Exploration

Instructions from virrey to Theran on treatment of Texas Indians. Also instructions for capitan Salinas and Barroto for their exploration of land and sea. (D. Bautista, July 1990)

Series of documents concerning the exploration of the Rio de San Marcos to the Baya of the Espiritu Santo by Martinez. Other journals by Alonso de Leon. He is giving a Saint name to every Arroyo, Rio, Valle they find. They also refer to the encounters with the Indians and the gifts they gave them. Usually a horse, jewels, and some cloths. The Spaniards met the gobernador of the Texas Indians. Their impression was that the Indians were very clean and on that occasion they ate tamales de maiz y atole. Alonso de Leon refers to the first celebration of Corpus in Texas in the year 1690. He also mentions how they rescue French people. In the big rancherias they try to count the Indians some group of Indians were up to 490. Leon refers to the astrolabe used to used to observe the sun for orientation including astronomical notes on folio 434. Leon discovers the Bahia de Espiritu Santo. (D. Bautista, July 1990)

Diary from Massanet to virrey describing his expedition into the provincia of the Techas Indians, giving the Indian and Spanish names for every River, Paraje, road, Loma , etc. And his nomination of a Saint name for each. He also gives the place and he nominates with a Saint name. He describes how many Leguas they walked in the day. (D. Bautista, July 1990)

Letter from gobernador de Texas for virrey informing him of the interrogations made of the military who participated in the exploration of the Nueva Montana de Santander y santillana. The autos contain the answers to five questions asked of each. Letter from Salinas Varona to the virrey informing him of the distances within the nuevo Reyno de la carolina and the richness of those lands. Letter from fray Massanet for virrey telling him that the Indians from the coast are enemies and should be punished. Military journals from the expedition to the provincia de los techas. (D. Bautista, July 1990)

Series of documents concerning the discovery of two Indian nations. Series of autos interrogating 15 military persons on the exploration of the Anays and Caddudachos area. Gobernador Theran wants an explanation of the retreat of the troops from a battle with the Anays. He also seeks to know if the missions can be continued with the religious and the possibility of reducing the Indians. All answers suggest the Anays are dangerous and the Caddudachos are friendly. (D. Bautista, July 1990)

Series of documents concerning the exploration of the rivers of the north and the problems of opening commerce with the north such as taxes and defense against Indians from the islands. (D. Bautista, June 1990)

Documents concerning a royal meeting ordered by virrey to determine the advantages of open commerce in the provincias of the north Texas, Luisiana and Nueva Orleans. The committee sends a letter to the virrey with all the pros and cons of open commerce with the provincias of the north. Letter from gobernador de Nuevo Santander to the virrey on the same subject including a proposal by Evia for new cities near the Mississippi. Includes discussion of maps but maps are not included. The whole project involves agricultural, maritime, military issues, relations with Indians, estimates of population and numbers of domestic animals in Texas. (D. Bautista, July 1990)

Contains letters from governors of Luisiana and Texas, Galvez and Cavello, concerning expenditures of Demecieres in the form of gifts to Indians and salaries of soldiers and officials who accompanied him on his journey to north. Contains news of Demecieres' death by natural causes. (K. Hubin, June, 1990)

Concerns different jurisdictions in province of Texas, settlers, governments and enemy Indian tribes in region; contains descriptions of fertility of presidio and mission lands in region; fairly extensive information on Indian populations and lands inhabited by them; also concerns Demesieres' campaign in north and broadening of frontier boundaries encroaching further on Indian lands (Tavoayases); problem of Indian hostilities in Coahuila province addressed and its relationship with residents of Louisiana trading with hostile Indians discussed; contains letters from Demesieres to Galvez describing his trip north with detailed descriptions of lands around Colorado, Trinidad, and Brazos rivers; includes descriptions of Indian tribes of region (friendly and hostile), dress, agriculture and in particular deals with Tuacanas and Tancagues; Mesieres suggests founding settlement of Spaniards and Tlaxcaltecas as key to northern regions to open possibilities for trade and to better deal with hostile tribes (Comanches and Osages) and also to impede any further expansion of English into area. (K. Hubin, June, 1990)

Dionis went to Diego Ramon's presidio to present the map of the summary of autos written in 1688 and 1689 on the Asinay and Tejas Indians, their lifestyle, descriptions of the presidio called Espiritu Santo or San Luis or San Bernardo, its need to be populated by Spanish settlers rather than French and the measures taken to convert the Indians, establish security and trade. Leon sets off from Coahuila in 1684 to investigate a French settlement near the Rio Grande del Norte. Its location in degrees and minutes is given. Boat wreckage from French settlers is found. Leon suggests that presidios into the Tejas provinces be established for at least 1 million Indians could be converted and land is very fertile for farming. Very little progress made until after 1693 (reasons listed on ff. 440-445). Details of the Indians lifestyle and the settling of the Tejas provinces continues through ff. 451. Continuance of hearing of French spies trespassing into Tejas provinces (See Vol. 181.iii) in front of tribunal from ff. 452 - 471. Equiping of presidios and missions is covered in detail. List of those living at the San Antonio Paraje is on ff. 508. (E. Wilson, March 1990)