Legal

A merchant and creditor, Alonzo de Castillo, in an effort to collect two hundred pesos owed to him by Nicolas Nunez and his wife, imprisons in the public jail a mulatta slave, the chattel of the nunez, as security until the debt is paid. Disgusting. (C. Needham) (1975)

Information regarding the uprising of the Tarahumara Indians in the area of San Felipe in the summer of 1648. Includes notices from San Felipe to fr. Joseph Pascual (S.J.) of San Pedro concerning uprising. An account is provided of the muleteers killed, the merchandise lost, Religiosos killed, and the damage suffered by the people of the Pueblo. A squadron of mounted soldiers, armed with muskets was dispatched to protect the Pueblo and to supply munitions. A survey of the arms of the people is provided as well as lists of the personal effects of the dead. Auction prices of effects sold to defray costs of the assistance is also provided. (C. Needham) (1975)

An interesting document which provides an account of the residencia commission which inquired into the conduct of the office of the Alcalde mayor. In addition to testimony, a comprehensive list of the questions asked by the commission is included, providing insight into the expectations of the government regarding the duties of the Alcalde mayor. (C. Needham) (1975)

A trivial, yet rather interesting, case that perhaps today would be roughly described as contempt of court. The case concerns a defendant who proclaimed before the civil authorities that, for the poor, no hay justicia en Este real. This indiscretion cost the defendant a jail term, as well as impoundment of his belongings. (C. Needham) (1975)

Standard petition for mine registration. (C. Needham) (1975)

This possibly important document, addressed to the king, concerns past abuses in the administration of estates in Nueva Viscaya. The document requests that, in conformity with past cedulas which extend into the 16th century, the Superior jurisdiction over the real be recognized as in the power of the presidente of the Audiencia at Guadalajara and his oidores and fiscales. Records of testaments and the administration of estates will be reviewed by a royal officer to See if criminal charges must be made. (C. Needham) (1975)

A complaint, with supporting testimony of many vecinos - including an Augustinian priest, asserting grave abuses in the mines of the real. The petitioners ask for reaffirmation of the royal cedulas and regulations relevant to the case. (C. Needham) (1975)

These documents concern a debt of 150 pesos in 'oro Comun' owed by Juan de Alleyba to Antonio Juan marquez. Antonio Sues for payment and is awarded the right to take the debt out of Juan's goods. An inventory of Juan's goods is drawn up. Original debt contracted on 12 may 1648. Decision and final court costs (94 pesos) dated December 29, 1648. Persons- Antonio Juan marques, merchant of real de minas de San Diego, in jurisdiction of Parral; Juan de Alleyba, of San Diego. (Roger Davis) (1975)

In this Series of documents Senor Pereira contracts a debt to Senor Gonzalez de Valdez in may of 1648. By August 11, 1648 Senor Gonzalez is suing for repayment, specifically requesting 600 ^fanegas^ of salt from Pereira's salt mine (in Culiacan?). The justicia, Juan Fernandez de Carrion, grants this and payment is noted in a document dated January 26 1649. Persons- Sabastian Gonzalez de Valdez of Parral; Meatias Pereira (de lobo?) of Sinaloa; general Juan Fernandez de Carrion, justicia and captain de guerra of Parral. (Roger Davis) (1975)

A rather tedious document containing a petition for debt collection, with supporting testimony, and a request that the debtor be placed in the public jail if he refuses to make restitution to the merchant. (C. Needham) (1975)