Architecture

F.134 concerns levying 5-peso yearly tax on carriage owners to cover cost of grading roads. Response that such tax wouldn't raise enough, should resort to measures such as zevada. ff.136-139 concerns failure of water supply to convent Balvanera (1800). Ff.140-155 concern Vega's objection to grading done on streets around his property. (it seems he contracted work, but wasn't pleased with result; refuses to pay.) F.146 is accounts of cost of materials, labor for waterpipes, grading. (A. Dean, September 1989)

Ff.117-119 concern Maria Lopez' request that her Brother Pedro inherit position as guard of aqueduct of Guadalupe, formerly held by her Husband Jose Arellano, now deceased (her signed letter to viceroy included, 1809). Ff.120-121, letter from Bentura Arellano (Father of Jose) asking that his other son Gabriel be given same job; apparently granted (1770). Another letter from 1809 states that Pedro was appointed, then fired for poor service, and replaced by Huerta. Ff.128-130 unrelated, concern putting up guard rails along sidewalk in Mexico City to keep carriages from running over pedestrians. (A. Dean, September 1989)

Unrelated documents concerning works overseen by Santa Maria (maestro arquitecto mayor). F.82 concerning water supply to Tochimilco. F.85 is plan of church to be built in Teusitlan, concerning construction, collecting tithes from citizens except Indians, poor people. F.90 concerns construction of new road between Atlixco, Mexico City. F.93 concerns adding icons (plasterwork?) To church in tehuicinco. (A. Dean, September 1989)

Scrambled, unrelated documents concerning construction, destruction of public works. Mentions flooding of Cuebas road, Tlahuac, other places. Ff.60-71 concern citizens of Tamiagua trying to raise enough money to get jail built (1796). F.74 describes miserable state of Indians in Tlaxcala, starving, unable to save crops from continual flooding of Zahuapan River. F.77 Lira suggests reducing Indians to get them out of Tlaxcala, as he found them insufferable to begin with (1795). (A. Dean, September 1989)

Several unrelated documents concerning administration of public works, comission for water supply. Water pipes in Sultepec in poor state due to neglect by Lopez (who seems to have embezzled funds for maintenance). Mentions lack of water to Balbanera convent, various sites; discusses repair, responsibility. (A. Dean, September 1989)

Main theme of documents is secularization of missions, positive, negative effects of it. First group of folios, however, concerns construction of church at Ygollo, project commissioned to several craftsmen whose work is later found shoddy; governor demands revision of architectural plans, assessment of work to date; new master 'albaniles' hired; new plans (folio 3), itemized cost of supplies, salaries submitted; Pison Indian, Balthasar de la Cruz, major proponent of project; he and Young Boy only Pisones remaining at mission, Pames in area not interested in church. Topic of documents shifts as discussion turns to inventorying of 'temporalidades' at several abandoned/secularized missions, including that at Ygollo, now controlled by 'justicias'; 'frayes' assigned to travel to missions and inventory goods, including cattle, furniture, tools, etc.; delayed by severe drought; inventories finally taken; also included are accounts of cattle, etc. Received, purchased from missions by 'ministros.' following inventories, discussion of decadence suffered by missions since their secularization ensues; no longer able to convert, 'reduccir' Indians, buildings in poor physical condition. Final folios include 'memorias' dealing with issues mentioned above. (L. Kerr, June 1989)

Series of documents recounting events concerning construction of churches in Chihuahua and Santa Eulalia. In 1727 merchants and miners of those villages donated 80,000 pesos in silver for churches, but silver was appropriated by military for war effort. Villagers lodged complaint, which was considered in 1787, and in 1790 resolved that money be returned. (A. Dean, January 1989)

Concerns Series of documents dealing with the construction of a church in Teul. Indians who are building the church asked their freedom in exchange for free labor they are providing. Indian auxiliaries from Teul solicit the grant of land for favors provided to the king in the conquest of Nayarit (document gives account of the events in which Indians helped the captain fighting Indian enemies in Nayarit. (M. Marroquin, July 1989)

Concerns letters reporting the need for a new church since much of the province's life depend on it, I.e. Indians being baptized, taxes, agriculture, Diezmos y primicias etc. Budget for new construction is 44,000 pesos. Notice that Indians are constructing a new church given. Old church destroyed by earthquake. (M. Marroquin, June 1989)