Education (Religious)

A Series of questions and responses aimed at outlining basic catholic doctrine. The material is in both Spanish and Otomi. (J. Grusin) (1976)

A catechism in Opata with Spanish equivalents. Also includes a vocabulary interpretes basic catholic doctrine. (J. Grusin) (1976)

Two letters praising the 70-folio documentation of all details of five main missions in Nuevo Santander (Actual document appears on ff.336-406 of this volume), praising the missions themselves. These letters serve as annotated bibliography of preceeding document (including folio numbers for specific topics, as well as adding some further information. Concerns conversion, baptism, deaths of Indians at missions (f.409, F.415). Mentions assigning land to Conca mission (412); more than 4000 Pames at Rioverde, Tampico (414); all five missions established in 1744 (417). Frequent mention of key missionaries. (A. Dean, April 1990)

Francisco and six families of Seris returned to Pitic on August 30, looking very hungry. Speaks of rations of grain, meat. Mentions agreement made when Seris first conceded peace in 1784. Tiburones, Tepocas embracing christianity, should be used as examples for Seris. Discussion of process for religious education for Young, older Indians. Lists Seris in reduccion, amount of grain each receives weekly Chepillo declared guilty (charge unclear) by entire Seri nation, is to be deported. Speaks of purchase of livestock for Seris. (A. Dean, may 1989)

Corbalan remits copy of letter of missionary of Tecoripa describing miserable state in which the Sibubapas find themselves, adds that Indians augment diet with wild roots and deer, and states church building in ruins, rectory without roof. Attached is virrey's response. (J. H. Ochs, January 1988)

Correspondence concerning 'real cedula' mandating that certain 'limosnas' to be used for 'redencion de cautivos'; strong box built to enforce order; cites importance of decree to saving of Indians who live in 'esclavitud de los Enemigos de la religion'; 'real cedula' suspended 9-8-87; 1791, virrey requests information on state of 'fondo de limosnas', 'cuentas' of amounts collected and invested submitted, per request. (L. Kerr, February 1989)

Correspondence spanning several years concerning establishment of new mission for mistreated Pinto Indians, entailing selection of 'ministro,' lengthy discussion of costs, problems involved; cost of 'ministro'S' transportation to Palmitos covered by government, he and other fray express need for generous financial assistance to establish mission, Argue that hungry Indians not receptive to religious education, also request 'vasos sagrados y ornamentos'; discussion of need for sacred objects continues throughout correspondence, speculation that objects from previous mission still at Helguera, 'ministro' permitted to remain at colegio Apostolico until matter solved; action stymied for year or so until found that sacred objects no longer at Helguera, purchase of new objects ordered, Pintos move to mission and substitute 'ministro' assigned, governor requests that Pintos receive supplies of corn, rice, several Head of cattle, etc., in order to establish and sustain themselves until harvest; list of 'utensilios de Campo' (folio 97), itemized list, including costs, of 'utensilios' and sacred objects (folios 100-101); drought in region (1795) threatening crops planted by Indians, request by governor for additional cattle, staples to sustain Pintos till harvest. (L. Kerr, December 1988)

First several folios contain vague memos regarding expedientes included in volume; instancia of Pinto Indians that protector Serna destroyed mission, deprived them of missionary, cattle, food, other goods; Indians' argument verified, Serna required to compensate losses. (L. Kerr, December 1988)

Cedula from king mandating division of California missions between Franciscans and Dominicans after expulsion of Jesuits ff. 2-3; complete list of priests, with brief biographical references, to be sent to missions in Californias ff. 4-5; notice of 50 peso offering to each man; decree for founding of new missions at mouths of Xila and Colorado rivers, include synod and expense figures, names of priests ff. 6-7; discussion of need to establish missions after expulsion of Jesuits in Pimeria Alta, incidental references to Indian suplication, sickness ff. 7-8; Series of pleas to establish Dominican or Franciscan missions based on earlier entradas, or established posts ff. 7-13; description of meeting between Galvez, Papagos and Yumas, includes discussion of inter-tribal relations, and other events of Galvez entrada ff. 15-17; argument that missions needed in California to stop pirates and Russians, previously established missions better administered by Franciscans, possibility of having Dominicans run missions previously administered by Franciscans from Xalisco to Xavier de Bac, best to concentrate resources on coast, discussion of geography ff. 19-23; further decrees assigning missions in specific territories to Franciscans and Dominicans with signatures of involved parties ff. 23-26; seeks new cedula giving more money to Dominicans for clothing naked Indians, expenses, synods ff. 27-29; discussion of synod payments and viceregal offerings ff. 30-33; junta decrees edge of Dominican domain at San Juan Bautista east to Gulf of California, francscans north to San Francisco and beyond, real junta decision needed to avoid conflict between missionaries ff. 34-37. (p. Coyle January 1990)

In 1793, bishop wrote a Monterrey Official, Garcia, requesting land for the construction of a new cathedral, offices, seminary, and palacio episcopal on the outskirts on Monterrey. In 1798, Herrera inserted this and another document into this volume, #196, as part of the investigation into why the bishop subsequently had halted that construction (permission had been granted). A third letter on October 1, 1793 from the bishop to Garcia refers to the construction of a convent for monjas Capuchinas. Ff. 149 is a map of Monterrey. (S. Langmack, April 1990)