Commerce (Open Markets)

(R. Graham) (1980)

Account book of Marcos Vidal which presents primarily sales of wine and aguardiente to individuals. (R. Davis) (1979)

F.j. establishing an annual fair of european goods in which goods sold are free of tax.

(Robert H. Jackson) (1980)

(thoric cederstrom) (1980)

An inventory of prices of various merchandise in Chihuahua. Originals also sent to Guaxoquilla and Pilar de Conchos. Both same except price of Lanzas has gone up. (P. Hayes) (1977)

Galvez grants several Catalan families licencia to settle in Sonora and work newly discovered mines; Pujol placed in charge of group's transportation and welfare. List of individuals making journey provided, including age, physical description, marital status; each to receive 2 reales daily to cover costs. Sail in fragata nuestra Senora de la Concepcion, heading first to Havana segun las reglas del comercio Libre. en route, Pujol requests financial auxilios, as per diem too small. Group ordered to resume travel conforme a la contrata signed in Spain or all financial aid. Members lodge complaints against Pujol, described as malicious. Pujol defends himself, denies accusations, arguing contract impossible to fulfill if per diem not increased, that group practically forced to beg. Croix assigns Fages to carry additional money to group and take charge; Fages finds members dispersed (See folio 29), difficult to organize for remainder of trip. Moreno decides Pujol may be cruel, but per diem indeed too low, increases it to 3 reales. (L. Kerr, April 1989)

Index of letters that are included in this Series; Bonavia establishes duty on goods entering the port of Sonora, models it on San Blas duty at meeting of junta provisional de real hacienda; letter from virrey acknowledging receipt of above letter; intendent of Guadalaxara receives information on meeting of junta provisional; long letter furnishing information on the regulations, rights, and other details of the process by which duties are Charged in San Blas, letter divided into 28 capitulos which in general discuss; the distinction between duties and taxes and the related question of jurisdiction, economic motivation for their imposition and effect on commerce and prices, importation of cotton from Panama and foreign producers and a complete list of the duties Charged on this merchandise. Cites the increased costs being suffered because of the revolution in the context of seeking additional revenue, cites the benefits to the port of San Blas because of the increase in commerce, mention made of the taxes and duties Charged on goods that are foreign but have gone through Spain before coming into the Americas, more specifically there are different rates on foreign goods that have been espanolizado depending on which american port they enter, San Blas has a privileged status in this regard; second half of letter titled derecho de entreda, duros de internacion , up until capitulo 12 has a description of duty Fee percentages, the prestamo patriotico is reduced by 1/2 percent for those who pay duties, comparison of these rates with those in Lima - compare favorably, virrey has stated that the charging of these duties should be arranged so as to most resemble reglamento Al comercio Libre del Ano de 1778, lists the taxes that will be paid on foreign goods that first are espanolizados and pass through Guatemala, Santa Fe, and Peru before passing through the port of San Blas, analysis in the change of these taxes with those that had been inuse before, lists the commodities that will be Charged duties, last part of letter goes into the context of the situation as justification for these new taxes and lastly cites all the names of those who were part of the junta general and were witness to these new changes. (O. Velez, September 1989)

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)