Ottr Catleolic Heritage in T e:xas
told that they must enter missions far in the interior. Such as sought refuge should then be distributed among missions widely separated and well in the interior of New Spain in order that they might be successfully Christianized and civilized. The Apaches would have to be totally extermi- nated or reduced to impotence to assure peace on the northern frontier of New Spain. With regard to the Comanches and their allies Rubi declared that these nations were inevitably destined to reach the northern frontiers of New Spain and become neighbors. It was an error to believe, however, that when they did they would come as enemies. These .same Indians were already on the frontier of Louisiana, but they were not hostile to the Spaniards there, nor were they hostile in New Mexico, as shown by the relations that existed in the Valle de Taos. There annual fairs were being held, which were attended by numerous Comanches and northern Indians who came in peace to trade their wares. The northern Indians were not hostile to the Spaniards at Los Adaes, nor had they been the enemies of either San Xavier or San Saba. In these two instances they had directed their hostility against their traditional enemies, the Apaches. If this perfidious nation was removed from the frontier or exterminated, the Comanches and their allies might become peaceful neighbors of the Spaniards, interested chiefly in the free hunting of the buffalo. It seemed that these nations followed the herds of the buffalo throughout the year depending upon them for their livelihood. 70 Before taking up the effect of Rubi's inspection and recommendation, it will be necessary to record the withdrawal of the sons of the College of the Holy Cross of Queretaro from the missionary field in Texas. 70 Digttamen, que de orden de! Excmo senor Marques de Croix Virrey de este Reyno expone el Mariscal de Campo Marques de Rubi en orden a la mejor Situazion de los Presidios. A. G. I., Audiencia de Guadalajara, 104-6-13 (Dunn Tr., 1768-772), pp. 30-34.
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