Tlze Province of Texas in r762
four were mounted on gun carriages, while the other two were being mounted at this time by a French carpenter who had been brought to the presidio for that purpose. There were also two swivel guns properly mounted. Four others intended for this presidio were still in Saltillo waiting to be transported. He had not been able to find a mule train that would undertake to bring them because each piece weighed eighteen arrobas (about three hundred and fifty pounds). The garrison consisted of fifty-one men, including the captain, and it was kept up to full strength, all vacancies being promptly filled. This number was, however, far from being sufficient for the varied duties the soldiers had to perform. To prove his statement the captain explained that ten men were detailed regularly to guard the horses, which were pastured up and down the river for a distance of about twelve leagues. In the summer these soldiers were relieved twice a month, but only once a month in the winter. Three men were posted in Mission Espiritu Santo and four in the more recently established Mission of Rosario. They not only protected the Padres and mission Indians and inspired proper respect, but they helped them to instruct the neophytes in their daily tasks. In the presidio ten men were kept constantly occupied on day and night guard duty. Seven more were used to escort supply trains required to bring corn and other goods from San Antonio and the Rio Grande. This duty was necessary because the two local missions did not raise sufficient food to meet the needs of the presidio. Without irrigation they were able to raise only the food consumed by the neophytes. The only thing that was abundant was meat, because cattle raising had been much more successful than farming. Consequently, after deducting these men from the regular garrison, there were left only fourteen men for all other miscellaneous duties such as escorting of convoys to East Texas, accom- panying the missionaries in their quest for new converts or runaways, furnishing guards to officials, the bishop, and other dignitaries, and carrying dispatches. Unfortunately all efforts to induce settlement in the vicinity had been in vain. Only a few settlers had come in recent years. The reason was the uncertainty of the crops which entirely depended upon the weather. Furthermore there was little or no trade to stimulate the establishment of business. Most of the settlers in the vicinity of the presidio and the two missions were superannuated soldiers, who chose to remain near the fort in order to be close to their sons, who frequently took their places in the garrison and who helped to support them. Occasionally the relath·es
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