Climate

Documents arrival and departures of ships with freight and passengers between San Blas and Baxa California; includes detailed lists of passengers and freight; includes notice of transfer of sick people to Tepic because of bad climate in San Blas; notice of armed English brigs off coast of Baxa California. (p. Coyle, March 1990)

Series of correspondence regarding necessity of stepping up military on border with Luisiana due to U.s. aggression; artillery and infantry crucial to border defense plan offered by Bonavia; plan for troop mobilization and military supply routes climate, economy, population, terrain, cost of troop upkeep; question of what to do with anglos living on Spanish land as foreigners (deport them? Leave them alone?); interesting Series of documents. (D. J. McClelland, July 1989)

Series of letters and diarios regarding Comanche hostilities and border defense in Texas; discussion of border defense requirements include building new cuartel and expenses involved, more arms also needed; diarios of military pursuit of Comanches give accounts of Indians being killed (including one woman), and pursuit and tracking of Indians, made difficult by heavy rains; interesting though jumbled. (D. J. McClelland, may 1989)

Documents primarily concerning Comanche raids and subsequent military pursuit of Comanches, including detailed accounts of pursuit in letter and diary form; accounts of what exactly Comanches did, I.e. murder, mutilations and Robos; Bustamante is wounded in pursuit of Indians, tracks are lost due to rain; Indian hostility blamed on French and anglos; brief discussion of shortage of arms along borders, and list of supplies suggested; very interesting documents. (D. J. McClelland, may 1989)

Marrufo reconnoitered interior regions near Sierra Madre. Because of harsh winter, troops were ineffective, campaign was unsuccessful, and 79 Head of horses and mules were lost to the snow and freezing temperatures. (D. Marksz, October 1987)

Loyola remits diaries of Cordero and Casanova to virrey. Copies of diaries included in documents. Cordero had difficulty finding traces of enemies due to heavy snowfall, but was able to bring back five Apache prisoners. Casanova likewise had difficulty at times with snow, but found tracks of cattle thieves. (D. Marksz, October 1987)

Concerns descriptions of province of Texas for recommendation as sight of new port and further expansion of settlers due to abundance of land, water and fertile soils; new settlements desired to establish trade with Louisiana and also to keep French and English from expanding further into region; contains descriptions of Flora and fauna and geographic and climatic descriptions; contains eloquent statement by Mesieres against French, English and hostile Indian tribes in region. (K. Hubin, June 1990)

Begins with review of previous testimonies and conclusions drawn. All witnesses believe Colorado River to be the boundary between the two territories. Barrio believes Misisipi (Sic) River to be boundary. Testimonies are considered hearsay and not conclusive. Governor of Texas deems necessary to establish boundary between territories and move French presidios from la Isleta to Nachitos. Questions discussed; engineer to survey boundaries, squadron of 20 soldiers and one official to observe the French, wine and aguardiente trade with French, 36 French companies each of 50 men and 100 swiss men, slaves fleeing French masters, Frenchman San Denis bestowing titles of rank on Indians in Spanish territory, French lenguarazes in Spanish territory. French are described as machinaciones, wanting to trade with anyone and that the only way to control them is by populating presidios with more Spaniards. Ff. 253 - 264 junta de guerra y hacienda discusses same as aforementioned including; one-third advance on pay to soldiers; governor of Texas to determine amount of land usurped by French, names of French towns and presidios established on Spanish territory. All witnesses believe the French occupied lands from 1734 - 36, no new towns have been built, French trade gunpowder, clothing, etc.., with Indians in Texas. Many Indian tribes ally with the Texas Indians and the French. These same Indians consider the Spanish the enemy. Ff. 264 - 275 junta de guerra y hacienda discuss and resolve the following eight points. The governor of Texas should inform commander of Nachitos to return to his Side of the Colorado River, the boundary. The governor will not be sent engineers to map and restore usurped land. A twenty-man squadron with one official will not be sent to the San Pedro River to observe the French. No decision yet as to whether the Texas squadron will be reinforced as the Nueva Veracruz squadron, only a break in relations could decide that. Wine and aguardiente trade with the French desired due to the cold winters is prohibited. Decree proclaiming black French slaves free is prohibited as provocation of the French. Spanish Indians in Texas are not prohibited to trade with the French as the Spanish want to keep the Indians happy and possibly sway the Indians to trade with the Spanish. The second part of this point decides to prohibit the French from bestowing titles of rank on Spanish Indians. The final point permits the French lenguarases to remain in Spanish territory so as not to provoke the French. (E. Wilson, January 90)

Documents contain information resulting in formal establishment of Guemes. Describes well drilling and associated difficulties at various levels. Escandon and others conduct review of people, land, Indians, crops, rivers, timber. Contains complete lists of families and Escuadra including names, ages and property owned. Describes planting of crops. Abundant Mesquite and Nogales. Reports from others telling Escandon that more people coming to Guemes. He must allocate more corn and tools. Escandon says must plant wetter lands in sta. Anna because of difficulties in well construction. Also says have taken so much Cascara of Sabinos that have left them dry and dying. Practice will punished, must use palms for roofs. Instructions for Ciprian to direct residents and congregate residents. Escandon names location for mission. Includes city plan. (M. Dannemiller, April 1989)

Documents contain information resulting in formal establishment of Padilla. Escandon and others conduct review of area. Description of well-drilling and associated difficulties. experiencing severe lack of rain. Discusses also land, climate, other advantages, need for mission, and distances to other Villas. Contains complete list of families and members of Escuadra including names, ages and property owned. Discusses conditions and obligations of residency. In general has sufficient water, good land, abundant timber and fish. Ciprian says need to give Indians corn, clothes, and tools to keep pacified because generally untrustworthy. says good idea to build separate mission where water plentiful. Reports by others contain similar information. Escandon gives instructions for upcoming year concerning Villa, Indians, cattle and property. Includes city plan with surrounding rivers. (M. Dannemiller, April 1989)