Crimes (Escape)

Vaamonde recounts loyal service history as justification for appointment to new position, as unemployment has left him in state of poverty. Includes short account of defense of canary islands from British, construction of fort at San Blas, and disciplining of batallion of Spanish and Indian auxiliaries stationed at San Blas. On page beginning with siguiendo aquello de apeles (folios unnumbered), detailed account of torture ritual and cannibalism practiced by unnamed group of Indians in Nuevo Leon. Spanish victims kidnapped from area around Sayula are tied to stake and burned with branding irons while dance called mitote is performed. Skull cap of victim is removed, and dead bodies are eaten. Vaamonde's campaign against these Indians is recounted, as well as quelling of uprising in 1783 of escaped prisoners, headed by notorious pirate Lorencillo, in Guadalajara. Vaamonde seeks position as governor of Nuevo Santander, intendente of San Luis Potosi, or sargento mayor de Mexico. (A. Tukey, January 1989).