Technology

Documents concerning the stationing of Destacamento de Voluntarios de Cataluna at presidio of Mesa del Tonati for the purpose of inspection and reform of Nayarit military groups. Includes type set printed passport and detailed itinerary from Mexico to Nayarit. Garavito makes inventory of personnel and placing of mines under presidial control, tightening of troop discipline, reconstruction of conduits to bring water to presidios, upgrading of mail service, and forcing of unoccupied Indians to provide labor assistance to military. (A. Tukey, July 1988)

Concerns troops under command of Bellido (capitan of Horcasitas); their struggle against rebel Seri, Pima and Yaqui; financing and supply; recent events in wars; edifices errected at Pitic; Elizondo expedition; fighting on Tiburon Island; includes reflections on continuing poor condition of province resulting from rebellions. (J. Williams, September 1987)

Concerns Callis (capitan of the catalonian volunteers) problems of supply and pay for his men; includes table of adjustments of gratificaciones in terms of pesos; also a table of unit composition with notes on arms and uniforms (f. 46); includes notes on various misadventures associated with their removal from Sonora to area near Tepic (See ff. 23-31 this volume). Document provides important information about forces at time of Elizondo's expedition to Sonora. (J. Williams, September 1987)

Concerns Mineral tests at the assay house in Alamos. (J. Williams, September 1987)

Civil administration concerning accountant for los Alamos and salary of administrator of Azoques de Parral. Receipt of informe from visitador general and expediente about Tubac construction. Request for transfer of masons for capital construction. Supplies of tobacco for provinces. Collection of old money. Construction and funds to troops, new missions, and inhabitants in California presidios. Visit of Demecieres to Indian allies. Letter concerning Rusi's merits. Bentricat granted privilege to produce and market breastplate of his invention. Request for soldiers of Piquete del regimiento de dragones de Espana to be restored to their detachment;also discussed great expenditures of Piquete. (L. L. Woodward, may 1988)

Concerns implementation of preceeding acta (ff. 444-471) and related aspects of new regulation of presidios (1772); includes notes on provisioning of gunpowder; presidio relocations; provisioning of new weapons; nature of war with Indians; recruitment; requirements for new presidio sites; construction plan for new presidios; special grants for construction; other issues of arms and equipment (carabinas, escopetas, Piedras de chispa, balas) taken from royal warehouses (much of this material has been lifted from acta). (J. Williams, June 1987)

Various autos, reports submitted to cabildo of Chihuahua city indicating terrible military crisis of province; includes notes on raids near Santa Eulalia; campaigns of Galvez; shortage of mining supplies (includes various technical details about operations at mines); raid near Chihuahua city; losses of livestock; other raids and actions taken by San Buenaventura garrison; notes goods stolen (such as tobacco and clothing); reflects on strategic problems of fighting enemy que no tiene havitacion, Casas Sembrados, ni otros vienes. (J. Williams June 1987)

Concerns present military crisis of Nueva Vizcaya; describes settlements; enemy raids; economic decline (in cattle and in mining); reflection on nature of war, emphasizing its cruelty, death and destruction; goods taken by Apaches (clothing livestock and tobacco); actions of Galvez in defense of province; shortage of charcoal, water in mines; Apaches strategy and tactics; many advantages enemy enjoys; their clothing, crops, campaign logistics and weapons (bow, lance, Shields, Cueras and use of guns); comments on Apache scalp dance; describes Chihuahua garrison; prospects of new campaign; need for recruits; notes many non-Indian fighting duties of presidios; reflects consequences of relocations; proposes new presidio sites; considers hard life of soldado de Cuera; his equipment; problems of pay; revenue from tobacco monopoly; Bucareli sends word that he has called council of war to evaluate situation in detail (J. Williams, may 1987)

Gallardo reflects on nature of Indian wars and present crisis of Nueva Vizcaya; comments on return of Yaquis from Valle de San Buenaventura; reorganization or re-activation of various presidios on Camino real to Chihuahua city; deployment of militia and presidial forces; proposals and comments of Mendoza, Tamaron and Carta; reviews arguments made by those authors; describes frontier military life in harsh terms; problems inherent in military administration; threat of banditry, measures that need to be taken to bring it under control; Indian attacks; places inhabited; dispersal of settlements is major defense problem; areas actually protected by various presidios; possible expenses of reforms; comments on Tamaron's infantry proposal as absurd, claiming they are producto de un celo Santo, y de un concepto in greso Por informes de personas poco instruida en la guerra de los indios; demonstrates Tamaron's calculations in error; describes in detail arms and equipment (Cueras, sables, escopetas), nature of war (unsuited to infantry), advantages of lightly equipped enemy warriors; describes why guns are Inferior to bows and arrows; many details on battle tactics; enemy's lack of formations in battle; stresses war is unconventional struggle de duender; draws comparisons with war in north Africa; praises frontier soldiers; notes present threat of French; notes French weapons trade on south plains; refers to various legal codes; contrasts northern New Spain with other areas being subjected to colonization; emphasizes many shortcomings of New Spain venture; notes use of canary islanders in Texas; lack of plans used in establishing many important settlements; use of Tlaxcaltecans as settlers; many interesting biblical and historical allusions; emphasizes that Spain does not have resources to erect barrier like great Wall of China. Gallardo notes information he is presenting here is based in part on inspection of Nueva Vizcaya, Sinaloa, Sonora of ca. 1750. Document is of great historic merit to any who are interested in later Rubi/Lafora expedition and regulation of 1772. Many of Gallardo's fresh insights have been echoed by later historians such as Thomas and moorhead. (J. Williams, may 1987)

Documents between Belena an viceroy regarding various issues in provinces of Sinaloa and Sonora of which inspecting of mines to control usage of gunpowder was primary issue. Also, establishment of official selling of gunpowder, tobacco and playing cards was achieved. Belena also established site for a Caja Marca due to discovery of gold in Sinaloa to assure royal fifth and usage of this monies to pay for expedition to California by visitador Galvez, purchasing and transportation of corn for presidios and families being established in such presidios. Also, documents regarding attacks by Pimas to towns and ranches, Belena gathers a small army to punish perpetrators. Curious documents regarding expedition to California of French scientists to study the Passage of venus and the sun (eclipse?). (A. Dell'acqua, may 1988)