Exploration

French trespassing into the Tejas provinces by San Dionis under pretext of buying livestock for Luisiana. They are believed to be looking for more land to occupy and trade with the Indians. Translation of San Dionis observations and map from San Juan presidio to Diego Ramon's at the Rio Grande cause Audiencia general to approve the establishing of missions in the Tejas provinces in order to maintain control over the Indians there. Descriptions of fertile lands and friendly Indians. Trade is to be stopped with the French. Supply lists and salary expenses for military escort for missionaries. Ramon and Espinosa travel from Saltillo to the Tejas or Asinai provinces with 75 people comprising of soldiers, missionaries and civilian men, women and children. They travel from February to April and establish 4 missions. Heads of 4 missions declare supplies needed to equip Indian nations absorbed by missions listed. (E. Wilson, March 1990)

Apache Indian attack during the night raids and steals horses from San Antonio corrals. 80 horses are stolen. Flores follows them all night only to return in the morning to gather men and Indians for a search group. After 2 months horses and Indians are found. In the ensuing capture, enemy Indians are killed and taken hostage with their women, children and supplies. One Indian captive claims they stole horses for other Spaniards with whom they have 'cambalache' or trade. Peace is offered to them if all chiefs involved will return to the camp within 20-days. Beginning at ff. 352 three French deserters are seeking passports to Veracruz via Bahia del Espiritu Santo, they are Rosel, Barroi and Martin. Garza Falcon disbelieves their claim and considers them spies for the French. They are given an escort to be brought to justice. The French are known for having strong influence over the Indians and consider the Cumanches, Canzeres, Pananas and Apaches as theirs. Flores endorses Ramon for position of captain of San Antonio presidio due to his campaigns in the Tejas provinces. Trade could be increased with improved relations with the Indians. (E. Wilson, March 1990)

Letters describing Nuevo Santander -- tierra incognita full of rebels, Gentiles. Describes beginning of organization of troops, patrol areas, etc. F.307 mentions plan to place all Huastecos rebels on Tamatan Island. F.308 speaks of admiration for settlers managing to pacify frontier in short time despite lack of supplies, small pox epidemics. F.312 Torquemada distinguishes Indians into 3 classes, Chichimecas, Apostatas, Gentiles; converted Indians seem to be generally regarded as lowest caste of society, but above barbarians. (A. Dean, may 1990)

Contains autos and reports by Escandon and others discussing possible difficulties of establishing Sotolamarina. says original purpose was to establish new Paraje for growing population and to pacify Indians. Were given two Religiosos and 10,000 pesos but after one year in a location without having planted any crops, lack of food, water, cattle and horses has resulted in several deaths. Describes several reasons why they were unable to sustain themselves. Documents discuss whether they should continue to bedova or establish in closer location along River. Gives geographic location of several possible Villas along Nueces. Ciprian says they should avoid impending problems at Bedoya and locate elsewhere since difficulty and cost of north River unreasonable. Escandon stops group in Santander where they report conditions. Decided that 50 families and Escuadra will establish Sotolamarina. Description of area including climate, pastures, fertile lands and abundancy of salt and fish. Escandon allocates money for construction of homes and other town buildings and says will provide sufficient corn seed. Includes town plan, rivers in area and exact coordinates of Sotolamarina. (M. Dannemiller, March 1989)

Concerns autos, plans and conditions for establishment of Reynosa by Escandon. Area first populated to pacify Indians, become familiar with the land and to test feasibility of irrigation in area. Escandon provides instructions for agricultural methods until construction of well completed. Escandon conducts, with assistance of others, review of population, property, land, Esquadra and Indians. Asks for reports regarding probability of permanence of Indians in area and need for new mission. Contains list of families including marital status, name, age and property. Contains list of Esquadra with same information. States conditions for population and Esquadra and their obligations to the town. Provides information on all Indian nations, whether armed or not, name of capitan, where raised, if baptised and likelihood of remaining peacefully in area. Mentions food supplies and basic sustenance. Contains list of property in town including horses, cattle and mules. Includes detailed description of land and digging of well. Mentions which lands need irrigation, which are fertile. Indians working for Spanish are given clothing and dry-goods. Includes city plan with provisions for church and convent and drawing of rivers around location. (M. Dannemiller, March 1989)

In a Series of letters Escandon reports his advances in the colonization of the Seno Mexicano. He describes one by one the settlements that were founded, the number of families and soldiers that were left in each, the reaction of the Indians, etc. Due to the violent reaction of Indians and to previously unnoticed environmental disadvantages, not all the intended foundations are effected. New areas are explored and further foundations are suggested. All the letters are commented by the marques de Altamira (the auditor de guerra) who shows total support to Escandon and advises virrey to send reinforcements to the new villages for them to survive. (A. Nielsen, November 1989)

In a Series of letters Escandon requests several items that will salaries for new officials, funds to support the settlers until they reap their first crop, a variety of goods for establishing settlements (agricultural equipment, clothes for the Indians to be reduced, oxen, tobacco, hardware, gunpowder, etc.). He also requests the promotion of low rank military officials that participated in his first expedition, an explicit order directed to local authorities of the frontier for them not to interfere with his undertaking, and the establishment of severe punishment for Indians who flee from the reducciones. Several changes to found two more villages, more funds are necessary, etc. The authorities continue to support the enterprise enthusiastically. (A. Nielsen, November 1989)

The colegio de Propaganda fide is asked to designate priests to preach to the Indians of the new territories explored in the Seno Mexicano. The junta de guerra y hacienda meets in Mexico to analyze the possibility of executing the plan of colonization proposed by Escandon. All the antecedents of his expedition, including previous flawed attempts are reviewed in detail. Several steps are also taken toward the concretion of the is given broad faculties, precise orders are given concerning the reduction and general treatment of the Indians, etc. (A. Nielsen, November 1989)

Rodriguez, Caudillo of Nuestra Senora de la Soledad de las Canoas, asks for a priest to be sent to preach to the Chichimecas. He also wants to resign his post because he is afraid of being murdered by the Indians. Authorities order him to stay, telling him they will send soldiers to reinforce his position. These documents are included as a proof related to the report that follows, which analyzes in detail Escandon's settlement proposal for the seno Mexicano, including his plan of reoccupying las Canoas (also called San Jose Tanguanchin). Special attention is given to the possibility of exploiting several resources in the area, as salt (describing a method for its extraction), wood (for boat-making), minerals, etc. The strategic advantages of the enterprise, its impact upon the communications network, and its financial cost for the real hacienda, are all carefully analyzed. In the final part, the concrete steps that are necessary to take for the execution of the project are considered. (A. Nielsen, November 1989)

The content of Escandon's report is summarized and commented. Special emphasis is given to the settlement proposal, detailing what should be provided by the state for the plan to be executed. It is recommended to give Escandon the command of the new territory, considering his experience in the area. (A. Nielsen, November 1989)