Harvests

Correspondence in which Urresti communicates news worthy of virrey's attention, concerning missions under his command, at nearby mission, suspected by Urresti of only seeking relief from viral epidemic decimating nation, Piedracitos request same at other mission, duplicitous intentions suspected also, quiet, peaceful behavior of Indians at another mission noted, participation in 'cosecha de Frutos' also peaceful, military skirmishes along Rio Blanco involving Indians discussed, establishment of 'las Pazes' per virrey's 'mandato'; letters from virrey commenting on, commending, actions taken by Urresti, approving request by interim governor of Coahuila for 50 soldiers, ordering that silver, though in 'corta cantidad', continue to be mined at Yguana, informing of 'insultos' from siguis(?); letter concerning 'quadernos' containing information on Munoz y Villavicencio's conduct in office. (L. Kerr, December 1988)

Request for accounts of expenses and exploration of way money spent from mission funds donated by vecinos. Virrey approves of Corbalan's plan to diminish forces of fronteras and Altar companies, and internment ot Vildosola's compania volante. Vildosola's company could be sent to the interior of Sonora to keep frontier free of Apache invasions. Detachments of Altar, Pitic, and Buenavista not to reinforce Tubac, Terrenate, and fronteras detachments who will make a campaign against Apaches; problem of providing sufficient food supplies to troops due to scarce harvest. Detachment forces may be reinforced by Opatas paid with Alcabala funds from Guadalajara commerce. Virrey (?) has received mail addressed to Croix, but requests news of provinces, Cieneguilla, and state of frontier; and hopes his request for report and accounts of military expedition expenses will be quickly completed. (L. L. Woodward, September 1988)

States Apaches must be punished if Sonoran settlements to survive, but notes his company can't campaign until mid November because maize isn't harvested until end October and pinol is something very necessary for the auxiliaries and troops. Corbalan mentions Yaqui troubles, agrees with necessity punishing Apaches. (T. Sheridan, 1976)

Concerns O'Conor's general campaign and implementation of new regulation of presidios (1772); includes notes on troop movements; troop Inspections; harvest of auxiliary Indians effect on campaigns; detailed assignments for troops in expedition; organization of presidios of line; presidio constructions; manpower shortages in construction; nature of Indian warfare; proposed routes of expeditionary forces; aid of Opatas in Sonoran presidio constructions. (J. Williams, April 1987)

(D. J. McClelland, October 1987)

Oficios and letters concerning: selection of abilitado; libro maestrado of Larrinaga, previous cajero; effects of agricultural conditions in eastern and southern portions of Nuevo Santander on relations with Indians. (L. Kerr, June 1988)

Documents relate to charging diesmos by padre doctrinero of Presas del Rey, viceroy requests investigation as town charter exempt diesmos when town founded. Citizens and officials relate historical, ethnographical details of towns. Visitador Palacios imposes diesmos, copy of document issued by Santianer setting and directing payment of diesmos by all in Santander province under penalty of jail and excommunication if not obeyed. List with stated amounts to be paid by each citizen. Also, a list of Arancel de Curato issued by bishop. Capitan Blanco documents differences of diesmos in province complaining of excesses by some priests, Blanco called to northern frontier to stop Indian incursions and investigation comes to a halt. Fiscal mayor requests reimbursement of expenses incurred by Blanco which are approved by viceroy. (A. Dell'acqua, September 1987)

April correspondence: Ships sent to supply presidios and missions of Loreto, San Diego, San Francisco, and Monterrey; Ruiz received bando re: development of hemp and flax agriculture in area; inquiry about Segurola's salary; naming of Diaz as capellan of fragata La Favorita and salary; more about salaries of various personnel and withholding part of salary to pay debts; leave granted to Choquete to recuperate; purchase of polvora for armament of ships; poor bean crop in Tepic and surrounding areas; construction on fragata Nuestra Senora del Rosario nearly completed, but need more workers. Unrelated monthly correspondence. (D. Uhlman, December 1988)

Declares Quiroz' rumor Indian unrest false. States Yaquis quiet. Notes that in time of pitahuyas, Yaquis retire to desert to harvest eat cactus fruit like Indians/vecinos all over Mexico. Such transhumance not evidence rebellion. (T. Sheridan, berkeley, 1976)

Sesma reports on visitas to presidios in Coahuila. Finds military preparation and organization in poor condition and maltreatment of Indians. Ff. 75-76 details new procedures to be followed by paymasters habilitados to avoid embezzlements and fraud of military salaries. Ff. 77-78 note abuses and recommends ways to improve distribution of clothing, supplies against Indian attacks, canons, difficulty of populating presidios in Texas with families, changes of command in presidios and governorship of Coahuila, administrative impediments to permission for missionaries in Guadalajara to come to work in Coahuila, desire of certain Indians to transfer their place of residency to missions, junta de guerra and missionaries requested to cooperate with government in putting Indians into reduccion. (J. M. Johnson, January 1987)