Colonization

Ansa's informes from Colorado River to Bucareli; states many in party are sick, Weather cold; two women gave birth; capitan de Yumas asks for missionaries; list of supplies. (J. H. Ochs, October 1987).

Towns need be established to support troops in presidios in order to counter Indian hostility; areas sought with water, farmland and nearby woodland; line of frontier towns proposed for depopulated Conchos regions; 200 people of 41 families established; some irrigation undertaken, but lack of rain caused poor harvests; re-establishment at Pilar de Conchos advised for ease of reconstruction of dam and plentiful irrigable land; notice of establishment of population received; includes unrelated claim by Apache Indian (Manuel) concerning civil case; repetitive and superficial. (p. Coyle, November 1989)

Two representaciones by Hijosa to Bucareli. Ff. 277-279 request viceroy to advise Audiencia to send 30-40 presidiarios to clear land around San Blas for settlement. Ff. 280-282 ask permission of viceroy for Hijosa to appoint contramaestros and guardianes of navy equally from Europeans and native born. Hijosa supports native born who often have greater navigational abilities. Reply from Bucareli is follow regulation procedures. (J. M. Johnson, may 1988)

Letters from Espinoza to viceroy asking that distribution of water from Rio San Pedro and San Antonio, be given to Neofitos and Cathecumenos from missions along the River, as well as to colonizers from canary islands. (M. Marroquin, September 1989)

Series of autos dealing with distribution of land to colonizers brought from canary islands to San Fernando (capital of of Tejas and Nuevas Filipinas). Fray Vergara reports on the difficulties resulting from insufficiency of water supply to irrigate land in vicinities of Rio San Antonio. Account of events in San Fernando given. I.e. Indians stealing horses, wheat and corn plantations etc.). (M. Marroquin, September 1989)

Concerns Series of autos dealing with distribution of land and water rights to repopulators from Nuevas Filipinas. Conflict arose between Spaniards and Indians from San Fernando missions. Measurements of each property are given. Series of certifications given by Almazan about distributions of land and water rights in San Fernando to colonizers from Islas Canarias. Water source for the area was rio San Antonio. (M. Marroquin, September 2, 1989)

Concerns Series of autos dealing with conflict that arose when land and water rights were distributed to Indians of the San Fernando missions and colonizers from islas canarias (repopulation of the area needed to serve as a deterrent to Indian invasions coming through San Fernando). (M. Marroquin, September 1989)

Concerns recommendations by Barri based on information provided by Palou. says the southern territory is the most fertile in California and populations should be established according to Galvez' instructions. Suggests movement of Spanish families to restore and defend the area and avoid losing lands to Indians. Agrees with Palou's suggestions for new ways to populate. Suggests ideas for mission administration and payment of Cura to administer. Suggests incorporation of ranch and farm. Relates conditions in Loreto including lack of working Indian families and lack of water for crops which inhibits mission enlargement. Has 39 Indians who fled Todos Santos due to inhumane treatment by Castro. Has asked padre presidente to replace Castro and Dominguez but hasn't yet. Includes short letters to Barri from Marcelino and Castro y Moreno. Includes decree from fiscal suggesting replacing mayordomos because they provide an opposite example of that which viceroy uses his funds to create. Decree by Bucareli orders fiscal's suggestions be carried out and that Indians not be treated as slaves. Bucareli requests that Barri compile information and submit report on verity of accusations against Ibarzabal. (M. Dannemiller, March 1988)

Concerns distribution of troops on the frontier. Pacheco answers viceroy's request for an explanation as to why troops have been separated from conquest areas. Pacheco explains that there is not enough money to support many more conquered Indians. Many of frontier lands lack water for crops. Some of frontier areas accepted Spanish settlement without the need for troops while sometimes the troops are separated from the areas where needed due to lack of cooperation between missionaries and capitans. (M. Dannemiller, October 1987)

Documents concern the death of the conde de Sierra Gorda. Gives lengthy biography of his services to the crown, of his settling and establishing of villages and repelling Indians attacks. A detailed account of his early military career in Querataro is given. His various promotions and especially of his successful campaigns against the Indians. A good account is given of his establishing of numerous towns and missions and of his pacification of the Indians and of their conversion to catholicism. Conde de Sierra Gorde decorated with the titulo de Castillo, thus freeing him of payment of Media Annata. Account of 1742 battle with English nation and of their attack on Veracruz. Later documents concern charges brought against him by citizens of his province for his over-aggressive style. royal commission sent to investigate. Conde de Sierra Dies before case completed. His son's role in defending his deceased Father against the charges. Commission's finding of no substance to charges. Additional letters concern the request that the governorship become a hereditary post and that the deceased's son, Manuel, shall be named as governor. His son's biography is extensively listed-military campaigns, settlement of towns, and pacification of Indians. A further request is made that assistance be given to the entire family. Names of family members given and their newly-granted offices and titles listed. Governorship granted to Manuel. Throughout the volume are good descriptions of founding of towns and resulting battle with the Indians. Folios 145-149 are especially strong in describing la Campana en Tamaulipas, including number of deaths, injured and prisoners taken. Also detailed are Indian banditry and the attempt to convert them through education and the missions. (P. Lenz, September 1989)