Geography

Informes containing lists of wealths entering and leaving from real hacienda of Durango provincial treasury, Durango customs, and tobacco factory in month of August 1818. Includes tables (empty) listing absences of workers in fore mentioned enterprises. Cordero ordered to produce informe related to functioning of arms factory and asks for a sketch of port Guaymas so that defense devices may be placed. (J. Hiller, March

Index and extractions from legajo 12 (1765) containing administrative, military, and religious information regarding various provincias. Indexed material includes petition by Oca for health leave; remission of treasures from Chihuahua mines; discovery of islands near San Juan and San Bernardo; petitions for travel; salt mine development; canons and gunpowder for presidios; auxiliary troops provided to San Saba; instruction of military recruits; Indian invasions in los Alamos and Batuco Valley; need for supplementing arms, horses to Buena Vista recruits; request that a held white deer be submitted to Mexico; establishment of navigation between Acapulco and Matanchel; establishment and fortification of presidio of Buena Vista and money allocated for work; salaries for citizens substituting for absent soldiers; department of wine and spiritous liquors. (J. Hiller, July 1989)

Ugarte y Loyola and Alegre explain condition of provinces of Sonora, Nueva Mexico, Nueva Viscaya, including administrative, political, military and religious aspects. Ugarte y Loyola persuaded that containment of enemies impossible unless military border forces augmented. Reports of decadent state of agriculture, commerce, and military. Report of advancements made in peace with Cumanches, Yutas, and Navajoes. Reports that correspondence from New Mexico and Texas governors has ceased since his taking office. Reports of leaving position of comandancia de Armas to Rengel. Notes that Lafora's map has been corrected. Detailed tables (f.110-111) showing condition of California --naming presidios, capitanes, comandantes, auxiliary officials, number of sargents, Cabos, and soldiers that compose each presidio. Salary information also provided. Discussion of establishment of custodias for missions in Sonora, Nueva Viscaya, and Nueva Mexico. (J. Hiller, June 1989)

Reyes and Ugarte y Loyola submit informes to Galvez noting disastrous condition of missions and towns. Proposal to create Custodia de San Carlos and movement of capital to Ures. Reyes reports having walked to Arispe, seeing 14 mission towns, their churches and houses almost in ruins. Reports that Indians are without respect and obedience to their priests. Spoke with comandante general who shared bishop's goal of saving important province of Sonora from ruin. The two make plans for founding Custodia de San Carlos, rebuilding churches, missionaries' homes and cultivating of lands. Reyes asks that Galvez publish such a mandate to motivate Indians and Spaniards to work and pay administrative fees. Reports of prison being built (materials used included) but other spendings and buildings ordered by king will be lost. Describes Arispe terrain as sterile and without pasture and with little water, wood, and other building materials. In contrast, Vega de Ures is described as very fertile. These two locations along with Banamichi are evaluated as potential capital sites. Specific administrative plans for leaders and governing regulations. Indian drunkenness and spies are mentioned. (J. Hiller, June 1989)

Ugarte y Loyola informs of judicial, administrative, spiritual, economic, and defensive conditions in Sonora and Nueva Vizcaya. Notes problems in judicial branch including inexperience of secondary judges; lack of prisons, lawyers to consult with, and scribes to handle judicial proceedings; costs of prisons, paper, mail, etc.. Reports (f.30) of robberies and murders committed by Apaches and others, including bands of Taraumaras escaped from their mission. Proposed creation of a high court (f. 31.5). Discussion of founding capital city of 6 provincias (f. 32.5) and its relation to comandante general's residence and site of high court. Most advantageous site would be in San Bartholome Valley. Salt production and prices (f. 34). Report (35.5) that spiritual of gospel deeply affected. Much information (f. 37) regarding many Indian nations with respect to their geographic domains, hostilities, and relations to Spanish plan for defense. (J. Hiller, may 1989)

Concha states that Mimbrenos, Gilenos, Apaches, Faraones, Navajos, Yutas and Cumanches are present in New Mexico --the latter two being numerous and strong. Provincia composed of 8 jurisdictions. Reports that town Indians are applied workers that cultivate carefully their lands, selling part of their crops, and dressing selves with fabricated textiles. Indians reported to enjoy a comfort greater than in anywhere in the two Americas. Indians also credited as robust and agile in war. Notes that Spanish population, much more numerous, is equally dedicated to agriculture and care of livestock. Women weave cotton and wool skillfully. Notes snowy Weather conditions. Provincias, use of bartering and coins called pesos de la tierra. Reports that residents and Indians are very obedient in military campaigns; however, they are not richly provided for. Indians lack instruction from missions while Spanish have little. Description of makeup and excellent quality of troops in provincia. Notes advantages of alliance with Cumanches, Nabajoes, Yutas to unite against common Apache enemy. Geographic and military plans of two summer campaigns which utilize Allied Indian nations. (J. Hiller, may 1989)

Letters discussing partitioning land to Mier, Dolores, Revilla according to what is suitable for livestock, what is protected by presidios. Mentions possible establishment of new Villas if protection sufficient for animals, haciendas. (A. Dean, March 1990)

Gathered, transcribed documents discussing possible locations in Nuebo Santander, Coahuila for new presidios or relocation of old ones. Problem finding sites with sufficient water, defensible. Letters span 7 years but all very similar; lots of information on geography, distances between places, locations of Arroyos and Rios, places suitable for livestock, etc. (A. Dean, March 1990)

Tueros reports on discovery of new gold placeres in Palo Ensebado area. Relates richness of area; influx of miners into area and resulting depopulation of nearby areas; request for troops to protect area from rebel Indians. Copy of letter from of these troops protecting Palo area. (D. Uhlman, February 1988)