The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 15, July 1911 - April, 1912 Page: 188
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188 Texas Historical Association Quarterly
1747, but as several of them were undertaken largely for the pur-
pose of obtaining servants they served only to arouse the further
enmity of the Apaches.
But what campaigns and conciliatory measures had failed to
accomplish was gradually being brought about by pressure upon
the Apaches of their arch enemies, the Comanches. As the latter
pushed down into the territory occupied by the Lipans (Apaches),
these once proud and haughty Indians were forced to turn to the
hated whites for protection. In 1749 a great peace was con-
chided with the tribes to the northeast of San Antonio, and the
Apaches assured the Spaniards that they wished to live in pueblos
under the instruction of the missionaries. With the conclusion of
this treaty, the prospects for the conversion and reduction of the
Lipans began to seem probable, and renewed efforts were made to
accomplish this end.
II. MISSIONARY EFFORTS BEFORE 1752
1. Summary of Progress up to 1749.-So far as the available
records show, only three definite proposals for missionary work
among the Apaches in Texas had been made previous to 1743. In
1723 and 1724, Father Gonzilez, stationed at the San Antonio
missions, had tried to conciliate them and bring about their con-
version. In 1725 Father Hidalgo had asked for permission to go
alone to their country and work for their salvation. And in 1733
Father Vergara, recognizing the importance of their reduction,
had urged that missions be given them. It was ten years before
another proposal was made. In March, 1743, Father Benito Fer-
nandez de Santa Ana, president of the San Antonio missions, sent
a messenger to the viceroy bearing communications in which he
urged that immediate steps be taken for the conversion of the
Apaches. On account of the hostile attitude of the Comanches and
their increased pressure upon the Apaches, the latter, he believed,
would welcome the protection of the Spaniards, and a presidio in
their midst would not only free San Antonio from their hostili-
ties, but would also enable a rich mineral region to be opened up.
The captain of B6xar had just sent in a petition asking for per-
mission to make a new campaign against the Apaches, and, owing
to the conflicting statements concerning the peaceful disposition
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 15, July 1911 - April, 1912, periodical, 1912; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101056/m1/193/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.