Pursuant to the recommendation of oidor Pacheco of Guadalajara, a royal decree of 1709 ordered both the viceroy and the audiencia to intrust the spiritual conquest of the savage district to the famous Franciscan friar Margil de Jesus. Delays occurred, and the plan of Padre Margil was not matured till 1711. His suggestions were adopted and all needed aid promised, but he was instructed in case of failure to make careful observations which might be useful in the future. The good friar, with his companion, Fray Luis Delgado Cervantes, and six frontier caciques, set out for Guazamota. The Nayarit chief was notified of their intention, and permission to advance was denied. The Nayarits would sooner die than become Christians. Still, Father Margil pressed forward until stopped by hostile demonstrations. No miracle took place to soften the barbarian's heart. The chief insultingly gave the friars for supper a fox-skin stuffed wuth straw, and retired with his men to the mountains. This was too much for Christian digestion; and sadly the would-be apostles again turned back. By force alone could the gospel of peace be given to these obstinate heathen, and Father Margil now came to the sensible conclusion that the next attempt at conversion should be made with the assistance of at least a hundred well armed soldiers. But this was expensive, and Nayarit must wait.[1]
The next expedition was accompanied by a member of the company of Jesus. Obstacles now began to disappear, and compared with preceding attempts this one was almost a success. General Gregorio Matias de Mendiola, with thirty Spaniards, a hundred Indians, and some friars, arrived at Guazamota in 1715, early in December. In January 1716 the Nayarit
- ↑ Father Pablo Felipe wrote a report of this embassy from which comes the information in Apostólicos Afanes, 55-61. The date is made 1710 in Nayaritas, Rel., 6, and Pedro Alvarez de Roa is named as protector in that year. In the saint's life, Margil, Notizie, 67-72, it is stated that he was on the point of being killed during this journey, but that God struck terror into the hearts of the savages, thus saving his life.
