated by the optimistic Fray Mariano, whose faith in the Apaches appears to have been shaken by the recent tragedy of San Saba. In a letter to the viceroy he expresses the fears entertained both by the settlers and the missionaries early in 1760. It seems that in January of this year a group of Tonkawas had come to San Antonio to solicit peace. These Indians had warned the Spaniards that the Taovayas, Quitseys, and Tawakonis were planning a combined attack "when the trees bud again," aided by a large force of Comanches. The friar reminded the viceroy that these northern tribes no longer fought with bows and arrows but used firearms which were furnished them by the French. San Antonio could muster eighty men at the best, including soldiers and settlers. This force could not repel an attack such as was expected. Many of the men were incapacitated for vigorous service and some lived in ranches twenty-five leagues away, so that little dependence could be placed on them in case of a sudden or unexpected attack. Although it 10 Bishop of Guadalajara to the Viceroy, December 26, 1759. In Testimonio de los autos fhos. a consulta del Coronel Diego Ortiz Parrilla. A.G. /., Audie11cia de ,llixico, 9 2 ·6-n (Dunn Transcripts, 1759-1762), pp. 197-200.
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