Daily Life

Letters from Aguero to virrey concerning problems of previous administrations, Aguero complains about lack of order in management of money in the presidios and in the government, he suggests to the virrey to sign his letters or at least to write virrey on them so he can be sure of their authenticity and follow orders given on them. He also suggests some changes in management of water to the area since the River is polluted. Aguero also describes terrible situation of Durango, full of criminals and with no decent jail; the horrors suffered by Chihuahua always attacked by Indians and without enough troops to protect it; and there is no official house for the governor and oficials in Durango, a problem that can be easily solved by taking money from the church and not bribing the workers (untar la Mano). The governor complains to the virrey for not getting his pay in Durango and says that he is more honest than most government oficials. In another letter Aguero proposes some changes in mail procedures and strongly suggests to the virrey to give an order about these changes, in the meantime he has already encarcerated some oficials for not proceeding according orders. A letter from Canel y Castrillon offering his services as capitan for a new regiment in Durango, and a strong recommendation from Aguero to Cruillas. (T. Kahana, November 1988)

Concerns discipline problems of 2nd flying company of Sonora, some of which relate to supply of equipment and gambling; includes a petition of enlisted men in regards to a riot that took place some time before at Pitic; Elizondo rejects their memorial ynsolente and calls for disciplinary action. (J. Williams, September 1987)

Concerns problems of supply and transfer of men to Terrenate following their participation in the Elizondo expedition; includes a set of account records noting purchases of weapons; cloth; buttons; other accoutrements; personal items; religious paraphernalia; these records often include place of purchase and seem to be countersigned by the deliverer; introductory note considers problems caused by Vildosola; these documents are of the first level of importance for the economic history of northern Sonora. (J. Williams, September 1987)

Correspondence between Pedro Fueros and virrey concerning mining operations at la Cieneguilla, Sonora. Includes routine documentation of quantities of gold produced and transported to Alamos, plus accounts of depredations suffered by Indians, settlers and miners at hands of Apache marauders. Also, account of discovery of silver deposits at San Marcial. (J. H. Ochs, August 1987)

Concerns Jesuit missionaries' strong arguments against new regulation of presidios with various explanations on why it is in error; notes on weakness of Rivera inspection; character of settlement system; problem of banditry that is destroying provincial commerce; wants increase in road patrols; problems of civil government; crosses of dead along highways; expenses of defense; distractions of visiting officials to area; advocates increase in presidial strength; reflects on character of Indian wars, missionization and enemy; comments on opinions of capitan-inspector Retanas; use of la Mal yerva; current quiet of Indians; system used to govern Indians; abuses of Indian labor (and consequences of fugitivism and banditry); tactical limitations of mounted troops in Sierra; contrasts of european and new world military theaters; retarded social and economic character of region; virrey acknowledges receipt of letter. (J. Williams, may 1987)

Gallardo reflects on nature of Indian wars and present crisis of Nueva Vizcaya; comments on return of Yaquis from Valle de San Buenaventura; reorganization or re-activation of various presidios on Camino real to Chihuahua city; deployment of militia and presidial forces; proposals and comments of Mendoza, Tamaron and Carta; reviews arguments made by those authors; describes frontier military life in harsh terms; problems inherent in military administration; threat of banditry, measures that need to be taken to bring it under control; Indian attacks; places inhabited; dispersal of settlements is major defense problem; areas actually protected by various presidios; possible expenses of reforms; comments on Tamaron's infantry proposal as absurd, claiming they are producto de un celo Santo, y de un concepto in greso Por informes de personas poco instruida en la guerra de los indios; demonstrates Tamaron's calculations in error; describes in detail arms and equipment (Cueras, sables, escopetas), nature of war (unsuited to infantry), advantages of lightly equipped enemy warriors; describes why guns are Inferior to bows and arrows; many details on battle tactics; enemy's lack of formations in battle; stresses war is unconventional struggle de duender; draws comparisons with war in north Africa; praises frontier soldiers; notes present threat of French; notes French weapons trade on south plains; refers to various legal codes; contrasts northern New Spain with other areas being subjected to colonization; emphasizes many shortcomings of New Spain venture; notes use of canary islanders in Texas; lack of plans used in establishing many important settlements; use of Tlaxcaltecans as settlers; many interesting biblical and historical allusions; emphasizes that Spain does not have resources to erect barrier like great Wall of China. Gallardo notes information he is presenting here is based in part on inspection of Nueva Vizcaya, Sinaloa, Sonora of ca. 1750. Document is of great historic merit to any who are interested in later Rubi/Lafora expedition and regulation of 1772. Many of Gallardo's fresh insights have been echoed by later historians such as Thomas and moorhead. (J. Williams, may 1987)

Concerns various expenses of two Franciscan hospitals in Durango; with many details on; repairs; furnishings (beds and matresses); number of beds; an accusation that Franciscans are over-consuming provisions (including soap and Chocolate); women slaves; an quantity and quality of Franciscans clothing. (J. Williams, April 1987)

Concerns secret alliance of Taraumaras, rebels and other infidels; much on capture of Francisco, a Tarahumara who has cooperated with renegades in past; confirming testimony describes his interrogation where he was tied to tree and beat with whip until he confessed; Francisco provides information on rebel's camps, number of their horses and other livestock. (J. Williams, March 1987)

Concerns testimony given at Mapimi by Thomas Funidad, who escaped after being a prisoner of Indians. Includes notes on various aspects of daily life and movement of his renegade captors including; their raid on San Salvador; number of their warriors; leadership; settlement pattern; ethnic composition of band; age of members of renegade groups; plants grown; taking of horse and other hides; bison hunting; horse and Mule herds kept; use of saddles and armas Blancas y de fuego; worship of an image of our lady of sorrows; clothing; houses (Jacales of horse hide); trade with plains Indians; treatment of captives; timing of attacks; drinking of pulque; document which provides exceptional details on these topics. (J. Williams, March 1987)

Concerns negotiations for peace with Lipan Apaches (who were then hunting bison); proclamations on marriage; case of Menchaca case of Rodriguez. Rodriquez includes a petition in which he explains why he feels he has been unjustly treated by royal office in province; petition contains interesting details on daily life. (J. Williams, February 1987)