Cotton

Documents concern information resulting in formal establishment of Santa Barbara. Escandon and others conduct review of residents, Indians, mission, climate, crops and general advantages of area. Includes complete list of all residents and members of Escuadra including names, ages, marital status and property owned. Also, 10 families live around mission with same privileges as those in Villa. Mentions Indian groups in area. Reviewers say Santa Barbara one of most important establishments in Colonia as stop-over place and has most fertile lands and most abundant timber. Provides distances to other Villas. Discussion of moving mission to Alberca which Escandon later approves. Escandon gives instructions for construction of homes and a road to Llera. says gambling and liquor to be outlawed. Contains record of admission of one family to Villa. Provides instructions for administration of both Villa and mission. Contains map, city plan of town including surrounding rivers. (M. Dannemiller, April 1989)

Concerns reports by Escandon and others concerning conditions in Altamira and feasibility of official establishment as Villa. Contains review of mission, Fabricas, Indians, land, climate and distances from Altamira to other Villas along frontera. Contains complete lists of families, Escuadra and all property. Mentions conditions established for residents and their obligation to stay in Altamira. Mentions financial support for Villa. says peaceful relations with Indians who receive corn rations from Altamira. Cyprian says location is perfect, good land, easy transportation on rivers, abundant fish and other reasons. Recommends uniting with Panuco and Tampico to secure the coast. says temperate with few Mosquitos. Also mentions cultivation of Calabazas. Instructions by Escandon for future activity such as building of homes, treatment of Indians and church construction. Contains city plan including rivers surrounding Villa. (M. Dannemiller, March 1989)

Correspondence between Loyola, Senor fiscal and others regarding plausibility of building Obraje in Santa Fe; Indians of region described as being very industrious; women spin cotton in own homes; agriculture and cattle are economic Basis, but during time between harvests no one works and time is wasted; building Obraje would keep people busy at all times, plus add to income; plan is opposed by Senor fiscal due to possible interference with european textile trade, costliness; types of cloth planned for Obraje also discussed; basically interesting document. (D. J. McClelland, January 1989)

Discusses settling of Indian groups in Nuevo Santander; review of locations and Indians in each area. Need for greater defence of missions. In order to reduce Indians, need to dominate Indians through punishment, and food distribution. Discussion of seeds and cattle for food production and surplus need to keep accounts of agricultural production and livestock; also tells whether rainfall or irrigation agriculture practiced and future possibilities. Indians described as deserters and apostates who are causing damage in northern provinces. Mention of frey Rodriguez' request for mission. Description of ethnic groups and population of rancherias, their water source and suggestion of moving Indians to three new settlements between Padilla and Guemes or take advantage of irrigation. (L. L. Woodward, may 1989)

Testimonies on state of missions in Nuevo Santander provide of Indians at mission and identification of their ethnic group, number of Indians christianized, inventory of livestock, political offices held by Indians, amount of land owned, description of agricultural production, quality of soil, rainfall or irrigation specified. Mention of group of Sierra tamualipan Vieja, mention of Mesquites' participation in dances, Mitotes, drinking, and Peyote use, and also past harmful behavior before making peace. Robbery by several Indian groups. Discussion of need for more soldiers to punish Indians who stray from towns and missions. Possibilities of use of cotton and sugar Cane. Also provides information of number of soldiers stationed at missions, military expenses for salaries and supplies, sinodo expenses, and commercial endeavors such as sale of hides. (L. L. Woodward, may 1989)

(S. Gibbs, September 1987)

Concerns missionization and settlement of vagrant Indians. Need to finish construction of jail and quarters. Need to investigate vecinos' of Nuevo Santander selling Indian children as slaves. Promotion of Oconor. Index of letters from Ripperda to virrey from 21 January - 24 jan, 1773. Copy of new royal regulations given to Ripperda by Oconor, especially concerns Indian regulations. Comanche horse, Mule, and oxen thefts, and of subsequent campaign against Comanches. Request for new artillery in Bexar. Publication and distribution of vandos. English weapon commerce with Indians; contact with gov. Of Luisiana about avoiding arms commerce with Indians; gifts of arms to friendly nations in peace efforts. Apache and Texas hostilities. Missionization of Indians. Tauaya capitan's wife in Ripperda's house. Discusses province defense and need for establishment of new presidio. Suspension of Ayuntamiento is Bexar. Concerns interpreter for Mecieres. (L. L. Woodward, may 1988)

(S. Gibbs, October 1987)

Documents relate to charging diesmos by padre doctrinero of Presas del Rey, viceroy requests investigation as town charter exempt diesmos when town founded. Citizens and officials relate historical, ethnographical details of towns. Visitador Palacios imposes diesmos, copy of document issued by Santianer setting and directing payment of diesmos by all in Santander province under penalty of jail and excommunication if not obeyed. List with stated amounts to be paid by each citizen. Also, a list of Arancel de Curato issued by bishop. Capitan Blanco documents differences of diesmos in province complaining of excesses by some priests, Blanco called to northern frontier to stop Indian incursions and investigation comes to a halt. Fiscal mayor requests reimbursement of expenses incurred by Blanco which are approved by viceroy. (A. Dell'acqua, September 1987)

(A. Dell'acqua, may 13, 1987) Baeza forces Indians to work on textiles, paying them 1/2 real for 4 reales work. They are forced to gather cotton for his mills. He refuses to support missionary efforts with the military; Zuni has consequently fallen back into idolatry. (R. Perez, 1977)