Civil-Military Relations

Continuation of Roldan-grimaldi controversy over Roldan's arrest and imprisonment of disorderly soldiers in Durango. Begins with Roldan's auto de Caveza de proceso. Series of other autos follow, summarizing arrest, soldiers' disrespect for Roldan, Grimaldi's demand that soldiers be turned over to him. Includes quotes from incident, especially soldiers' insults, abusive language (alcalde gamarrero, carajo, tal Por qual, que me ha cagado, Por tierra fuera en L Pachon, y Todos quantos Insurgentes ha habido, y no me Cara en Todos estos atajos E alcahuetes, cabrones?). Roldan then sends these declaraciones to Garcia conde, Bonavia. (T. Sheridan, April 1990)

Ff. Continuation of Roldan-grimaldi dispute over whether Alcalde Roldan had right to arrest, imprison disorderly soldiers in Durango. Balza appointed defensor of Grimaldi and reviews case in letter to comandante general (numbered ff. 164-171). Ruiz de Bustamante, defensor of other accused soldiers, then reviews their Cases (numbered ff. 172-181). Quinones, in particular, accused of calling Roldan a gamarrero. both documents clear, lengthy reviews of charges. Fiscales Rongel, Garay then review case to that point. (T. Sheridan, April 1990)

Continuation of Roldan-grimaldi controversy over whether Alcalde Roldan had right to arrest, imprison, punish disorderly soldiers. Trial continues as witnesses give their testimony and accused respond to that testimony, especially Ramon Cisneros. (T. Sheridan, April 1990).

Continuation of Roldan-grimaldi controversy over arrest, punishment of disorderly soldiers in Durango. Ruiz de Bustamante appointed defensor of imprisoned soldiers in July. Garcia conde appointed defensor of Grimaldi but declines. Grimaldi interrogated once again (numbered ff.108-109). Other declaraciones follow. (T. Sheridan, April1990)

Continuation of Roldan-grimaldi dispute over civil vs. Military authority. This Series begins with dictamen of licenciado Mena, who argues that Roldan did, indeed, have authority to arrest, imprison soldiers. Includes more declaraciones of soldiers involved in the affair. (T. Sheridan, April1990)

Continuation of Roldan-grimaldi controversy described in preceding entry (ff.22-55). Includes depositions of Ramon Cisneros, Manuel Rivas, and other soldiers involved in fray. Soldiers claim they were only defending themselves against civil authorities, who beat them up. Juez fiscal Rongel also interrogates just about everyone else involved in controversy, including Grimaldi (ff. 76-77), who claimed Roldan just using incident as way to attack Grimaldi over dispute over mine called San Juan Nepomuceno. (T. Sheridan, April, 1990)

Roldan tries to arrest un ladron famoso, y facineroso but group of soldiers violently resist his arrest and their own. Other soldiers arrive with orders from Alferez Grimaldi to take disorderly soldiers to Quartel de San Antonio. Develops into major civil-military jurisdictional dispute over whether civil or military authorities have right to arrest, detain, punish soldiers. Includes depositions of soldiers. (T. Sheridan, April 1990)

Gathered, transcribed documents discussing possible locations in Nuebo Santander, Coahuila for new presidios or relocation of old ones. Problem finding sites with sufficient water, defensible. Letters span 7 years but all very similar; lots of information on geography, distances between places, locations of Arroyos and Rios, places suitable for livestock, etc. (A. Dean, March 1990)

Tueros reports on discovery of new gold placeres in Palo Ensebado area. Relates richness of area; influx of miners into area and resulting depopulation of nearby areas; request for troops to protect area from rebel Indians. Copy of letter from of these troops protecting Palo area. (D. Uhlman, February 1988)

Mostly general reports of plans to deal with Indian attacks, often using friendly Indian auxiliaries; mention of missionaries involved in organizing defense efforts; more specific passages listed below. F.88-89 mentions need to melt down tin, lead from five presidios (no names) to cast bullets; mentions Spanish civilians left in presidio guarded by 20 Indian soldiers (vague). F.90 describes in detail carnage left by Indian attack in Barranca. F.91 mentions finding mutilated body of Luna. F.99 reports apprehension, questioning of five Naiarites, one of whom is Don Pedro, gobernador of Santissima Trinidad; goes on to describe round-up of Naiarites in Ocotan for protection, recruiting soldiers. (A. Dean, January 1990)