Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/334

314 not within the pass. From this time, the Franciscans seem to have had a station there.

It was also in 1617 that Acaponeta was attacked and destroyed by a force said to have come from Durango, and which seems to have incited a revolt of the natives in this region. Aid soon came from Guadalajara and Guadiana however, and peace was restored. It is not unlikely that Arisbaba was in command of the reënforcement sent on this occasion, and that it was against the destroyers of Acaponeta that the alliance of the Gran Nayarit was utilized. In 1667, and again a few years later, the Franciscans drew from Nayarit some converts for their outside missions. According to a royal decree of 1673 the friars were to be aided in their efforts, but nothing more was done during the century.

In 1701 Captain Francisco Bracamonte, who seems to have been military commander on the frontier, had gained the friendship of the Nayarits, and was even known as protector of the Gran Nayar. Governor Gutierre of Nueva Galicia now proposed to use his influence in the subjugation of their territory. Bracamonte, not without misgivings, accepted the offer, and with several priests, escorted by a dozen soldiers, set about his task. The Nayarits were indignant at this action of their friend, and forbade all further advances. Foolishly Bracamonte was induced by his companions to go on and enter the pass known as El Simon. The result was that only one of the ill-fated band escaped, badly wounded, the rest being slain with their commander.

The natives now became more aggressive in their policy. In 1702 there were tumults on the frontier, during which the Nayarits not only sheltered fugitives,