Animals (Wild)

A diary of a journey from San Diego to San Francisco by land. Although the description is not particularly rich, the account is complete and the number of times natives were encountered warrants its notation. Geographical information is perhaps richest, but occasional mention is made of the Flora, fauna, and soil conditions. Population figures are useful, and some description of the Indians and their customs is given. (C. Briggs) (1975)

Informes investigating identity of Apache Guadalupe Rodriguez who claims to be lieutenant of natives at San Salvador mission. Controversy regarding Rodriguez' passport which was lost and the issue of a second. Interrogation of Rodriguez and guide Maldonado questions motives of Rodriguez' arrival in Mexico City. Account (135) of Rodriguez' route from Dolores to capital. Mentions Anglo-american Apache relations (135.5-136); Rodriguez witnesses anglos trading liquor, cigars, gunpowder and arms to Apaches for antelope and bison. (J. Hiller, April 1989)

Service records, biographies, and honors of Ribera, Sandobal, and Borrega. Personal characteristics (age, height, religion, etc.) and military campaigns given. Killing and imprisonment of Gandules reported. Also, capturing of wild animals. Wounding of Sandobal by enemy arrow stated. Reenlistment and honors of all are stated. (P. Lenz, February 1990)

Index and extractions from legajo 12 (1765) containing administrative, military, and religious information regarding various provincias. Indexed material includes petition by Oca for health leave; remission of treasures from Chihuahua mines; discovery of islands near San Juan and San Bernardo; petitions for travel; salt mine development; canons and gunpowder for presidios; auxiliary troops provided to San Saba; instruction of military recruits; Indian invasions in los Alamos and Batuco Valley; need for supplementing arms, horses to Buena Vista recruits; request that a held white deer be submitted to Mexico; establishment of navigation between Acapulco and Matanchel; establishment and fortification of presidio of Buena Vista and money allocated for work; salaries for citizens substituting for absent soldiers; department of wine and spiritous liquors. (J. Hiller, July 1989)

Correspondence between viceroy, Garces and de Anza concerning Garces's explorations in upper Colorado River with attachment of letters from fray Escalante about Zunis and area in case Garces travels to New Mexico from Colorado River. Accounts by de Anza on expedition to California, his turning command over to comandante Moncada, refusal of Moncada to travel to San Francisco to explore area for establishment of presidio and missions, de Anza travels with teniente Moraga, one priest and eight soldiers to explore San Francisco bay. de Anza gives an rich description of bay with its good soil, abundance of water, pastures, and wild animals and fish, meeting with Indians who fish with nets and use of balses made with reeds to cross bay and fish. de Anza does not name Indians but describes them as gentle. He also describes area to be rich with woods from which construction of fort would be easy. de Anza establishes places where missions and presidio should be built returning to Monterrey where he requests meeting with Moncada without success. Serra meets with Anza preoccupied with moncadas' attitude with friars and families from Sinaloa, teniente Moraga in letter to Anza believes comandante Moncada has lost his mind which results in his not wanting to follow planned agenda. Documents about rebellion in San Diego are not very clear, de Anza also describes desertions of some muleskinners and two soldiers who steal some horses and moragas capture of desertors in Gila where de Anza punishes them with laboring in construction of presidio and missions in San Francisco. Anza informs viceroy about Garces return to Colorado River leaving him foodstuffs for his sustenance as Anza returns, also fray Exiarc returns with Anza to Tumacacori mission. Capitan Palma and three Yumas with accordance with his people attaches himself to Anza to travel to Mexico. Viceroy answers Anza letting him know he is displeased as Anza did not finish his comission as he left before construction of fort and missions began. (A. Dell'acqua, January 1988)

Documents relating to events in transporting families from canary islands to settle in Texas, lists of materials in clothing and all kinds of tools needed. Lists of supplies of foods, salary to be paid to guide, increase of daily maintenance for every person, census of families with physical description of every individual in expedition, proposals by church to marry every girl from 12 to 18 years of age and every Boy from 24 to 12 years of age. Appointment of priest to cure families, itinerary of trip. Also, lists of expenses incurred in transportation from Veracruz to San Antonio. Maps with planned areas in which such families could settle near San Antonio without conflicting with other settlers in area drawn by marquez de Aguayo in ff. 187. A plan to scale and drawing of proposed Villa to be established in ff. 201 and orderly issuing of lands to be given to families for planting. (A. Dell'acqua, January 1988)

(A. Dell'acqua, January 1988).

Very useful analysis of conditions of Nueva California with details as to funds and costs to be incurred by military and include - economic benefits and improvements in cattle raising, improvements in agriculture techniques and crops grown. Role of missionaries and changes due to and since Jesuit expulsion. Provisions to be supplied to Indians, settlers, military and missionaries; militia formation; housing and choosing community leaders; required annual inspection of establishments; work habits, recreation and rewards to combat idleness. Salt supply and transportation. Appeal to be made to viceroy to enforce law should clergy refuse to oppose regulations. Relocation of include - establishment of towns, workshops, mills with suggestions on where to locate, what to produce, what to teach Indians. Military service for residents of Nueva California. Use of whale sperm and fat. Shipbuilding. Development and taxes. Investments and profits. Accounting procedures for agriculturalists and religious. Military, religious, Naval salaries. Better communication needed for cooperative trade between two Californias. Importance of further exploration of coast. (J. M. Johnson, may 1989)

Concerns cattle runs (Ganado Mesteno) in province of Texas; government's prohibiting of these runs without express permission due to property damage, looting and Indian raids that followed; listed are laws regulating times of cattle runs in region, limiting herd sizes and promoting killing of wolves and Coyotes that killed Calves. (K. Hubin, March, 1990)

Uranga has spoken with Barrio, Calvo, who want peace. Problems finding competent interpreter to aid negotiations. Calvo says there is good Spanish captain, who has arranged peace with Mezcaleros near Norte. Barrio's band organized to make Mescal, hunt deer while he deals with Uranga. Mention of Calvo's men tracking thieves of oxen from Robledo ranches. Emissaries of virrey sent to negotiate. (A. Dean, March 1989)