Legal

Brief descriptions of soldiers punishments for Murdering peaceful Indian, and hardships in transporting prisoners to California. (J. Tapia, February, 1988)

Lengthy document by Garrido y Duran informing Revilla Gigedo on the causa de policia,judicial, economic, and military conditions of Sonora and Sinaloa up to 1790. On judicial Side, it is mentioned that province consists of 11 jurisdictions headed by a jefe de tribunal with the power to appoint local town officials; these officials operate without salary due to lack of funds caused by Apache depredations and poor harvests. Mention that in the recent past Indians were forced to work in mines, haciendas, and Ranchos, and that they were exploited and did not have time to cultivate their own land; now he has prohibited this, and that Indians will work on a voluntary Basis. Discussion that community wealth is administrated by the missionaries, and that they often are more concerned for their own interests allowing community conditions to deteriorate. It is also mentioned a lack of prisons. With respect to causa de policia, it is mentioned that Apache attacks have frightened the population and have prevented increases in commerce, mining, agriculture, and animal husbandry. Mention of lack of civil and administrative office in many towns; there is lack of hospitals, casas de Obraje, schools, and public meat and seeds stores. Mention that people are divided in two groups, one consisting of good people involved in commerce, mining, and agriculture; the other consisting of house servants and Manual laborers, who are drunkards and have other vices. Economics- list of different tax collection offices. Mention of the different partidos as well as the people holding these offices and amount of money payed for such offices. In order to attract more merchants to frontier, no tax is Charged on their goods. With respect to military affairs, it is mentioned that enemy Indians live in dispersed hamlets, lack supreme chief, and operate separately; Indians described as thieves. Mention of 6 military groups of soldiers, and 3 of Indian auxiliaries; short discussion of soldier's living conditions in presidios, as well as expenses involved for maintenance of troops. (J. Tapia, January, 1988)

Lengthy Series of documents dealing with debt of Jose Garibay when he was captain of fronteras. Debt occurred when Garibay was in Mexico and Mesia was appointed captain of Fronteras, and Croix decided to have Garibay pay for Mesia's salary. Several letters deal with Garibay's attempt to have debt cancelled arguing that he was in Mexico under Croix orders, and later in Veracruz under viceroy's orders. Other documents deal with government officials attempts to verify Garibay's statements. After review it is stated that Garibay was in Mexico on his own will and procrastinated in going to fronteras to take charge of presidio. Meanwhile he received his salary as captain as well as other salaries for various positions held in Mexico and Veracruz. It is decided that Garibay should pay debt, and that money should be taken from his salary on a monthly Basis. Garibay asks viceroy to have less money taken out because he cannot support his family. Other documents deal with the withholding of money from Garibay in Guadalajara, and an incomplete record of this payment in real hacienda of Mexico. (J. Tapia, January, 1988)

Series of letters dealing with the transfer of Allande's wife endowment from Arispe to Mexico. Government officials request permission to do this, and other officials are informed of such transfer. There is discussion that endowment of soldiers can only be used for purchase of real estate, or be loaned for interest to a qualified person; this is based on regulations of monte Pio. Allande requests that money be loaned to Ximenes; government approves. (J. Tapia, January, 1988)

Series of documents dealing with the visit of Joseph Rivero and two Indian auxiliaries to Mexico while escorting Indian prisoners. One Indian was a soldier, another sent by Ugarte so he could See power of Spaniards and transmit it back to other Indians. There is discussion these 2 Indians did not receive food, money, and clothes from Rivero, that they got food from some other soldiers, and are begging in Mexico. Viceroy orders investigation of these accusations, and orders that clothing and food be given to the Indians. Rivero is ordered to return to Sonora with the 2 Indians, and that he should provide them with horses, food, and clothes. Discussion that Rivero is sick and cannot go back soon to Sonora; he is visited by doctors who confirm illness. Rivero requests loan from real hacienda in order to return; discussion that his Mother will respond for loan. Viceroy mentions to Ugarte that Rivero should not be commissioned on financial matters. (J. Tapia, January, 1988)

Documents deal with Grimarest payment of media anata for his position of gobernador intendente of Sonora and Sinaloa; discussion that such province is not covered by royal order of 1786 and thus is open for taxation; Grimarest sends summary of his military career and requests he be exempt from such taxes; the king orders that Grimarest should be exempt. Tax. (J. Tapia, January, 1988).

Discussion of whether Allande's pension is affected by disability and monte pio taxes. Discussion that royal announcement of January 14, 1775 should be consulted on this matter. (J. Tapia, January, 1988)

Series of documents about Allande y Saabedra's request to be transferred to another position out of Tucson. Summary of Allande's military career, and how his many battles against Apaches and other Indians has led to poor health. Discussion of Allande's bravery against enemy Indians, and how he contained attack of numerous Apaches on Tucson on may 1, 1782. Mention of his bad temper and not being well liked by his subordinate soldiers. (J. Tapia, December, 1987)

Concerns controversy over whether or not widow of captain Fermel, Manuela, legally able to collect yearly pension from Monte Pio militar; problem arises because although Fermel served in military for forty years and died gloriously in battle, his death predated 1761 establishment of Monte Pio by nine years, thereby eliminating Monte Pio's obligation to pay widow usual quarter-salary pension. Manuela argues in several letters that she knows of other widows collecting pensions whose husbands died less glorious deaths than her Husband; decreed December 1772 that she is eligible for pension; by 1778 has still received nothing, living in dire poverty with children; Galves establishes new fund for women widowed prior to 1761 established, for which Manuela eligible. January 1784 she signs document acknowledging rights to this pension. Issue closed. First third of expediente includes recommendations, service history of Fermel; second third includes curas' sworn statements that Manuela and Fermel legally married, children baptised, and that Manuela not remarried. Also, letter from Fermel concerning military service, conflicts with Indians at presidios where posted; last third includes correspondence among fiscales, others, creation of new fund. (L. Kerr, June 1989)

Addresses whether Mendoza, who died 11-26-60, left will or not; appears not, so only surviving relative, Sister in Castilla, to inherent everything. Colleagues of Mendoza Argue will exists which divides wealth among glorioso Senor San Joachin, the poor, and Mendoza's widow, but group unable to locate original document, thereby casting doubt on validity of duplicate. Sister Dies, but her children deemed rightful heirs. Lawyers negotiate of legal fees involved in transaction. (L. Kerr, may 1989)