Crimes (Murder)

Letter from Cancio to viceroy relating attacks by unified groups against presidios and settlements in which Indians killed three Spaniards, kidnapped two children. Cancio describes futility of following trail to rescue children twenty four hours later. Due to lack of military personnel, distances from presidios to settlements or towns, he implies that rather than military reduccion, matter should be handled by peaceful means. Relates preparation of troops to unite with military personnel from other presidios to attack Cerro Prieto. (A. Dell'acqua, February 1988)

Series of documents re: Indian attacks: Seris killed seven people in Bacanora and Ostimuri, stole horses; Apaches stole cattle and horses in Santa Ana and San Ignacio; soldiers from Tubac attacked Apaches recovering some animals; exchange of prisoners with Apaches in Fronteras; Apaches killed one person and stole horses in Nacori and Ures; Apaches killed 4 people in Santa Catalina, relatives of murdered chase Apaches killing 10; Indians killed and took captives in Nuri, Guadalupe, and Potrerillos; Bergosa with 100 soldiers and 30 friendly Indians patrol Sierra de Pilares y Bacatete with orders to kill enemy Indians; Sibupapas steal horses in Tecoripa; Apaches killed 2 people in Saracachi. Croix urges Pineda to exterminate enemy Indians. Pineda informs Croix of survey of Guaymas, arrival place of troops. Pineda orders construction of storage houses to store food for incoming soldiers, and leaves soldiers to protect workers who fear Indian attack. Pineda informs Croix of need for money to pay soldiers of his provincia, and states that 12,000 pesos received is not enough, requests silver to buy cattle, soap, etc. Pineda informs Croix that friars are in Matape waiting for others in order to be shipped out of Guaymas according to royal decree. Pineda sends Croix list of officials in his presidios. (J. Tapia, June, 1987).

Pineda informs viceroy that Pima Indians murdered several men, women and children in Orcasitas, Ostimuri, and Onnapa. Soldiers have failed to control them, and Esparza believes some Indians may be residents of pacified towns. Pineda believes cannons may not help against Indians in this terrain, and that foot soldiers likewise may not be helpful. (J. Tapia, June, 1987).

Concerns Cases of dragoons and presidial soldier, imprisoned in Durango, on charges of desertion and murder, with related testimony; includes sworn statement of jaurgui Berry. (J. Williams, April 1987)

Concerns case of dragoon Castro, who has been accused of Murdering Dominguez. (J. Williams, March 1987)

Concerns case of Castro, who is believed to have murdered Dominguez; Fayni explains steps taken to collect evidence; also notes communications difficulty between settlements in north. (J. Williams, March 1987)

Concerns murder trial of Castro, who has been Charged with death of Dominguez (Bucareli authorizes trial of Castro, who as Member of dragoon is technically under his legal authority). (J. Williams, March 1987)

Documents between Queipo de Llano, Peramas, and virrey(?) Concern violence of Apaches and Taraumares in 1773; resulting instability of frontier; and concern of officials to stop violence through arrest and extraction of confession. Queipo de Llano reports large number of thieves in prisons. Noting poor security, he stations military men at prison to improve security. Emphasizes importance of exacting confessions by giving counts of confessors at various points in document. Recounts Apache hostilities including murders, abductions, livestock thefts, wasteful animal killings, and corpse mutilation by stripping and overshooting with arrows. Reports Taraumara hatred of Spanish--supports statement by citing Taraumara holdups, thefts, threats of massacre. Substantial information on Apache/Taraumara relations including intertribal trading, joint anti-Spanish plotting, settlement patterns. Latter part of document is testimonial recounting details of arrest and confession of Taraumara Luna and itemizes Luna's various crimes. Decision made to pacify Indians; make as many arrests and exact as many confessions as possible; solicit and follow Oconor's opinion on handling of Indian criminals. (S. Gibbs, January 1988)

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)

Fayni relates Indian hostilities near Chiguagua; announces intention to make personal visit to assess damage, propose solutions. Mentions increase in number of men necessary for defense against Indians. Relates Indian murders at presidio Tanos; theft of mules/horses from mining group; use of Nortenas of junta subalterna to expatriate Jesuits; 2) deplorable state of missions, intent to improve missions by recapturing escaped Indians; 3) Velazquez' attempt to establish jury from Indians/paisanos; 4) state of militia at San Juan Potosi and Guanajuato; 5) imprisonment of Tarumares who guided Apaches; 6) success of joint Opata-presidio campaign efforts. Acknowledges resignment of Martinez lorionado and Cruz. Acevedo de Elyzondo mentions wide rage of hostilities, scarcity of arms. Gomez de la Torre relates Indian depredations in Valle de San Buenaventura, cites topography as hindrance to punishment of Indians. Chronological account of mobilization of arms of hacienda Dolores in 1770 including delivery of mobilization instructions to vecinos; arms transfer from Dolores to San Phelipe el real de Chiguagua; participation of vecinos, Opatas and Nortenos under captain Galvez. Transcription of account of voting in Villa San Phelipe el real de Chiguagua over mining/ commerce disputes and military campaign. Each voter's rationale paraphrased. Virrey asserts Cuellar's military authority, mentions campaign funding through libranzas, orders termination of presidio Nuestra Senora de la Limpia Concepcion del Pasage. (S. Gibbs, November 1987)