Geography

Borica's letters to Peru concerning Janos presidio affairs, including Apache peace proposals, inability to mount campaign against Apaches in nearby mountains because of shortage of water, case of Joseph Prudencio Villanueva, deserter, transfer of 4th compania de Janos to San Buenaventura. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Series of letters between Arrieta, Muniz and Noriega concerning Apache peace proposals in El Paso. Apaches claim pressure, murder of their leaders at hands of Comanches, but Spaniards fear treachery. Apaches from Sierra Sacramento, Hueco selling firewood to El Paso residents in return for maiz, saying Comanches defeated them at Paraje de San Mateo. Apaches under Chajalote seek permission to settle near El Paso. Salineros ask for peace from capitan Tobar. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

One old Apache sent by Apache leader pataneju, 2 Apaches selling Mescal associated with Apache leader el Surdo, reiterate Apache desire for peace and state el Surdo himself traveling thru Apacheria, visiting inhabitants of Sierras Hacha, Florida, Mimbres, Cobre, Blanca, and Rio del Paso del Norte arguing for end to hostilities. el Surdo however can't assure truce between Spaniards, yndios chiricahuo (Chiricahua Apaches), because Chiricahuas Surdo's enemigos declarados. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Tapis informs Muniz more than 60 Apaches attacked Janos December 12, 1777. Attack was repulsed soldiers pursued Apaches to Canada de las Yeguas, where Apache capitanes (See 022) sued for peace. Tapia accepted peace, sent Apache emissary with cross to seek peace with other Apache groups in mountains (See 281). (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Copies of letters from Peru to Rubio concerning various presidial matters. Describes July campaign against Apaches in Sierra mibres and Sierra Florida, in which several rancherias were surprised and prisoners taken. Ears of dead Apaches taken as well. Some livestock, prisoners of Apaches recovered. Notes other forays into Apache territory. Mentions fatigue of his horses and troops. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Carrying out orders of vieery Bucareli and junta de guerra held the previous year, O'Conor orders capitanes of Cerrogordo, Guajuquilla, Julimes, San Buenaventura, Janos, and El Paso, and company stationed in Villa de Chiguagua to mount a sustained, coordinated campaign against Apaches. Territory each presidial squadron is to cover id delineated. Squadrons from each presidio to be in field at all times. Standing orders to attack any Apache force under 100 warriors. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Concerns proposed expedition to Cerro Prieto to attack Seri, Pima rebels there. Corbalan describes Cerro Prieto, noting its rugged terrain, and many thickets (malezas) impeding movement. States Seris, Pimas live in canyons there. Vividly describes hardships such a military campaign would entail, especially for european soldiers unaccustomed to desert. Indian guerrilla tactics. Notes need for 200 soldiers- 100 dragones, 100 Infanteria, 300 Opata auxiliaries, 200 Yaqui auxiliaries. Opatas called muy fiel, and los mejores Guerreros despues de los Jovas. Yaquis to serve primarily as laborers. Feels 150 soldiers can be secured from six Sonora presidios, especially those of Altar, Buenavista and San Miguel, since Fronteras, Tubac, Terrenate have to guard against Apache. Total expedition to consist of 1050 men- 550 Spaniards (200 infantry, the rest cavalry, including 200 Milicianos), 300 Indian auxiliaries. Soldiers cautioned to treat Indian auxiliaries well. 200 men to be sent in Canoas to Tiburon to cut off rebel retreat, rest of troops to surround, penetrate Cerro Prieto. Discusses procurement of food supplies, other necessities. Describes problem of finding enough ships to bring troops from Matanchel, Acapulco to Guaymas. States pearl boats may be used, but no saber con puntualidad el numero de los sugetos que hacen Este trafico. describes benefits- both material, spiritual, to be gained from Seri, Pima reduccion. Excellent overview of preparations for military campaign. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Documents relating to frontier military affairs in Nuevo Leon, 1741, including- peace treaty between gobernador Junco y Espriella and Francisco, Indian capitan general of Tortugas, Guamarejos and other Indian groups- Indians given presents, declined to live in pueblos porque Estavan bien en los monttes, but promised to keep peace; peace treaty with Andres, Indian leader of Cacalotes; peace treaty with Tomas, Indian leader of Nazas; peace treaty with Andres Trevino, Indian leader of Cadimas, peace treaty with Domingo Juan de Leon, capitan of agutipejos, peace treaty with Juan de la Cruz, capitan of Pajantos; peace treaty with Marcos de Villanueva, capitan of Pintos Pamoranos, Quiniquanos, Come Crudos and other groups; peace treaty with Francisco Galvan capitan of Narizes; peace treaty with Indian leaders of rancherias of Pinto, Quiniquano, Pamorano Indians; petition of Monterrey vecinos for 90 presidial soldiers to be stationed in Nuevo Leon; petition of sargento mayor Sanchez de Zamora for 2 presidios of 60 soldiers each; testimony of various vecinos concerning ruin of province due to Indian raids, especially theft of livestock which Indians carry off to Sierra de Tamaulipas; gobernador Junco y Espriella's assessment of problem, noting inadequacy of Boca de Leones (7 soldiers), Cerralbo (12 soldiers) presidios, citing need for presidiales in Linares area to guard farms, haciendas de oveja of eastern Nuevo Leon. Boca de Leones presidio functioned solely to guard mines. Cerralbos 30 leagues away. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Regidor Galbes notes lack of seeds because of crop failures due to lack of rain during previous year. Requests shipment of maiz, harina to Villa de San Phelipe. States such provisions can be gathered from throughout Nueva Vizcaya at el Pasaje presidio and shipped to San Phelipe under guard. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

A general account of the status of missionizing efforts. Included is a general description of- the land and its productivity; the division of labor among the reducidos, and their proper interaction with the Spanish. Some Pima baptism figures are cited. It is noted that Sinaloa is the poorest, least productive province, and that the missions give ample supplies (including Indians) to military campaigns. (R. Perez) (1977)