Geography

Index only mentions issues addressed between viceroy and general commander of Provincias Internas, but the documents are not found here. Nevertheless, there are some characteristics in combat; commercial goods (coas, cuchillos, Mantas, etc); area of good duraznos farming; reference to some Indian population who are meek and have beards. These Indians were discovered in previous campaigns. Indexes give a narration of the general situation of Provincias Internas. Reference to the killing of fray Crisostomo Gil in 1773, committed by the Indians. (j.m. Marroquin, October 1988)

Series of documents concerning military salaries; military appointments for presidios; protection of presidios under construction is requested; notice of missions and missionaries lists; deductions (montepios and Invalidos), of salaries of military officials; new presidios are built to facilitate connection to Monterrey. Gunpowder is delivered to presidios. Request for maps of the provincias. (M. Marroquin, sept.1988)

Documents detailing exploration of California, foundation of San Diego and health problems with maritime personnel. Rolls of persons that died in expedition and survivors is given. Governor Portola decides to continue expedition to Monterrey by land due to poor condition of sailing personnel. (A. Dell'acqua, October 1987)

Concerns solutions to military crisis of Nueva Vizcaya; provides extensive instructions to O'Conor for implementation of new regulation of presidios; includes notes on presidio transfers to Rio Grande; specific raids on various locals; losses in population and animals; commerce and industry affected by war; O'Conor's expeditionary forces; new issues of arms and equipment; reflections on Indian warfare; soldier's ability as part of fighting force; logistics of new posts; church construction; reiterates building instructions for presidios given in regulation of 1772; financial provisions for building new presidios; security for money shipments; stationing of Catalans at Tonati; introductory letter by Bucareli notes that O'Conor has been granted title of comandante general. (J. Williams, June 1987)

Various autos, reports submitted to cabildo of Chihuahua city indicating terrible military crisis of province; includes notes on raids near Santa Eulalia; campaigns of Galvez; shortage of mining supplies (includes various technical details about operations at mines); raid near Chihuahua city; losses of livestock; other raids and actions taken by San Buenaventura garrison; notes goods stolen (such as tobacco and clothing); reflects on strategic problems of fighting enemy que no tiene havitacion, Casas Sembrados, ni otros vienes. (J. Williams June 1987)

In response to request by viceroy, Barreyro (aid to Rivera) provides informe on Nueva Vizcaya; notes earlier letter of Jesuits (ff 135-154); description of inhabited places & natives; deployment of royal and hostile forces; undeniable reasons why presidio garrisons should each be reduced to 24 men; explanation of why Jesuit missionaries are resisting new regulation; notes on Jesuit and Franciscan establishments; lists Jesuits and their nationalities; reflects on how province can be maintained in peace; various missionized natives; hispanic settlements; some statistical information on population; mission church construction; general mission progress; instruction in Spanish; stresses peace of region; notes convoy escorts; many details on tactics (including night attacks); limited military insights of missionaries; Tarahumara labor for Spaniards; operations of Huydobno; Barreyro defends Rivera and regulation, stressing that they have been unfairly criticized. (J. Williams, may 1987)

Rivera defends regulation of 1729 against accusations of Jesuit missionaries of Tarahumara Alta (See ff. 134-255); includes comments on utility of smaller garrisons; nature of war fought there; limited escort services; his inspection of Nayari and other frontier regions; comments on recent attacks in Nueva Vizcaya and at other places in provinces; explains duty of 6 presidio forces stationed in province; questions ability of Jesuits to understand situation; reflects on progress of missionization; describes routes of highway patrols; Inspections of Retana; battle at quagisole; reflects on campaigns dating back to 1650; praises Tarahumaras; notes their construction of fine churches; summary of 1729 events in Sonora; comments on arms and equipment, state of supply; explains convoy system; cites need to be frugal with king's limited resources; emphasizes demilitarized character of Texas frontier; notes use of canary islanders in Texas. (J. Williams, may 1987)

Concerns condition of presidios of Nueva Vizcaya; notes visit of bishop to various places; provincial depopulation; geography; livestock; vegetation; daily life of soldiers; detachments of los Alamos and Mapimi; private armed forces and civil militia; distances between presidios; troop strengths, arms and equipment and fiscal administration. Bishop urges that frontier cavalry be converted into infantry to increase number of fighting men available and advocates formation of new presidios. Tamaron's reflections on war provide many important insights into presidial defense casting special light on pre-1772 reglamento period. (J. Williams, may 1987)

Lengthy, detailed infome from Cabello to virrey re: granting of peace to Lipanes. Cabello provides historical background information about province beginning with discovery in 1630, description of boundaries, establishment of missions and presidios, colonization by Canary Islanders. Describes continual war between Cumanches and Apaches including accounts of Cumanche robberies and murders committed against Spanish and Apaches. Discussion of need for troops, placement; table listing personnel available at presidios de Bejar and Espiritu Santo; presidio line. Cabello makes plea for financing, stating that if money is not provided for war, region including Santander, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Texas and part of Nueva Vizcaya will be lost; population will have to move to area that is safe for families. Letter follows nearly one year later again asking that peace be granted to Lipanes. (D. Uhlman, July 1988)

Diarios of tercera compania volante de Cavalleria de Nuevo Santander with some interesting accounts of pacification of indios Gandules involving passing out cigars to everyone (ff. 236-240); accounts of various Indian Robos and attacks on travelers (including two women); mention of wars between Comanches and Mescaleros, between Lipanes and Comanches; also mention some trade items of Indians; diarios followed by military rolls and tables of debts and credits. (D. J. McClelland, September 1988)