Mining

Series of reports, civilian and military, on Indian depredations. Reports indicate problem of determining a friendly Indian from one not so friendly, talk of spies, etc. Excellent for clarity of reports and for place names. (T. Barnes) (1975)

Declaration of wealth (Plata) by Miner and others, mostly 'duenos de Carros.' good for geography. (T. Barnes) (1975)

A very interesting, but seemingly endless, criminal proceeding against an Indian slave accused of diverting pieces of silver to a mulato Esclavo who worked in a smelter. The defense rests on the minor status of the mulato Esclavo and a large number of petitions request release. The fiscal takes a personal interest in the case and orders the two to submit to torture - therefore the confessions should be treated with caution. Both defendents are sentenced to be sold at auction and to be sent to work in a Mortero. (C. Needham) (1975)

A complicated case involving the disposition of a silver mine in San Juan de Indehe. The case concerns debt settlement, the use of sponsers or bond-holders, and relations between the church (in this case the holy tribunal of the inquisition) and the civil authorities. Also a rather complete description of the equipment necessary to operate a silver mine can be obtained. (C. Needham) (1975)

A confusing document; but it appears to concern a conflict over mine ownership in San Diego. It is likely that Pablo Machuca has sunk a second shaft which intrudes upon the tunnels already claimed by Diego de Quiros. (C. Needham) (1975)

Juan Sello takes possession of a hacienda and mine, from Diego de Rivera Zapata in payment of debt owed. (R. Davis) (1977)

List of miners paying royal fifth and amount paid. (R. Davis) (1975)

Possibly a very useful document. The governor has issued what appears to be a general order for mobilization of military focus in the Valle San Bartolome to punish rebellious tobasso Indians, whose uprising is making itself felt every day while causing much damage and many deaths in the realm. The conscription degree lists, perhaps, majority of encomenderos in the area and stipulates that failure to respond will result in the reversion of their haciendas to the realm. The responses are recorded, most Hacendados preferring to supply a soldier, rather than serving themselves. (C. Needham) (1975)

A letter from a man (whose name is illegible but who appears to be the Alcalde mayor of Cuencame*) (1975)

A rather prosaic set of documents concerning a request from an Hacendado of mines to reopen his mines - with the customary promise of an augmentation of the royal Quinto. It soon appears, however, that the mine is ensnarled in litigation promoted by creditors. (C. Needham) (1975)