Crimes (Murder)

Concerns relations with the Lipanes, Apaches, and other Indian tribes; mentions military conflicts with the Apaches. In particular, the Indian texa, as he is continually referred to, apparently killed a Lipan named Joseph el Coxo in the Plaza of the Valle of Santa Rosa and was caught; thus, many of the documents relate to that incident. (J. Hiller, 1989)

Index which concerns the request by sargents, and other soldiers that land be distributed to them in San Rafael de Croix in a manner similar to the rest of the colony, mention of needing to research information on the establishment of the town in 1777; index which concerns judicial proceeding against Borrego for killing Gonzales, later release of the prisoner; index which concerns the case against Lorenzo Leal for insubordination, later pardon of individual of prisoner; letter which describes classification of documents relating to Indian gratifications; an index of quadernos 1-10 that discuss; request by Ugalde for goods to give Indians involves salary of Montanez; how gratificaciones were used in Besar to open the way for the control of Texas and New Mexico, the reimbursement of cost of gratificaciones, review of gratification costs incurred by Munoz and Pacheco, costs incurred due to Comanches, examination of accounts by various officials and the finding of a direct path from Santa Fe to San Antonio Besar, remaining entries cover similar matters under command of Nava, the years represented in this index are 1786-1792. (O. Velez, November 1989)

Concerns documentation relating to the case of Montes in which he is Charged with killing and robbing his boss, will not be granted military privileges in this case; ff. 0378-0379 concerns indictments against Dovalina and Diaz de Bustamante for ?, and the quebra of the tercera compania volante de Nuevo Santander, most of the documentation her deals with reformulation of case against them to concord with certain procedural requirements; ff. 0381-0382 concerns documentation relating to Calleja's file on need for improvements to be made to roads, funding to come from propios de los pueblos, new opening proposed for the Sierra Madre to be paid for with sums from other sources than the one mentioned above; ff. 0382 concerns documentation of the Indian attacks on the ranch Boca and the culpability for this is attributed to Trevino. (O. Velez, November 1989)

Index of correspondence that concerns the Indian complaints of damage done to irrigation water is ff. 0363; ff. 0364 covers abstract of correspondence that deals with soldiers wives requesting money assigned to them by governor, request granted; ff. 0365 concerns the leave of absence granted to Ramon so that he can be married, mention of the dowry required; ff. 0366 covers the result of a judicial proceeding (indictment) against Esparza for the crime of desertion and his punishment of 8 more years military service; the request of, Sanchez for land for raising livestock near Llera and other areas, justifies his request by citing the strategic utility in closing up two areas of escape for Indians; ff. 0368 deals with documents used in the case of Alvarez in which he murdered his wife, is not entitled to Fuero militar; request by Molina that he be transferred to another area where he owns a ranch that he is in jeopardy of loosing if he does not receive transfer, request is granted and Salcedo allowed to pick substitute from Veracruz; letter that concerns Indian complaint lodged against Castillo in protest of his pushing them off their land. (O. Velez, November 1989)

Officials Charged with desertion in times of war. Request for money for Cartegena to Guatemala voyage. Areche left San Diego in route to Acapulco. Juan Garcia ship surgeon. List of ports passed in route. Hiring of ship servants discussed. Santiago stopped in San Blas for provisions. Requests for Paquebot San Carlos to leave San Blas. Juan Beas accused of killing Juan Cardenas. Request to move from San Blas to Acapulco because port was cleaner and more comfortable. Cargo in weapons. Wages of Naval personnel discussed. Pedro Yzaquirre and other officers contracted illness on vessel. Martinez accused of misconduct.

Most important documents will be referenced below by folio no. Most unusual document is letter to Pison signed and likely written by his wife regarding his importance to family (f. 308). Incredibly filthy swear words attributed to him, directed against priest during mass, quoted and underlined in ff. 244-245. Useful diagnosis of ailment (sinocat putrida) and simple treatment prescribed of better diet, sleep, exercise by surgeon (f. 316 ?) Traces processes of judicial procedure in determination of charges of other bad conduct on Pison's part, brought by teniente de gobernador Moreno in Loreto. Included is detailed service and conduct record and witnessed testimonies of Pison's past military service; and other biographical information. Accused of years of drunkenness, womanizing, thievery, setting bad examples for mission Indians. Jailed at mission; some witnesses testify that he reacted to provocation by others; Pison requests change of venue for unbiased trial and accessibility to witnesses for his defense who are themselves in prison in Guadalajara. Released by authorities on bail paid by Ramon Espinosa; although his mine personal effects are kept. At trial, jailed prisoners clear him of murder of Osio, by swearing latter died by drowning. Pison countercharges Moreno with beating and refusal to allow his case to go before Barri. Provides motive for Moreno's silencing him by citing evidence of Former's absconding with treasury funds and illegal trade in alcoholic beverages. Missionaries and Armona testify to his generally good character, despite drinking bouts. Final decision, however, by Valcarcel; approved by viceroy is that Pison must be punished by losing personal effects, mine, military title and lifetime banishment from Californias. Ff. 328-331, when punishment given, Pison petitions Bucareli to allow him for temporary stay in Loreto with family to make financial arrangements before his expulsion. (J. M. Johnson, July 1989)

Reports of moco raids around Nuevo Santander. Primera compania and civilian Posse go after Indians in Sierra de Tamaulipa, kill most they find, but take one woman and one child in chaingang. Justicia de Aguayo attacks ranch of friendly Chichimecos, killing most, imprisoning some; results in uprising of 300 peaceful Indians in reduccion at Croix, who kill 4 citizens of Croix then raid Santillana. Virrey condemns action as stupid, endangering peace treaties with most other tribes. Suggests total campaign by all milicias of province, as military alone can not fight so many. (A. Dean, Jul 1990)

Ugalde gives Vidal de Lorca responsibility for use of troops, villagers in maintaining peace in province. Series of Indian attacks begins after attack by Tanambres. Vidal de Lorca gives deaths, injury statistics; states Tanambres have returned to mission at Lleres. He highlights some of murgiers' expedition in Sierra de Tamaulipa, that Pasitas and Zaraquayes have sent Capitancillos to ratify peace. In return for cease to hostilities, Vidal de Lorca grants food supplies to Indians, at expense of Guemes mission. Discusses establishment of piquete Volante to monitor activities of Indians that have returned to missions and settlements, as villagers know which Indians have committed last Series of crimes. Once caught they should be hanged in public place. (O. Velez, March 1990)

Document characterizes Indian bands that have come down from Sierra de Tamaulipa and those that remain there as infieles, Amigos, y enemigos; indicates which groups have proposed peace or not. Vidal de Lorca offers to provide information on sites of Indian groups; informs virrey of peace proposals from Zaracuayes, Pasitas; has postponed action until comandante general (detained by Mescalero uprising in Santa Rosa) arrives. Vidal de Lorca is redistributing surplus cattle of Santa Barbara, Guemez missions to other missions and Indians. Indians under command of Benito have fled to Sierra de Tamaulipa after brawl with Santiago Indians at Croix mission. Indians suspected of killing a herder were caught, one of them asked to be baptized before being killed. Discusses Series of Indian attacks resulting in deaths of two from San Carlos. Culprits suspected as from San Christoval mission or under command of Noparan. (O. Velez, March, 1990)

Concerns military misconduct and criminal accusations of Juan Bautista de las Casas; accused of murder, very little information as to details of crimes committed by Casas; consists mainly of accusations and counter-accusations by different parties out of personal resentments; Garrote as form of capital punishment mentioned. (K. Hubin, March, 1990)