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Our Catllolic Heritage in Texas
the Franciscan chronicler exclaims that the pain of parting from their neophytes was greater than any experience in their reduction. The simple and loving Padres became deeply attached to their ungrateful wards. "Amidst so painful a sacrifice," Arricivita explains, "they had the pow- erful consolation that they had exercised their zeal and vigils to illumine the souls who dwelt in darkness, and to furnish them the means by which they might persevere, whether in sickness or in health, in the faith of Jesus Christ, fulfilling with unselfish charity all the duties of their sacred ministry." 14 Metleods employed by tlee missio11aries. Just at this time viceregal officials in Mexico had become conscious of the problems which the main- tenance of the missions along the northern frontier implied. The expulsion of the Jesuits and the new advance into California and present Arizona, coupled with the renewed activity in Texas and New Mexico had made the viceroy desirous of learning more about the mission system. He con- sequently questioned both the prelates of the various religious orders engaged in the propagation of ~he faith and the goveronrs and officials of the northern provinces as to how the missions along the frontier could be improved. It was in reply to these inquiries that Father Fray Antonio de los Reyes of the College of Queretaro presented a long report on a plan for the organization of the spiritual and temporal administration of the missions of New Spain. It was likewise the result of this inquiry which prompted Captain Rafael Martinez Pacheco to present a similar plan to the viceroy. 15 In his Cro11ica, Fray Arricivita describes vividly the methods employed by the missionaries of Queretaro in Texas with such admirable results. In obtaining new converts those who had been in the missions for a while were the best means for the attainment of the desired purpose. The Padres would give them a few trinkets, articles of clothing and food and tell them they had permission to visit with their friends or relatives. This was generally done in the winter, when the work in the mission farm was light. The Indians would visit their friends, often their relatives. who at this season of the year were generally reduced to a diet of bitter 14 Arricivita, Cronica, 441. lSAntonio de los Reyes, Plan para arreglar el govierno espiritual de Pueblos, y Misiones en las Provincias Septentrionales de Nueva Espana. Cited in an Acuerdo of the Council of the Indies. June 30, 1777. A. G. I., A11diencia de Guadalajara, 103-3-13 (Dunn Tr., 1777-1780), pp. 1-17; Martinez Pacheco, Informe sobre el nuevo metodo de Govno. Espl. y tempi. A.G./., Audiencia de Guadalajara, 104-6-20 (Dunn Tr., 1767-1772), pp. 121-129.
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