Gold

A Series of letters primarily between Vidal de Lorca and Bucareli y Ursua that discuss the role of Verridi in supervising Vidal de Lorca's duties as gobernador and a request for his cooperation, contributions that are made by the Hacendados towards the protection of this area from hostile forces, answer to a letter by Vidal de Lorca in which he expresses doubts about the royal fifth as it pertains to gold leaving the churches and Bucareli tells him that the churches are not exempt and that in the future questions such as these should be addressed to the royal advisor, a guarantor (Diez de Sollano) for the house that Vidal de Lorca was using in his role of governor, Galvez making duplicates of a representation of a royal audience, Vidal de Lorca's situation of being relieved as governor without pay and his request for the intercession of Mayorga (the new virrey) in this matter, and Vidal de Lorca's military service record up until his last post of gobernador del Nuevo Reyno de Leon. (O. Velez, January 1989)

Series of gubernatorial documents primarily consisting of notifications of receipt of various vandos, letters, Ordenes, copies of documents, etc., not all of which have corresponding documents present, and indexes of correspondence for 1777; some letters include request for more arms to fight Indians and protect vecinos, and list weapons desired; one letter regards Indians killing son and grandson of justicia de la Villa de Laredo who had killed an Indian before; two vandos (not present) acknowledged as received on prohibition of sowing, 3% al tiempo de quintarse; one letter notifies virrey that Echeagaray is setting out to visit populations of Sierra Madre and reconocer los Terrenos senalados para pueblos de indios en su cordillera. Mainly very little significant data, however. (D. J. McClelland, November 1988)

Various documents: petition by Cuellar to name his brother ayudante mayor of milicias; mention of donations given by San Bartholome, Santa Barbara, and San Juan Bauptista for war against Indians; documents related to capitan of Zerro Gordo wanting to enlarge his troops with auxiliary Indians and the funds needed for their maintenance; also discussion of differences in responsibilities between frontiers and cities in middle of provincia and discussion of impuesto de alcabala and reduction of ores, especially gold, in Nueva Vizcaya. Cuellar sends gold and silver nuggets to virrey. (M. Vasquez, June 1988)

Concerns notice of supplies given to missions. Funds requested for health problems of visitador. Stipends for travel expenses provided for government official. Gold mines discovered in real de Mazapil, near San Luis Potosi. Zacatecas chosen as place of collection for gold and silver. Chart containing list of missions and inventories of domestic animals for each.

Series of documents concerning pardons for soldiers. Taxes. Regulations on gold mines discovery. Transfer of military official. Cancellation of recruiting and relocation of Indian guides on campaign against Apaches. Reassignment of military personnel. Report on water well and mines low production. Diminishing Indian population due to mines low production. Virrey orders that Indians be treated well. Apaches attacked presidio of Tubac. Virrey grateful to Palma for his assistance to Californias expedition and orders gifts to Indians. (J. Marroquin, August 1988)

Cieneguilla described as richest gold fields that have been seen in this country, or even in all of new Spain, but mines deteriorating due to drought, lack permanent water nearby. Describes crude nature of mining operations, presence many Indians, other castes. Notes additional discoveries north, northwest, southwest Cieneguilla. Doubts they'll be worked because Sonoran miners lack intelligence, abandon mines if they don't begin to pay off immediately. Notes similar problems, including lack water, gold mines Aigame, 8 leagues (T. Sheridan, 1976)

Postscripts to letter concerning gold placers Aigame, temporarily abandoned silver mine Bacuachi. (T. Sheridan, 1976)

Concerns attempts by Corbalan, Urrea, choose best site for Cieneguilla settlement, proposal to move Casa Marca from Alamos to Ures or Arispe. Corbalan favors Ures. Notes problem smuggling silver. (T. Sheridan, 1976)

(L. L. Woodward, August 1988)

Corbalan's letter to Croix describes silver mining areas and discoveries of gold and silver and control of gold. Cornelio depopulated because of lack of water though rich in gold. Soldiers of Altar find gold in Aguas Frias. Aid of rations to compania de fusileros, but need to avoid expenses; transport costs, baker must be paid by compania; lack of uniforms complained of. Transport of troops by ship and details on carrying water; describes poor maritime transport service on pacific coast. Letter confirms completion of expedition; discusses availability of rations on ship for infantry. Yaquis don't grow food and need rations. Concerns inspection and salary payment of dragones de Espana y Mexico and participation in expediton. (L. L. Woodward, August 1988)