Indians (Intertribal Relations)

The only account pertinent to the geographic area of DRSW is entitled mission and journey to the Tepehuanes. it includes a wealth of ethnographic data- clothing, food, architecture, marriage customs (pre-hispanic), religious beliefs, agriculture, and inter-tribal relations. Also information on a monolithic idol (vuamari, a pillar topped with a likeness of a human Head.) Gives number of baptisms for 1607. Discusses severe epidemic. (R. Perez) (1977)

Review of colonization, missionization of Provincia de Texas from time of Alonso de Leon to 1716. Texas, Caodaches Indians described as mas politica in province, sowing many crops. Population of area estimated to be un million. Indian groups between Coahuila and the land of Texas Indians listed (See 201). Texas Indians belief in afterlife briefly described. Missionaries claimes that early soldiers set bad example for Texas Indians, mistreating them and stealing their women. Franciscan missionary efforts delineated. Texas disatisfaction with Spaniards, abandonment of missions in 1693 noted. French trade with Indians mentioned. Texas Indians had 11 pueblos, chocta (choctaw) Indians outside of Movila had 32, Nache Indians had 11. Flora, fauna, agriculture of eastern Texas described, where Indians caultibando la tierra con las quixadas de los benados. Indians live in wooden houses, sleep on raised beds and farm en Comun. Indian enemies of Texas- Apaches, Yojuanes, Cubipanes, Canas- noted. Absence of pulgue, otras bebidas, but presnece of Peyote among Texas Indians mentioned. Province continually described as very fertile. Indian use of wild fruits, walnuts, acorns noted. Lead mines near Texas Indians mentioned. Force of 60 soldiers needed for conquest, colonization of Texas, to be gathered from other presidios of Nueva Vizcaya. Apparently, fiscal doesn't think much of idea. Excellent summary of early Texas history, including Leon, Ramon entradas. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Franciscans discuss Texas Indian tribes they are attempting to missionize, including Texas Indians, who are described as ydolattras, tienen Casas de adoracion, y el Fuego Perpetuo en la Casa Principal del ydolo (pg. 189). Request detachment of 100 soldiers be stationed among them. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Notes good conduct of Frenchmen led by San Denis. States Texas Indians have many French goods, including arms (18-20 arcabuces). Ramon plans to explore area inhabited by Texas, Nachitoche Indians and recommends they be conquered, converted. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Gobernador marques de Aguayo (1/12/1715) recommends that Joseph Urrutia who lived with Texas Indians for 7 years, led them in war and still retains their confidence after 20 years among Spaniards, be commissioned to explor Gran Quivira for 3-4 months in preparation for later conquest, colonization. Fiscal Espinosa (5/24/1715) advises virrey to deny request for exploration of Gran Quivira. Junta de guerra in Mexico City (7/3/1715) order Aguayo and Urrutia to supply more information about proposed expedition (typical bureaucrats). Aguayo (11/9/1719) replies that according to Indian from interior Urrutia interrogated, Gran Quivira about 1 months journey from Texas Indians, very rich, possessing big lake and populated by Tecla, padoca Indians. If Gran Quivira is to be conquered, Aguayo believes 40,000- 50,000 Texas Indians and confederates would assist Spaniards. Offers to send 10-12 armed men along with Urrutia. Fiscal Espinosa (1/11/1716) asks for informe from Urrutia concerning proposed expedition. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Franciscans request at least 10 soldiers be sent to Bahia del Espiritu Santo, noting that Indians in area enemies of Europeans, and had killed French, English, Spanish and Dutch without ever being punished (7/19/1691). Military officials discuss whether expedition should press on to territory of Texas Indians or remain at Bahia (7/21/1691). Franciscan diario of trip from San Salvador mission in Coahuila to mission San Francisco de los Texas (5/16-8/20, 1691), noting- encounter with Indian groups- Mescales, Yoricas, Chomes, Machomes, Parachacas, Pamanes- living between Rio Grande, Rio Sabinos, all of who rely on buffalo, wild food gathering, none of whom hunt; difficulties traveling with livestock- cattle, goats, sheep- because of rivers in flood, poor pasturage, etc; Flora, fauna, geography, often giving Indian names for places; resources of Rio Nueces area, including many walnuts, buffalo, fish; arrival Indians, many different naciones to trade for tobacco, knives, rosaries, etc. (See 201); visit to Rancheria of payay Indians, nacion Muy grande, choma, Cibola, caynaaya Indians live along Rio Grande and are enemies of Apaches, who fight everyone except Salineros, Apaches described mui-Guerreros who fight with armed horses; chomas described as yndios que en el parraly y Nueva Mexico llaman jumanes, who hunt buffalo from source of Rio Guadalupe to land of Texas during warm time of year, returning to riverine homes during winter; arrival of ships from Veracruz at Espiritu Santo; friendly greeting by Texas Indians, who mourned death of one missionary, many others from unnamed enfermedad. Excellent information on Indians of southern, central, eastern Texas. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Diary of Leon's expedition to Bahia del Espiritu Santo from Coahuila. Accompanied by French prisoner with many contacts among Indians, Spaniards- encounter gathering of Indians of 5 naciones - Hapes, Jumenes, xiabu, Mescales, y otra- living in casilla cuvierta de Cueros de cibola- who hang heads of enemies from poles in front of their dwellings; note petroglyphs; journey thru great stretches of Mesquite, Nopales so thick at times they have to dismount; describe Flora, fauna, especially trees, commenting on great numbers, good quality of native walnuts, and buffalo; hear of 4 French traders operating among Indians, trading knives, tobacco for buffalo hides which they transported on dogs; lose over 100 horses in stampede, of which all but 36 recovered; reach French settlement and find it destroyed by Indians- books, bones, broken arcabuces scattered thru wreckage, explore Rio San Marcos; told by Indians that French community at Espiritu Santo suffered epidemic of smallpox (viruelas) which killed more than 100, then were tricked by Indians who came from far away under pretext of desire to trade and killed French in their homes; encounter Texas Indians, some of whom accompany Spaniards back to Coahuila presidio. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

A portion of the Indians of Pitic have fled. A great number of the Pitiquenos have a league with the Apaches (specific examples of joint raiding activities are cited). The number of baptisms on the frontier is very small (about 50 since the Franciscans took over the missions of the Pimeria.) (R. Perez) (1977)

Concerning the founding of missions, and the support of existing ones. Discusses the needs of various groups, and weighs this against threats of enemy attack. Some background on intertribal relations. Suggests tactful, slow contact with missionaries as opposed to the usual pomp and military escorts. (R. Perez) (1977)

Describes Apache attack on Tucson (stealing all Ganado mayor, killing 350 sheep). Discusses conditions at Tucson (lack of water and supplies, indefensible position). Gives suggestions to rectify situation. Some ethnographic data- alliances and enemy relationships; opa and Cocomaricopa possess blue shells traded from some other seacoast than California because they are enemies with the Yuma. (R. Perez) (1977)