Geography

Begins with review of previous testimonies and conclusions drawn. All witnesses believe Colorado River to be the boundary between the two territories. Barrio believes Misisipi (Sic) River to be boundary. Testimonies are considered hearsay and not conclusive. Governor of Texas deems necessary to establish boundary between territories and move French presidios from la Isleta to Nachitos. Questions discussed; engineer to survey boundaries, squadron of 20 soldiers and one official to observe the French, wine and aguardiente trade with French, 36 French companies each of 50 men and 100 swiss men, slaves fleeing French masters, Frenchman San Denis bestowing titles of rank on Indians in Spanish territory, French lenguarazes in Spanish territory. French are described as machinaciones, wanting to trade with anyone and that the only way to control them is by populating presidios with more Spaniards. Ff. 253 - 264 junta de guerra y hacienda discusses same as aforementioned including; one-third advance on pay to soldiers; governor of Texas to determine amount of land usurped by French, names of French towns and presidios established on Spanish territory. All witnesses believe the French occupied lands from 1734 - 36, no new towns have been built, French trade gunpowder, clothing, etc.., with Indians in Texas. Many Indian tribes ally with the Texas Indians and the French. These same Indians consider the Spanish the enemy. Ff. 264 - 275 junta de guerra y hacienda discuss and resolve the following eight points. The governor of Texas should inform commander of Nachitos to return to his Side of the Colorado River, the boundary. The governor will not be sent engineers to map and restore usurped land. A twenty-man squadron with one official will not be sent to the San Pedro River to observe the French. No decision yet as to whether the Texas squadron will be reinforced as the Nueva Veracruz squadron, only a break in relations could decide that. Wine and aguardiente trade with the French desired due to the cold winters is prohibited. Decree proclaiming black French slaves free is prohibited as provocation of the French. Spanish Indians in Texas are not prohibited to trade with the French as the Spanish want to keep the Indians happy and possibly sway the Indians to trade with the Spanish. The second part of this point decides to prohibit the French from bestowing titles of rank on Spanish Indians. The final point permits the French lenguarases to remain in Spanish territory so as not to provoke the French. (E. Wilson, January 90)

Military personnel and civilians are sworn to testify in response to questions on; how they heard of the French trespassing the Colorado River into Spanish territory; when they first heard of it; how much land they believe the French have occupied; and what outposts or presidios the French may have built on said land (ff. 163 - 171). Ratifications (ff. 171 - 180). Indian interpreter relates French trade activity with the Indians. Spaniards describe black slave mistreatment by the French and consider their potential to become loyal Spanish subjects. Junta de guerra y hacienda considers weight of testimonies and action to be taken, if any (ff. 208 - 215). French crown has paid multilingual spies planted, which the Spaniards condemn. (E. Wilson, December 1989)

Reiteration of the six questions in Vol. 181 seq. B. Between 1750 and 1751 French troops and families arrived in new Orleans presumed to fortify population of Nachitos, puente Cupe and Caudachos. The Indians in the area are presumed to like the French as they are generous with guns, bullets, etc... In endless quantities. The Spanish are uneasy about the French trading with the Indians and trespassing the boundary dividing the two territories established in 1720, the Colorado River. The Spanish view the Mississippi River as a natural boundary. Past autos and documents are consulted to determine how past governors settled the question of trespassing. Sandoval is found to have permitted illegal trading between French and Indians in Spanish territory. The French should definitely abandon any presidios built within Spanish territory and return to Nachitos, talk of war with the French if they donot do so peacefully. Aguardiente and wine trade with the French is questioned. English are found to be trading with the apachilinos and the Samases on Santa Rosa Island. Ff. 146 - 147 is a relacion that orders meeting of guerra and hacienda to resolve whether; Escolta is needed on San Pedro River to observe French activities; a mapping engineer is needed to assist governor in defining boundaries; peaceful or forceful removal of French is needed; Spanish troops should be moved to Adais presidio in case of forceful removal; 1/3 advance on pay be approved for soldiers to equip themselves with rations; French aguardiente and wine be allowed in moderation due to extreme Weather temperatures in region; all documents on this subject should be collected so as not to contradict any royal warrants concerning the French and Spanish boundaries; the governor of Texas should execute said relaciones. On ff. 150 the junta de guerra y hacienda is begun to resolve the aforementioned problems. (E. Wilson, November 1989)

Autos concerning the reported discovery of Almagres along the Colorado River in southern Texas in 1755. Miranda sets out with Ramon, Seguin and a group of men from the presidios San Antonio, Bahia del Espiritu Santo and San Xavier and a couple of Indians as guides. After a month of travel north from San Antonio, the group returns early March 1756 with a sample of the Almagres. Summary of trip, development potential of the mine area for settlers and the granting of a portion of the mines to the men, from ff. 17 - 19. Testing is performed on top and deep samples to determine quality and consistency. Small amounts of silver, greta, plomo and Magistral are found. Debates as to costs, practicality and richness of mine based on experienced Miner's opinion. (E. Wilson, November 1989)

Letters concerning administration of newly established missions along Seno Mexicano. Ff.379-385 are progress reports on missions by Gorraez (as inspector). F.379 describes geographic locations, distances between places; F.383 are inspection reports for Soto la Marina, San Fernando, Reynosa; F.384 for Burgos. Ff.386-405 concern mission administrator's request for soldiers to be assigned to missions for protection; instead some missions are assigned to nearby presidios. Discusses reduccion of Xanambres. F.390 concerns padres hospitalarios of San Juan de Dios proposing to study medicine in order to found hospitals, especially for lepers; gives philosophy of sect. Ff.406-417 concern Gaspar Soliz as director of missionary effort of Zacatecas colegio; lengthy description of his plans for orchestration. (A. Dean, may 1990)

Letter by Chacon concerning verification of establishment of 15 missions along Seno Mexicano by apostolic college of Zacatecas; gives some detail about a few of these; F.302 mentions epidemics among Indians at missions, no specifics. Second letter by Valcarcel concerns affiliation of presidios with missions, pay of chaplains. (A. Dean, may 1990)

Letters between financial administrators and friars of apostolic colleges determining how many missions to build in new colony (Seno Mexicano), which college will be responsible for each. F.262 hopes for total of 12 missions to administer settlers. F.268 mentions grain, seed, livestock to be supplied to missions. (A. Dean, may 1990)

Concerning establishment of missions along Seno Mexicano. Ff.227-230 concern 6000 pesos to be given to apostolic college of Zacatecas toward construction, ornamentation of three missions at Nuezes, Salinas, Llano. Mentions importing grain, seed, copper, iron for missions. F.236 lists distances between new missions, other places. F.237 mentions 14 projected missions in addition to new three. F.240 speaks of preparations for reduccion of Indians. F.251 general history of spread of missionization across Nueva Espana; describes how new missions will augment effort. F.256 involves to some extent rivalry between apostolic colleges of Zacatecas, Querataro vying to open more missions first, get more funding. Lists which college runs which missions. (A. Dean, may 1990)

Bibliography of reports by Escandon, Guevara over last several months (reports appear on preceeding 100 folios, Approximately, of this volume). Includes report on method, itinerary, organization of census of Nuevo Santander, plus very general summary. (A. Dean, may 1990)

Transcribed documents concerning establishment of Revilla. List of 14 families (names, ages of children, ethnicity, weapons and livestock owned) to settle first, followed by list of 26 families to follow. Discussion of privileges, access to water, land, firewood equal to that held earlier. Instructions for assignment of land. Suggests placing Indians (now settled where Revilla will be) in separate mission, giving them land one league from Villa, seed, access to communal firewood supply, spiritual guidance. Last folio is map of Revilla, with locations, dimensions of church, capitan's house, rivers, land temporarily granted Indians. (A. Dean, may 1990)