Religious

Llanos y Valdes (bishop of Nuevo Reino de Leon) takes declaration to Canalizo, the priest who married governor Vaamonde without the corresponding licence. Canalizo (by 1794 dignidad de chantre) excuses himself arguing that he was forced to do so because he owed Vaamonde many favors. He denied having received any bribe, but only a post hoc gratification, which, in any event, he is ready to give back. The latter offering is accepted by the authorities and the investigations about his participation in the case are included. (A. Nielsen, October 1989)

Series of acts and letters demonstrating that Vaamonde married Maria Trevino without authorization from the king or at least from the viceroy. This was possible due to the collaboration of Canalizo (a priest from valle de la pesqueria) who received a bribe for neglecting the regulations in force. (A. Nielsen, October 1989)

Correspondence between viceroy, gov. Munoz, and others concerning extortion charges. Accusations against Julian de las Casas. Request review of mission books (23.5 folios). Discrepancy in books; six pages missing. Rich in info about livestock. Rich in info about mission salaries. Casas exonerated. Detailed plan for future mission administrative policy sent to viceroy from Sierra Gorda including plans for treatment of Indians, mayordomo salaries, bookkeeping and livestock care. (K. Mccaston, September 1989)

Letters written to viceroy on behalf of Bufanos. Bufanos wished to marry Francisca Llanoz. Couple had bride's parents' consent and financial backing. Groom lacked proof of baptism. Letters written to viceroy by several parties in support of granting the marriage license. (K. Mccaston, September 1989)

(See preceeding folios for more details of issue.) Ximenez, Pison Indian from area of Ygollo mission, lodges complaints against fathers, alleging poor administration of mission, inventory of items at Escandon, other missions, from livestock to kitchen utensils, also expenditures to people of area for items and services purchased from them; testimony regarding accuracy of inventory and Cuenta; testimony regarding 86 Bueyes at mission that died; regarding alleged Meco cattle raid; 1766 decreto regarding rules of mission administration (b33-34); letter from frayes of Ygollo mission (3-22-1778) concerning persecution suffered at hands of Indians, climate (b35-36); letter from Father Ordonez criticizing frayes' defense, that Religiosos trying to escape doctrinal, instructional obligations; issue discussed into late 1780s. (L. Kerr, August 1989)

Main theme of documents is secularization of missions, positive, negative effects of it. First group of folios, however, concerns construction of church at Ygollo, project commissioned to several craftsmen whose work is later found shoddy; governor demands revision of architectural plans, assessment of work to date; new master 'albaniles' hired; new plans (folio 3), itemized cost of supplies, salaries submitted; Pison Indian, Balthasar de la Cruz, major proponent of project; he and Young Boy only Pisones remaining at mission, Pames in area not interested in church. Topic of documents shifts as discussion turns to inventorying of 'temporalidades' at several abandoned/secularized missions, including that at Ygollo, now controlled by 'justicias'; 'frayes' assigned to travel to missions and inventory goods, including cattle, furniture, tools, etc.; delayed by severe drought; inventories finally taken; also included are accounts of cattle, etc. Received, purchased from missions by 'ministros.' following inventories, discussion of decadence suffered by missions since their secularization ensues; no longer able to convert, 'reduccir' Indians, buildings in poor physical condition. Final folios include 'memorias' dealing with issues mentioned above. (L. Kerr, June 1989)

Concerns assignment of newly qualified 'frayes' to Curato of Hoyos; Obispo of Nuevo Leon feels virrey, not governors, should select frayes; 3 letters signed by Obispo stating that 3 doctrinal students who are candidates for appointment at Hoyos all passed exams. (See numero 35 on reel) (L. Kerr, June 1989)

Concerns issue of whether or not to secularize 'curato' of Hoyos following death of fray Diaz Cardena; governor wants authority to select 'curas' and decide number necessary; Obispo argues that such authority lies with Franciscans, informs governor, others, of need for at least 3 'curas' in 'curato' because Indians leaving area, returning to Sierras, and that distance between Ranchos, haciendas great. Both parties cite extensively historical legal decisions (cedulas, Leyes) which support own Side of argument. (L. Kerr, June 1989)

Documents concern the breaking of peace by the Indians, their banditry and assorted killings. Interrogation of witnesses concerning knowledge of the Indians, of their breaking of the peace, and their crimes is given. F. 189 contains a list of the four points asked of each witnesses. 12 witnesses' responses to these questions follow with accounts of Indian attacks, their stealing of horses, and killing of various soldiers. One soldier killed at Pasaje de Noche Buena, for example. Other documents concern the groupings of various Indian tribes (mesquites, Mulas, and other nations) in order to assault the Villa of Padilla. A description of the persecution of these wayward Indians by the Spaniards is given. Last, there is an account of how the Indians should be brought into mission life and given to agriculture. It is said that under previous peace treaties, the Indians had been brought into the missions, had been given instruction in the planting of maize Frijoles and other agricultural pursuits and had been pacified and converted to christianity. This is the goal again, now that this peace has been broken by these Indians. (P. Lenz, September 1989)

Documents concern the death of the conde de Sierra Gorda. Gives lengthy biography of his services to the crown, of his settling and establishing of villages and repelling Indians attacks. A detailed account of his early military career in Querataro is given. His various promotions and especially of his successful campaigns against the Indians. A good account is given of his establishing of numerous towns and missions and of his pacification of the Indians and of their conversion to catholicism. Conde de Sierra Gorde decorated with the titulo de Castillo, thus freeing him of payment of Media Annata. Account of 1742 battle with English nation and of their attack on Veracruz. Later documents concern charges brought against him by citizens of his province for his over-aggressive style. royal commission sent to investigate. Conde de Sierra Dies before case completed. His son's role in defending his deceased Father against the charges. Commission's finding of no substance to charges. Additional letters concern the request that the governorship become a hereditary post and that the deceased's son, Manuel, shall be named as governor. His son's biography is extensively listed-military campaigns, settlement of towns, and pacification of Indians. A further request is made that assistance be given to the entire family. Names of family members given and their newly-granted offices and titles listed. Governorship granted to Manuel. Throughout the volume are good descriptions of founding of towns and resulting battle with the Indians. Folios 145-149 are especially strong in describing la Campana en Tamaulipas, including number of deaths, injured and prisoners taken. Also detailed are Indian banditry and the attempt to convert them through education and the missions. (P. Lenz, September 1989)