The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 30, July 1926 - April, 1927 Page: 289
330 p. : maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Descriptions of Tejas or Asinai Indians, 1691-1722 289
what I have experienced that, if it be possible, it would be to
our interest if no man came without his wife. However, I real-
ize that, on account of what little there is in the mission, it is
impossible unless the Indian patches are robbed. Before I left
the mission of Santiago, a letter was written me giving me in-
formation of the people that were on their way to Texas, and of
the flocks they were bringing. I read this letter to the captains
and nobles who were altogether in a council. The first thing
they noticed in the letter was that the men were coming without
their wives, and they knew that there would [necessarily] be
additional men to guard the stock. If objections be made to
these few, how much greater objection will be raised, your Ex-
cellency, if a great number come into this country to stay.
Every day these Indians ask me whether the Spaniards are going
to bring their wives with them when they come back. I tell
them yes. But in spite of everything they do not give me any
credence. They tell me that I must write to Your Excellency,
their great captain, and tell you in this missive that they want
to be friends, but if the Spaniards want to live among them it
must be under such conditions that no harm will be done the
Indians by the Spaniards if they do come without their wives;
but, if the Spaniards bring their wives, the Indians will be
satisfied.
I must say that the demand of these Indians is just and rea-
sonable. And it has already been agreed to. I know from ex-
perience gained upon two occasions when duty to the church
called me to the work of conversion that this will be wise; and
it will be well to leave for my protection three or four unmar-
ried men. I have been much distressed and feared to lose all
the fruit that might be produced; and, therefore, prostrate at
your feet, I beg of Your Excellency to look with favor upon this
work which is so pleasing to the Lord, that it should not be lost.
And do not send criminals taken from the prisons, or bachelors,
or vagabonds, who, when they are here, away from home where
there are no Christians, would commit great atrocities, and, by
their depraved lives and bad example, counteract the efforts of
the ministers, depriving them of the fruit of these souls of the
Indians. It would be better for that class of men to be sent
somewhere else where they can be kept down with lash in hand.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 30, July 1926 - April, 1927, periodical, 1927; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117142/m1/315/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.