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Expediente, with the insertion of official letters from the .commander of the.presidio of La. Bahia, Don Manuel 'de Espadas, regarding the peace agreementmade by the.Indians of the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and the correspondingreplies of the interim governor of the province of Texas, Don 'Rafael MartinezPacheco, on the matteri [all of] which is sent to the lord commandant generalof these provinces, Don Juan de Vgalde, for his intelligence and­enlightenment about the situation.

Year of 1789Official letter of the commander of La Bahia

At about four in the afternoon today the Cuxan Indian. -name.d ManuelDelgado arrived unarmed, coming as an ambassador on behalf of his CopanoChief Balthazar. He said he was sent for the purpose of seeking:peace and thatsaid chief would come with all of those of his nation and the Christians of theformer. [He said] that if I. wished to go with. troops to speak with [trte chief]the ambassador himself wo.~lq. take us, or if not, that I should indicate to hima day to come visit me==The Indian can speak our language .well and givesmore evident signs that his peace is real. Nonetheless, since I am not thearbiter to deliberate upon such a delicate- matter, I am dispatching two soldiersin all haste / /lv to give you this report, so that you may adopt the courseyou find most fitting. I have arranged "for the Indian to tell his chief to cometo this [presidio] and talk with me a week from this date .during which timeyou can tell me .what I should determine in this particular. God keep youmany years. Bahia, October 26, I789=.=Manuel. de 'Espadas==Seftor DonRaphael Martinez Pacheco==

le.c., I-Iv pp., iIi E., 10/26/1789-6/5/1790]

Reply 'of the governor of "Texas

[1 am] apprised of your official letter of the .26th 'of th'e [month] now ending,wherein you inform me of the arrival at that presidio of the Cuxan" Indiannamed Manuel Delgado, unarmed, who comes as an emissary' on behalf ofhis Copane Chief Balthazar for the purpose of seeking peace, which aforesaid[chief] would come with all those from his nation and Christians from theformer [nation], leaving to your choice whether to go with troops to talk tohim [and] be taken by the emissary himself~ Regarding all this, I approve oftheir coming once they have solicited [pe.ace]. With this in mind, you shouldreceive them in love and peace [but with] caution--without letting themperceive it for any reason whatsoever--and certainly gr~at openness, so that/ /2 they might abandon their fear if they have any, despite their beingChristians and coming in search of [peace] and of settlement in a town or a

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nussion. You are to proceed in this manner with ,the. greatest freedom, sinceyou have it directly in hand, so as, to achieve our purpose .and their well- .being, as well as our own. God keep you many years. 'San Antonio de Bejar,October 29, 1789::;=Rafael Martine~ Pacheco==Senor :Don Manuel de Espadas.

[C.C., 1v-2 pp., in E.10/26/1789-6/5/1790]

-, 'Official letters from'. the commander ·of La- Bahia'

The time approaches for the apostate Christian Cuxane Indians to come infrom the coast and settle at their mission of Rosario, which they abandoned,and along with them the minor Copane .chief Balthazar,- ,with all his people,to settle at the same [mission]. Since the funds collected from [the:mission] bythe mission of Espiritu Santo are not sufficient to cover the costs thatactivating [Rosario] will entail--the ledger in which this aforesaid mission·kept the former's account indicating no more than sixty pesos which areowned and about two hundred or so head of bovine cattle--you will instructme whether I may draw from the Gratificaci6n Fund those [funds] that / /2vare needed for the subsistence and settlement of. those two nations==Gqqkeep. you many years. Bahia, November 4, 1789.' Manuel de Espadas==SenorDon Rafael Martinez Pacheco.

[C.C., in 2-2v pp., in E. 10/26/1789-6/5/1790]

Another

At about twelve o'clock today, the Indian Chief Balthazar, along with sevenother Christians, arrived at this presidio under my command· to speak withme about the peace which he seeks for himself, those of his nation, and allthe other renegades who are on the coast. After I had received him with greatpleasure, he, explained to me that he and his companions had come to meetme, and that he greatly wished for the past to be forgotten and for us to befriends. [He said] that because not all the people were together they could notdetermine whether they would come into the mission- until. they knew theopinion of everyone. Blit he begged. me to grant them permission in themeantime to enter and leave the presidio freely, as the Spanish could also doin going to the coast, because they w'ould do them no harm. This is all thathas taken place in substance, though //3 I. maintain great hopes of settlingthem at the mission. For that I shall work as hard as possible, as I am nowdoing, regaling them so that they lack nothing, for which they are verycontent and satisfied of my friendship. I inform you of this for yourintelligence [by] dispatching two soldiers. God keep you many years. Bahia,November 10, 1789==Manuel de Espadas==Senor Don Raf[ae]l Mart[ine]zPacheco.

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.- [e.c., 2v-3 pp.,·in E. 10/26/1789-6'/5/1790]

Reply from the governor of Texas

Apprised of your two official letters, dated the 4th and 10th of the current[month], with regard to the first one I say that when the Indians from thecoast make their arrival, try to encourage them to come into,these [SanAntonio] missions, from which come the majority of those -who ·have· fledfrom them. In this way their new settlement can exclude the mission"ofRosario, which has no means of affording the costs which will arise,' and [wewillI avoid the· small [costs] to the·, c;ratificaci-6n Fund. We still may not makedeterminations on this without a -superior order.

To the second one I will reply by saying that you should follow the flow withsaid Indians,. allowing them to come and go as they suggest while / /3v theyare all gathering. You should be constantly on the alert with the greatestcaution so that no tragic consequences occur. And with'regard to [the fact]that you cannot. impose upon them what is necessary for their resettlement,tranquility, and peace because it might not fit well with their way of thinkingor the principles by which they live, it is thus necessary to accede to theirrequests until they prove the good faith with which apparently they wish toproceed so that all the past may be forgotten. They doubtlessly [have] theintention of testing us to see if we act with some precaution or reservation,which we will never use for our part if we experience no treachery fromthem. [Let us] see what progress can be made with them==God keep youmany years. San Antonio de Bejar, Novembe.r 13; 1789==Rafael Martinezp'acheco==Senor Don Manuel de Espadas_

[C.C., 3-3v pp., in E. 10/26/1789-6/5/1790]

·Official letter from the commander of La Bahia

On this day appeared before me the Copane and Cuxane Indians who arehere, asking / / 4 me not to allow the transfer of Padre Reyes to his college--asI was just about to do--but to retain him, because they wanted to settle at amission and had already learned from other companions that the aforesaidpadre was good. They wanted only him to lead them and catechizethem==This sudden development [coming] without my having offeredanything at all to them, gave me occasion to send a letter to said padrebeseeching him not to abandon these miserable Indians and, if it wereagreeable to him, to suspend his journey until I so informed you. But theafore-mentioned letter was not even finished before the Indians were at themission, perhaps believing that the afore-mentioned minister was alreadyleaving them. They begged and promised him so much that he has been

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forced to delay his departure, for which the aforesaid Indians are very'content==I 'have not the slightest doubt that the powerful hand of God hasbeen' at work in this matter, and that we know clearly that His infinite mercydoes not want the poor souls of these apostates- to perish, but rather that theyfollow the true path of the Catholic religion and that they serve both [God andChurch?]. / /4v I have felt it very important to advise you of this so that youmay determine what is most fitting. Try (if you please) to make it as soon aspossible, so that I may take the measures that your prudence may dictate tome.

God keep you many ·years. Bahia, November 13, 1789==Manuel deEspadas==Senor Don ·Rafael Martinez Pacheco_-_

[C.C., 3v-4v pp.; in E. 10/26/1789-6/5/1790]

The afore-mentioned official letter wasforwarded to the padre president of these

missions, Frlay] lose .Fran[cis]co Lopez

In order not to waste an instant of time in the matter dealt with in the officialcommunication and letter which I forward to you from the commander of LaBahia, having just received them from two soldiers [traveling] with all'dispatch, I must dispatch them likewise with your opinion and consentregarding the plans of Padre Reyes until [we] see where the Indians' promisesand desires may lead, since there is always time for the padre to leave. Let notthis business go unaccomplished such that they might say that it was nevercarried out==God keep Your Reverence many years. San Antonio de Bejar,November 14, 1789, at ten in the evening==Rafael Martinez / /5

. Pacheco==Very Reverend Padre Frla~/J Jose Fran[cis]co Lopez.

[C.C., 4v-5 pp., in E. 10/26/1789-6/5/1790]

To the afore-mentioned official letterthe Reverend Padre President repliedto the foregoing letter [sic] as follows.

Senor Governor Don Rafael Martinez Pacheco----

Apprised of the official letter which the commander of La Bahia sent to you, Istate that it can only be the suggestion of Padre Reyes to the Indians, [judging]from my prior knowledge of his having done so with the captain ofNacogdoches. As a result of the latter's request, they have ordered me to send[Reyes], admitting no excuse whatsoever. For catechizing and indoctrinatingthe Indians I am here along with the other padres. You have already seen the

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deplorable state into which the mission 'of San Juan has fallen. This padredoes .not serve that purpose, but if despite everything, you insist that heremain, let it be for the best. But you will answer for the consequences, and\,\Thenever they occur I can claim that [Reyes] stayed at your request. I shallbequeath this role, which I regret to be as I have stated it. But I cannot helpbut speak with this frankness==I remain entirely yours,. asking-God to keepyour life many years and kissing your hand. FrlayIJose Fran[cis]coLopez==November 14, 1789.

[C.C., 5 p, in E. 10/.26/1789-6/5/1790]

/ /5v Reply of the .governor to .the commander of La BahiaCo·nfidential

At about ten in the evening yesterday the soldiers handed me your officialletter and personal letter dated the 14th of the current [month], and havingconcurred with your ideas, I sent them that same hour to the padre presidentof these [missions] Fr[ay] Jose Fran[cis]co Lopez. In his reply to me he stateswhat is contained in the adjoining copy. I enclose it to you so that, in itsknowledge, you might take the most conducive measures called for atpresent, and in case he is needed, do not neglect the indispensable stay of theReverend Padre Reyes while conducive steps are being taken. Our purpose isto achieve what these Indians have recently sought. Let it not be said thatbecause of us their reception failed to take place, when this matter haspreference against all obstacles because of the advantageous benefits atinterest. '!\That might happen in this particular and all the uncertaintiesabout it God only knows. But I think that their settlement at the mission ofRosario would be difficult, because there is nothing available forrehabilitating the mission with everything it needs. / /6 That is assumingthere is constancy among those Indians which no one can know==Our Lordkeep you many years. San Antonio de Bejar, November IS, 1789='=RafaelMartinez Pacheco== \

[C.C., 5v-6 pp., in E. 10/26/1789-6/5/1789]

Senor Don M[anue]l de EspadasOfficial letters from the commander of La Bahia

I am apprised of the particulars embraced by your official letter of the 13th ofthe current [month] in reply to my two of the 4th and 10th of the same[month]. With regard to [the suggestion] that the Indians who are from those[San Antonio] missions should return to them, they do not want it under anycircumstance because they say they hate them and that here is where theywant to be==[About] the second point, I must tell you that I am carrying out

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your instructions to go along with the aforesaid Indians. They are quitecontent and give no signs of malice, though I do not for this reason cease toexercise the greatest caution==Today four of them leave for the coast to bringback their families, the rest of the Christians, and other people. They told methat they are going to talk to the heathens to see if they want to come in. Fourremained here who do not wish to return to that place [on the coast]==I'cannot help but bring to your attention how greatly pressed I am with theexpenses ,116v to be generated (since, according to my information, they areall coming) and I do not know what direction to take in this matter, althoughwith, respect to the mission, it will cost little to finish rebuilding it. Theconvent, sacristy, wall,' and two other rooms are fine', and would provide mesome consolation, because it 'would be an unimaginable shame to waste sucha worthy opportunity wherein [we] can achieve the salvation of many souls.For this reason I wish you would tell me categorically what I should do if allthe Indians come, so as not to have to provide money under anycircumstance. I fervently hope that I will not get into some embarrassmentfrom which it will be hard to extract myself later==God keep you many years.Bahia, November 18, 1789==Manuel de Espadas==Sefior Don Rafael MartinezPacheco.

[e.c., 6-6v pp., in E. 10.26.1789-6/5/1790]

AnotherConfidential

I have seen--not without some considerable amazement--your confidentialofficial letter dated the 15th of the current [month] and- the adjoining copy

- sent to you by the reverend padre interim president of those missions, 117Fr[ayl Jose Fran[cis]co Lopez. With full awareness and understanding of thespirit of the latter, I must say that the antagonism of this- minister toward theReverend -Padre Reyes is well known, yet I do not know what has given riseto his contempt. What is certain [is] that it has been as far from being thesuggestion of this padre to the Indians as it [would be] to attempt to gather thestars with one's hands. Earlier [Reyes?] told me not to believe that [theIndians] were to be settled in missions, because they were very obstinate. Nordid he speak to them more than once in my presence, and he never returneduntil he was already mounted on his horse [to travel] along with PadreCardenas. That was when the Indians asked me for him, and it was verydifficult to get him to consent to remain==That the mission of San Juan is inpoor condition is not recent news, because it has always been so. From theday he arrived there [Reyes] promised to raise it with just the fund of sixhundred pesos that they had provided him. But there was no one whowould guarantee the money for him, and that is not the fault of this poorpriest==What is certain is that the Indians adore him because [he is] selflesswithout neglecting his duties, and they say that they hate' all the [priests] at

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. those missions. I do not know where' the .reason for this might lie, but I am

. told / /7v that the minor chief Balthazar went so far as to sa·y that he wouldrather be killed or die an apostate than go to one of [those missions]. Thus itis clear that if some minister comes from there, as Padre Lopez suggests, noIndians will're~ain after they all flee. [I am] assuming they will opt.to tend totheir respective missions and not seek to increase their labors==According tomy information, Padre Reyes is 'a great missionary, and the reason they do notlike him (if I understand correctly) is that he is little d.evoted to self interest,[un]like those whom we see praising the poverty' of our seraphic father SanFrancisco, but neither 'emulating it nor feeling any shame at 'seeing how farthey are from it. Ultimately, you will decide what you please, in theknowledge that the sole interest which I take in this pa'rticular is that the poorIndians be contente.d, and no other==God keep you many years. Bahia,November 19, '1789==Manuel de Espadas==Senor Don Rafael MartinezPacheco==

[e.c., 6v-7v pp., in E. 10/26/1789-6/5/1790]

Reply of the governor of Texas

'Having read your two official letters I 18 of the 18th and 19th of the current[month], I say to the first and the second that, once the Cujane and CopaneIndians have entered with their families into the presidio and mission of

. Rosario--abandoned by them for so many years--according. to His Majesty'sthinking it becomes necessary and indispensable for the peace and calm of theprovince [and] the conversion .of their souls to provide them with all the aidthat we can obtain at present for their subsistence, even though no one canguarantee their permanence and constancy, which consists solely of their willand desire to be saved, toward which purpose we are obligated to apply everymeasure. This is a task of such interest to the service of both Their Majestiesand the tranquility of the inhabitants of that .presidio, and through themediation of [the Christian Indians] and their familiarity with the heathenCarancahuases of the·· same coast [we] can attract them to achieve the samegoal. But these. works and virtues have so many competitors and enemies, as·Christ 'our Lord left us an example, and thus all of us who contribute to thesuccess of such a laudable enterprise are going to suffer persecution from themalicious envy of 118v our enemies, such as I did at Orcoquiza with theIndians of that aforesaid nation, the Atacapas, and the Vidais. I spent over sixthousand six hundred pesos out of my pocket in their settlement, which sumhas not been paid or reimbursed to me, though j spent four years insuspension in order to clarify the justice of my case. In the year 1773, I wascharged with the command of the presidios at Coahuila and the founding of

.the presidios.~long the Line. Having punished the Mescalero Indians whowere committing hostilities in said province, contained the Lipanes, and thenraised a company to' establish the presidio of La Bavia, and having spent on its

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construction twelve thousands pesos of -my own in "addition to the four[thousand] provided by the king, in recompense -for all this service theenemies of both Their Majesties and of myself managed to vacate mycommand and ·retire me, charging me with avarice. I later filed similarclaims against these same-[people]. I have sought to relate all these latterexamples so that you will r~alize what I experienced and continue to '

,experience for 'my afore-mentioned services in the matter of [self-] interest,because I was not able / /9 to go in person to Mexico to clarify the injusticewhich was done to -me and [continues] to be done..B.ut since.. God:.is the onewho guides all things. and gives to whom He pleases the reason to earn merit,I will accept what emerges with time and his Divine Majesty desires.' Enterwith all this knowledge ·.into the work of resettling the Indians about whomwe are speaking. at the mission which they have sought and still seek. I -shallapprove everything you might cunderta·ke toward such a goal, ·with the'understanding. that for their subsistence I can .see no -other recourse for theirmaintenance than for you to select a squad of 'six men and a corporal, or thosewhom you think best, all of recognized and exemplary conduct, so that theymight help [the Indians] to capture beef [cattle] in order to provide them witha ration of orejano stock, keeping an account of what they round up eachweek. This is our only recourse at present, and if by chance they shouldrequire some other thing for their maintenance, it will be provided throughthe [Gratificacion] Fund in the form of a loan, while the superior authorities

,are not~_fied for their .approval if they so please. And the same [is true] forwhatever is provided to the padre minister Fr[ay] Jose Mariano Reyes I /9v .

,from the college of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, for it is he whom [theIndians] have requested ·and· not another, obliging him to suspend hisjourney to the college with foot already in stirrup to set out under ordersfrom his prelate. Therefore you must urge ·said padre to remain with a calms.pirit in order to .achieve the purpose of his institution and of the aforesaidIndians and their families: the conversion of their souls, which is of suchimportance==lf all the above is not enough and you can think of any betterrecourse, advise me of it upon the arrival upon the arrival [sic] of the Indiansand their families. This is as much as I can tell you categorically, as you ask,without being able to free you from [all] responsibility. As I have explainedabove, I have carried [responsibilites] for the same purpose, supplying thecosts from my own assets==God keep you many years. San Antonio de Bejar,November 26, 1789. Rafael Martinez Pacheco==Senor Don Manuel deEspadas.

[C.C., 7v-9v pp., inE. 10/26/1789-6/5/1790]

Official letter from the commander of La Bahia

Having read your official letter of the 26th of / /10 November last, I say thatsince there stillremairl at this presidio some of the Indians from the coast

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\\l"aiting for the rest who are to join their mission of Rosario, as I havereported to you, I shall arrange to have cattle brought from the site of Milpitasfor their maintenance. And with respect to other expenses which theirsubsistence might occasion, I will carry a separate account to be kept until theapproval of the lord command~ntgeneral, in the form of a loan to be chargedto the Gratificaci6n Fund=:;I hope you will tell me whether I might make useof the small,sum I have in the Mesteiias Fund, since that would not be a badresource so that, in case what [we] have decided upon this matter were not tothe liking of his lordship, I would not .be p.ut at such a disadvantage in theexpenditures which arise until the. final resolution of [the settlement of] saidIndians==I have no resources with which to meet the expenses which mightarise, and thus I beseech you to handle this matter with the attention calledfor by the limitations of my salary. For my part, I will economize to the extentpossible on any-surplus. This is all I have to ask of you in this particular./ /10v May Our Lord God keep your life many' years. Bahiai December 5,1789;:::=Manuel de Espadas==Sefior Don Rafael Martinez Pacheco.

[C.C., 9v-10v pp., in E. 10/26/1789-6/5/1790]

Reply of the governor of Texas

By your ·official.letter of the 5th of the current [month] in reply to mine of the6th [i.e. 26th] of November last, I am informed of its contents. With respect towhat you propose to me [about] whether you can make use of the 'Mesteiiasmohey for the expenses which arise with the Indians from the coast, there isno way to do so because I have orders to that effect. You should use theGratificaci6n Fund, which is destined for this purpose and increased forsame, in the form of a loan. God keep you many years. San Antonio deBejar, December 7, 1789==Rafael Martinez Pacheco==Seftor Don Manuel deEspadas.

[e.c., lOv p., in E. 10/26/1789-6/5/1790]

Official letter from the commander of La Bahia

In spite of the disease which is raging and the suffering of the Indians of thecoast, / /11 the latter have proven their good faith. Capitan Grande (as Ireported to you in an official letter of the 12th of the [month] now ending) aswell as the- other people of his nation appeared on the 28th of the same[month] with a trust that demonstrated the freedom from care which we canenjoy from here on==AII of them have been satisfied as to to your goodnessof heart and my intentions in bringing them in, and that they will encounterno violation of our true peace agreement. Because of this (God willing) [we]have managed to get the aforesaid chief to take it upon himself to convince

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the renegade Christians to come into their mission of Rosario. For thispurpose I spare no measure, despite the needs and the scarcity of money, thisbeing the object of an enterprise so acceptable in the sight of God and of theking==The good faith of the afore-cited chief has become so great that, topromote more trust, he tells me he intends to go and see you. I hope that ifthis happens, there being more resources there, that you will do as much aspossible for your part, so that he and about sixteen gandules / /llv who areaccompanying him will not waver in what they have promised, and wemight have the good fortune to show our superiors that although they hadproscribed them, it has been found ve,ry advantageous [to pursue] thefriendship which [the Indians] t~emselves sought by coming to our forts.God keep you many years. Bahia, De~ember 29, 1789==Manuel deEspadas==Seiior Don Rafael Martinez Pacheco==

[C.C., 10v-l1v pp., in E.10/26/1789-6/5/1790]

Year of 1790

Reply of the governor of Texas

I have felt incomparable pleasure at the [pending] visit of the Indian CapitanGrande, the Carancahuases, and' the sixteen Indians who accompanied him,overcoming the difficulty of the disease which their people are suffering.This is one of their virtues which is worthy of praise, because if one of themis dying it will be with the holy water of Baptism. Also [praiseworthy is] hisdesire to come see me, and I will receive him with open arms and regale himwith what ~ can, as I did for his sons and his son-in-law, Jose Maria. Theresult is that he who sows with good / /12 will, even though it may beamong among [sic] the hard rocks, reaps God's harvest, as is happening now.With this. I give answer to your official letter of the 19th of the previousmonth==God keep you many years. San Antonio de Bejar, January 4,1790==Rafael Martinez Pacheco==Sefior Don Manuel de Espadas.

[e.c., 11v-12 pp., in E. 10/26/1789-6/5/1790]

[M.S. marginal note:"Here is entered the letterof Padre Reyes on thecoming of the Car~ncahuases,

dated the 12th of January"]

[N., 12 p., in E. 10/26/1789-6/5/1790]

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Official letter of the Icommander of La Bahia )

I have in hand the copy of the confidential official letter sent to you by thelord commandant general regarding the Indians of the coast. Consequently,in order to report on all the points which are discussed in it with thenecessary secrecy and caution, it seems best that I go- personally to reconnoiterthe areas possible for me to traverse among those islands in order to make anextensive survey and provide you a detailed account,==If you approve of thisdecision, I have determined to put it into effect as soon as the two chiefsreturn who are setting out today for those parts to bring in other families whohad 110t come because of illness==So that this may produce the good results/ /12v' which our superior commander desires and for which I yearn, I. shalltake in my company the two afore-cited chiefs and a few others from the samenation--from among those .whom I recognize to have the best dispositiontoward me--so that they might show me the sites, watering places, canoes, andthe rest, with the constant idea of coaxing them--in the fashion that prudencedictates to me as best--to show me the items from wrecked ships to be foundin those pla,ces, thus to render a detailed account as you order me to do==Godkeep you many years. Bahia, March 4, 1790=.=Manuel de Espadas==Sefior DonRafael Martinez de Pacheco.

[C.C., 12-12v pp., in E. 10/26/1789-6/5/1790]

Reply of the governor Having read what you tell me in your official letterof Texas of the 4th of the month, which made reply to the onewhich I forwarded to you from the lord 'commandant general regarding theIndians of the coast,. I feel that you have a good plan in going personally--withall necessarycaution--to reconnoiter ~s many islands and locales as possible inthe company of the two chiefs / /13 from the islands, when they return. Youshould undertake this when it seems right and timely, without stirring themup and following the flow with them. By this means may we achieve a goalof such interest to the- service of both Their Majesties and to the fulfillment ofour superior orders==God keep you many years. San Antonio de Bejar, March17, 1790==Rafael Martinez Pacheco==Sefior Don Manuel de Espadas.

[C.C., 12v-13 pp., in £.10/26/1789-6/5/1790]

Official letter of the By virtue of what you instruct me in an official lettercommander of La ot the 17th of the current [month], granting meBahia permission to go to the coast to reconnoiter it as wellas the adjacent islands, accompanied by the··Carancahuaz chiefs and Balthazar,of the Copanes, and whatever gandules might wish to go, I anxiously desireit, as much to please our general as yourself, and also to be familiar with the

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country, its settings, bays, and everything else. But according to the currentsituation, because the Lipana and Apache nations / /13v are in such revolt, itseems to me that it would be better (unless you think otherwise) to give alittle time to see if this pernicious nation gives [us] the opportunity to carrythis out. The combination of my being alone and having to attend toeverything makes it impossible for now to make this survey with thedispatch which is required. Even though I have here Alferez Don FranciscoBazquez, the latter is occupied in carrying out his duties. At any rate,however, I shall still try to make the aforesaid reconnaissance before ourcommander returns from carnpaign==As to the manner in which I am toconduct myself with the aforesaid chiefs and the others, I believe that I amcausing them no displeasure'and actually pleasing them with what they haveseen up to now. Whatever is in my power, I am doing for them, much of itfrom my own pocket. I consider it well spent because it results in benefit toGod, the king, and the good of the / /14 fatherland==God keep you manyyears. Bahia, March 24, 1790. Manuel de Espadas==Seflor Don RafaelMart[ine]z Pacheco.

[C.C., 13-14 pp., in E. 10/25/1789-6/5/1790]

Reply of the governor Although in my official letter of the 17th of theof Texas current [month] I told you to prepare to travel to thecoast along with the principal chiefs from there when you thought it best andopportune, I repeat it now so that you may carry it out when the weatheroffers the best advantage and no other obstacles arise to take precedence. Ireiterate this in view of the permission which you request of me in an officialletter of the 24th of the aforesaid month==Manuel de Espadas==Seflor Don[MS insert: "God keep you many years. San Ant[oni]o de Bejar, March 29,1790. Rafael Mart[ine]z Pacheco. Senor Don Man[ue]l de Espadas"]

[C.c. 14 p., in E. 10/26/1789-6/5/1790]

Missing here is the official letterof the commander of La Bahia,which contained the list of theIndians on hand, dated June 30,along with its reply.

[N., 14 p., in E. 10/26/1789-6/5/1890]

This is a copy of the originals, which are filed in the archives of thisgovernment. San Antonio de Bejar, June 5, 1990.

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