The two pueblos on the Colorado, 1780-1781: a settlement founded without congregación, and why it ended

In 1780 Spain founded two pueblos among the Quechan at the Colorado crossing on a formula it had not used in the Indies: no congregación, no mission regime, Indians free to join if the settlers' example attracted them, friars present only to teach and give the sacraments. The friars objected that this was cheapness dressed as policy, and warned that the fifty-three men sent were too few. On 17 July 1781 the Quechan rose at Mass and killed the four friars, the soldiers and the settlers.