Architecture (Religious)

Unrelated documents (some incomplete) concerning various aspects of public works. Ff.222-223 Jordan has bought house in Alameda adjoining Santa Isabel convent, asks to have separating Wall removed. F.224 Jose Soto asks that his son (josef, soldier sentenced to Obras publicas) be sent to Hospital; mentions certification of Josef's illness, not included. Ff.225-226 Rodriguez asks that deterioration of her property be repaired (a service apparently included in property taxes). Ff.228-230 suggestions for improvements to roads around Toluca, areas frequently washed out, creating toll bridge between San Martin and Mexico City. Ff.231 traffic in front of San Juan de la Penitencia convent disturbing sick being treated there. Ff.233-235 road under construction between Veracruz and Orizava. F.237 pension paid to dona Victoriana beron India cazique as widowed property Owner. Ff/238-240 construction of public chapel on grounds of San Jose convent; gives some specifics for building materials, architectural details; mentions alabaster from Tizaltepeque to be used, transport of alabaster. F.241 mentions plan for houses to be built in Cultepeque. Ff.242-243 Marulanda complains of no waterline, roads not paved at his house, not worth what he paid unless brought up to standard. F.244 priests of San Camilo complain of lack of maintenance at church making public apathetic, pious intentions impossible. (A. Dean, October 1989)

Letters to viceroy concerning public works. Ff.176-181 concern need to build new Calzada nearer to point of Tolotlan to replace old one that was impassable for carriages. Ff.182-185 concern need for repair considerable deterioration on Punto de Animas. Ff. 186-188 concern need for restoration on archbishop's Palace in Tacubaya, specifically water supply (some question of purity). F.189 concerns scarcity of water in Huamantla. Ff. 190-194 concern toll on vehicles traveling through Cuebas (list of costs for various types of carriages) to fund work on road. Ff.195-203 concern annual cleaning of aqueduct at Chalco; capital invested by various duenos to fund public works, interest rates. (A. Dean, September 1989)

Unrelated documents concerning works overseen by Santa Maria (maestro arquitecto mayor). F.82 concerning water supply to Tochimilco. F.85 is plan of church to be built in Teusitlan, concerning construction, collecting tithes from citizens except Indians, poor people. F.90 concerns construction of new road between Atlixco, Mexico City. F.93 concerns adding icons (plasterwork?) To church in tehuicinco. (A. Dean, September 1989)

Series of documents recounting events concerning construction of churches in Chihuahua and Santa Eulalia. In 1727 merchants and miners of those villages donated 80,000 pesos in silver for churches, but silver was appropriated by military for war effort. Villagers lodged complaint, which was considered in 1787, and in 1790 resolved that money be returned. (A. Dean, January 1989)

Fuentes' letter to Palacio includes quote from Palacio with stated goal of fully exploiting mines of San Carlos Tamualipa suspension of Alcavala, Media anata; land made available to miners; extension of cattle grazing; wood, materials and equipment tax free; sale of gun powder at Mexico City price; quicksilver to be sold at San Luis price; as well as other ways of promoting metal production. Palacios to Croix expresses desire of miners for priest sundays and for festival days; tax on silver to construct church; need to develop water system. Discussion of favorable metal production in San Nicolas. List of group of miners some who are witnesses and elected members included with Nava and Fuentes in report promoting mining. Fuentes in letter to Palacios explains that some mines are not being worked due to absence of their discoverers, uneconomical conditions for exploitation, and lack of tools; abundance of veins and continual discovery. Lists made by Fuentes of San veins; quantity per load of ore extracted at each mine. Partial copy of duty charges of Alcabala from may - June 1768, includes who sold what to whom (especially food) (ff 316). Letter from Nava to Palacio discusses state of individual processing abilities; production capacity. Letter also tells duty Charged on silver and gold. (L. L. Woodward, October 1988)

Complaint by Pizones of mistreatment by fray Estrada of Hoyos mission Indians. Indians were to give labor and land to mission for 4 years in exchange for half of the production and their needs taken care of. For the last 2 weeks rations have not been supplied; missionary not meeting needs. Estrada requested to treat Indians well and return their lands as laws prohibit mistreatment of Indians. Description of mission church at Hoyos. Count of oxen, horses and mules of mission; Indians contest that there were more cattle and that they were more Mature. Request that Ramirez be responsible for management of cattle, previously mismanaged. Estrada has had harvests collected and has spent money all over; sale of almost all mission cattle by Blanco. Discussion of Indians attendance of mass, absence of idolatry. Ordovas to make journey to mission to investigate but complains of illness, distance, and dangerous Mecos which has delayed trip; told he must go despite these excuses. Puga to investigate and return land to Indians. Indians having to travel in search of food. 3 Pizones and a Pame went to Mexico City to testify that a year has passed without rations and land taken by Estrada. Descriptions of vegetable and Milpa crops grown. Testimonies of mission apames and Pizones indicate that Estrada gave corn rations the first two years and describe bloody beating by Alcaldes but directed by Estrada, and Indians given other land of lesser quality. (L. L. Woodward, September 1988)

Concerns Series of documents dealing with the construction of a church in Teul. Indians who are building the church asked their freedom in exchange for free labor they are providing. Indian auxiliaries from Teul solicit the grant of land for favors provided to the king in the conquest of Nayarit (document gives account of the events in which Indians helped the captain fighting Indian enemies in Nayarit. (M. Marroquin, July 1989)

Concerns letters reporting the need for a new church since much of the province's life depend on it, I.e. Indians being baptized, taxes, agriculture, Diezmos y primicias etc. Budget for new construction is 44,000 pesos. Notice that Indians are constructing a new church given. Old church destroyed by earthquake. (M. Marroquin, June 1989)

Concerns Series of reports on earthquake in Colotlan, damage caused by it and its intensity. Notice given on reconstruction and financial need to rebuild local church. Appraisal of damage caused by earthquake done. Local government officials signed a joint certification testifying about the damages caused by the quake. Church measures given. (M. Marroquin, June 1989)

Concerns reports to the viceroy about losses in agriculture due to prolonged drought; wooden house is built for missionaries; Indians prepare land for new season; Cierragorda solicits post of capellan for his cousin; report on decline of thefts in missions committed by the Indians; Indian population statistics are given for the Colonia of Nuevo Santander, rancherias and and their distances from the capital are provided; report on the establishment of two new missions in Tamaulipas after pacification of Indians was carried out; Cierragorda solicits rank of Colonel for his 37 years of service; index; notice of bandos instructing on the fueros of the Marina and maestranza is mentioned; review of tercera compania Volante; notice that soldier must be transferred to Lampazos after he deserted from his previous post; Consuegras solicits release from jail; viceroy arrives to the Corte and is congratulated by the governor; (document does not say which Corte) (chart showing Indian population, places and distances from the capital in ff. 352) (M. Marroquin, November 1988)