Horses

Concerns Fages arrival in San Diego to establish missions. Lists provisions brought from Monterrey. Fages request more. Describes desertion of eight soldiers who took large portions of provisions, their return and second desertion with mules and horses. Lists number of soldiers and horses on peninsula. Fages writes to relate activities in the area. (M. Dannemiller, March 1988)

Concerns establishment of two missions made possible by arrival in San Diego of Mule train with provisions. Concerns subsequent desertion of Ten men, nine soldiers and the Mule train leader. Fages told Paterna to return the deserters, pardoning them but setting certain conditions for their return. Paterna took a signed pardon and the deserters returned under his protection and he promised they would be kept together. Upon return Fages immediately assigned each to separate missions. Ten deserted again. Paterna says this resulted in restraining god's work, establishment of San Buenaventura and loss of credibility for priest. Relates Fages' decision to found San Gabriel although there weren't enough people to support it. Fages then sent soldiers from San Diego leaving San Diego defenseless. Paterna claims this resulted in subsequent Indian raid on San Diego. Concerned that there are too many missions founded with too little protection and resources. Opposes having to pay soldiers since mission runs on donations and doesn't have enough as is. Complaints about provision boats that are late or lost and lack of Indians to serve them. Requests governor to transfer more Indian families to mission. Requests license for Cordero, a returned deserter proved very faithful. (M. Dannemiller, March 1988)

Guifas wrote several letters to the viceroy complaining of Younger officers being promoted over him. Francisco Lazaya promoted to second alfarez. Guifas describes in detail the military careers of his Father, Jose Manuel Guifas, and his Brother. Guifas' Father was a leader in the conquest of Nueva Tamaulipas. Two sargents, with less experience, were promoted over Guifas. Guifas threatened to retire if no action was taken. Guifas wrote of same problems to gobernador Diego Savaga. Viceroy sends letter recommending that Guifas receive the next available promotion. Letters from fellow officers stating Guifas unworthy of promotion. Guifas writes several letters to viceroy explaining his recent illness. Detailed physical description of Guifas. Testimony from Manuel lornos concerning military conduct of Guifas and fellow soldiers. Guifas received bloodletting treatment for his illness. Guifas' captain Mungier reported that Guifas had stolen military livestock. Guifas suspicious that his captain and wife are having a liaison. Guifas wrote letter to viceroy accusing the captain of misconduct and denied the charges of extortion. Guifas wrote that captain had conspired to kill him. Guifas blinded due to illness. Wrote requesting overdue promotion and disability due to blindness. Requested permission to go to Mexico to be cured of illness. Wrote concerning financial problems. Guifas inherited land and five slaves upon mothers death. Juan de Sosaya gained control of Guifas' land. Land planted in Maguey. Sosaya producing Mezcal and selling for 20 pesos per barrel. Guifas wanted action taken to regain control of land. (K. Mccaston, September 1989)

Includes two informes in which gobernador describes to virrey chronological unfolding of Series of attacks by Aracates, Mesquites, others, on rancherias and villages of Sierra; number and location of Indians, 'pobladores,' soldiers killed given, as well as numbers of mules, horses stolen; 150 soldiers and 15 Indian auxiliaries to scour Sierra 'hasta no dejar indio en ella'; battles continue; 'piquete' of 15 soldiers captures 4 Indian men, Indian woman, child, who claim to be peaceful, escape after led to Soto la Marina; days earlier 2 unarmed 'vaqueros' killed, horses taken. In second letter, gobernador mountain pass in order to block Indians' retreat; plan somewhat effective, as more Indians killed, 'collera' of 38 taken to San Luis Potosi; supposedly peaceful Mesquites and mulatos apparently responsible for the large and Volatile Indian gathering in Sierra, also for death of pastor and several horse thefts. With Indians run out of Sierra, gobernador feels time right to begin construction of road into area. Argues also that some villages repeatedly attacked by Apaches because residents do not know how to respond or defend selves; solution lies in uniting 'pobladores', teaching them how to protect family and possessions, then fighting 'con Teson.' (L. Kerr, June 1989)

Repetitious Series of testimonies pertaining to case against Gonzalez Santianes for failing to contain Indian depredations robbery and murder against small Villas and Ranchos. Notes that Texas Indians seem particularly well provisioned with powder, munitions and guns, perhaps supplied by foreign power(S). Includes undetailed account of discovery of unspecified number of English or French victims of Indian raid near Rio Grande. Includes Series of testimonies of conditions of extreme poverty that Indian raids against livestock have caused. Inhabitants of Villa Mier petition for exemption of payment of Alcabala taxes as Indian raids have left the town destitute. Much discussion by officials on whether to Lower Alcabala for entire province. Includes lists of horses stolen from various towns in area. (A. Tukey, July 1989)

Testimonies on state of missions in Nuevo Santander provide of Indians at mission and identification of their ethnic group, number of Indians christianized, inventory of livestock, political offices held by Indians, amount of land owned, description of agricultural production, quality of soil, rainfall or irrigation specified. Mention of group of Sierra tamualipan Vieja, mention of Mesquites' participation in dances, Mitotes, drinking, and Peyote use, and also past harmful behavior before making peace. Robbery by several Indian groups. Discussion of need for more soldiers to punish Indians who stray from towns and missions. Possibilities of use of cotton and sugar Cane. Also provides information of number of soldiers stationed at missions, military expenses for salaries and supplies, sinodo expenses, and commercial endeavors such as sale of hides. (L. L. Woodward, may 1989)

Palacio and Osorio's visit to Nuevo Santander to investigate Escandon's conduct, operations, state of colony. Discusses measures taken to protect colony from Indian horse thefts and murders. Discussion on Manuel de Escandon's merit and success in defending and populating settlement compared with that of his Father Joseph Escandon. Manuel Escandon given title conde de la Sierra Gorda due to inheritance and merit. Brief description of Joseph Escandon's service record including reducciones. Description of estate and lands of Escandon to be left to descendants and free of Media anata. Escandon's success at liberating Nuevo Santander from Chichimecs; establishment of 14 settlements, missions. Miguel Escandon accompanied Father on campaigns at age 16 as teniente; service record described. Total of 24 settlements established by Joseph Escandon with 1245 Spanish families. Manuel Escandon's detachment sent to Potrero de Campana to retrieve stolen horses and punish rebel Indians. (L. L. Woodward, November 1988)

Summary of testimonies about Escandon's record in completing orders to pacify and reduce Indians and settle Nuevo Santander by officers and settlers and their charges against him. Funds spent, mistreatment of Indians, assassination of 5 capitans, use of Indians to work Escandon's land, build his Palace, and increase his wealth. Real cedula ordering pacification of Nuevo Santander delayed in its completion. Activities of Escandon include use of military funds, Indians reduction, founding of 14 settlements with population count of number and families and troops in each (f.8); plus 6 more settlements founded which were not in original budget of 115,000p. Complaint of not achieving increased agricultural production in spite of having fertile land, water; availability of minerals and salt. History of Escandon's earlier military record, reopening of missions. Problems resulting from drought. Espenses of military salaries and sinodos to missionaries. Annual costs in pacification process. Cost of settling 15 families from canary islands in Texas (ff.17). Organization of troops and distribution among settlements; distribution of lands. Difficulty of defending property under Indian hostilities. Complaint that Escandon's soldiers instead of gathering Indians together killed them inhumanely when they asked for peace. Murder by capitan trasieria and soldiers of slave and silversmith not punished or investigated by Escandon; Escandon named capitans and paid them salaries of 500p. (ff.33). Alvares' attempts at populating Rio Verde, movement of people, costs, problems with hostile Indians, mosquito plague (ff.56) order not to let Laredo capitan admit Apaches even though they offered peace (ff.57). Escandon prohibited commerce; payed soldiers in goods. Mining of silver without paying royal fifth (ff.63). Escandon has made few or no reducciones since 1746. List of 9 places on coast where Escandon says he has reduced total of 1,258 Indians and gives names of ethnic groups and number baptised in each location (ff.64). Service record of Escandon since he began service in Yucatan, distinguished service in Sierra Gorda as sargento mayor, teniente until 1746 (ff.68). Provides total inventory of livestock in 20 settlements. Movement of Escandon (Villa), Reynosa, and Burgos settlers to new Parajes (nuezes, Tetillas, Encinos). Molina reinstated as capitan; Barbara Resendi's complaints against Escandon (ff.83)(ff125). Charges against fray Garcia as being hipocrite receiving double salary (ff.91) description of reason for failure of mission for Cocos in San Saba due to murder of missionaries (ff.112). Apaches do not want to be reduced, only want peace and commerce with Spanish (ff.113). Even when they offer peace, Escandon gives them motives to be insolent. Murder at Rancheria of smallpox infected and other Indians by capitan went unpunished (ff.120). Massacre of Janambres on road to Horcasitas (ff 121). Paz not punished for murder of Indians (ff.122). Guevarra's murder of reduced Indians of mission of Santander unpunished. Cordova's mistreatment of Indians in Rio Frio (ff.124). Use of Indians Sihui, janambre as work force, Indian death due to hard labor (ff.125). Attempt to reduce Pames threatening to drive them to the coast. Indians paid 4p month plus rations for corn growing and also grew their own crops (ff.131). Escandon allowed people exemption from debts in order to populate settlements. Escandon's appointing as capitans convicted murder. Escandon refused to release Sanches Borriego who was involved in riot of Coahuila to Serma. Two destructions of Pizones' church in Santa Rossa and Taumave missions. Taking of Indian lands to give to Carmelita priests for 10 years. No payment of Diezmos for farmland; Diezmos payments of hollas, Mier, and Revilla. Escandon nor captain Vasques Borrego payed Diezmos for their large cattle haciendas. Gives cost of campaign against Indians of north and Apaches who attacked Taguacanas. Defense of Escandon's choice of capitans and families to populate settlement in that it is difficult to find cultivated people like those from the capital--they must come from the provinces. Description of Tanambre November 1754 destruction of mission Ruvoroso near Escandon; only 4 escaped including missionary. Complaint of Tanambres robbing, Murdering. Escandon captured tamambre rebles and sent them to Querataro prison. Tamambres and Tonases sent to Querataro as labors, servants and for convents. Marcos Molino's case in which he worked for Hidalgo for 15 years without payment. (ff.163) use of hard labor as punishment as well as death sentence. (L. L. Woodward, November 1988)

Concerns Nuevo Santander and Huasteca livestock, especially cattle. Arana complains of problems of people selling stolen cattle to new settlers, as he suffered fraud in exchange of livestock. Arecheo and buacareli believe insisting on branding licenses would cause problems. Sierra Gorda confirms Arana's complaint that region abounds in thieves selling what is not theirs to strangers, advises punishing them. Need to Aquire cows and Mares for region; need to register brands. Mention of docility of Indians in region. (L. L. Woodward, November 1988)

Letters from Audiencia of Huajuquilla concern death of Bustamante, complaints against Oconor to return borrowed horses, and orders to Bellido to return papers concerning Bustamante back to the state. (S. Gibbs, February 1989)