Gold

Excerpts from Fueros letter details type of mining (silver and gold), mining conditions, personnel, shortage of water (need to open Pozo of specified size), and Indian incursions. Requests acknowledgement of receipt of royal fifth at real Caxa de los Alamos. Document fragment by unknown author discusses construction of Plaza with houses of earth, distribution of weapons for defense, establishment of partida to patrol, and necessity for escort of troops to help workers. Fueros complains to viceroy about how officials at real tribunal de Cuentas handled his account. Sends copy of response from tribunal officials and his own response back to them. Also draft response from Mexico Fueros indicates shipment of gold to real Caxa de los Alamos as royal fifth. Memo notes amount received in preceeding year as royal fifth from these Placeres. (S. Fiederlein, may 1987)

Fueros discusses defense of mining district and transportation of ore and food supplies. Abundant production at Placeres if free from enemy raids. Miners do not like to operate too far away due to fear of barbaros. Describes grano de oro found by Indian -- its size, value, type of rock found in (guija). grano worthy of king but already broken up and distributed by Indian to relatives. Discusses efforts to try to stop this from happening again. Discusses activities of soldiers sent to guard mining region. Report from Fueros on comerciante in charge of transporting gold -- gives amount and how warned to insure delivery of royal fifth. Closure of road noted and problems this causes for mining operations. Mentions real Caxa de los Alamos and administrador de la Renta de tabacos. (S. Fiederlein may 1987)

Fueros reports on mining operations at Cieneguilla and actions of Indians of region. Comments on how more tranquil since arrival of partida of troops. Reports on surrender of groups of Seris. cabecilla and his band still holding out. Discusses output of new Placeres, his attempt at inspiring workers to extract More, problem with Placeres being distant from him. Also mentions continuing problems with Apaches and suspension of monthly campaigns against them. Describes Indians clearing asequias to irrigate crops. Tiburones and Tepocas living in peace, planting their crops, and defending against Apaches. (S. Fiederlein, 5-6-87)

Fueros reports on status of placer mining operations and problems caused by Indian depredations. Draft responses from viceroy(?) Intermingled with letters. Discusses theft of mules and horses, problems with transporting supplies, military administrative affairs, problems Indian attacks causing for workers at placers, diminishing returns from placers. Series of declarations and report by Fueros recounting details of Indian attack on Mule train carrying food supplies. In draft letter problems Indians causing for comerciantes and workers noted and more men sent to help in defense. arrieros Mexicanos mentioned. (S. Fiederlein, 5-5-87)

Long and repetitious Series of documents by real hacienda officials recounting numerous Cases of fraud in regards to payment of royal fifth for gold and silver mined in Nueva Andalucia. Tienda de Cuervo repeatedly petitions virrey for replacement of worn-out guns, swords, and lances for presidial troops in Sonora and Sinaloa. Concludes with documents concerning marriage of Ansa. (A. Tukey, August 1989)

Monserrat advises virrey of the following: Tienda de Cuervo to become interim governor after death of Mendoza; planned inspection of presidial troops by Tienda de Cuervo and reassessment of sufficiency of troop strength and deployment patterns in wake of Indian hostilities; need to enforce payment of royal fifth following discovery of gold in Sonora; suggests a softer approach to problem of reducing Seris and Pimas, although if hostilities continue a forceful response will require additional military resources; recommends granting material rewards to Indians who choose to fight against those tribal members who persist in hostilities. Tienda de Cuervo advises stricter regulation of gold and silver mining in Sonora. Includes tables of weight and estimated value of all gold and silver mined to date in area. (A. Tukey, August 1989)

List with amounts of gold and silver sent to Chiguagua. Gold and silver from other mines sent to Mexico and Alamos. (J. Tapia, April, 1988)

(J. Tapia, April, 1988).

Mention that there appears to be much silver around Cananea, but people lack materials to exploit resources. Muleteers prohibited to transport gold to Mexico without guides and escorts. (J. Tapia, March, 1988)

Documents mention that new silver and gold mines are of low worth. It is stated that people don't want to work in mines due to low return and of danger of enemy Indians. Also mention that Cananea has been depopulated for these two reasons. (J. Tapia, April, 1988).