Mining

Concerns problems around Valle de San Buenaventura where Yaquis have been resettled; many comments on Yaqui missions; Yaquis' role in mining; use of Seris in mining; conditions of Indian communities; problems of forced labor; need to rapidly resolve situation in Valley; stresses importance of Indian settlers in defense and fact that Yaquis cannot support themselves in region, due to its lack of mines (J. Williams, may 1987)

Concerns condition of presidios of Nueva Vizcaya; notes visit of bishop to various places; provincial depopulation; geography; livestock; vegetation; daily life of soldiers; detachments of los Alamos and Mapimi; private armed forces and civil militia; distances between presidios; troop strengths, arms and equipment and fiscal administration. Bishop urges that frontier cavalry be converted into infantry to increase number of fighting men available and advocates formation of new presidios. Tamaron's reflections on war provide many important insights into presidial defense casting special light on pre-1772 reglamento period. (J. Williams, may 1987)

Concerns supply crisis at Chihuahua city caused by ferocious drought; includes notes on steps taken by governor to bring in emergency food; other areas of province hit by drought; various shipments of grain and beans to settlement; possible use of mission stores; current supply as of various dates in municipal alhondiga. F. 128 presents a table of food shipped from San Buenaventura. Documents emphasize weakness of frontier commerce in face of such a crisis (J. Williams, may 1987)

(D. Uhlman, July 1988)

Correspondence between Belena and virrey with copies of letters discussion of inability to remit profits from estancos de Polvora, Tabaco y Naipes due to lack of Arrieros; suggestion that Caudales be sent to Guaymas on mules supplied by missions to save money. Discussion of prices of gold and silver. (D. Uhlman, July 1988)

(D. Uhlman, July 1988)

Correspondence re: expenses and funding for expedicion militar de Sonora. Includes remission of gold nuggets from Bacubirito to finance expedition; amounts paid to various people for delivery of cartas and pliegos; money received for troop payments; cuenta y razon de gastos including diezmos; receipts for payments and goods; lists of arms and supplies and their costs. (D. Uhlman, July 1988)

Documents from Belena regarding amounts of gold and silver converted into currency sent to visitador Galvez to pay for expedition to Sonora, also documents authorizing restitution of confiscated monies to agents selling gunpowder. Document naming Belena subdelegado by king, along with naming and salaries of Belena's assistants. (A. Dell'acqua, may 1988)

Document between Belena and viceroy in which Belena advises viceroy about orders issued by Galvez to send all gold and silver to Guaymas to be utilized to pay for expedition to California, also, request by Belena to travel to Spain due to death of Father. (A. Dell'acqua, may 1988)

Documents between Belena an viceroy regarding various issues in provinces of Sinaloa and Sonora of which inspecting of mines to control usage of gunpowder was primary issue. Also, establishment of official selling of gunpowder, tobacco and playing cards was achieved. Belena also established site for a Caja Marca due to discovery of gold in Sinaloa to assure royal fifth and usage of this monies to pay for expedition to California by visitador Galvez, purchasing and transportation of corn for presidios and families being established in such presidios. Also, documents regarding attacks by Pimas to towns and ranches, Belena gathers a small army to punish perpetrators. Curious documents regarding expedition to California of French scientists to study the Passage of venus and the sun (eclipse?). (A. Dell'acqua, may 1988)