Indian Auxiliaries

Reports of appointment of Alcaldes to jurisdictions yet without. Military strength (manpower, arms, location) of various capitanes, Alcaldes summarized. F.161 mentions friendly Indians as soldiers in Infanteria Espanola, some killing their own compatriots to be friends of Spanish. (A. Dean, January 1990)

Mostly general reports of plans to deal with Indian attacks, often using friendly Indian auxiliaries; mention of missionaries involved in organizing defense efforts; more specific passages listed below. F.88-89 mentions need to melt down tin, lead from five presidios (no names) to cast bullets; mentions Spanish civilians left in presidio guarded by 20 Indian soldiers (vague). F.90 describes in detail carnage left by Indian attack in Barranca. F.91 mentions finding mutilated body of Luna. F.99 reports apprehension, questioning of five Naiarites, one of whom is Don Pedro, gobernador of Santissima Trinidad; goes on to describe round-up of Naiarites in Ocotan for protection, recruiting soldiers. (A. Dean, January 1990)

F.60 mentions Indian bow & arrow soldiers under command of Ybarra. Ff.60-61 describe non-violent encounters between groups of soldiers, armed Indians. F.62 Lubieriaga writes grovelling letter to comandante general asking why he is out of favor. Ff.63-64 Flores writes of threat of Indian attack on Jesus Maria; insufficient people, equipment for defense. F.65 Luberiaga suggests moving Jesus Maria to better site before all are killed. F.66 request for ammo; mentions gobernador Julian declaring that revolt at Tacualoya is put down. F.67 mentions an interpreter (no name) of Cora Alias Naiarit, tecualme, Mexicano, Castellano. Ff.67-87 are general, repetitive reports from missionaries, capitanes describing defense of towns in Nayarit; military assistance, escort of settlers. (A. Dean, January 1990)

F.9 vague, nearly illegible letter from Carillos concerning difficulty of maintaining order in Santa Rosa. Ff.10-17 are reports on threat of Tobozos in Nayarit; mentions friendly Indians serving as bow and arrow soldiers. Mentions Alcaldes appointed to various towns for protection. Discusses general tactics for defense. F.12 mentions that Tobozos are Borrados -- pock-marked. (A. Dean, January 1990)

Copies of letters describing arrival at Balero of Luis, a Tarahumara armed with bow and arrow, who said he had served as soldier in transporting chaingang of Tovozos to Mexico City; now forming Posse with civilians, officers to look for fugitives. Other letters mention supply of livestock to Collera (chaingang), Indian raids on Chimaltitan. (A. Dean, January 1990)

Series of documents containing relations of military salaries, specifies individual permissions and illnesses. Arredondo authorizes four thousand pesos for Polanco and Quintero to help troops of indios flecheros, three legajos of payments includes amounts of payment to specific soldiers and hijos naturales Flecheros aquartelados en Altamira.

Vaamonde recounts loyal service history as justification for appointment to new position, as unemployment has left him in state of poverty. Includes short account of defense of canary islands from British, construction of fort at San Blas, and disciplining of batallion of Spanish and Indian auxiliaries stationed at San Blas. On page beginning with siguiendo aquello de apeles (folios unnumbered), detailed account of torture ritual and cannibalism practiced by unnamed group of Indians in Nuevo Leon. Spanish victims kidnapped from area around Sayula are tied to stake and burned with branding irons while dance called mitote is performed. Skull cap of victim is removed, and dead bodies are eaten. Vaamonde's campaign against these Indians is recounted, as well as quelling of uprising in 1783 of escaped prisoners, headed by notorious pirate Lorencillo, in Guadalajara. Vaamonde seeks position as governor of Nuevo Santander, intendente of San Luis Potosi, or sargento mayor de Mexico. (A. Tukey, January 1989).

Granados rants again about turning ferocious Seris from wolves into lambs, teaching them art of humanity, creating incorruptible Christian society, asks for musical instruments to polish of their civility. Asks also that land, livestock be granted Seris. Treasury approves giving parcels of irrigated land, quibbles over cost of other request, approves land grants for Bacoachi Apaches. Martinez writes list of purchases made with money allocated by Revilla Gigedo. Mention of chahuis epidemic that destroys bean, wheat crops before ripening. Mention of selection of auxiliaries, arrival of six Tiburones. Much ado about lack of musical instruments; finally Ugarte y Loyola buys and sends some. (A. Dean, may, 1989)

All Seris except Chepillo and family flee Pitic on July 15, 1790. Chepillo imprisoned. Detachment sent to Cerro Prieto to find and reconcile ingrates, begin new reduccion. Since Seris aren't raiding, revealing location, troop can't find them. With Seris gone, Ugarte y Loyola cuts off supplies ordered by bishop of Sonora for Seri mission. Francisco, two envoys come to Pitic to negotiate better arrangement. Seris want independent nation, to trade fish, antelope with Spaniards for grain, to participate in christianity only when they want. No deal made, but Seris start appearing for mass at Banamichi. Mora named missionary there. Seris slowly trickle back to Pitic. Occasional brief references to plan for staging campaign against frontier Apaches. 450 men, including Opatas, Pimas reserved for fighting. (A. Dean, may 1989)

Documents concerning funds for supplies for Bacoachi Apaches in reduccion. Asking treasury for blankets (to cover indecent Apaches), rations of meat, sugar, Panocha, cigarrettes, etc. Speaks of creation of a ranch near San Francisco Sierras for 54 Apaches. folio 125 is list of rations, quantities, costs, sent to Bacoachi; salaries of ranchers, quartermasters. folio 141 is chart of quantity, type, value of livestock collected from each village in jurisdiction. (A. Dean, April 1989)