88
011r C at/10/ic H eritnge in Texas
by Martos y Navarrete seems to have induced the viceroy to appoint a new commander for the post. Ever since the fall of 1759, a certain Rafael Martinez Pacheco had been importuning the viceroy for an appointment to a post in Texas. In recounting his former services, he declared he ha<l been commissioned by Colonel Diego Ortiz Parrilla to remove the Presidio of San Xavier from the San Marcos to the San Saba; that he had later been employed to recruit families to settle at San Saba; and that he had served as conductor of supplies and horses for the Presidio de San Antonio de Bejar. On November 23, 1763, the viceroy appointed Rafael Martinez Pacheco Captain of the new Presidio de San Agustin de Ahumada. 68 Constmctive work of Martfoez Paclzeco. The new commander arrived at Orcoquisac on May 13, 1764, and immediately embarked on a program of reform and activity which would have borne much fruit had not adverse circumstances checked it at its inception. With him came Fathers Fray Luis Salvino and Fray Bernardino Aristorena to infuse new life in the Mission of Nuestra Senora de la Luz. The day after his arrival, Captain Martinez Pacheco called the Orcoquisac Indians in the vicinity and urged them to enter the mission. The meeting was attended by one hundred and fifty Indians to whom Del Rio, the interpreter, explained the duties of mission life and told them they must obey the king, his officers, and the missionaries; destroy their idols, attend prayers, work in the fields, live in the mission, and help the Spaniards defend the post against the French and hostile nations. He explained that if they did these things they would be given clothing, rations four times a week, and all things necessary for the cultivation of the fields. The peace pipe was smoked, the Indians performed their native dances, gifts were distributed and there was much feasting and rejoicing. Next day the Indians, true to their promise, brought their idols and the ornaments used in their pagan orgies and delivered them to the astounded mission- aries. The Orcoquisacs had formally accepted Christianity. The efforts of Captain Martinez Pacheco and the missionaries were not confined to the ranclterfo of Chief Calzones Colorados. Chief Canos came at the request of the captain on May 31, accompanied by a group of natives, mainly Attacapa Indians. They marched into camp flying a French flag. The peace pipe ceremony was repeated. Chief Canos agreed 61 0rder of the Viceroy, November 23, 1763, Papeles pertenecientes al orcoquiza, cited by Bolton, Texas, p. 368, note r 4; Decreto de! Virey sobre asignacion de sueldos a los soldados por Rafael Martinez Pacheco, undated; Escrito de Rafael Martinez Pacheco sobre diligencias practicadas para poblar el Presidio de San Luis de las Amarillas, undated, San Francisco el Grande Arcltive, Vol. 6, pp. 45-1 47.
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