Occupation of t/,e Trinity River, 1746-1772
89
to surrender his French flag and renounce his heathen idols to enter mission life, if one was founded for his people separate from that of Calzones Colorados. A few days later, on June 6, Chief Tomas, of the Bidais, came with forty-eight of his followers, and after the usual ceremonies, agreed to enter a mission with his people if it was established in his own country. He explained that his people had already tried going to a mission outside of their lands (the San Xavier) and preferred one in their own country now. Captain Martinez Pacheco could only promise the various chiefs to transmit their proposals to the viceroy for approval. He did, however, distribute gifts among the visitors, and he gave his undivided support to Mission Nuestra Senora de la Luz to enable it to carry on its work. According to his figures he spent over a thousand ,pesos in clothing alone, and he supplied the Orcoquisacs with two beeves and ten bushels of corn a week. While awaiting for the decision of the viceroy, to whom he reported everything on June 14, he agreed to supply the rancheria of Chief Canos with one beef and five bushels of corn a week. 69 Burning of tlee Presidio de San A gustf.n de Ahumada. It is only natural that Martos y Navarrete should have felt jealous towards the new commander who had relieved him of the supervision of the presidio at Orcoquisac. He was incensed because Martinez Pacheco did not go to Los Adaes first to pay his respects to him as governor. Worse still, the new captain had not even informed him of his arrival until seven days later. The order to remove the presidio to Los Horconcitos, which sickness had prevented the governor from carrying out, had not been revoked. Taking this as an excuse, he went to Orcoquisac in June, 1764, accompanied by Father Calahorra, determined to put into effect the removal to Los Horconcitos. Martinez Pacheco was not pleased with the idea of the governor's interference in the conduct of affairs of his presidio. But he knew better than to oppose the action of the governor directly. Martos y Navarrete was surprised to find that neither the Indians nor the missionaries would agree to go to Los Horconcitos. In vain he tried to cajole them by threats and promises. 70 After a month's stay. the governor had to return to Los Adaes without accomplishing his purpose. He reported the matter to the viceroy, who repeated the 69 Papeles pertenecie11tes al Orcoqt1i!:a, cited in Bolton, Texas, pp. 365-366. 70 Later investigations disclosed that Martinez Pacheco had in fact bribed Chief Calzones Colorados and his followers to oppose the removal. Declaration of Calzones Colorados before Marcos Ruiz, January 2, 1765. Lamar Papers, No. 25.
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