Missions

Capitan Orobio y Bastherra informs virrey of request by Horcoquiza Indians to be reduced, missionized. States Horcoquizas consist of 5 pueblos, o rancherias, totaling 300 families. Notes their location along Rios Trinidad, Naeches, Sabinas. States these Indians trade on annual Basis with French. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Concerning Franciscan request to have Sacramento presidio moved from present location in Coahuila to Rio San Xavier in Texas, 190 leagues away, marques de Altamira replies that such an action would- 1) disturb present presidial line of defense; 2) leave new but prospering settlements in Valle de Santa Rosa (location of Sacramento presidio) defenseless against Apache attack; 3) would not contribute to defense against Apache since Indians in San Xavier area not Apaches, require round trip journeys of more than 400 leagues. Mentions foundation of new missions in provincia de navajoos. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Appears to be identical but incomplete copy of Altamira's lengthy description of Texas- its history, state of presidios, French-Spanish relations, etc. Precised already from Nacogdoches archives- See DRSW serial 4685. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Rivera recommends closing of Texas presidio, and virrey marques de Casafuerte heeds his advice (4/26/1729). Franciscans (8/20-1729) eloquently defend need for presidio, however, arguing that San Francisco, Concepcion and San Joseph missions would be lost without it. Missionaries state Rivera made inspection of Texas presidios during driest season in 13 years and so was misled about ease of travel. They ask that it be reestablished with 50 men instead of 25. Gobernador Mediavilla y Ascona (8/31/1729) supports missionaries, noting that Rivera's recommendations had reduced Texas military by 75 plazas- 40 from Aldaes presidio, 25 from Texas presidio, 10 from San Antonio presidio. Gobernador argues that distances too great, Indians too well armed with French guns, powder for presidios of San Antonio and Bahia de Espiritu Santo to be sufficient. Paredes gathers all above documents together, summarizes Franciscan position and sends representacion to comisario general. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Concerns conditions of San Antonio presidio, surrounding missions, including- controversy between Franciscans and capitan Flores; Apache raids, campaigns, peace negotiations; investigations of murder of Antonio Gonzalez (Correo) by Indians; construction of acequia to irrigate mission orchards, fields of cotton maiz; mission Indian weaving industry of cotton, wool; murder of capitan Ramon by Indians in Espiritu Santo area. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Indice of official documents concerning missions, presidios of Texas, 1719-1723. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Responding to charges of fray Gonzalez of widespread corruption, inefficiency in Texas presidios, including use of untrained boys as soldiers, use of soldiers as laborers in personal haciendas of presidial captains, exorbitantly high prices of goods sold to presidial soldiers, lack of support for missionary Apache reduccion program, etc., Almazan informs virrey some scandals exist but he's trying to correct them. Concerning Apache reduccion, both he and fray Gonzalez advocate formation of company of 60-70 soldiers taken from Bahia del Espiritu Santo, San Antonio, Coahuila, Rio Grande del Norte presidios, who would first try to continue peace negotiations by carrying gifts to Apaches. Adaes presidial company too occupied in affairs along French frontier to participate. Does not feel San Antonio presidio should be moved next to mission, because both soldiers, Indians need room for their cattle, fields and conflicts would result if they were next to each other. Notes difficulty in communicating with Adaes presidio because of rivers in flood. Good document for presidial information. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Ramon notes murder of Correo Gonzalez, murder of 2 of 4 soldiers guarding Espiritu Santo presidial horseherd by hostile Indians. Informs virrey he requested help from capitan Flores of San Antonio presidio, but gobernador (at Adaes presidio) refused. Ramon fears Spaniards at Espiritu Santo will be destroyed like French were. Notes lack of basic foodstuffs, arms, horses. Pleads for help from virrey, also soldiers to replace Plazas of those killed by Indians since there are no vecinos in area to be drafted. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Fray Hidalgo takes testimony of fray Gonzalez concerning Apache peace negotiations and his dispute with capitan Flores. Fray Gonzalez emphasizes poor state of presidio, including lack of supplies, arms, horses, trained men, and notes widespread illness among presidial soldiers throughout Texas. For these reasons, he believed it necessary to deal with Apaches diplomatically. Capitan Flores deposition also included. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Apaches attack San Antonio presidial horseherd, steal 86 horses. 30 soldiers, Indian auxiliaries, plus eight soldiers from Espiritu Santo presidio equipped, sent to recover horses, leaving San Antonio area underdefended, many of remaining soldiers underequipped. 180 Head of livestock recovered, 20 Apache women, children taken prisoner. After much argument fray Gonzalez convinces capitan of presidio to send one woman prisoner to Apaches as emissary, offering prisoners in return for peace. 4, then 30 Apaches show up. Capitan refuses to negotiate for peace unless all Apache leaders present, antagonizes Apaches and almost precipitates a battle. Only fray Gonzalez' restraint and trust Apache prisoners had in him prevents fight soldiers feel they might have lost, being poorly armed, mounted. (T. Sheridan) (1977)