The Province of Texas in r762
41
built of stone and mortar for the protection of the garrison and settlers. This fort was constructed a short distance from the river, on a small bluff, which dominated the countryside. With justifiable pride, Rabago y Teran declared the new fort looked "like a castle, with its turrets and redoubts." Expert masons had been brought for this work, who, aided by the soldiers, completed it by the end of 1761. In his report, the new commander explained that he intended to have all the houses built of stone and that the soldiers would do this in their spare time. He would soon have the strongest and best defended post in the entire frontier, he assured the viceroy. The stockade had been repaired, and would be replaced by a stone wall soon. 37 While busily engaged in reenforcing the presidio and placing its garrison on a better footing, Captain Rabago y Teran, who appears to have experienced a great change of heart, displayed the most convincing zeal for the conversion of the natives and their reduction to mission life. Shortly after his arrival he sent word to the Apache chiefs to come to see him. He also dispatched exploring parties to examine the surround- ing country and the neighboring streams between San Juan Bautista on the Rio Grande and San Saba and between San Saba and the North- west for suitable sites for missions. At the same time he wrote to Father Fray Diego Jimenez, president of the missions on the Rio Grande, inviting him to come to the presidio to help plan the reestablishment of missions for the Apaches. 38 Since the destruction of San Saba, the Apaches had been afraid of congregating at the site. They justly felt that the presidia offered no security against attack by the Comanches and the northern tribes. But with the improvements made by Rabago y Teran since his return, confidence was restored to some extent, and they expressed a willingness to listen to new proposals for reduction to mission life. It became evident, however, that the site at San Saba was considered too exposed. They suggested that new establishments be founded on the Chanas (Llano) River or on .the upper Nueces, in the Valle de San Jose (near present Barksdale, Camp Wood and Montell). This mission, founded early in 1762 as a result of the activities of Captain Rabago y Teran and Mission San Lorenzo de la Santa Cmz. 37 Rabago y Teran to the Viceroy, November 6, 1761, A.G. Al., Historia, Vol. 94, pt. 1, pp. 29-30; also letter of July 12, 1761, in ibid., pp. 12-15. 31 Rabago y Teran to the Viceroy, August 18, 1761, in A.G. Al., Historia, Vol. 94, pt. I, pp. 17-18.
Powered by FlippingBook