Mining

Series of documents concerning request for military escort and doubling of number of priests in Querataro. Notice from governor on execution of orders in matter of Manuel Rivera. Establishment of a chaplain in presidio of terrate. Monthly postal service established in el Rosario, Guadalaxara and vicinities (ff. 66-69-75-76). Indians from el Rosario, request a captain to govern and protect them from enemy's attacks. Governor informs about problems he had to issue his report on situation of provinces under his authority. Report on Droughts and floods that ruined Sinaloa in 1770. Request that visita be called off. Report that a campaign against Apaches was delayed due to problems with the horses. Report on new advances made in agriculture and Droughts suffered in previous years and pearl fishery in coasts of Tepoca. (J. Marroquin, August 1988)

Series of documents concerning need for a priest in colegio Apostolico de Santa Cruz de Querataro due to increase of Indian population, priest will get his sinodo from los Alamos, virrey orders that Indians be treated well, security is requested for this matter to virrey. Several documents on leaving of Pedro Fueros who was loved by Indians in Cieneguilla. (J. Marroquin, August 1988)

Gonzalez de Noboa, diputado de Mineria informs virrey of state of affairs vis-a-vis Mineria y comercio at Chihuahua. Issues include construction of parish churches, financing of military campaign against indios infieles, raising of civilian militia. Attached is virrey's response. (J. H. Ochs, June 1988)

Padilla, justicia of Topago states that in his jurisdiction there are no military companies of any sort, as there are few Spaniards at aforementioned real. (J. H. Ochs, June 1988)

Letters concerning appointment of Arriero to transport silver from San Phelipe el real to Mexico, Christobal Dominguez, first choice for the job died and Cayetano Franco is appointed, Altamira testifies that Cayetano left the town with 199 silver ingots. Letters explaining the delay on the arrival of the silver, a number of notes requesting silver to be sent to Chihuahua every six months from the mines. Letters asking for the establishment of new religious missions in the Tharaumara Alta y Baja in order to subdue the Indians and increase the production of the mines. (T. Kahana, November 1988)

Letters concerning administration of presidios in the area of Durango, including the founding of a new town in Carrizal, a misunderstanding between the corregidor and capitan general concerning new appointments, a visit from virrey to Durango, the urgency of appointing a new comandante in San Phelipe y Santiago de Janos since the previous one died and neither the teniente nor the Alferez know how to read and write, the mysterious disappearance of the Mule driver (Arriero) named Franco, who after being highly recommended for his skills left San Phelipe el real with a dispatch of silver and never arrived in Mexico, the only proof that the missing silver is in the possession of Franco are the emphatic claims of the assayer of the town. Later Franco explains his delay as caused by a serious drought (Seca) and gives a very detailed account of trip. (T. Kahana, November 1988)

Letter from governor to virrey explaining his reasons for not returning 50 soldiers from Chihuahua to Huejuquilla as ordered. Reasons include; lack of protection from Indians, isolation of Chihuahua and economic importance of mines. (T. Kahana, August 1988)

Cieneguilla described as richest gold fields that have been seen in this country, or even in all of new Spain, but mines deteriorating due to drought, lack permanent water nearby. Describes crude nature of mining operations, presence many Indians, other castes. Notes additional discoveries north, northwest, southwest Cieneguilla. Doubts they'll be worked because Sonoran miners lack intelligence, abandon mines if they don't begin to pay off immediately. Notes similar problems, including lack water, gold mines Aigame, 8 leagues (T. Sheridan, 1976)

Postscripts to letter concerning gold placers Aigame, temporarily abandoned silver mine Bacuachi. (T. Sheridan, 1976)

Concerns attempts by Corbalan, Urrea, choose best site for Cieneguilla settlement, proposal to move Casa Marca from Alamos to Ures or Arispe. Corbalan favors Ures. Notes problem smuggling silver. (T. Sheridan, 1976)