Indians (Agriculture)

Concerns document dealing with dispute of authority between government officials. alcalde mayor of Xeres is stripped of his authority to appoint justices and order building constructions. Letters explains detail of controversy over controlling real de Bolanos such as incapability of mayor of Xeres, who had jurisdiction in the area, to handle tasks like administration of justice among Indians, agricultural improvements to avoid floods etc. Gorospe is appointed corregidor of Bolanos and relieved from paying taxes. (M.marroquin, June 1989)

Concerns publication (book ?), of administrative proceedures sent from conde de Galvez to Ugarte y Loyola regarding the governing of Provincias Internas del oriente and Occidente. Specificies the kind of events the commanders of each province muist report back. Document comprises gives a break down of the many characteristics that Spanish colonization implemented in the conquest of Indian territories. Strategies of the conquest are explained in this document, such as use of Indian controversies to facilitate their reduction. History of how the conquest began is given. Document explains trade Spaniards had with some Indian nations in order to subjugate them. Specific indications of what type of activities were allowed for Indians under Spaniard's domination is given. Characteristics of several Indian nations are provided, such as which one was friendly and/or hostile. (this document is a very important summary of almost all kind of activities the Spanish conqueror had to implement in their fight against tricks used, legislation among provinces, judicial organization, religious strategies etc. Etc.). (M. Marroquin, June 1989)

Ugarte y Loyola relates peacefulness of reduced Indian tribes (Seris, Tepocas, Tiburones) near Pitic, reports bountiful crop produced by them. Suggests a suspension of rations, justifies suspension by advising government to give arable land to peaceful Indians. Given land, the Indians could grow their own food, and this would eliminate the expense of rations. Proposes establishment of Pueblo for these Indians, reasoning that 1) an official settlement would stabilize peace and 2) establish a long-term source of subsistence. In establishing such a Pueblo, an official should be sent into the field to organize Indian groups and learn their names. Ugarte y Loyola ends by expressing hope that future reduced tribes will follow this example. Virrey responds, enthusiastic. (S. Gibbs, March 1988)

Administrative correspondence re: receipt of letters, bandos. Declaration of war with England makes it necessary to guard Soto la Marina port; discussion of building bateria and arming with cannons; reconnoitering of port. Ff. 332-350 contain listas and extractos from monthly troop revistas listing military positions and salaries for various companies. Ff. 1 366-395 contain various diaries re: campaigns against Indians. Map of area between Soto la Marina and Tampico on unnumbered folio between ff. 394 & 395 showing rivers, mountains, towns.

A series of letters from Vaamonde to virrey that discuss: Announcement of birth of Felipe Maria Francisco, newborn son of queen, and orders mass and other ceremonies held in order to celebrate birth; orders directed at activities associated with founding of a college by the king for the noble class of America; prohibition of taking coins out of the continent to Spain; orders to ascertain certain information from people passing through his political jurisdiction and staying at boarding homes; order allowing individuals from seminary universites and houses of study under royal auspices to contract matrimony; order allowing Indians to sell grain they harvest to Spain. (O. Velez, November 1988)

Series of gubernatorial documents primarily consisting of notifications of receipt of various vandos, letters, Ordenes, copies of documents, etc., not all of which have corresponding documents present, and indexes of correspondence for 1777; some letters include request for more arms to fight Indians and protect vecinos, and list weapons desired; one letter regards Indians killing son and grandson of justicia de la Villa de Laredo who had killed an Indian before; two vandos (not present) acknowledged as received on prohibition of sowing, 3% al tiempo de quintarse; one letter notifies virrey that Echeagaray is setting out to visit populations of Sierra Madre and reconocer los Terrenos senalados para pueblos de indios en su cordillera. Mainly very little significant data, however. (D. J. McClelland, November 1988)

Letters concerning: description of vegetation, terrain where Indian groups live, general location within province, livelihood in that region, hostilities committed by group, whether or not group is lazy or active, good or bad, observation that peripheral towns and haciendas attacked more frequently; second letter regarding need for and assignment of soldiers to serve as 'escoltas' at several haciendas, due to attacks from 'indios apostatas y gentiles', salaries and rations for soldiers discussed, as well as how the assignments will strengthen plan to pacify and Christianize all Indians of Nuevo Leon within 8 to 10 years. (L. Kerr, November 1988)

Letters concerning: cabo who deserted, where last seen; request that virrey fulfill 'recombencia de pago;' discovery of new mines, including silver and metals, establishment of operational infrastructure, discussion of production level, quantity of minerals remaining in established mines; payment of military salaries 'en dinero,' per decreto; how to manage Indians settled at missions, whether or not land given them is cultivatable; 'librettas,' 'revista de inspeccion' of esquadra de dragones. (L. Kerr, November 1988)

Concerns Indian murders, horse thefts and unsuccessful attempts by villagers to catch offenders due to snow and poor mounts. Mentions peaceful Navajos who have planted on ancient grounds. Virrey(?) Acknowledges receipt of letters and indicates hope that 1500 horses will aid in apprehending Indian offenders. (S. Gibbs, September 1987)

Request that Martos y Navarrete turn in account book of company in Bexar and Bahia. Ripperda requests that captains Thobar and Menchaca supply account books from 1768-1769 but Thobar's bookkeeper died and is unable to supply books. Croix responds that books aren't necessary. (L. L. Woodward, February 1988)