Geography

Diary from Theran to the virrey giving day by day detail of the geography of the new part of the provincia de los Texas. He gives names to all the rivers, Arroyos, Cerros, and Valles. He also describes the type of vegetation. Every day he gives a name to some place and the distance they have traveled. Military journal from Bruno, Alferez of the fragata San Roman, in charge of the Bahia la Movila. (D. Bautista, July 1990)

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)

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)

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)

Concerns descriptions of province of Texas for recommendation as sight of new port and further expansion of settlers due to abundance of land, water and fertile soils; new settlements desired to establish trade with Louisiana and also to keep French and English from expanding further into region; contains descriptions of Flora and fauna and geographic and climatic descriptions; contains eloquent statement by Mesieres against French, English and hostile Indian tribes in region. (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)

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)