Their most obvious function was to save the souls of Indians, but they also assisted civilian settlements and presidios in extending and holding the frontier,” [Chipman 1992: 248]. The push toward permanent settlement in Texas was a driving force for the viceroy to urge missionary friars with the hope of converting Native Americans. However, the viceroy was not only sending friars to settle the area, they were accompanied by soldiers. It was the duty of the soldiers to aid the missionary efforts to enforce, “…allegiance to the political interests of the mother country,” [McCaleb 1961: 30]. The friars and the soldiers worked hand in hand to ensure that loyalties to the Spanish crown were maintained, the territory occupied remained in Spanish ownership, and that the local communities would convert to a Spanish lifestyle that included practicing Catholicism. It was not enough to simply set up missions in claimed territory, the viceroy had to select advantageous locations that would keep the French at bay, as well as have enough local life for the friars to convert and live in the
Their most obvious function was to save the souls of Indians, but they also assisted civilian settlements and presidios in extending and holding the frontier,” [Chipman 1992: 248]. The push toward permanent settlement in Texas was a driving force for the viceroy to urge missionary friars with the hope of converting Native Americans. However, the viceroy was not only sending friars to settle the area, they were accompanied by soldiers. It was the duty of the soldiers to aid the missionary efforts to enforce, “…allegiance to the political interests of the mother country,” [McCaleb 1961: 30]. The friars and the soldiers worked hand in hand to ensure that loyalties to the Spanish crown were maintained, the territory occupied remained in Spanish ownership, and that the local communities would convert to a Spanish lifestyle that included practicing Catholicism. It was not enough to simply set up missions in claimed territory, the viceroy had to select advantageous locations that would keep the French at bay, as well as have enough local life for the friars to convert and live in the