Fiscal Affairs

Armesto instructs Landazuri, Aguilar and Barajas to put up boundary posts (mojones) for defining taxable lands belonging to California missions. Bermudez had usurped land for cattle, sheep and horse haciendas. Ladron de Guevara carefully chronologically traces ownership of parcels in question from original grants by viceroy in 1613. Detailed information on surveying geography, and inheritance, land use, rents and improvements through 1765 to disprove Bermudez' claim of possession. Bermudez ordered to effects, etc. Found acting in bad faith; ordered to return all property illegally obtained and fined 3000 pesos. Moctezuma provided costs of damage incurred to lands by Bermudez' misuse. Interesting primarily because of prominence of several major women heirs and for extracts of 17th century land documents. (J. M. Johnson, August 1989)

Mostly dull legal, repetitive material but useful perhaps for tracing chronological process of testimony and defense of the Jesuit missions. Marmolejo's Father in 1735 borrowed sum to establish sheep hacienda. Proceedings include tracing profits from that time and past due of interest and Principal. Decision made to embargo Marmolejo's effects and entrust them to third party until final decision. Marmolejo disappears and when authorities appear at his home to enforce this, his wife informs them she knows nothing of his whereabouts nor the effects. They are informed that Marmolejo will only appear in presence of impartial men whom he trusts. This condition guaranteed, he provides information on hacienda's economic status, his inheritance; strongly insisting he has complied with known obligations. Decision made against him. He has two years to pay debt of 1407 pesos to get his effects back. Armesto writes letter of appreciation to officials for expediting claim for welfare of missions. (J. M. Johnson, August 1989)

Will contains details of legacy, including personal items, real estate, salaries and provision for funeral costs. (J. M. Johnson, July 1989)

Padres address auto to capitan comandante Rivera that Osio took cattle belonging to mission, killed and sold them. Money should be recovered and returned to them. Osio says cattle were on disputed land, geographical boundaries in error and were his. Osio ordered for further testimony before justicia mayor Rivera. Determines number of cattle owned by mission since 1734 and concludes Osio guilty. Traces sale of cattle by Osio and fines him 1000 pesos. Osio appeals claiming can determine his family's right of ownership. (J. M. Johnson, July 1989)

Cuenta general for Villa puente detail expenses from 1737 until 1746. Accounts examined and approved by Armesto and Jesuits in 1753. (J. M. Johnson, July 1989)

Most important documents will be referenced below by folio no. Most unusual document is letter to Pison signed and likely written by his wife regarding his importance to family (f. 308). Incredibly filthy swear words attributed to him, directed against priest during mass, quoted and underlined in ff. 244-245. Useful diagnosis of ailment (sinocat putrida) and simple treatment prescribed of better diet, sleep, exercise by surgeon (f. 316 ?) Traces processes of judicial procedure in determination of charges of other bad conduct on Pison's part, brought by teniente de gobernador Moreno in Loreto. Included is detailed service and conduct record and witnessed testimonies of Pison's past military service; and other biographical information. Accused of years of drunkenness, womanizing, thievery, setting bad examples for mission Indians. Jailed at mission; some witnesses testify that he reacted to provocation by others; Pison requests change of venue for unbiased trial and accessibility to witnesses for his defense who are themselves in prison in Guadalajara. Released by authorities on bail paid by Ramon Espinosa; although his mine personal effects are kept. At trial, jailed prisoners clear him of murder of Osio, by swearing latter died by drowning. Pison countercharges Moreno with beating and refusal to allow his case to go before Barri. Provides motive for Moreno's silencing him by citing evidence of Former's absconding with treasury funds and illegal trade in alcoholic beverages. Missionaries and Armona testify to his generally good character, despite drinking bouts. Final decision, however, by Valcarcel; approved by viceroy is that Pison must be punished by losing personal effects, mine, military title and lifetime banishment from Californias. Ff. 328-331, when punishment given, Pison petitions Bucareli to allow him for temporary stay in Loreto with family to make financial arrangements before his expulsion. (J. M. Johnson, July 1989)

Comisario Lopez de Toledo verifies service record of Zambrano to support latters' claim for amount due him. Apoderado Urrengoechea provides further demographic data and refers to royal treasury regulations for same purpose. Interesting material for tracing progress of claim through levels of bureaucracy up to viceroy. (J. M. Johnson, June 1989)