Droughts

Regidor Galbes notes lack of seeds because of crop failures due to lack of rain during previous year. Requests shipment of maiz, harina to Villa de San Phelipe. States such provisions can be gathered from throughout Nueva Vizcaya at el Pasaje presidio and shipped to San Phelipe under guard. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Notes that all the maiz of the Azinais had been lost due to a great drought. He was writing from the place which is 4 or 5 leagues from the Rio Grande del norte. (R. Perez) (1977)

Auditor marques de Altamira (pp.107-114) states Spaniards must protect 3 missions along Rio San Xavier in order to set good example for Indians. Mentions that Indians of San Ildefonso had fled that mission. States 48 soldiers to be detached from 6 presidios (San Juan Bautista, Espiritu Santo, San Antonio, Coahuila, Sacramento, Adaes), stationed among new missions. Fiscal's informe (1/7/1750) on San Xavier missions also included (pp.100-107). (T. Sheridan) (1977)

2 unfavorable letters concerning new missions of San Xavier. First (7/20/1749) notes murder of 2 soldiers, theft of horseherd at hands of Apaches. States that River either floods everyone out or dries up. Claims that despite holy zeal of missionaries, Indians didn't want to work or sow fields, but instead pursue trade between French and Spanish, moving on to Adaes, finds many buildings in ruins, not repaired because of lack of people. In second letter (8/10/1749), points out lack of land, water, Indians in San Xavier area. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Fray Mariano Francisco de los Dolores notes requests of several Apache groups for permission to settle in Rio Guadalupe area and mentions that Apaches suffering from smallpox epidemic. Apaches describe whereabouts of other Apache bands Allied with Julimes. Severe drought noted for Texas provincia. Fray Benito Fernandez de Santa Ana requests presidial soldiers at San Xavier rejoin San Antonio presidio, as well as detachment from Bahia, and that soldiers, other Spaniards establish fort, settlement at Pedernales, near Apache camp. Much discussion of mission frontier. Documents include peticiones from Franciscans, responses from officials in Mexico City. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Notes food shortages suffered by la gente pobre y miserable in Parral during 1782. Another document, 11/8/1785, notes failure of Parral corn crop because of drought. Finally, in 1787, Parral officials call for creation of deposito to store and sell grain at equitable prices. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Gobernador Barrutia, noting that water shortages in real de Santa Eulalia have forced shut down of several mines and refineries, proposes the construction of a Tanque to catch rainwater runoff from surrounding mountains. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

This Series of documents originates in January 1682. A review of the Indian wars of 1653 under then governor Diego Guajardo Fajardo, and of the situation concerning the dispute over the assignment of br. Juan del Candano to run the doctrinas is being investigated by lt. Gov. Juan Hurtado de Castilla. In the first segment of 1653 documents br. Juan del Candano presents his case. He claims his appointment as rector of Parral; San Diego and all doctrinas is valid, backed by a royal cedula and the bishop of Nueva Vizcaya. Another document shows payment of 4,000 pesos to governor Guajardo Fajardo for administrative purposes in conjunction with Candano's work. Candano claims however, that Jesuit padre Gabriel Villar, and Jesuit padre Joseph Pasqual would not relinquish the doctrinas of Huejotitlan and San Philipe and instead encouraged the Indian chief Don Geronimo to oppose the new padres and Spanish authority. This is in Tarahumara areas. Next is a jump back to 1682 and padre Bernardo Pardo provincial of the Jesuits tells Juan Hurtado that the situation was different and the following documents will attest to it. There follows a long Series of military accounts, narrations autos and autos from the gov. Guajardo Fajardo over the period April 8, 1653 thru October 7, 1653 - all dealing with the Indian wars. In these we See that the governor was paying the Salinero Indians of Tizonazo to go out and defeat the Tarahumares, the Cabezas, the Tepehuanes and other Indian groups. The leader of the Salineros ^Amigos^ was Don Geronimo Moranta. The Indians speak of drought, of the Mesquite not producing food and are constantly requesting flour and corn. The peso payments to the Indians totaled 219 pesos in one month and 328 pesos in another case. Persons- Juan Hurtado de Castilla, lt. Governor of Nueva Vizcaya (1682); padre Francisco de Valdez (SJ), archivest? (1682); br. Juan del Candano, rector of Parral and San Diego and doctrinas (1653); padre Gabriel Villar (SJ); padre Joseph Pasqual (SJ); governor Diego Guajardo Fajardo; padre Bernardo Pardo, provincial of the society of Jesus of Nueva Espana; general Juan de Barrazas; capt. Gonzalo Messia de Mosana, Alcalde of San Bartolome; capt. Geronimo de Leyva; alfarez Don Luis de Valdez; capt. Esteban de Evasio; Geronimo Moranta, Salinero Indian capitan; Francisco Mama, Salinero capitan; Santiago, Toboso Indian capitan. (R. Davis) (1975)