Mining

Outlines the request of two Indian miners of Sinaloa that they be allowed freedom to work their mines away from the native villages and the influence of mission life. Cites royal cedulas granting them Indians this right. (D. Deeds) (1977)

This document includes the rationale for the compulsory labor system to work in the mines of Sonora, definitions and limitations on using the native workers, penalties etc. It specifies how many men were to be sent from each Pueblo Arizpe, Chinapa and Bacsache. (D. Deeds) (1977)

An order for Tapisques (Indian laborers) to work in the mines at Basochuca- 4 from Chinapa, 6 from Arispe. To be rotated every 15 days. Note nahuatl counting system. (R. Perez) (1977)

A long, often repetitive letter listing many Cases and details of Spanish-Indian relations and how the latter were exploited, lands taken away, crops plundered, women abused. And how all this has interfered in the spiritual growth of the Indians, claims the legal set up has proven of little recourse as well. (D. Deeds) (1977)

Long list of complaints about the treatment of the indios of Acontzi by the Espanoles, Coyotes, mulatos, and Negros of that Pueblo. Complaints center around three issues- (1) all the good arable land has been taken by them for farming and mining, leaving the indios to farm in the Arroyos where the others graze their livestock, thus destroying the indios Milpas; (2) excessive use of Indian labor in the Casas de los vecinos to the detriment of the Milpas; and (3) destroying the christianity of the indios through disgraceful conduct and through killing them before they can be baptized. Gives many specific examples for each issue. Of special note- alternative forms of subsistence taken by the indios; the effects of marriage between a Coyote and an India. (R. Perez) (1976)

A report listing the rancherias, haciendas and silver mines in the area around mission of comupai, mentions also various legal arguments (pleitos) of the area. (D. Deeds) (1977)

Orders from several Alcalde mayores in Sonora to Indian pueblos that they send topiles (workers) for service in the mines. State that they will be well treated, paid and able to return home after unspecified time. Other insights into this practice of compulsory labor. (D. Deeds) (1977)

Relates events of 1691 in which Indians from Tecora and Comicari rebelled at working in the mines and other abuses and burned the mission. Padre sees parrallel some 12 years later in Conicari in which Indians are involved in a land dispute with a local Spaniard. (D. Deeds) (1977)

An accounting of the years 1689 and 1690 of the various operations of the hacienda San Joseph. Including agricultural and mining efforts. Separate page includes census of the hacienda and pueblos. (D. Deeds) (1976)

Requests that missions facilitate the commerce of foodstuffs produced by the Indians and not needed by them. To the Spanish miners, ranchers and soldiers of the area so that all would mutually benefit and prevent conflicts of the past. (D. Deeds) (1977)