Civil-Military Relations

Order from Croix regarding role of civilians in defense of frontiers, especially the duties of civilians in relation to presidial troops. (T. Barnes) (1977)

A lengthy controversy (going back to 1680) over the use of soldiers to protect the city of Durango. Document full of good history, as the governor of Nueva Viscaya and the cabildo and archibishop of Durango try to convince the viceroy of their point-of-view. Good military history. (T. Barnes) (1976)

Fragments of testimony labeled parafos y puntos sacados de los parezeres de Sonora, concerning the use of companias Volantes for purposes other than strictly military. Mange's testimony contains some references to Indian depredations near Cosiguriachi. (R. Perez) (1977)

These documents consist of a letter from a presidio capitan and a letter from the governor to the viceroy. The capitan, Don Fernando de Villanueva, explains that he is unable to supply the three soldiers ordered by the governor since he has only six men in all with a very large frontier to protect. The governor sends the letter to the viceroy and asks that the capitan obey the order or face the loss of his office. (C. Needham) (1975)

This is a long narrative account by a number of witnesses, presenting Gaspar's story of how governor Guajardo Fajardo moved into the presidio of San Francisco Xavier de hacatouri and took it over, illegally from Don Gaspar. In the body of the account Guajardo is Charged with over extending his authority, with purposely paying Indians to make war to upset the tranquility of Sonora and with wanting to take the presidio so that he could get more silver from the Caxa in Durango. This appears to be a continuation of documents placed before the 1682 tribunal altho no mention of 1682 is given here. Is mention in here of missionaries and agricultural conditions. The date on the testimony taken is November 16, 1653. Not sure exactly when event took place. Persons- capt. Don Gaspar de Quesada Hurtado de Mendoza, captain of the presidios of Sinaloa; Francisco Fernandez de la Cuerva, Duke of Albuquerque; Diego Guajardo Fajardo, gov. Of Nueva Vizcaya; Juan de Munquira, Alcalde mayor named by Guajardo to Sonora; Francisco de Bustamante, Actual captain of troops in presidio of San fco. Xavier de hacatouri after leaves goes to Villa de San Felipe. (R. Davis) (1975)

These documents are orders regarding fighting the Tobosos, aid between each other accounts of the fighting sent back to the governor. An interesting point is that gov. Diego Guajardo Fajardo of Parral mentions his need for funds, the holdings of the Caxa in Durango and brings up the 4,000 pesos given to his authority by the bishop. This obviously ties in with the tribunal concerning Diego's activities. (R. Davis) (1975)

This document provides some insight into the conflicts of authority between civil and military officials of the frontier. The case concerns a capitan who has the responsibility of providing security for the roads and who has been imprisoned in the jail by the local alguacil mayor, allegedly for causing disturbances and displaying a lack of respect for the civil authorities, namely the alguacil himself. Eventually, governor Valdez must decide the case. (C. Needham) (1975)

A warning to royal officials that a group of armed fortified americans have established themselves in the mountains near Santa Fe. The americans reportedly crossed the Missouri between osage settlements on a route from illinois to Santa Fe that was discovered in 1795. (G. Miller) (1977)

Loaiza meddled in a dispute between a drunkard and a lieutenant over how a dead man's estate should be handled. (R. Perez) (1977)

The missions and provinces of Sonora and Sinaloa are being accosted and almost destroyed by the Seris and Apaches. Tarahumara and San Miguel attacked. Lack of adequate response on the part of the military. (R. Perez) (1976)