Political

Primarily copies of correspondence between Bonavia, Cordero, Salcedo and virrey regarding defense of Texas border with Louisiana and plans to increase military personnel, artillery, bestias, almacenes, cuarteles, arms, etc. To effectively defend against U.s. land encroachment; included are various letters, to ship military supplies, discussion of local economies and how they will withstand such a population increase (Soldados), discussion of mistakes made by expedition of troops in 1806 and need for better planning and supplies this time, a brief discussion of factories to be established to employ various Indians in region; reference to four packages of gazetas de Nuevo Orleans and fact that communication with Louisiana is prohibited; one letter describes tribes of Indians in region and their way of subsistence (brief but informative); of particular (D. J. McClelland, may 1989)

Very interesting copies of correspondence between Salcedo and Bonavia regarding defense of land bordering with U.s. And much discussion of U.s. Military potential and mention of some U.s. aggression; at core of correspondence is concern that Spanish military not powerful or well organized enough to defend north provinces against americans; discussion of fidelity of Indians shifting to americans due to corruption by merchants; much discussion of logistics, statistics, hypothetical situations; it is agreed that artilleria volante desperately needed among 154, 158, 160-163. (D. J. McClelland, may 1989)

Documents primarily concerning Comanche raids and subsequent military pursuit of Comanches, including detailed accounts of pursuit in letter and diary form; accounts of what exactly Comanches did, I.e. murder, mutilations and Robos; Bustamante is wounded in pursuit of Indians, tracks are lost due to rain; Indian hostility blamed on French and anglos; brief discussion of shortage of arms along borders, and list of supplies suggested; very interesting documents. (D. J. McClelland, may 1989)

Letters concerning petition of a soldier to get a raise in his salary and the denial of the same petition. Letters from and to Salcedo concerning an american scientific expedition conducted by Lewis in the River Missuri, and the suggestion that in order to protect the Spanish territory the members of the expedition should be arrested before the government of the united states oficially declares the borders of the state of Luisiana. Letters concerning the decision of the president of the united states to send expeditions to the rivers Colorado, Arkansas, San Francisco and Mississippi in order to make maps, building of a fort in Nachitoches by the american army as well as the alocation of money by the government to build two ships with 16 guns each in order to prove to the electorate that the republican government is strong. (T. Kahana. January 1988)

Letters concerning information collected during reconnaissance trip of Goleta felicidad from Vera-Cruz into american waters, includes possibilities for establishing border between Louisiana and Texas along Mississippi River, commandant mentions orgullosa ynsolencia of americans, advises sending Spanish ship from time to time to american waters to remind americans of Spanish presence. Correspondence between Salcedo and Casa Calvo about policy concerning black slaves escaping from Luisiana to Texas, real cedula del 14 de Abril de 1789 mentioned several times in this regard; specific incident of insubordination in Baja Louisiana is reported, Casa Calvo recommends measures to avoid open confrontation with America. Letters regarding change of company between two alfereces. Letter about retirement of Aguilar due to bad health and official form including details of his service such as skirmish at Cabo de San Lucas where he killed some Englishmen. Letters regarding re-enlistment of Belloguin who previously faked illness to get early retirement. (T. Kahana. Feb, 1989)

Letters concerning military measurements to be taken in Texas due to american presence in the area, includes petitions for man power, ammunition, guns and all kinds of supplies; recommendations not to shoot americans found in Spanish territory in order to avoid open confrontation with the united states. Translations to Spanish of letters asking Spanish support of an american geographical expedition to Colorado and Mississippi rivers, at same time recommendations to Spanish officials to do anything to delay the expeditions, including sending spies into expedition to learn 'real' purpose of it. (T. Kahana, March 1990)

Informs regarding skirmishes between american and Spanish officials on the border of Texas and Louisiana. Letters from spies in new Orleans concerning american plans to infiltrate Spanish territory. Official forms concerning retirement of Aguilar. Letters referring to treasurer's trip to east. (T. Kahana. March 1989)

Letters to and from Salcedo concerning the american threat to Texas, including the capture of a group of spies sent to make a survey of the area, as well as a letter from new-York about the real intentions of the americans behind the Burr insurrection. (T. Kahana. January 1988)

Letter from Velasco asking for military protection in access points to Texas, in the letter it is suggested to ask for help in arms, ammunition, and money from Britain since Spain is facing cutbacks. In another letter to virrey the formation is announced of a junta de guerra in charge of taking measures to protect Texas from the americans, these measures include sending troops to borders. (T. Kahana. Dec, 1988)