Geography

Correspondence between virrey, Herrera and Ramon primarily regarding Indian hostilities in Nuevo Leon and military attempts to rectify situation; documents include various notices of receipt of and enclosure of decrees and procedural military documents not actually present; of particular interest are diarios from Ramon of Punta de Lampazos and Herrera's discussion of situation in ff. 68-88, 104-119, and 126-132; women referred to as one casualty in a battle (f. 128); otherwise little substantive content. (D. J. McClelland, September 1988)

Series of procedural letters from Nava to virrey acknowledging receipt of expedientes and notifying virrey of enclosed documents (not present), no substantive content; also letters in ff. 43-46 and 53-55 regarding defense of northern borders and provinces from Apache hostilities I.e. livestock theft, geographic logistics, and troop movements, some substantive content; women referred to in terms of military permission to Garcia conde to marry Maria Teresa Vidal.

Proposal made by Nava that northern borders be fortified to prevent Mescalero attacks; terrain around Mapimi discussed; Mateos captures 69 Apaches, includes numbers, general ages and sex of captives; women referred to as Apache prisoners. (D. J. McClelland, August 1988)

(L. L. Woodward, August 1988)

Lengthy Series of documents about plans for removing some presidios from Coahuila and placing them near rio del Norte. discussion that Apaches have been continously raiding the area around Monclova, San Sabas, Santa Rosa, etc. Apaches have killed people and horses, and soldiers have not been able to stop them. Ugarte complains that there are not enough soldiers in presidios to stop Apaches. Bucareli informs Ugarte that it has been decided to move some presidios and to form a compania Volante in order to better combat Apaches. Ugarte replies that this plan will fail because new position of presidios will leave a very large area unprotected, and that Apaches could easily continue raids. Ugarte gives a good geographic description of the surrounding area. He states it would be better to increase number of soldiers in presidios so that they would be able to protect people near presidios and still send troops to fight Apaches. Documents of some local people asking viceroy not to remove presidios. Other documents describe some of tactics employed by Apaches, making it difficult for troop to combat them. Viceroy asks other people's opinion about effectiveness of removing such presidios. (J. Tapia, March, 1988)

Lengthy expediente with copies of many letters dealing with transfer of military troop. Lipanes have been raiding in Coaguila and Nuevo Leon. Mentions that military troop in Quatrocienegas would be positive, as that is area in which Lipanes travel back and forth in their raids. Some people complain that if troop is removed from Alamo, Indians would attack this region, and area may be depopulated. Statements that if Parras and Alamo fall, Indians may go as far as Zacatecas. Other letters state lack of grass, water, and firewood for proper maintenance of troop in Alamo. Mention of abundant grass and water for horses and cattle in Quatrocienegas. People in nearby haciendas may be resettled in Quatrocienegas. Discussion of animosity between Comanches and Lipanes; plans that Former may be used in battle against Lipanes. Request to increase number of soldiers defending region. (J. Tapia, March 1988)

Troops deployed in areas rumored to be inhabited by Indians. Description of conditions of campaigns and daily events. Difficulty finding water for horses. General lack of water in area. Area appear calm. Troops divided and dispersed but did not encounter unfriendly Indians or engage in battle. (M. Dannemiller, October 1988)

Murgier received order to present company in Padilla for two month campaign against Indians beginning south of Tamaulipas. Purpose to eliminate rancherias on east ridge. Murgier divides troops and sends in different directions. Describes troop clothing. Attack on Rancheria results in murder of Suraques. Physical description of area, water, pines etc. And difficulties terrain presents for travel and locating water. Upon arrival at each stop, place given name and reported to conde. says Santa Maria Valley fertile, capable of producing 25 fanegas in addition to temporal harvests. Puga's detachment with 10 prisoners asked for horses to transport injured soldiers all of whom later lost in confrontation. says Indians angry and vindictive. Relates achievements and information gained with each campaign. Murgier gives command to Puga during his illness. Includes diary of activity under Puga. Informe sent to Castro. (M. Dannemiller October 1988)

Document presents daily account of troop movement and locations and activities of Indians in area. Ordered to enter from south, began exploration of area. Found underpopulated Rancheria. Provides description of area where Indians washed and collected water. Found other rancherias with extreme hunger due to limited squash and other vegetables to provide nutrients needed for the work and extensive walking done by Indians. At one Rancheria, Indian guard yells warning of advancing troops causing Indians and horses to flee. Describes bloody wars to take property from Indians outside San Marcos. says conditions calm in Iglesias. As troops arrived in new places they were named and reported to conde. This informe sent to Castro. (M. Dannemiller October 1988)

Informe to viceroy about problems of miners in Parral with Indian incursions. Account of deaths of soldiers and civilians, destruction of ranches, abductions of children; difficulties in continuing to mine silver and gold in area due to lack of protection and supplies. (A. Dell'acqua, December 1987)