Indians (Crimes)

Ugalde gives Vidal de Lorca responsibility for use of troops, villagers in maintaining peace in province. Series of Indian attacks begins after attack by Tanambres. Vidal de Lorca gives deaths, injury statistics; states Tanambres have returned to mission at Lleres. He highlights some of murgiers' expedition in Sierra de Tamaulipa, that Pasitas and Zaraquayes have sent Capitancillos to ratify peace. In return for cease to hostilities, Vidal de Lorca grants food supplies to Indians, at expense of Guemes mission. Discusses establishment of piquete Volante to monitor activities of Indians that have returned to missions and settlements, as villagers know which Indians have committed last Series of crimes. Once caught they should be hanged in public place. (O. Velez, March 1990)

Document characterizes Indian bands that have come down from Sierra de Tamaulipa and those that remain there as infieles, Amigos, y enemigos; indicates which groups have proposed peace or not. Vidal de Lorca offers to provide information on sites of Indian groups; informs virrey of peace proposals from Zaracuayes, Pasitas; has postponed action until comandante general (detained by Mescalero uprising in Santa Rosa) arrives. Vidal de Lorca is redistributing surplus cattle of Santa Barbara, Guemez missions to other missions and Indians. Indians under command of Benito have fled to Sierra de Tamaulipa after brawl with Santiago Indians at Croix mission. Indians suspected of killing a herder were caught, one of them asked to be baptized before being killed. Discusses Series of Indian attacks resulting in deaths of two from San Carlos. Culprits suspected as from San Christoval mission or under command of Noparan. (O. Velez, March, 1990)

Index to quadernos (numbered 1-16) concerning Indian raids in Sierra de Tamaulipa, peace proposals by village Indians, damage done by palalquelquas, Lazaga's discussion of Chichimecos, transport of Indians in chaingangs, troop increases, supply of weapons for troops, proposed peace with Lipanes, efforts at pacification in Nuevo Santander. Lasaga emphasizes need for additional settlements to counter advantage Indians have attacking existing settlements; proposes two - three new settlements of Approximately 50 people; outlines measures to be taken to make settlements economically viable, integrated with existing settlements. Mentions success of other settlements created for greater defense. Mentions legalities of ensuring equitable land tenure; certain amount of land would be set aside for livestock to remove expensive need to import meat from Veracruz. (O. Velez, February 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)

Series of letters between virrey and real Audiencia primarily captured, imprisoned pending their transferral to Havana; during imprisonment two women die (f.12); Apache Reo imprisoned for robbing habilitacion, sentenced to Ten yrs hard labor; folios of significant information. (D. J. McClelland, March 1989)

Rivera y Moncada directs his petition for payment to the comandant general of the Provincias Internas. His accounts for rations, salaries, logistical and geographical problems of expedition to California, relations with Indians along route and information on recruits from Sinaloa. Viceroy orders past salary due Rivera to be given to heirs. Lengthy discussions between various treasury officials regarding exact amount due; final decision made by viceroy based on prior reglamentos. Long discussion on 800 pesos paid in Loreto, returned to Alamos. In 1783, Rivera's wife and Brother write Croix for special action to expedite payment to them by resolving questions of his salary and Monte Pio militar. (J. M. Johnson, September 1988)

Accounts consist of listing of clothing and supplies for settlers and recruits for Monterrey expedition by households, sometimes detailed by quantity and prices. Later marginal notes comment on purchases and actions taken. Detailed list provided of items sold to Moncada for expedition. Later dated Yumas, theft of horses and mules, Alcabala, petition of Joseph Villa for past due pay, commissions for various soldiers, deserters on Rio Colorado expedition and expenses incurred on same. (J. M. Johnson, July 1988)

Detailed accounts pertain to 1781 Rivera y Moncada expedition conducting soldiers, recruits, settlers and livestock to Nueva California. expenses listed for settlements at buenvavista, Tucson, Pitic, Nutrias, Altar and later for those in California. expenses provided for individuals in expedition, broken down into salaries, personal effects, clothing, weapons, etc. Lists of mules, horses, burros, etc. With numbers, costs, dates additional ones requested and where obtained; explanations of their distribution and use, acknowledgement of delivery. Lists of items and accessories used on expedition, utensils, tools, materials used for repair. Detailed discussion of adjustment of accounts by interviews with surviving desertors on salaries, items lost in massacre or recovered from survivors. Information on preparational organization and costs for expedition from Limon and Manuel Ruiz. Some biographical information provided on individuals participating in expedition. (J. M. Johnson, oct.1988)

Heirs of Rivera y Moncada in 1796 use procurador to form strongly worded petition to be presented to king to speed their claims for payment of inheritance, pension and past due salary of captain massacred by Yumas in expedition to California with recruits and settlers in 1781. Delays in processing blamed on bureaucracy and unrealiable testimony from survivors and prisoners. Palou certifies legitimacy of three sons; testimony also taken from neighbors and past military officials to determine inventory of personal effects and amount of past salaries for various positions he held in New Spain. Many references to past reglamentos in determining amount due heirs of salary and Monte Pio militar. Final determination of claim made in Spain and Mexico in 1798; authorized to be paid in 1800. Interesting review of Rivera y Moncada's service record with amount of salary for each advancement. Emotional appeal describing hardships on widow and sons due to lengthy delays in process to recover funds owed them.(J. M. Johnson, October 1988)

(D. Marksz, December 1987)