Political

Concerns Hinojos' job as 'ezcribiente de la secretaria', terminated by Ugarte, Hinojos subsequently employed by 'ramo de Mescal'; amount of salary and who is to pay it discussed; folio 104 alludes to correspondence not found in documents, between gobernador of Coahuila and Interino. (L. Kerr, February 1989)

Correspondence concerns relocation from Chihuahua to Mexico of 77 Apaches, mostly women and children, taken as prisoners of war; 2 children die at start of journey, one woman gravely ill, left in Chihuahua; Cadete in charge of 'collera de prisoneros' compensated for expenses from 'fondos de gratificacion' of presidios and companies involved in move; correspondence between Cadete and officials in towns, presidios at which 'Collera' to arrive, concerning accommodations, special attention paid to Young childrem, nursing mothers, men to remain at jail, responsibility for costs incurred discussed; Cadete's 'Cuenta' of expenses, including number, cost, of mules used each day of journey, itemized account of rations; mention of 15 Apaches missing from 'Collera', 1-9-89; expenses overrun available funds, Cadete's inheritance from dead Father encumbered. (L. Kerr, February 1989)

Concerns Castro's request for permission to create position of 'secretario del comandante general,' virrey explains that predecessors have done without, so Castro should too; continues to plead, presenting argument that 'comandancia general del Poniente' permitted secretary, parity only proper, but request still denied; rey enters scene recommends granting of request; issue of parity between 'comandancias generales del Poniente y de oriente' discussed further, brief history of separation presented, found that oriente lacks several positions existing in Poniente, 'assessor' as well as 'secretario,' Castro's request granted; summary of correspondence provided. (L. Kerr, January 1989)

Concerns 'recargo de armamentos' which virrey suspends per unenforced decree of 11-18-1789, orders Cajas reales to proceed with 'liquidacion' of inventory as formulated by real tribunal de Cuentas; includes itemized 'cargo y data' from 'fondo de recargo' to explain 'fondo'S' poor financial state; 'testimonio' explaining deposits and expenditures, also that 'fondo' not as effective tool for 'reintegro' of money as first thought, due to excessive expenditures; virrey restricts further withdrawals from 'fondo,' 'liquidacion' apparently not satisfactory, virrey demands explanation for discrepancy in Actual and projected profits. (L. Kerr, January 1989)

Documents continue argument as to whether 'recargo de armamentos' should be suspended or not; table of itemized 'cargo y data' from various treasuries included, with particular attention to arms sales, providing information on type, quantity, cost of arms purchased, by whom purchased, and amount of 'recargo' earned from sales, which concerned officials state is reinvested into military funds; first table in sequence reveals 14 'escopetas' and 4 'pares de pistolas' sold to 'Cumanches'; real tribunal, virrey review economic rationale for 'recargo,' order its suspension, support 'liquidacion' of stock in order to cover debts and expenses. (L. Kerr, January 1989)

Includes treasury reports (1779-81) from Chihuahua, San Luis Potosi, Alamos, and Arispe regarding purchase of weapons by presidios and companias; 'recargo de armamentos' discussed and profit from surcharge calculated, money from 'recargo' to be invested; includes 'Estados' of arms, quantity, type, amount of 'recargo' produced from sales. (L. Kerr, January 1989)

Correspondence concerning whether or not troops of Provincias Internas should continue to pay same or different 'recargo' on arms purchased at central 'almacen,' or if arms should be sold 'a costo y Costas'; Ugarte y Loyola argues to suspend 'recargo', as soldiers already burdened with many expenses, fiscal argues in favor of surcharge; copies of letters from 1779-1783 from Cavallero de Croix, initiator of 'recargo', explains that part of profit used in pacification of Apaches in Coahuila, part reinvested; table of 'cuenta' indicating profits since 1779. (L. Kerr, January 1989)

Correspondence concerns arrival and distribution of arms shipment from Spain, including mention of 'navio de Guerra,' San Julian, in which transported; arms to be sent to 'cajas reales' where troops of 'Provincias Internas' will purchase them; problems incurred as sale price too high, 'real tribunal de Cuentas' formulates plan to sell arms at cost, eliminating 'recargo' placed on them, virrey mandates plan, discussion ensues regarding which arms, and how many of each, 'companias' and 'presidios' should receive, as well as how 'cost' should be determined. (L. Kerr, January 1989)

Correspondence concerning shortage of arms in Nueva Vizcaya, shipment from Spain in response to companias', real Caja's, requests for assistance; discussion of arrival of shipment, transportation of arms overland to military destinations, costs incurred; includes table of quantity, type of arms in repuestos of companias and presidios, table of quantity, type of arms shipped from Spain, expenses incurred. (L. Kerr, January 1989)

Correspondence concerning Portau's election to 'govierno' and 'intendencia' of Durango, which he accepts.