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Our Catltolic Heritage in Trxas
to have taken up the matter with the Commissary General of the Fran- ciscans in Mexico, who in turn wrote the Guardian of the College of Zacatecas. The Discretorio of the college reported to the viceroy on May 28, 1757, that immediately upon receipt of the order of February 12, two missionaries, Fray Bruno Chavira and Fray Marcos Satarain, were dispatched with a letter to the governor. Just when they set out or when they arrived at the Trinity is not clear, but the evidence available seems to indicate they left Zacatecas towards the close of October, 1756, and that they arrived late in November or early in December, for on November 5, 1757, the viceroy ordered that they be paid for one year's service.' 0 Upon their arrival in Nacogdoches, Fray Chavira wrote a letter to the governor, notifying him that they were going on to Presidio de San Agustin and asking him for instructions. Fray Chavira later wrote to the college that the governor had ordered him to do nothing towards the establishment of a formal mission, because he was awaiting the decision of the viceroy concerning the permanent site. He reported at this time that the Indians were friendly and appeared firm in their determination to enter the mission. Through the interpreter, Domingo del Rio, they expressed their appreciation for the gifts received. But the food available was limited. Some cattle were being expected and corn was brought with much difficulty from the Presidio of Los Adaes. The college reported to the viceroy that a few days after the mis- sionaries left, the necessary ornaments, sacred vessels, and other equip- ment had been sent for the new mission. The conductor of these goods had since returned and it was learned from him that the governor was not satisfied with the location of the presidio, which was too near the sea, very unhealthy, and extremely damp. Fray Jose Maria de Guadalupe y Alcivia, the Guardian, took occasion to remonstrate that the stipend assigned to the missionaries of Nuestra Senora de la Luz was low, since the soldiers were being paid four hundred twenty-five pesos a year, while the friars had been allowed only four hundred. In his opinion the two missionaries should each be given fifty pesos more. The mission at Orcoquisac was two hundred leagues from La Bahia, one hundred from Los Adaes and fifty from Nacogdoches, which made the transportation of supplies and the cost of living higher at this post than in any other in Texas. He reminded the viceroy that the college had out- fitted and sent a train of supplies, but had not received as yet any '°lnfonne de los Padres del Colegio de Zacatecas ... May 28, 1757, A. S. F. G., Vol 6, pp. 112-116; Decreto del Virey, November 5, 1757, A. G. M., Historia, Vol. 91, pt. 1, p. 16.
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