Indian Auxiliaries (Deserters)

Indian Pozo serves Ten years imprisonment in Chihuahua for deserting auxiliary company and causing unrest. After completing the sentence the viceroy sends him to Mexico City so as not to incite any further trouble. Cacho feels he paid his debt and learned his lesson. Aldano finds Pozo a job at his panaderia in Mexico City. (E. Wilson, October 1989)

Tovar is worried about Yagonxli, his wife Tavardillo, who are in keeping at Janos. Yagonxli is ill, refuses Spanish treatment, could die. Fear that if he Dies, trauma will sever peaceful relations with tribe. Indian auxiliaries at Bacoachi deserting, upset with Spanish. Ojos Colorados (aparently son of Yagonxli) and Griguicen arrive with about 40 men. Tovar concerned that supplies low, no meat or gifts to appease Indians. Vague letters discussing aspects of peace plan. Draft from viceroy praising plan but advising caution. (A. Dean, April 1989)

Concerns Antonio's reference to improvements, suggested by Barri, being made in missions in California. says after Jesuit expulsion, Franciscans received missions of southern California with more than 1,000 Indians. Contains list of each mission and numbers of Indians drastically reduced in only four years. Priests told archbishop decline due to Galvez having sent Indians from two other missions to Todos Santos where they died of disease or deserted. Said decline also due to loss of cattle and tools on expedition to Monterrey; Indians became dependent on missions who couldn't provide for all. Antonio says Indians wouldn't flee if given weekly rations of meat and seed because they suffer from starvation. Treatment is inconsistent with Christian message. Approves of Barri's idea to incorporate missions. Relates abuses of some priests who administer sacraments without any license from bishop. says this may be case with Ibarzabal. Suggests judicial clergy to monitor mission activity and that inventory be taken annually. Contains separate decrees by fiscal and viceroy summarizing and approving these suggestions. Regarding selection of Visitador General Antonio suggests a person to correct missionaries, cooperate with governors, withstand the climate and one who is not currently in a mission. Suggests Gomez for position. Areche requests Antonio to compile information on Gomez and Ibarzabal. Areche requests viceroy to declare who will pay 2,000 pesos to new visitador. Viceroy recommends matter to Mangino who replies that charging the California missions would pressure an already strained budget. Dominicans have added responsibilities from new missions acquired. says each mission should contribute funds according to amount of property owned. Concerning licenses, Areche will send 27 priests to missions to request to See licenses for religious activities. Those without proper authority will be suspended. Group will inform on weekly collections and on state of missions. (M. Dannemiller, March 1988)

Series of documents dealing with killing and capture of enemy Apaches by peaceful ones; more Apaches seek peace as result of this raid; several Opata auxiliaries participated in attack. Discussion of buying horses for peaceful Apaches to encourage them to continue hostilities against enemy ones. Copies of these actions sent to different officials. (J. Tapia, October, 1987)

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)