Climate

Mendinueta reports Apache hostilities noting that Apaches can easily attack because they are aided by friendly vecinos. Announces cancellation of trip to travel to another presidio due to warfare. says snow impedes Indians. Reports agreement with Indians to have peace during fairs. Mentions weak manpower of presidio. (S. Gibbs, August 1987)

Documents dealing with mining production and worker's situation in placeres. others deal with formation of compania de comercio para el trabajo de las Labores de oro. discussion of finances and labor supply needs. Discussion of Apaches troubling the region; raiding Mule trains, missionaries, and people. Discussion of mining techniques and equipment, and Weather and terrain problems. Fueros discusses need to change production levels and efforts to inspire laborers who are not suited for work. Insufficient amounts of gold for royal fifth at times. Discussion of finances of church construction and refusals to contribute by some people. Discussion of laborer's movements from Placeres to their homes for vacations for planting and harvesting. Discovery of new mines, and water needs in some mines. Discusses various fiscal matters and salaries. (S. Fiederlein, June 1987)

Fueros reports on mining operations at Cieneguilla and actions of Indians of region. Comments on how more tranquil since arrival of partida of troops. Reports on surrender of groups of Seris. cabecilla and his band still holding out. Discusses output of new Placeres, his attempt at inspiring workers to extract More, problem with Placeres being distant from him. Also mentions continuing problems with Apaches and suspension of monthly campaigns against them. Describes Indians clearing asequias to irrigate crops. Tiburones and Tepocas living in peace, planting their crops, and defending against Apaches. (S. Fiederlein, 5-6-87)

Documents deal with need to repair presidio. Tienda has not begun operations, waiting further orders. Concern that rainy season may prevent repair tasks, and increasing deterioration will result in higher cost. Mention of difficulty transporting logs in River. Also mention that Yaquis will be used as laborers. Ff. 190-191 are out of order, and deal with plans to combat Apaches, Seris, and Pimas. (J. Tapia, April, 1988).

Concern moving of population of Santa Gertudis to Erastzata because of extremely cold climate. Includes short references to Indian Christian religious practices and Indian dress. (A. Tukey, July 1988)

Detailed descriptions of Nayarit and native inhabitants, with especially rich account by covarribias (ff. 66-69). Includes accounts of phonetics and grammatical structure of Indian language, Indian diet, general nature of Indians, and problems facing their conversion to christianity. Also describes geography, climate, fruits and vegetation, and wildlife (especially problems with vampire bats) of Nayarit. Concludes with Series of pleas to viceroy for payment of reparations for damage caused to Indian lands and life by conquest and governorship of Flores de San Pedro. (A. Tukey, July 1988)

Correspondence pertaining to military appointments within Provincias Internas with particular attention to Inspections, dead soldiers, certifications by doctors about soldiers wounded during campaigns, and certification of invalids. Auto about pragmatica of weddings and their interpretation. Informe about postal problems due to heavy swelling of rivers due to rains; Ugarte's transfer to Guadalaxara as presidente de audencia. Orders from king for retired officers to use different uniforms to avoid confusion. (A. Dell'acqua, November 1987)

Concerns events related to Elizondo's expedition; participation of the catalonian volunteers; their assignments in California; fighting at Cerro Prieto; supplying troops for assignments; troop movements and relocations to area around San Blas; most of documents relate to relocation of combined force of members of the catalonian volunteers and the regiment of America, who were ordered southward to a garrison near Tepic; the collection includes many interesting details about their sea voyage and March; including notes on misfortunes caused by storms; food; and inflated prices. It illustrates the significant problems of troop movement between central New Spain and frontier. (J. Williams, September 1987)

Two informes from Elizondo describing happenings and hardships encountered on March from Sonora to Mexico City. (J. H. Ochs, June 1987)

Gallardo describes problems relating to Yaquis in Valle de San Buenaventura and other military/administrative concerns of province; reflects on bishop Tamaron's letter on similar topics; notes importance, aptitude of Yaquis for mining (whom he praises); describes original settlements of Yaquis; their farming; climate of their lands; seasonal interest in work; he praises their industrious efforts; he stresses Spain should be fair to this important ethnic minority; comments on extreme acculturation of Yaquis; their knowledge of Spanish; his earlier visit to their country; possible new missions on Colorado and Gila; economic woes of mining industry produced by lack of operators; much on Indian labor in province; contrasts patterns of Indian labor used in Provincias Internas with other regions of empire; proposes that certain aspects of other regional policies be adopted. (J. Williams, may 1987) adopted. (J. Williams, may 1987)