Corn

Series of letters from Lacumba to Ugalde written in 1786 concerning orders to produce a certain amount of corn, and transport cattle, by a specified date. Other letters concern methods of documentation, Indian prisoners, and supplies. (O. Velez, October 1988)

Congratulatory letter to viceroy Galvez by gandorilla giving him an ethnographic and historical explanation of provinces of Sonora and Hostimuri including plans for better management of Indians, lands, cattle, grains and transportation routes. (A. Dell'acqua, December 1987)

Documents detailing attacks on Palma in foothills of Cerro Prieto. Detailed account of expeditions, battles, lack of food and water for animals and troops; death of military personnel, Indians. Lists of standing army with all officers. Their spies are fast and most rebels avoid capture except for some fallen in battle, women and children prisoners. Some Indian groups sue for peace. (A. Dell'acqua, February 1988)

Letters from Cancio to viceroy and other officials regarding military appointments; financial problems in mantaining presidio due to lack of funds and credit. Behavior of Indians under new religious missionaries; supplies to maintain Indians under control to learn Christian faith. Movement of troops under Cancio. (A. Dell'acqua, February 1988)

Concerns profits from royal tobacco monopoly; return of officials to Spain; various related financial matters; appointment of Corez (office not specified); and case against Bustamente of San Elizario. (J. Williams, April 1987)

Very detailed report on current condition of missions of Nueva Vizcaya, and new political regime being implemented for their governing; includes notes on doctrinas and missions; religious services rendered to Indians; conduct of missionaries; crops grown; application of civil laws; various community rights; economic conditions; record keeping related to livestock, people etc.; apostates; immorality of Indians; idolatry and its relation to crimes; places apostates inhabit; settlement dispersal in province; congregation of Indians in select reducciones; passport for Indian travel; work of Indians outside missions; care required to prevent desertion of mission Indians; learning of trades; continued hunting and gathering; work of women; various kinds of contamination by outsiders; housing descriptions of mission and non-mission Indians; irrigation; household furnishings; Indian Christian customs; failure to fully acculturate; Indian custom of eating horses; diseases; work at mines; cessation of custom of having yndios de mita in forced repartamiento labor; vagabondage; Spanish language instruction; cesarean medical operation; desertion; pulque consumption; disease resulting in depopulation. (J. Williams, March 1987)

Concerns various aspects of financing dragoons detached to province; notes their March to Chihuahua; problems of remounts; taking of Mineral baths by Fayni; effects of Indian attacks; movement of troops by O'Conor; mail service; forwarding of various administrative papers; enemy raids around Atotonilco*)

Concerns resolution of military problems of province; includes notes on attack of 300 Apaches around Chihuahua city; poverty of vecinos of province who continue to provide auxiliaries; viceroy refers to new defensive program under O'Conor and transfer of dragoons to province. (J. Williams, March 1987)

Series of documents relating Indian depredations. Detailed description of mutilation of Spaniard's corpses by Indians including genital mutilation, stripping, gutting and stuffing with beans, excessive lancing, and Head smashing. Reports Indian theft, killing of animals and burnings. Mentions corn as dietary staple; hunger, economic hardship caused by slack trade from Indian threat. Mentions Indians' wasteful killing of animals, closing of mines, village desertion. Cites bravery of woman who shot Indians in self-defense. Reports illness of Galvez and Galvez' intent to return to field after sick leave. (S. Gibbs, November 1987)

Periodic reports from leaders of destacamentos relating new events; most reports say nothing was happening. Copy of itinerary of one Destacamento listing pueblos and haciendas they were to visit from Fresnillo to Durango, and distances in Leguas. Complaints that regimiento spent more money because of high cost of maiz and maintenance of horses. Lasso de Vega is unable to make March to Chihuahua because he has too few horses and money. Posada reports illness of Montante in one report, and later says he is inutil para el real cervicio. (D. Marksz, February 1987)