Indians (Baptism)

Informe concerning complaints from Concepcion against a number of frays from misiones fernandinas. Complains include doctrination of Indians in their own languages, baptism without previous instruction, economic inequality between missions, and a number of petty complaints, Concepcion is accused of being crazy, and transfering him to another colegio is recommended. Follows letter from Concepcion asking for audience from virrey and detailed account of situation. Questionnaire sent by Borica to comandantes of presidios asking about situation in misiones; answers describe in some detail every day life of converted Indians including housing, daily diet and clothing in misiones (folios 10-41). Follows copy of informe previously sent to Branciforte by Borica, and now sent to Azanza. Letter from Buenaventura describing in detail con un Muchacho y Le mando que Se Vaya a fornicar. Borica certifies Arenaza's good record in official document. Follows summary of book-keeping in missions of Nueva California. History of religious, military and civil dominance in California since 1772 is described in some detail by Lull, asking to clear the name of the Missiones in California. Fiscal de la real hacienda suggests sending Concepcion back to Spain to avoid scandals. Unsigned document explaining how missions in California should be divided among different orders. In a long document Laruen summarizes in detail everyday life in missions in California special detail on punishment to Indians, number of lashes, instrument etc, claiming that if something, the treatment to Indians is very soft (mui blando el trato), also very detailed account of aranceles of all missions in California. Laruen asks to dismiss the whole incident with Concepcion, explaining that it is all based in anger of neighbor misiones and presidios due to his bad attitude toward them, follows similar detailed account on housing including measurements of dwellings, materials of clothing, money allocated. This informe and particularly the one that follows are an answer to accusations made by Borica and a number of captains of presidios in the area. (folios 63-101, 104-111). Following is a long document from Arillaga explaining discrepancies between reports from missionaries and military personnel, he explains cada uno dice de la Feria, como Le fue en ella. (folios 112-119). Letters from fiscal de la real hacienda clear the misiones from any fault, concluding the expediente

Continuation of previous expediente, concerns baptism of Apache prisoners at Acordada to be taken to Veracruz for further transport to Havana; also concerns money for clothes and one real daily for each. (K. Hubin, April, 1990)

Continuation of previous expediente, contains information on transporting Apache prisoners to Havana due to the financial strain they put on jail in Acordada; also concerns baptism of two blind Apache men; includes information on behavior of Apache women while in jail. (K. Hubin, April, 1990)

Stray Indian found on the streets of Mexico one night is taken in to be baptized. After a supposed drunken attack on the Cura, he is taken to prison. Inquiries into his background lead to his identity as that of a desertor of family and post in New Mexico turned Spy. Nothing is proven. (E. Wilson, November 1989)

Many vague, vaguely related documents concerning political affairs, dealings with Indians. F.481 mentions union of Lipanes with Yutas. F.487 death of Castro's Young son from exposure during trip to Santa Rosa. F.490 Elquezabal grants permission for Aga'a camp to trade with Spanish for corn, pumpkins, other comestibles. F.494 Comanches (through interpreter Chabes) return to Fernandez some livestock stolen from Cortes. F.495 Comanche baptized shortly before dying of illness. (A. Dean, October 1989)

Concerns 'cuentas y gastos' of compania volante assigned to escort 'collera' of Apaches, held as prisoners of war, to Mexico City. Documents out of sequence; begin with Varela requesting funds for compania's return to Chihuahua, request granted, Varela ordered to turn money over to 'habilitado' of compania. Documents from earlier in year concern compania's receipt of some 108 Apache men and women of all ages (numbers vary); 'estado' included lists age, sex of 'piezas de Apache,' daily amount of 'reales' allotted to each; sargento comments that Apaches from New Mexico might join group. Sargento becomes gravely ill, Varela and Sartorio placed in charge. Bulk of expediente includes oficios from ranch owners and merchants in towns indicating receipt of payment for goods sold to compania, such as 'fresadas,' meat, corn, firewood, 'toros, Bueyes, Mulas,' and 'semitas.' Chavero, a rancher, sells compania 40 Mulas. 'relacion' of number of Apaches added to 'collera' along way, number who died or were too ill to continue; request fulfilled to bury several 'parbulos Apaches' in Chihuahua cemetery; gentile Apache buried in 'campo'; fray relays that dying Apache woman requests baptism. Returning to time period of beginning of expediente, virrey reviews compania finances and finds everything in order, except 'juramento' of officers involved missing. (L. Kerr, April 1989)

Documents concern the breaking of peace by the Indians, their banditry and assorted killings. Interrogation of witnesses concerning knowledge of the Indians, of their breaking of the peace, and their crimes is given. F. 189 contains a list of the four points asked of each witnesses. 12 witnesses' responses to these questions follow with accounts of Indian attacks, their stealing of horses, and killing of various soldiers. One soldier killed at Pasaje de Noche Buena, for example. Other documents concern the groupings of various Indian tribes (mesquites, Mulas, and other nations) in order to assault the Villa of Padilla. A description of the persecution of these wayward Indians by the Spaniards is given. Last, there is an account of how the Indians should be brought into mission life and given to agriculture. It is said that under previous peace treaties, the Indians had been brought into the missions, had been given instruction in the planting of maize Frijoles and other agricultural pursuits and had been pacified and converted to christianity. This is the goal again, now that this peace has been broken by these Indians. (P. Lenz, September 1989)

Concerns indexes of issues addressed to viceroy, dealing with efforts to terminate Indians idolatry, military personnel, salaries, appointments, etc. Document written by Canaveral describes Indian solution of Mescal and other herbs to carry out their rites. Series of autos on the celebration of rites by nimemigua papaneleoche yore pexec tacaguia tavargec pexicg criatura y Se ha empezado a alimentar de Leche materna, Vajo de tu proteccion la pongo para que Se crie Feliz, y preserve de dano, acuerdate de la Cienega de donde Vino esta agua). Testimonies from Indians are taken regarding their religious rites. Indians describe instances of their own idolatry when interrogated I.e. where they hide their idols. Native names of religious objects such as an ornamented pot which is called tallaopa and another one called tajachi are described. Indians are sworn and testify on their religious practices, giving names of their idols. (M. Marroquin, April 1989)

Autos by Pena and Tages regarding scandal involving albirte, who married an already married gentile (later converted) Indian. Includes details of incident--lashings of Indian, discussion of albirte's example to Gentiles, Sacrament of marriage, provisions for accused albirte, and interrogation made by Tages with responses by Arguello. (J. Hiller, November 1988)