Biography

Rangel as executor brings case against Barrio as Fiador (guarantor) of debts of (E)ulate. Money from confiscated items belonging to the Jesuits, now property of the state is also at issue for debt repayment. Long list of (E)ulate's creditors provided. Barrio's defense is that as Fiador he is not liable and therefore suit against him is illegal. (J. M. Johnson, October 1989)

Armesto instructs Landazuri, Aguilar and Barajas to put up boundary posts (mojones) for defining taxable lands belonging to California missions. Bermudez had usurped land for cattle, sheep and horse haciendas. Ladron de Guevara carefully chronologically traces ownership of parcels in question from original grants by viceroy in 1613. Detailed information on surveying geography, and inheritance, land use, rents and improvements through 1765 to disprove Bermudez' claim of possession. Bermudez ordered to effects, etc. Found acting in bad faith; ordered to return all property illegally obtained and fined 3000 pesos. Moctezuma provided costs of damage incurred to lands by Bermudez' misuse. Interesting primarily because of prominence of several major women heirs and for extracts of 17th century land documents. (J. M. Johnson, August 1989)

Mostly dull legal, repetitive material but useful perhaps for tracing chronological process of testimony and defense of the Jesuit missions. Marmolejo's Father in 1735 borrowed sum to establish sheep hacienda. Proceedings include tracing profits from that time and past due of interest and Principal. Decision made to embargo Marmolejo's effects and entrust them to third party until final decision. Marmolejo disappears and when authorities appear at his home to enforce this, his wife informs them she knows nothing of his whereabouts nor the effects. They are informed that Marmolejo will only appear in presence of impartial men whom he trusts. This condition guaranteed, he provides information on hacienda's economic status, his inheritance; strongly insisting he has complied with known obligations. Decision made against him. He has two years to pay debt of 1407 pesos to get his effects back. Armesto writes letter of appreciation to officials for expediting claim for welfare of missions. (J. M. Johnson, August 1989)

Will contains details of legacy, including personal items, real estate, salaries and provision for funeral costs. (J. M. Johnson, July 1989)

Padres address auto to capitan comandante Rivera that Osio took cattle belonging to mission, killed and sold them. Money should be recovered and returned to them. Osio says cattle were on disputed land, geographical boundaries in error and were his. Osio ordered for further testimony before justicia mayor Rivera. Determines number of cattle owned by mission since 1734 and concludes Osio guilty. Traces sale of cattle by Osio and fines him 1000 pesos. Osio appeals claiming can determine his family's right of ownership. (J. M. Johnson, July 1989)

Document gives figures for total amount of revenue produced in salt industry in this area. Mentions role played by Barlovento River in economic development of area. Mentions bad effect of salt in water supply on agriculture. Some settlements in area have expanded to degree that they are exposed to Apache attacks, no troops for protection. Proposal for compania de sugetos along coast from Veracruz to Balisa, or else have real hacienda fund development of fishing industry; also wants more Naval activity. Detailed accounts of economic potential of fish species in these waters. Area between interior and costal settlements must be populated to contain Apaches; details best ports along coast for bringing Spanish settlers in to populate said area. Attention must be paid to northern frontier as U.s. is gaining strength in world trade, makes good use of Indian relations to conquer new territory. Only important trade with northern Indians is in fur, but american mining ventures will tend to result in permanent villages, to detriment of Spanish. Examples of situations in which use of fuero militar has helped establish successful settlements. author favors paid milicias provinciales only when fighting to help populate areas. Government help to settlements will depend on productivity of areas. Noriega favors putting Escandon in charge of these projects. (O. Velez, March 1990)

Monthly lists of presidial and flying company personnel for the eleven companies of Nueva Vizcaya for the first four months of 1817 as submitted to the viceroy by Bonavia as required by the royal order of 20 August 1797. (G. Lavalley, October 1987)

Autos and letters clearing de la Concha's 1793 budget accounts by the royal accountants. (E. Wilson, November 1989)

Investigation into de la Concha's 1792 budget report is begun in November 1802 and concluded in December 1802 clearing his name. (E. Wilson, November 1989)

Concha's request for 4,500 pesos for the year 1793 is approved. Concern over accuracy of Concha's accounts for 1791 is raised after the death of contador Jose Cabo Franco in 1798. (E. Wilson, November 1989)