Civil Conflict

Document of 23 ff. from fray Garcia to Galvez accusing Escandon of gross abuses in Nuevo Santander; he is accused of fraud, lying, ruining Indian property, allowing Indian nonacceptance of religion and ineffectively fighting rebelliousness, having not created a mission, allowing his capitans to murder Indians, allowing Hacendados to not pay diezimos, nepotism, abuse of Indian labor. He is seen as responsible for the death of fray Silva, the demolition of village, convent and church of San Antonio de Llanos, the injust treatment of Indians, the murder of innocent people and the lack of justice for the guilty in these crimes; excellent description of thoughts of gentil Indian to fray Garcia about the contradictions in religion and what they See as reality. (D. Bautista, June 1990)

Abalos accuses Olasaran of viciousness, treason, imperiosity, among other things. Olasaran accuses Abalos of calumny, being an imposter (Abalos claims his Father is C. Abalos; Sanchez claims C. Abalos had no son). Frequently mentioned that Abalos is mestizo. Many letters from character witnesses protesting for/against each party. Inserted in middle of these is Series of letters concerning death of Guzman (f.262-265), in which Abalos is apparently implicated. Buena is widow of Guzman. It seems Abalos is arrested, his punishment discussed. (A. Dean, July 1989)

Letter to viceroy requesting freedom from unjust jailing of members of cabildo of San Fernando. (A. Dell'acqua, January 1988)

Settlement and payment to fifteen families who were staying and helping families from canary islands. Viceroy wanted to pay them for continuing in area. Capitan of presidio San Antonio relates that families have moved away as they did not want to continue living with people from canary islands as their way of life was different and wanted to avoid tensions and fights. (A. Dell'acqua, January 1988)

Correspondence addresses grievances expressed in 'representaciones' by Castro, others, concerning 'correo' of pi de oriente, that too dependent on pi de Poniente and treated with 'demasiada aspereza.' (L. Kerr, February 1989)

Quintin de Arispe, Cura de Monterrey, demands return of 956 pesos lent to merchant from Saltillo; recounts story of exchange; unsuccessful in recovering money alone, so solicits judicial assistance. (L. Kerr, February 1989)

Letter accusing the tribunal in charge of houses 11 & 12 vergana of poor administration. Accusations of not paying rent and extortion. Letter stating that seven million pesos rent paid on house. Letters stating houses in disrepair and should be renovated. Interrogatives concerning administrative actions and policies. Letters concerning inheritance proceedings on behalf of sra. Arguella. Benito Macua named executor of arguella's will. (K. Mccaston, may 1990)

Armesto instructs Landazuri, Aguilar and Barajas to put up boundary posts (mojones) for defining taxable lands belonging to California missions. Bermudez had usurped land for cattle, sheep and horse haciendas. Ladron de Guevara carefully chronologically traces ownership of parcels in question from original grants by viceroy in 1613. Detailed information on surveying geography, and inheritance, land use, rents and improvements through 1765 to disprove Bermudez' claim of possession. Bermudez ordered to effects, etc. Found acting in bad faith; ordered to return all property illegally obtained and fined 3000 pesos. Moctezuma provided costs of damage incurred to lands by Bermudez' misuse. Interesting primarily because of prominence of several major women heirs and for extracts of 17th century land documents. (J. M. Johnson, August 1989)

Maria Barreta's Father requests that virrey order Azebedo to pay his daughter's return Passage to Spain because of Azebedo's mistreatment of daughter, including forcing her into prostitution. (D. Marksz, September 1987)

Letters from Chihuahua to the virrey regarding the problems between the comandante and tesorero; others from Durango explaining the reasons why Garcia conde has not moved to Chihuhua. Summary of the petitions made by ayuntamiento de Chihuahua from February 15, 1814 until 1820. Letter informing the virrey that the prisoners convicted of conspiracy were not sent to prison but are being kept by Bonavia in Durango. (D. Bautista, December 1989)