Mining

Three Sisimbres Indians and 2 of their wives escape in 1748 from the Pueblo of Conchos. Captain Berroteran of the Conchos presidio, fearing they will stir up trouble among the unreduced Indians, runs them down and apprehends them at a Rancheria between Conchos and Coahuila. The rebels then ordered taken to Durango and Gabriel escapes, Matheo Dies in the attempt and Aguilar is finally taken to justice in Durango. (T. Naylor) (1977)

Reports briefly on the case of a church mine which was in an interim between priests, taken over by a civilian and a second case of church involvement in a dispute over land. (second letter April 21, 1749 makes follow up report) (D. Deeds) (1977)

A long and often rambling summary report by the auditor de guerra the marques de Altamira. Evidently in part a response to a request from the Jesuit vice provincial for increased military action against the Apaches and comment on the Jesuit's recommendations, the auditor outlines the status of the various presidios and includes a brief history of various Indian, uprisings, comments on the various political problems centering governors Huidobro and Vildosola and makes recommendations concerning crown policy toward presidios, missions, Indians etc. (D. Deeds) (1977)

Basically two documents; the first from the Jesuit Father provincial outlines all the negative effects Indian depravations have had on missions in Sonora and in general on the Spanish Colonial effort. Then beginning in the margins of the provincials letter and extending two pages beyond are comments and recommendations by the auditor general concerning crown efforts- mainly through the presidial strategy to stem the Indian menace. This last signed by the auditor de guerra marques de Altamira. (D. Deeds) (1977)

Three letters from padre Manuel Cartagena to padre Manselo Leon; 1) San Luiz, may 17, 1747, 2 pages, congratulates for appointment. 2) Otatitlan, April 21, 1747, 2 pages, informs travels and administrative affairs. 3) Tomasula, March 11, 1748, 2 pages, informs conditions of mines (Zapotlan). (J. Erbe) (1978)

An extensive commentary, with recommendations on the ways in which Indians fit into the economic religious and social life of Nueva Vizcaya and their contacts with the Spanish civilians, military and religious. Central point of reference is the repartimiento and it's importance on the northern frontier and the difficulties involved in getting the Indians to settle into a peaceful, agricultural way of life. (D. Deeds) (1976)

Detailed day by day account by the Head of the expedition which accompanied the founding of the junta de los Rios missions. Gives descriptions of the progress of the surrounding province and the royal mine of Cuellar which later became Chihuahua. The writers attitudes, Antonio de Trasvina Retes an important pioneer of the area, toward a host of topics are outlined. (D. Deeds) (1976)

Gives account of missionary activities of Salvatierra in California, west coast of Mexico and Peru. Gives approximate party. Also, discusses founding of port Nao in Philipinas. (D. Miller) (1978)

De Vargas reports to the viceroy on the state of Indian troubles in Sonora, Sinaloa, and Nueva Mexico. He speaks of the troubles created and alliance and constant communication between the rebel tribes - Apaches, Pimas, Jocomes, Janos, Sumas, Mansos, and the other tribes of Sonora. Specific mention is made of the mission of San Francisco de los Mansos founded by fr. Francisco de Vargas, and inter-marriage between natives of that area and Apaches. (C. Briggs) (1975)

Another witness, Captain Juan Luis Lujan, reports on the Moqui quicksilver in response to the viceroy's letter. He describes the substance, its location, the reluctance on the part of the Moqui to produce it for him, and the difficulty of mining it at present. (C. Briggs) (1975)