430 TRINIDAD. 



during the period extending from 1640 to 1687 : Martin de 

 Mendoza y la Hoz ; Juan de Urpin ; Christobal de Vera ; Pedro 

 de Brizuela ; Pedro de Padilla ; Juan de Viedena ; Jose de Aspe 

 y Zufiiga; Francisco Ventura y Rada; Juan Bautista de 

 Valdez ; Juan Bravo de Acufia ; Diego Ximenes de Aldama ; 

 Francisco de Rivera y Galindo ; and Juan de Padilla y Guar- 

 diala. 



It was about this time (1687) that one Rodriguez Leite, 

 conceived the idea of bringing the Indians to civilisation, not bj 

 compulsion, but by persuasion. He, therefore, prepared a plai 

 of evangelical missions, and addressed a memorial to the Bisho] 

 of Porto Rico, which was, by him, forwarded to the Court of 

 Spain with pressing recommendations. Accordingly a Royal 

 Cedula was issued in 1687, prescribing the formation of villages 

 or missions of convert Indians, who were declared exempt froi 

 all taxation for a period of twenty years. They could no mort 

 be compelled to work on private properties. These missions wert 

 established by the Aragonese Capuchin Fathers. It was alsc 

 about this time that a Governor was appointed for Trinidad, 

 Don Antonio de Leos y Echales, the colony still remaining 

 dependency of Cumana. To him we may trace a regular civil 

 organisation. Before his appointment the Spanish colonists tool 

 unauthorised possession of the public lands, whether they worke( 

 them or not. 



Five missions, or villages, were established by the Capuchii 

 Fathers ; viz., that of Purissima Conception, where San Fernand< 

 is now built ; that of Annunciacion of Savanna Grande, now th< 

 village of Savanna Grande or Princestown ; that of San Jose, 

 in Montserrat, near the Mayo river, at a spot where there still 

 exist a few vestiges of the old village ; that of Santa Anna de 

 la Savanetta, on Rivulet Estate; and that of San Francisco 

 de Arenales, somewhere near Tumpuna. The Indians of this 

 village, having heard that the Governor was coming on a visit 

 of inspection, took fright and traitorously murdered the mis- 

 sionaries, after which they laid in ambush for the Governor and 

 his suite, whom they also massacred. However, they paid dearly 

 for their treachery, as they were chased like wild beasts, and 

 killed almost to the last man. 



In the year 1690 the French attacked Trinidad, under the 

 conduct of Levassor de la Touche. The leader was severely 



