Commerce (Illegal)

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)

Military personnel and civilians are sworn to testify in response to questions on; how they heard of the French trespassing the Colorado River into Spanish territory; when they first heard of it; how much land they believe the French have occupied; and what outposts or presidios the French may have built on said land (ff. 163 - 171). Ratifications (ff. 171 - 180). Indian interpreter relates French trade activity with the Indians. Spaniards describe black slave mistreatment by the French and consider their potential to become loyal Spanish subjects. Junta de guerra y hacienda considers weight of testimonies and action to be taken, if any (ff. 208 - 215). French crown has paid multilingual spies planted, which the Spaniards condemn. (E. Wilson, December 1989)

Reiteration of the six questions in Vol. 181 seq. B. Between 1750 and 1751 French troops and families arrived in new Orleans presumed to fortify population of Nachitos, puente Cupe and Caudachos. The Indians in the area are presumed to like the French as they are generous with guns, bullets, etc... In endless quantities. The Spanish are uneasy about the French trading with the Indians and trespassing the boundary dividing the two territories established in 1720, the Colorado River. The Spanish view the Mississippi River as a natural boundary. Past autos and documents are consulted to determine how past governors settled the question of trespassing. Sandoval is found to have permitted illegal trading between French and Indians in Spanish territory. The French should definitely abandon any presidios built within Spanish territory and return to Nachitos, talk of war with the French if they donot do so peacefully. Aguardiente and wine trade with the French is questioned. English are found to be trading with the apachilinos and the Samases on Santa Rosa Island. Ff. 146 - 147 is a relacion that orders meeting of guerra and hacienda to resolve whether; Escolta is needed on San Pedro River to observe French activities; a mapping engineer is needed to assist governor in defining boundaries; peaceful or forceful removal of French is needed; Spanish troops should be moved to Adais presidio in case of forceful removal; 1/3 advance on pay be approved for soldiers to equip themselves with rations; French aguardiente and wine be allowed in moderation due to extreme Weather temperatures in region; all documents on this subject should be collected so as not to contradict any royal warrants concerning the French and Spanish boundaries; the governor of Texas should execute said relaciones. On ff. 150 the junta de guerra y hacienda is begun to resolve the aforementioned problems. (E. Wilson, November 1989)

Revilla Gigedo orders Barrios y Jauregui, present governor of Texas, to investigate whether Barrio Junco y Espriella, Former governor of Texas, was involved in illegal trade with French. Declarations and ratifications from ff 74 - 80 mostly from military leaders at San Xavier sworn to secrecy not to tell of the investigation. All denied any knowledge or possibility of contraband dealings connected with Barrio Junco y Espriella, Ruiz or Losoya. Barrios y Jauregui makes outline of six trespassing into Spanish territory ignoring the Mississippi Indians. They each answer these questions on ff 81 - 95. Declarations are from ff 95 -99. (E. Wilson, November 1989)

Continuation Cordero's report concerning pacified mescalleros, their interaction with troops, citizens in Paso and Norte; Uranga's account of weapons, munitions distribution. Summary of report trading with Indians upheld; thefts committed by Indians of isolated rancherias, Apaches Faraones of the Sierras de Sacramento, Guadalupe, Blancas, Diablo; troop number should be increased to deter rebellion, pursue and punish thieves; Indian disunity should be encouraged, loyal Indians should participate in actions against rebels. Nava's report to Revilla charges of misconduct, illegal weapons trade by troops; Cuerno Verde only Mescallero Rancheria believed involved in thefts; account of marquez stock transactions with Indians and troop under Ugalde's command; Picax-Ande only one in Norte to petition for peace; Lipanes present only when Emmisary Bilansatliche petitioned for peace; supports Cordero's recommendations for increased vigilance; men sent to Guanajuato, Paso; organizing for punitive action against Apaches Faraones. Revilla Gigedo acknowledges receipt of Nava's report recognizing need of measures outlined to punish thieves and maintain peace. (J. Higgins. April, 1989)

Nava commissions Cordero to investigate rumors Mescaleros receive weapons, munitions from Spanish which are traded to Lipanes for stock stolen from Coaguila, Mescaleros then trading stolen animals with citizens , soldiers in Norte, El Paso, San Eleazario. Lipiyan Picax-Ande Ynstintle de Ugalde may be involved. Cordero to interview soldiers, citizens there. Leaders, rancherias, locations, numbers, those not reducido; horses acquired from Indians since peace established, since order issued only unbranded, unshod to be traded; how often, how many, which Lipiyanes in Norte since peace, goods traded. same to be conducted in San Elezeario, El Paso, Norte. Branded stock of unknown origins traded after peace, none since order issued; number, location, size, leaders of Mescalero rancherias, their travel, trade activities; unidentified Indians seen at Tinaja del Paisano with unfamiliar stock; Picax-Ande seldom seen in area, whereabouts unknown; few violations of peace; some small thefts suspected of Pases-Fla. (J. Higgins, April 1989)

Series of letters that deal with the finding of contraband on a ship in Veracruz, decommissioning of the ship, and impounding of contraband goods. There are letters from ship's Owner responding to the charges and explaining that goods proceeded not from its home port of Nuebo Santander but were boarded while at anchor in Veracruz. Letters from intendente and investigation. Final documents drop contraband charge against ship's Owner and ship is freed. (P. Lenz, September 1989)

Concerns Series of documents dealing with abuses committed by Alcalde mayor Juan Baez who took away other people's property and money because, allegedly, there was the need to create militias in Vallecillos where Indians came and made problems. Goats are taken from Hacendados. Document explains details of conflict between authorities and local inhabitants of Vallecillos. Alcalde Baez is accused of running illegal businesses and of being promiscuous, I.e. Baez took someone else's woman and lived with her. Document explain what should have been done to save problems, such as not allowing this kind of people to serve the community. (M. Marroquin, August 1989)

Notice of revision of ramo de alcavalas of the provinces of Nuevo Santander; governor receives copies of bandos from the viceroy (bandos are related to prohibition of commerce among employees of ramo de rentas); viceroy authorizes military escort for Munoz, who is traveling to Texas; notice that people of tributary classes must get a licence to get out of domicile; viceroy gives recommendations about dealing with ships claiming to be whale hunting; Cierragorda receives order to release Alferez de Tula; notice is given that Mugier's case be reviewed; titulo de Castilla is given to Serena; Cierragorda receives copies of Bando giving pardon to people guilty of contraband (M. Marroquin, November 1988).