Political

Apache Indian attack during the night raids and steals horses from San Antonio corrals. 80 horses are stolen. Flores follows them all night only to return in the morning to gather men and Indians for a search group. After 2 months horses and Indians are found. In the ensuing capture, enemy Indians are killed and taken hostage with their women, children and supplies. One Indian captive claims they stole horses for other Spaniards with whom they have 'cambalache' or trade. Peace is offered to them if all chiefs involved will return to the camp within 20-days. Beginning at ff. 352 three French deserters are seeking passports to Veracruz via Bahia del Espiritu Santo, they are Rosel, Barroi and Martin. Garza Falcon disbelieves their claim and considers them spies for the French. They are given an escort to be brought to justice. The French are known for having strong influence over the Indians and consider the Cumanches, Canzeres, Pananas and Apaches as theirs. Flores endorses Ramon for position of captain of San Antonio presidio due to his campaigns in the Tejas provinces. Trade could be increased with improved relations with the Indians. (E. Wilson, March 1990)

Captain Joseph Ramon recruited men for the presidio to be established at Nuestra Senora de Loreto, Bahia del Espiritu Santo. He spent from December 20, 1719 to February 10, 1720 traveling to Zacatecas, Querataro, San Luis Potosi and San Luis de la Paz recruiting forty men. Fifty men from the batallon de San Miguel de Aragon joined the presidio on March 4, 1722. Both groups of men had different pay dates the fiscal considered confusing. Discrepancy in pay is discussed ranging from 1/2 year to Ten months owed the fifty men and 2/3 year to a year owed the forty recruited men. Proposals are made to justly unify the pay dates for both groups. (E. Wilson, January 1990)

Begins with review of previous testimonies and conclusions drawn. All witnesses believe Colorado River to be the boundary between the two territories. Barrio believes Misisipi (Sic) River to be boundary. Testimonies are considered hearsay and not conclusive. Governor of Texas deems necessary to establish boundary between territories and move French presidios from la Isleta to Nachitos. Questions discussed; engineer to survey boundaries, squadron of 20 soldiers and one official to observe the French, wine and aguardiente trade with French, 36 French companies each of 50 men and 100 swiss men, slaves fleeing French masters, Frenchman San Denis bestowing titles of rank on Indians in Spanish territory, French lenguarazes in Spanish territory. French are described as machinaciones, wanting to trade with anyone and that the only way to control them is by populating presidios with more Spaniards. Ff. 253 - 264 junta de guerra y hacienda discusses same as aforementioned including; one-third advance on pay to soldiers; governor of Texas to determine amount of land usurped by French, names of French towns and presidios established on Spanish territory. All witnesses believe the French occupied lands from 1734 - 36, no new towns have been built, French trade gunpowder, clothing, etc.., with Indians in Texas. Many Indian tribes ally with the Texas Indians and the French. These same Indians consider the Spanish the enemy. Ff. 264 - 275 junta de guerra y hacienda discuss and resolve the following eight points. The governor of Texas should inform commander of Nachitos to return to his Side of the Colorado River, the boundary. The governor will not be sent engineers to map and restore usurped land. A twenty-man squadron with one official will not be sent to the San Pedro River to observe the French. No decision yet as to whether the Texas squadron will be reinforced as the Nueva Veracruz squadron, only a break in relations could decide that. Wine and aguardiente trade with the French desired due to the cold winters is prohibited. Decree proclaiming black French slaves free is prohibited as provocation of the French. Spanish Indians in Texas are not prohibited to trade with the French as the Spanish want to keep the Indians happy and possibly sway the Indians to trade with the Spanish. The second part of this point decides to prohibit the French from bestowing titles of rank on Spanish Indians. The final point permits the French lenguarases to remain in Spanish territory so as not to provoke the French. (E. Wilson, January 90)

Military personnel and civilians are sworn to testify in response to questions on; how they heard of the French trespassing the Colorado River into Spanish territory; when they first heard of it; how much land they believe the French have occupied; and what outposts or presidios the French may have built on said land (ff. 163 - 171). Ratifications (ff. 171 - 180). Indian interpreter relates French trade activity with the Indians. Spaniards describe black slave mistreatment by the French and consider their potential to become loyal Spanish subjects. Junta de guerra y hacienda considers weight of testimonies and action to be taken, if any (ff. 208 - 215). French crown has paid multilingual spies planted, which the Spaniards condemn. (E. Wilson, December 1989)

Reiteration of the six questions in Vol. 181 seq. B. Between 1750 and 1751 French troops and families arrived in new Orleans presumed to fortify population of Nachitos, puente Cupe and Caudachos. The Indians in the area are presumed to like the French as they are generous with guns, bullets, etc... In endless quantities. The Spanish are uneasy about the French trading with the Indians and trespassing the boundary dividing the two territories established in 1720, the Colorado River. The Spanish view the Mississippi River as a natural boundary. Past autos and documents are consulted to determine how past governors settled the question of trespassing. Sandoval is found to have permitted illegal trading between French and Indians in Spanish territory. The French should definitely abandon any presidios built within Spanish territory and return to Nachitos, talk of war with the French if they donot do so peacefully. Aguardiente and wine trade with the French is questioned. English are found to be trading with the apachilinos and the Samases on Santa Rosa Island. Ff. 146 - 147 is a relacion that orders meeting of guerra and hacienda to resolve whether; Escolta is needed on San Pedro River to observe French activities; a mapping engineer is needed to assist governor in defining boundaries; peaceful or forceful removal of French is needed; Spanish troops should be moved to Adais presidio in case of forceful removal; 1/3 advance on pay be approved for soldiers to equip themselves with rations; French aguardiente and wine be allowed in moderation due to extreme Weather temperatures in region; all documents on this subject should be collected so as not to contradict any royal warrants concerning the French and Spanish boundaries; the governor of Texas should execute said relaciones. On ff. 150 the junta de guerra y hacienda is begun to resolve the aforementioned problems. (E. Wilson, November 1989)

Revilla Gigedo orders Barrios y Jauregui, present governor of Texas, to investigate whether Barrio Junco y Espriella, Former governor of Texas, was involved in illegal trade with French. Declarations and ratifications from ff 74 - 80 mostly from military leaders at San Xavier sworn to secrecy not to tell of the investigation. All denied any knowledge or possibility of contraband dealings connected with Barrio Junco y Espriella, Ruiz or Losoya. Barrios y Jauregui makes outline of six trespassing into Spanish territory ignoring the Mississippi Indians. They each answer these questions on ff 81 - 95. Declarations are from ff 95 -99. (E. Wilson, November 1989)

Bibliography of reports by Escandon, Guevara over last several months (reports appear on preceeding 100 folios, Approximately, of this volume). Includes report on method, itinerary, organization of census of Nuevo Santander, plus very general summary. (A. Dean, may 1990)

Documents concerning establishment of Hoyos. Discusses barbarious rebels who have raided, committed atrocities, scared away settlers of Llanos; only 9 Tlascaltecos left there. 70 families are to travel at own expense to resettle Llanos, take over Tanambres Valley to found Hoyos. Mentions land at Purificacion assigned to Tlascaltecos in 1717. (A. Dean, may 1990)

Transcribed documents concerning establishment of Revilla. List of 14 families (names, ages of children, ethnicity, weapons and livestock owned) to settle first, followed by list of 26 families to follow. Discussion of privileges, access to water, land, firewood equal to that held earlier. Instructions for assignment of land. Suggests placing Indians (now settled where Revilla will be) in separate mission, giving them land one league from Villa, seed, access to communal firewood supply, spiritual guidance. Last folio is map of Revilla, with locations, dimensions of church, capitan's house, rivers, land temporarily granted Indians. (A. Dean, may 1990)

Documents contain information resulting in formal establishment of Horcasitas. Reports on conditions of people, mission, Indians. Ciprian says Indians should be moved to Tamaulipa and provided with clothes, tobacco and machetes so can open road to Sotolamarina. Reports on present advantages, Fabricas and crops. Considering new location for mission. Escandon goes on expedition with soldiers and friendly Indians to explore area. Indians gave warm welcome. Description of Indians. Feast of beans, squash, yams, corn, platano. Abundant minerals. Good land and water. Contains list of families and Escuadra and property. Discusses conditions and obligations of residency. Abundant saltpetre adn good pastures. Campaigns against Tanambres. Description of homes and town. Distances from other Villas. Escandon gives instructions to increase residents. Includes city plan. (M. Dannemiller, April 1989)