Epidemics

Concerns the outbreak of an epidemic of malignant fevers that was expected to subside once winter started, in some towns the sickness has killed off one fourth of the population; mentions report submitted by Calleja that deals with the political economic aspect of this problem, advises junta provisional be established for purpose of enacting measures which would allow funding to be made available for medicines, this letter signed by members of the real tribunal y audencia de la contaduria maior de Cuentas; letter requests information on the state of the illness in terms of the number of people currently suffering and at what stage is the sickness, public funds are made available for the fight against the epidemic; expressing concern that the cost of fighting epidemic not be borne soley by public funds; mention of junta provisional which will set out the ways the public funds will be spent on this problem; information that will be acquired by Calleja, type of illness, its origen, method of cure, aid that would be helpful; mentions the reluctance of some people to take medicines that they are familiar with; specific example of 3 people who would not take the medicine, would only take liquid forms that they were familiar with and which were narcotic, attributes this fanaticism with exotic medicines to the Europeans living in the area. (O. Velez, October 1989)

Concerns establishment of a mint that was desperately needed and near demise of this project because of a lack of silver, this was reason for the order stating that one third of all metals had to be turned in in exchange for coinage mentioned earlier in Vol. 227 ff. 0147-0159; said order was contested by a Series of institutions, reconvening of the junta de la real hacienda to investigate 4,000 Marcos de Plata missing from the treasury, prohibitions on enacting above were rescinded, also need regulation concerning minting of coinage in Nueva Vizcaya; Bonavia's plan to have the real hacienda sell tobacco at a markup have not produced the income he had expected, cites the epidemic of previous year, price, and black market in cigars as factors in low sales, convenes a junta provisional to discuss revenue producing measures, proposed instituting a 'patriotic loan' to be exacted from unidentified sources, paid for with taxes on mining activities (which include the one third provision mentioned earlier), Bonavia stresses the inability of the settlers of the area to provide any more revenue from contributions; letters mentioned in miscellaneous notes discuss in general terms revenue and costs in Provincias Internas de Occidente; letter from junta Superior requesting documents from the junta provisional convene by Bonavia, comments on mint establishment states that metals involved were to be remitted to the capital and that metals to be contributed to mint more than cover the shortage of revenue discussed, letter includes an excerpt from another letter that points to the exceedingly large troop strength as a cost that can be reduced, mentions the taxes imposed on some mining functions (mentioned earlier in Vol. 227 ff. 147-159) whose effects have been a duplication of taxes because Mexico City similarly taxes same items, mentions returning money collected in Durango, mentions a tax imposed on the shipment of livestock into other provinces imposed by Bonavia as being an unauthorized measure and letter recommends that virrey rescind said tax, letter mentions that fiscal's interpretation of patriotic loan is that he does not See the benefit of such measure given the way it will be paid back. (O. Velez, September 1989)

2 Seri women ask for peace for their Rancheria following attack by Moreno. 11 families- 42 people- surrender. Sibubapas suffering from epidemic of yellow vomit. 28 Seris and their families surrender- small number due to many fatalities. Crisanto tracks down Pima, brings back his Head as sign of Seri good faith. Pimas, Seris, que naturalmente son opuestas, fighting each other again. Peyran surprises Rancheria of 4 Seri families near sea. Wounds several, kills 2 women, captures 2 more with 8 children. (T. Sheridan) (1980)

Letter by Chacon concerning verification of establishment of 15 missions along Seno Mexicano by apostolic college of Zacatecas; gives some detail about a few of these; F.302 mentions epidemics among Indians at missions, no specifics. Second letter by Valcarcel concerns affiliation of presidios with missions, pay of chaplains. (A. Dean, may 1990)

Rodriguez Gallardo's deposition and remarks to informe written by visitor of Jesuit missions in Sonora. Issues discussed include consolidation of dispersed pueblos de indios; military escort for religious entradas into frontier areas; definition of indios vagantes; reasons for Pueblo desertion. Cites various articles from recopilacion de Leyes de las indias concerning reduction of Indians to mission life. author suggests that 2,000 pesos be sent to governor of Sinaloa to combat Apaches and that Barrancas of Sierra Madre be cleared of small Tarahumaran rancherias, and Indians gathered to be settled in larger pueblos. Also discussed are issues of election of Indian civic officials, regional officials to oversee Indian communities, Indian labor at missions, and punishment of mission Indians. Included is definition of siembras de comunidad versus siembras de Iglesia; number of Indians needed for a Pueblo to be legally recognized. Also, suggestions concerning land tenancy, education and repartimiento system in Sonora. (J. H. Ochs, November 1987)

Correspondence of Calleja concerning military matters of Nuevo Santander, primera compania volante and the official recognition of various officers in this military group. Not rich detail. War with Lipanes briefly mentioned (f. 108). (J. Acheson, September 1988)

Tribunal de Cuentas has given ornaments and sacred cups to the colonies of Sierra Gorda which must be distributed. End of the epedemic. Haven't been able to stop the rebels in Sierra de Aguayo and Taumabe. Lopez and 15 soldiers to bring Apostate Indians under control. Indian theft of animals and murder and soldiers and friendly Indian; need for punishment. (L. L. Woodward, October 1988)

Series of documents concerning granting of permit to Larranaga to take care of health problems in Mexico; governor gives notice of epidemic in the capital (name is not identified in documents), when he arrived in Texas (escort also got sick upon arrival); notice is given Lipanez abandoned mission Balero, secularization of the mission is mentioned; index of documents sent to the governor Cierragorda by the viceroy; Fernandez solicits rank of captain, and to organize militia but governor disagrees for fear of creating chaos in San Luis de la Paz; viceroy asks all letter be addressed to him with their corresponding index; Serna complains about minister of Croix and asks for funds to hire a ministro de doctrina for Indians living there; fray Diaz, excommunicated teniente de las casas for misbehaving inside church building, pardon is sought for him but could not attend due to illness and high temperature. (M. Marroquin, November 1988)

Continuation of correspondence with Escandon concerning affairs along Costa del Seno Mexicano; epidemic of unspecified disease which has caused suspension of labor in mines of Sierra Tamaulipa; damage to corn crops and livestock caused by drought in 1764; petitions virrey to promote to rank of Mariscal; sends expedition to survey northern coastline of Nuevo Santander. Expedition describes complex system of outer sand banks, discovery of Island off of San Juan mission near mouth of Nuezes discovery of wreckages of English and French ships. Also includes accounts of establishment of three Villas along coast between mouths of Rios Grande and Nuezes, and of theft of livestock by Indians inhabiting Sierra Sihuy. (A. Tukey, July 1989)

Documents deal with Indian attacks in Sonora. Croix laments murder of woman and kidnapping of children by enemy Indians near Ostimuri. Croix discusses need for 600 soldiers, 300 friendly Indians for expedition against enemy Indians. Pineda informs Croix of Indian attack near Orcasitas; epidemic kills 180 people in Orcasitas. Croix informs Pineda that soldiers have departed for Sonora. (J. Tapia, June, 1987).