Agriculture

Concerns invasion of los Adaes by French and of the possible French invasions of Penzacola and New Mexico. Governors of Coahuila and San Antonio are to be asked for military support. (R. Graham) (1979)

(D. Coates) (1980)

Parra petitions Peru for more farm land. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Letters of Diego de Borica concerning presidial affairs, including provision/maintenance of weapons, prohibition against replacing sick soldiers with Paisanos of area, prohibition against la concurrencia a fandangos de la Tropa Por lo que en ellos pierde el decoro de unos oficiales de onor. (pp.135), planting of barley (cebada) around El Paso. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Account of money spent on Janos fabrica material, including type/prices of foodstuffs fed to workers (maiz, haba beans, salt, wheat, Chile, etc.) (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Concerns proposed expedition to Cerro Prieto to attack Seri, Pima rebels there. Corbalan describes Cerro Prieto, noting its rugged terrain, and many thickets (malezas) impeding movement. States Seris, Pimas live in canyons there. Vividly describes hardships such a military campaign would entail, especially for european soldiers unaccustomed to desert. Indian guerrilla tactics. Notes need for 200 soldiers- 100 dragones, 100 Infanteria, 300 Opata auxiliaries, 200 Yaqui auxiliaries. Opatas called muy fiel, and los mejores Guerreros despues de los Jovas. Yaquis to serve primarily as laborers. Feels 150 soldiers can be secured from six Sonora presidios, especially those of Altar, Buenavista and San Miguel, since Fronteras, Tubac, Terrenate have to guard against Apache. Total expedition to consist of 1050 men- 550 Spaniards (200 infantry, the rest cavalry, including 200 Milicianos), 300 Indian auxiliaries. Soldiers cautioned to treat Indian auxiliaries well. 200 men to be sent in Canoas to Tiburon to cut off rebel retreat, rest of troops to surround, penetrate Cerro Prieto. Discusses procurement of food supplies, other necessities. Describes problem of finding enough ships to bring troops from Matanchel, Acapulco to Guaymas. States pearl boats may be used, but no saber con puntualidad el numero de los sugetos que hacen Este trafico. describes benefits- both material, spiritual, to be gained from Seri, Pima reduccion. Excellent overview of preparations for military campaign. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Documents relating to frontier military affairs in Nuevo Leon, 1741, including- peace treaty between gobernador Junco y Espriella and Francisco, Indian capitan general of Tortugas, Guamarejos and other Indian groups- Indians given presents, declined to live in pueblos porque Estavan bien en los monttes, but promised to keep peace; peace treaty with Andres, Indian leader of Cacalotes; peace treaty with Tomas, Indian leader of Nazas; peace treaty with Andres Trevino, Indian leader of Cadimas, peace treaty with Domingo Juan de Leon, capitan of agutipejos, peace treaty with Juan de la Cruz, capitan of Pajantos; peace treaty with Marcos de Villanueva, capitan of Pintos Pamoranos, Quiniquanos, Come Crudos and other groups; peace treaty with Francisco Galvan capitan of Narizes; peace treaty with Indian leaders of rancherias of Pinto, Quiniquano, Pamorano Indians; petition of Monterrey vecinos for 90 presidial soldiers to be stationed in Nuevo Leon; petition of sargento mayor Sanchez de Zamora for 2 presidios of 60 soldiers each; testimony of various vecinos concerning ruin of province due to Indian raids, especially theft of livestock which Indians carry off to Sierra de Tamaulipas; gobernador Junco y Espriella's assessment of problem, noting inadequacy of Boca de Leones (7 soldiers), Cerralbo (12 soldiers) presidios, citing need for presidiales in Linares area to guard farms, haciendas de oveja of eastern Nuevo Leon. Boca de Leones presidio functioned solely to guard mines. Cerralbos 30 leagues away. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Regidor Galbes notes lack of seeds because of crop failures due to lack of rain during previous year. Requests shipment of maiz, harina to Villa de San Phelipe. States such provisions can be gathered from throughout Nueva Vizcaya at el Pasaje presidio and shipped to San Phelipe under guard. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

A general account of the status of missionizing efforts. Included is a general description of- the land and its productivity; the division of labor among the reducidos, and their proper interaction with the Spanish. Some Pima baptism figures are cited. It is noted that Sinaloa is the poorest, least productive province, and that the missions give ample supplies (including Indians) to military campaigns. (R. Perez) (1977)

Leon notes lack of government in Tlascalteco Pueblo, or Pueblo of mission Indians of San Francisco de Coaguila, lack of vigilance against enemy Indians. Orders election of Indian officials. Lays down numerous regulations concerning Indians. Orders patrols 3 times a week- once by 4 presidial soldiers, other times by Indians themselves- to guard against hostile Indians. Mentions crews have to be assigned to clean acequias and caminos of Indian pueblos. (T. Sheridan) (1977)