Political

Garcia conde, requests a leave for 6 months and writes of his conflict with comandante general Bonavia; he informs virrey of a conspiracy movement by some military personnel and 10 Anglosajones; letter to Bonavia from the virrey about the conspiracy in Chihuahua and making him responsible for what happens in that city; asks him to consider changing his residence from Durango to Chihuahua; letter from Bonavia to virrey explaining what has been done about the conspiracy movement. Another letter from Garcia conde this time requesting permission to retire. Bonavia inform virrey of the sentence given to the prisoners; letter from ayuntamiento de Chihuahua to virrey stating that Bonavia did not send the prisoners to prison but stopped them in route, taking them to Durango. The Ayuntamiento asks the virrey to establish the capitania general in Chihuahua to prevent this kind of problem. (D. Bautista, November 1989)

Letters from ayuntamiento de Chihuahua for virrey explaining the difficult situation of living in close proximity to united states, and as a frontier they have problems all the time with the Apaches, and the necessity to have the comandancia general in Chihuahua instead of in Durango, because the long distance delays the military orders, and it is better for the population to resolve the problems in Chihuahua rather than going to Durango. On folio number one is a view point from the gente emprendedora a quien nada Le satisface y con devida ansia suspiran Por el dominio de estos preciosos territorios, y Sus abundantes minerales; virrey notifies Bonavia to move to Chihuahua; letter from Bonavia to virrey explaining why he has not obeyed. Letter from the Ayuntamiento de Chihuahua to the virrey complaining because Bonavia refuses to change his residence, and the dangers they face with Anglosajones and Indians so close. (D. Bautista, November 1989)

The Apaches from Valle de la Xicarilla have been attacked by the Cumanches. They ask governor Bustamante to be baptised, villages to be founded in their territory, and to receive the protection of the Spanish armies. A junta met in Santa Fe, decide to answer positively to the petition, sending to the Valley a military contingent led by Bustamante. They emphasize the strategic advantages of this action, because this area would become a buffer against the attacks of other Indian groups (pananas, Canzeres, etc.). The group is welcomed in all the villages. There is a proposal for founding a presidio in the Valley but it is rejected. A report (ff.424-425) reviews all the presidios in this frontier, giving their locations and number of soldiers. (A. Nielsen, January 1990)

(A. Nielson, January 1990)

On the Basis of information provided by the governor of Nueva Viscaya concerning the alliance between French and Apaches, and the presence of a French army near Santa Fe, the junta de real hacienda decides to confiscate all the possessions of French people living in New Mexico without licence. It also decides to give more support to the presidios of the area. Officers from other towns (E.g., San Sebastian) report what they need in terms of supplies and soldiers to stand eventual attacks. The junta also aproved a proposal for establishing a new presidio and Apache reduction in Valle de la Xicarilla, endowing it with a strong military company because the place is continuously threatened by Comanches and Yutas, traditional enemies of that group. (A. Nielsen, January 1990)

France Allied with England and savoya has declared war on Spain. Therefore, the king orders that any French ship that tries to enter Spanish ports in the colonies should be captured. English ships are expected to attack the pacific coast from Chile to Mexico. Other preparations for the defense are also advised. In his answer, Balberde Cossio reports about a punitive expedition against the Yutas and Comanches, where the Spanish army was helped by the Apaches, and gives several details about region and the Indian groups. According to some information collected during it, the French are Allied with the Canzeres, Pananas, Texas, and other Indian groups. (A. Nielsen, January 1990)

Considering the annexation of Luisiana to the Spanish colonies, de Blanc (commander of the army) requests an extension of the jurisdiction of Natchitoches (Luisiana), establishing the limit with Nacodoches (Texas) in the Savina River. This would give the local population access to good farming land and better resources in general, and would thus strengthen this important frontier. The proposal is accepted. Two reports on this issue included in the expediente summarize the process of colonization of the territory between Texas and Luisiana, and how it was affected by the transference of Luisiana to Spain and by changes in the relations with the Indians. (A. Nielsen, November 1989)

Alarcon is assigned the post of governor and the command of the colonization of Texas. The aims of this enterprise are the elimination of foreign trade (mainly French) and expansion of the Spanish one. General instructions for the expedition, and later colonization of the area and reduccion of Indians are given. They emphasize the need to found two villages in the area to prevent the meddling of foreign traders in the coast of the seno Mexicano and the main navigable rivers. (A. Nielsen, November 1989)

Soldiers from presidio of San Antonio de Balero report about an Indian raid whereby most of the horses of the company were stolen. They were unable to stop the attack because the presidio has not enough weapons and trained soldiers. Therefore they ask the viceroy to send soldiers, equipment and horses to reinforce that military position. On the other hand, fray Hidalgo accuses the intransigent attitude of Flores (commander of the presidio) for the increase in violence. He refuses to give back to the Apaches the women and children that have been captured, even though they have sent representatives to negotiate. This situation in turn is spoiling the pacification efforts of the priests. Other letters propose to move the presidio closer to mission or to a near peninsula where there are better possibilities for agriculture. In a letter analyzing all these evidences, the marques of San Miguel de Aguayo advises the authorities to choose the latter alternative. His letter also includes an interesting discussion about the justos titulos to initiate the military conquest of the Apaches (i.e., just war, folios 46-49), followed by a plan for effecting this conquest. (A. Nielsen, November 1989)

Concerns descriptions of province of Texas for recommendation as sight of new port and further expansion of settlers due to abundance of land, water and fertile soils; new settlements desired to establish trade with Louisiana and also to keep French and English from expanding further into region; contains descriptions of Flora and fauna and geographic and climatic descriptions; contains eloquent statement by Mesieres against French, English and hostile Indian tribes in region. (K. Hubin, June 1990)