Civil-Military Relations

Correspondence of gobernador intendente Corbalan to comandante general de Croix deals with logistical questions of Rivera y transfer of military personnel and supplies, weapons and transportation of settlers. Departure of ship and postal service carrying supplies to California establishments. Accounts of Rivera detail weapons and clothing for members of expedition. Ff. Numbered 19-23 are of petition of Maria de Leon, wife of teniente at San Francisco who because ill could not accompany Husband Jose Joaquin Moraga. now asks to rejoin him. Corbalan approves and grants 200 pesos for her travel with Rivera y Moncada. (J. M. Johnson, November 1988)

Correspondence is between gobernador militar Ugarte and comandante general de Croix about the 1781 military expedition of Rivera y Moncada escorting recruits and settlers from Sonora California deserters granted amnesty to families and list of places of residence of their families. Transfer of soldiers between presidios and supplies and horses for recruits for expedition. Increase in numbers for military escort requested by Rivera y Moncada. (J. M. Johnson, November 1988)

Correspondence is between comandante general Croix and viceroy Mayorga about aid requested by gobernador Neve for 1) new missions and presidios to be established in the Canal de Santa Barbara and 2) comisiones to Rivera y Moncada in escorting settlers through Sonora to Alta California. Details involve transporting families and livestock to new establishments; supplies for these and troops at missions and presidios; salaries for soldiers and workers. Departures of fragata Santiago, favorita and Goleta Sonora with provisions for California. Interesting details on furnishings and religious objects for new chapels at missions. Recruitment of priests and transportation of same by ship or overland with Rivera. Weapons and canons for Santa Barbara presidio. (J. M. Johnson, November 1988)

Heirs of Rivera y Moncada in 1796 use procurador to form strongly worded petition to be presented to king to speed their claims for payment of inheritance, pension and past due salary of captain massacred by Yumas in expedition to California with recruits and settlers in 1781. Delays in processing blamed on bureaucracy and unrealiable testimony from survivors and prisoners. Palou certifies legitimacy of three sons; testimony also taken from neighbors and past military officials to determine inventory of personal effects and amount of past salaries for various positions he held in New Spain. Many references to past reglamentos in determining amount due heirs of salary and Monte Pio militar. Final determination of claim made in Spain and Mexico in 1798; authorized to be paid in 1800. Interesting review of Rivera y Moncada's service record with amount of salary for each advancement. Emotional appeal describing hardships on widow and sons due to lengthy delays in process to recover funds owed them.(J. M. Johnson, October 1988)

Discussion of difficulties in resolving questions of Rivera y Moncada's accounts and past salary to recompense his heirs and settle debts owed to surviving families and recruits of 1781 massacre. References to many past conflicting orders and reglamentos. Interesting for tracing progress of transactions from local civil and military officials, through those of real hacienda, up to final decision by king. (J. M. Johnson, October 1988)

Transcribed letter from hacienda owners to Revilla Gigedo stating Apache raids are taking immense toll in lives and property, begging official assistance. Draft of letter to owners suggesting raising militia of 100 Tarahumaras and citizens for protection until troops can be brought in. (A. Dean, March 1989)

(A. Tukey, October 1988)

Pedriza sends prisioner cardiel to Bonavia. Trial against cardiel for the crimes of desertion and robbery. Pedriza sends letter informing administradores de hacienda to take care of the transportation of the prisoner cardiel and deliver him to governor of Nueva Vizcaya. In may 21, 1820, cardiel requests a pardon from the virrey and is released on the condition that he serve in the military for 8 years. (D. Bautista, December 1989)

Relation of the military career of Garcia conde, and a letter to the new virrey requesting permission to leave his position because he feels ill. On June 22, 1817 ayuntamiento de Chihuahua again writes a letter to the new virrey requesting move of the capitania general from Durango to Chihuahua. Virrey orders Bonavia to change his residence when new gobernador of Durango arrives. Garcia conde answers the virrey explaining why he does not want to change his residence. (D. Bautista, November 1989)

Repetitive testimony of Indians and vecinos concerning alleged mistreatment of Indians by detachment under commandant Jose Ortega; includes separate heading concerning decision to release soldier Salvador Rodriguez for third desertion on ff.322. (p. Coyle January 1990)