Geography

A Humana Indian called Sabeata in native tongue and Don Juan in Spanish comes to El Paso on request of his chiefs to express friendship with Spaniards and to ask on behalf of his nation and their friends and neighbors julimas for missionaries to care for christians and to baptize 10,000 souls seeking this aid. They also wish assistance fighting nearby Apache. A miracle in which a cross descends from heaven and aids them in fighting is told. When questioned through an interpreter, witness told of other nations, including Texas, who will receive the Spaniards. (C. Briggs, 1975) (A. Dell'acqua, may 13,1987)

Describes geographical range Pimeria Alta missions. Speaks of continuing Apache menace. Notes depopulation of area due to diseases, Apache attacks. Discusses temporal affairs of missions, including livestock raising, planting communal fields maize, wheat, and vegetables, which feeds widows, sick, military escorts, mission Indians during lean months of April, May, and June, thereby inducing Indians to remain in pueblos instead of wild-food gathering. Notes sale of surplus to mines/presidios to purchase church supplies, barter goods. Notes decline of mission agriculture last 8 years due to lack of seeds, decline of Cieneguilla mines, and increased number of farmers. States mission business is conducted by Indian governors under missionaries' guidance. Describes architecture of Indian houses; agriculture, including cultivation of pomegranates, quinces, cotton, and sugar cane as well as shrubs of gomilla, jojoba, both of which used medicinally. Describes herbs used, including indigo (anil), gediondilla, zimarron, contra yerba. Claims 2 harvests pithaya per year in west. Notes presence gypsum, lime, piedra bezal found in deer, especially those killed near coast. Says province is covered with grama grass, thereby providing forage for much livestock. Describes climate, mineral wealth, including real of Cieneguilla, only settlement of Spaniards in Pimeria Alta. Describes settlements. Tiburones described as Seri groups. Describes excellent salt fields along coast. Describes port of Tepoca/pearl beds nearby. Notes presence of subterranean water. Says Papagos come to missions to sell young boys captured in slave raids carried out by interior nations; these slaves called Vijoras (Nixoras). No active commerce carried on by Indians. Describes uses of cotton. Says Pimas are good farmers, growing wheat, maize, squash, cotton. During harvests, many traders arrive to barter cloth, etc. for produce. Says Pimas stay in pueblos, not like Yaquis and many Opatas who wander (probably to work in mines). Discusses reasons why missions should not be secularized. Estimates Gila Pima population at 2,000. Compares Pimas favorably to Opatas, who no longer respect missionaries. Describes temporary nature of Spanish settlement of Sonora, Pimeria Alta. Says 8 leagues from Aconchi, the San Juan mine, full of water, is abandoned now. Discusses precautions necessary for populating Sonora. Encourages development of Tepoca, Guaymas to give Sonora easy access to sea, Tiburon Island as way station for transportation of livestock. Discusses need to develop educational facilities, including primary schools at Indian settlements. Notes belief among Opatas at Aconchi in Montezuma, who they claimed was their king and had risen and appeared in mountains. Describes his school, which taught girls as well as boys to read, write. (T. Sheridan) (1976)

Investigating rumor Indian unrest, led expedition more than 20 arcabuseros to Yaqui pueblos, but unable to enter because River to high (7/26/1689). States all Yaqui pueblos peaceful. With help Yaqui captain general Juan Andres, organized 400 Indians to pursue Gentiles who stole captain Bega's livestock, killed two muleskinners, but expedition delayed because of presence pirate (Cosario) in mouth Yaqui River. States Yaquis harvested much maize this year, selling large quantities to miners. Believes theft/killing cattle blamed on Yaquis work of some thieves. Describes Yaqui houses, churches of Adobe as sumptuous. Mentions Estancia de Agua Caliente, 12-14 leagues from Yaqui pueblos, as having much grando mayor. States other pueblos territory peaceful as well. says he knows nothing Rio Mayo, Tegueco settlements. (T. Sheridan, berkeley, 1976) Blas de/arguellas, Tomas de (capitan)/Andres, Juan (capitan general) (Yaqui)

Document details state of affairs in Sinaloa and Sonora in 1750 very wide range of topics addressed, including Indian depredations and reduction, Englishmen's ambitions, need to determine California's status as Island or peninsula. Gallardo makes suggestions for economic improvement regarding agriculture, mining and textile industries. Also recommendations for military organization, cut in salaries. Need for safeguarding commerce and transportation. Development of sea trade and ports in these provinces. (J. Carpenter, March 1987)

Documents concerning Rivera's visita to Provincias Internas. Mostly summaries and reviews. Rebolledo's informe provides particularly concise abstract. (J. Carpenter, February 1987)

Rivera's report to king Carlos II following his visita to presidios of Provincias Internas during years 1724-1728. Rivera comments on each of presidios visited, describing state of garrisons, military personnel, salaries, corruption, purpose and usefulness of presidios. Recommendations were then suggested; involving reorganization of personnel, reducing or augmenting number of presidio soldiers, modification of salaries, and more efficient defense of Provincias Internas are primary concerns. (J. Carpenter, February 1987)

Copy of auto from Diego Ramon to Francisco Cuerbo y Valdes relating events surrounding founding of mission of San Francisco Solano. Attached is auto from Cuerbo y Valdes approving founding of mission. (J. H. Ochs, January 1987)

Declaration of two Tejas Indians in reference to French settlements in Tejas. (J. H. Ochs, January 1987)

Report on Indian incursions in Nuevo Leon, deaths of Spaniards, children taken captive, formation of militias, and requests for weapons and munitions. (G. Lavalley, February 1987).

Reports by Crespo and Posada assessing past and present history of insufficient military forces in Provincias Internas in face of frequency and violence of Indian incursions. Discusses Rubi and Lafora reports, Fuero militar, and calls for general war against Apaches. (G. Lavalley, February 1987).