Geography

Letter from Alderete to viceroy mentions sending diario of presidial activities from July 18, 1768 to February 5, 1769 but diary not included. Instead, diary recounts activities from depredations committed by enemy Indians, problems with horses, means of livelihood, battles with Indians, routine military activities, and pursuit of specific Indian perpetrators. Notes B unknown person(S) to Alderete interspersed with pages of diary. (S. Fiederlein, 4-9-87)

Rodriguez reports on Indian crimes and depredations committed in area and discusses how to deal with them. Also discusses his military service, need for salaries to be paid, and death of chaplain and need to replace him. Letters interspersed with notes to Rodriguez by unknown official(S) on issues in letters. Alderete recounts (to Rodriguez) battle with Indians where cabo was injured and discusses actions taken against Indians. Discussion of behavior of different Indian groups (Lipanes and Mescaleros), Indian interaction with Spanish, and Indian trade I weapons with English. (S. Fiederlein, 4-3-87)

Alderete writes diary recounting activities of troops under his command at Santa Rosa presidio from July 14 - December 31, 1767. Details administration and organization of presidial troops, their routine activities, actions against Apaches, Indian activities, and mail service. Letter concerning military appointments, problems with Apaches, and military actions. Alderete certifies that he informed troops of viceroy's letter about salaries. Letters interspersed with notes by unknown official to Alderete. (S. Fiederlein, 4-3-87)

Cancio discusses formation, composition, and administration of cavalleria miliciana at Monclova, in fulfillment of previous orders. Ancio also discusses matter of obtaining military arms, supplies, and uniforms, and situation with mail and commerce in region. Reports on theft by Apaches of nearby hacienda and military response to it. Letter from Alderete abou military pursuit of Indians after theft. (S. Fiederlein, 4-1-87)

Series of letters discussing affairs at Santa Rosa presidio and Monclova. Detailed report on campaign against Apaches. Discusses Indian activities, church matters, establishment of cavalleriaat Santa Rosa, nominations for officers, weapons supplies, and uniforms, troop discipline, and replacement of Barrios with Cancio as governor. Also discusses official proclamations about war between France and England, concern for defense against English invasion, and expedition to Panzacola. Detailed report on problems with use of Lanzas against Indians, other weapons used by troops, and Indian weapons. (S. Fiederlein, 3-20-87)

Series of letters from Cancio to viceroy discussing affairs at Santa Rosa presidio (1762) in detail. Discusses formation of cavalleria; number of horses; problems with yerva seca the horses eat; problems had when presidio was without a captain; situation with local Indians -- detailed report, including copy of reports from V. Rodriguez, on encounters with Indians, Indian activities, and Indian supplies and weapons (ff. 185-1920); problems at San Saba and with establishing missions in that area. (S. Fiederlein, 3-20-87)

Series of letters by capitan Rodriguez to viceroy concerning various presidial affairs -- mission activity, mission Indians, and enemy Indians (ff. 11-13, 16, 18). Responses intermingled with and often interrupting letters. Other topics concern Sesma seeking election as governor of Coahuila, introduction of bulas in province, salaries of soldiers (ff. 20-21), condition of road and climate (ff.4, 23-24). Much discussion on indios barbaros and how to deal with them. Index of documents and letters from 1769 (ff.26-27); describes contents. Information on military campaigns, supplies, number of troops, and participation by mission Indians. Rosters of presidial troops and volunteers, including names, ranks, weapons and supplies (animals) in their possession (ff. 39-43). Rosters divided among troops from presidio of Santa Rosa, Monclova, Pueblo de San Francisco, San Bernardo de la Candela, dragones de Monterrey, Milicianos de Monterrey. List from presidio of Santa Rosa of troops and their weapons (ff 44). Discussion about commercial activities, including that with the English and El Paso del Norte. Letter on ff. 60-61 contains information on several Indian groups and missions, Indian activities (including crimes), conversion to catholicism, and location of some presidios and Parajes. (S. Fiederlein, 2-11-87)

Account of Cazorla's expedition to southeast coast of Texas to search for English that are illegaling trading arms and other goods and who are cutting wood for houses. Cazorla finds no direct evidence of English traders, though he does find Indians with English guns. He finds some French and black traders whom he arrests. He finds remains of a wrecked Spanish or French vessel. (T. Cederstrom, March 1987)

Commentaries and opinions of fiscal about proposals of Riperda to trade weapons with Indians of Texas. Riperda claims it is only way to keep them from dealing with French and English. Fiscal questions peacefulness and loyalty of Indian groups in question and notes that their barbarous way of life (hunting and trapping) is not conducive to christianization or peaceful relations with Spaniards. Recommends strongly that they be settled and taught agriculture. (T. Cederstrom, October 1986)

Letter to viceroy describing his efforts under Baron de Riperda to gather various Indian tribes together for peace talks. Situation with Comanches is stated to still be doubtful. Mentions harvest season, many groups are practicing agriculture. (T. Cederstrom, October 1986)