Disease

Concerns relocation of Indians who do not adapt. Many Indians keep returning to hills. Galvez wanted to make an example of one Indian. He was convinced by priest to have a sermon on the advantages of missions and threat of punishment. Relates theft of all food and provisions for priest's journey. Results in second priest being sent to assist Ramos. Half Indian population Dies due to disease and others continue to revolt. Concerns Indian request to remove Ramos due to harsh punishments. Later two Indians discovered to have threatened group to request this. Iniciators punished and others pardoned. Issue continues and struggle ensues between Ramos and Matias who grants Indians' wishes. Relates problems of Todos Santos mission to conflicts in San Diego. Describes power struggle between mission and military leaders in all areas. Request for Verger to provide solutions by delegating specific powers to missions. (M. Dannemiller, March 1988)

Guifas wrote several letters to the viceroy complaining of Younger officers being promoted over him. Francisco Lazaya promoted to second alfarez. Guifas describes in detail the military careers of his Father, Jose Manuel Guifas, and his Brother. Guifas' Father was a leader in the conquest of Nueva Tamaulipas. Two sargents, with less experience, were promoted over Guifas. Guifas threatened to retire if no action was taken. Guifas wrote of same problems to gobernador Diego Savaga. Viceroy sends letter recommending that Guifas receive the next available promotion. Letters from fellow officers stating Guifas unworthy of promotion. Guifas writes several letters to viceroy explaining his recent illness. Detailed physical description of Guifas. Testimony from Manuel lornos concerning military conduct of Guifas and fellow soldiers. Guifas received bloodletting treatment for his illness. Guifas' captain Mungier reported that Guifas had stolen military livestock. Guifas suspicious that his captain and wife are having a liaison. Guifas wrote letter to viceroy accusing the captain of misconduct and denied the charges of extortion. Guifas wrote that captain had conspired to kill him. Guifas blinded due to illness. Wrote requesting overdue promotion and disability due to blindness. Requested permission to go to Mexico to be cured of illness. Wrote concerning financial problems. Guifas inherited land and five slaves upon mothers death. Juan de Sosaya gained control of Guifas' land. Land planted in Maguey. Sosaya producing Mezcal and selling for 20 pesos per barrel. Guifas wanted action taken to regain control of land. (K. Mccaston, September 1989)

Includes 4 unrelated expedientes, numeros 26-29. In numero 26, Lasaga explains he has contracted several illnesses in past 5 years, would like 'licencia' to seek treatment in Mexico City. In 27, Precy presents impressive military service history, including campaigns, battles fought home and abroad, in effort to secure appointment as commander in company of Nuevo Santander. In 28, Lacomba requests forwarding of 2 and a half 'pagas' from Caxas matrices in order to travel to newly assigned location; Crespo finds request reasonable, suggests 'descuento' of one-third of future 'pagas' until amount repaid. In 29, Landazuri named justicia mayor of Croix; ambiguity in title of his present position noted. (L. Kerr, June 1989)

Concerns passing of title governador del Nuevo Reino de leon from Lorca y Villena to Gonzalez de Santianes and delay due to serious illness of latter; Lorca y Villena must stay in office another 5-6 months until Gonzalez recuperates; includes statements by doctors testifying to seriousness of his illness; also contains reales Ordenes as to responsibilities of office of gobernador. (K. Hubin, November 1989)

Secret investigation of Alvarez de Nava ordered by virrey. Have you known Alvarez de Nava; what is quality of his work; opinion of others in San Carlos of Alvarez de Nava; if he is sociable; if he has used wealth of Alcabala for personal profit; involvement in silver mining; if he is friends with governor; and if he has caused trouble--7 witnesses respond. Escandon writes Cruillas concerning mining in Tamaulipa; mining operation continuing despite illness and invasion of Apostate Indians of which it is now free although Principal Miner dead. (L. L. Woodward, October 1988)

Summary of testimonies about Escandon's record in completing orders to pacify and reduce Indians and settle Nuevo Santander by officers and settlers and their charges against him. Funds spent, mistreatment of Indians, assassination of 5 capitans, use of Indians to work Escandon's land, build his Palace, and increase his wealth. Real cedula ordering pacification of Nuevo Santander delayed in its completion. Activities of Escandon include use of military funds, Indians reduction, founding of 14 settlements with population count of number and families and troops in each (f.8); plus 6 more settlements founded which were not in original budget of 115,000p. Complaint of not achieving increased agricultural production in spite of having fertile land, water; availability of minerals and salt. History of Escandon's earlier military record, reopening of missions. Problems resulting from drought. Espenses of military salaries and sinodos to missionaries. Annual costs in pacification process. Cost of settling 15 families from canary islands in Texas (ff.17). Organization of troops and distribution among settlements; distribution of lands. Difficulty of defending property under Indian hostilities. Complaint that Escandon's soldiers instead of gathering Indians together killed them inhumanely when they asked for peace. Murder by capitan trasieria and soldiers of slave and silversmith not punished or investigated by Escandon; Escandon named capitans and paid them salaries of 500p. (ff.33). Alvares' attempts at populating Rio Verde, movement of people, costs, problems with hostile Indians, mosquito plague (ff.56) order not to let Laredo capitan admit Apaches even though they offered peace (ff.57). Escandon prohibited commerce; payed soldiers in goods. Mining of silver without paying royal fifth (ff.63). Escandon has made few or no reducciones since 1746. List of 9 places on coast where Escandon says he has reduced total of 1,258 Indians and gives names of ethnic groups and number baptised in each location (ff.64). Service record of Escandon since he began service in Yucatan, distinguished service in Sierra Gorda as sargento mayor, teniente until 1746 (ff.68). Provides total inventory of livestock in 20 settlements. Movement of Escandon (Villa), Reynosa, and Burgos settlers to new Parajes (nuezes, Tetillas, Encinos). Molina reinstated as capitan; Barbara Resendi's complaints against Escandon (ff.83)(ff125). Charges against fray Garcia as being hipocrite receiving double salary (ff.91) description of reason for failure of mission for Cocos in San Saba due to murder of missionaries (ff.112). Apaches do not want to be reduced, only want peace and commerce with Spanish (ff.113). Even when they offer peace, Escandon gives them motives to be insolent. Murder at Rancheria of smallpox infected and other Indians by capitan went unpunished (ff.120). Massacre of Janambres on road to Horcasitas (ff 121). Paz not punished for murder of Indians (ff.122). Guevarra's murder of reduced Indians of mission of Santander unpunished. Cordova's mistreatment of Indians in Rio Frio (ff.124). Use of Indians Sihui, janambre as work force, Indian death due to hard labor (ff.125). Attempt to reduce Pames threatening to drive them to the coast. Indians paid 4p month plus rations for corn growing and also grew their own crops (ff.131). Escandon allowed people exemption from debts in order to populate settlements. Escandon's appointing as capitans convicted murder. Escandon refused to release Sanches Borriego who was involved in riot of Coahuila to Serma. Two destructions of Pizones' church in Santa Rossa and Taumave missions. Taking of Indian lands to give to Carmelita priests for 10 years. No payment of Diezmos for farmland; Diezmos payments of hollas, Mier, and Revilla. Escandon nor captain Vasques Borrego payed Diezmos for their large cattle haciendas. Gives cost of campaign against Indians of north and Apaches who attacked Taguacanas. Defense of Escandon's choice of capitans and families to populate settlement in that it is difficult to find cultivated people like those from the capital--they must come from the provinces. Description of Tanambre November 1754 destruction of mission Ruvoroso near Escandon; only 4 escaped including missionary. Complaint of Tanambres robbing, Murdering. Escandon captured tamambre rebles and sent them to Querataro prison. Tamambres and Tonases sent to Querataro as labors, servants and for convents. Marcos Molino's case in which he worked for Hidalgo for 15 years without payment. (ff.163) use of hard labor as punishment as well as death sentence. (L. L. Woodward, November 1988)

Concern cedulas of invalid given to soldiers. Pensions given to widows and children of soldiers killed in campaign against Apaches and Lipanes. Cueva is promoted to lieutenant Colonel. Alderete is given cedula of invalid. Notice of vacancy for Alferez in Parras. Letters giving notice of prosecution of soldiers from Aguaverde. Castro notifies viceroy about deterioration of health due to intensive raining. Transfer of soldiers to San Cristobal. Letter about the Queen giving birth. Legal jurisdiction given over Nuevo Santander. Revision of archives and accounting records of outgoing governor is done due to inconsistencies on reported outlays made in war against Indians. Refund given to governor Castro for travel expenses. Corlier receives title of marquez. Maxent receives licence to travel to Valladolid. Series of letters confirming procedures for processing legal documentation are sent from viceroy's and governor's offices (authorizations of licences to travel, taxes, migration, marriages etc.). (M. Marroquin, March1989)

Series of documents dealing with expeditions and campaigns in Indian's territory; Castro gives notice to viceroy of his suffering from a scab on his leg; review of prospects for position of Alferez de Aguaverde is made; leme is suggested as the best candidate to position of Alferez because of his experience in war and seniority in the army. (M. Marroquin, March 1989)

Series of documents on military actions against Indians. Thanks are given to Murgier for bringing Indians under control. Fray gives appreciation for what has been done to pacify Indians. Notice about Indians who left mission of Croix. Regards sent to Murgier for controlling Indians. Indians left to the Sierra of Tamaulipas to hide away. Suggestion is made that Indian rebels should be hung and their heads cut off as an example to others. Transfer of prisoners to another prison by Puga. Diaz expresses compassion for Indians in Croix. Escandon reports illness due to hard Weather conditions. Murgier is praised by Bujanos for personal commitment to his soldiers. (M. Marroquin, March1989)

Viceroy Gigedo informs Diaz that the comandante general is in charge of all military affairs of Durango. He also requests information on the economic situation of Durango. Diaz writes that once he recovers from illness, he will follow viceroy's orders. (J. Tapia, October, 1987)