Indians (Intertribal Relations)

Concerns relations with the Lipanes, Apaches, and other Indian tribes; mentions military conflicts with the Apaches. In particular, the Indian texa, as he is continually referred to, apparently killed a Lipan named Joseph el Coxo in the Plaza of the Valle of Santa Rosa and was caught; thus, many of the documents relate to that incident. (J. Hiller, 1989)

Correspondence with Roque de Medina regarding Provincia de Coahuila. Informes include report from Lipan of fighting between Lipanes and Comanches (total of 300 Indians) in Rio de San Diego. Roque de Medina expresses fear of providing Lipanes with gunpowder and cannons. Lipanes have great fear of Comanches. Request made of Texas gobernador to furnish Monclova with necessary supplies and ammunition to aid Lipanes. Cannons taken from Adaes to fortify Monclova. Report of Apache March to Santa Rosa to cause damage for unknown motive. Talk that Lipanes should be treated with much love so they become rooted in Christian faith. Continual praise of Lipan faithfulness and aid provided in hostile situations. Inspection of presidio Sacramento and its state of fortification and defense. Establishment of presidio Babia and its need of shotguns met by warehouses of San Luis Potosi. Martinez Pacheco presents information regarding relations with Mescaleros and Peyotes. (J. Hiller, July 1989)

Letter speaks of a peace plan with Comanches, the first part a meeting of three Comanche captains with governor of Texas governor of Luisiana would like to know the particulars of this meeting and what and how much was given to the Comanches in the form of bribes or keepsakes, Ugalde wants to highlight the contradictions in this effort, mentions that they are the only remaining cannibalistic tribe, and cites information found in correspondence of governor of Texas to underline the violent nature of the Comanches and their history of being the most obstinate of the enemies of the Spanish, sees little hope in a peace plan with them, contrasts the character of the Comanches with that of the Apache Lipanes, group that most involves itself with the church, have fought against the Apache Mescaleros and thereby pleased the Spanish, Ugalde expresses concerns that peace with Comanches under very favorable terms will incite the jealousy of other tribes as well as a reexamination of their status, cites the lack of a mechanism to enforce compliance from Comanches as a drawback to proposed peace (Spanish have never entered Comanche territory to punish past hostilities for example). Feels that free transit of Comanches would be used to their benefit in further hostilities, thinks that verification of captives being held by Comanches should be part of the plan, accuses the makers of the plan of using trade provisions to enhance their own commerce and feels that a black market will be the result, questions the ability of enforcing compliance to a treaty provision that will have the Comanches establish their intertribal relations on the Basis of the ones followed by the Spanish, sees little motivation to expect the Comanches to declare themselves enemies of Apaches as treaty provides. Treaty will allow them to have their internal taxes, would like more intelligence of when Indian groups enter area near San Pedro for carneadas so Spanish can be prepared for unexpected occurrences, thinks that the alliance that would ensue between Lipanes and Mescaleros would create a force that would offset the untenable peace that will have been established with the Comanches, Ugalde mentions the progress he is making in the reduction of Mescaleros precisely because they are not Allied. In regard to provision that states that as long as Comanches are Allied with Spanish they will receive gratificaciones Ugalde argues that in the past those periods of greatest hostility with Comanches were usually preceeded by periods in which this transfer of goods was high. Mentions arms in this matter. In summing up Ugalde mentions law that forbids people to show Indians their trade and also forbids them to live in their houses with the penalty being 100 pesos or upon the discretion of virrey exile. Has questions about how to determine what faction of Comanches in the future will be committing the hostilities because of the size of the group and the varied interests that each group has. (O. Velez, October 1989)

Tax on sales to be used to aid expedition sale of cards (4 real tax) and tobacco; tobacco to be packaged according to provisions. Problems among capitans affecting jurisdiction of governor over the vecinos of their presidios, capitans complain they do not have control of troops to fight enemy invasions, waiting for license to do away with all Indians who do not speak Spanish; Corbalan to Croix regarding prohibition of alcohol, complains that Mescal prohibited and not even found for medicinal use, difficulty aquiring caldos de Castilla, request that some be allowed to produce Mescal; Croix responds that the Mescal factory and use of the drink must be abolished. Pimas described cooperating in robbery with rebel Indians--Corbalan describes their tactics in escaping from troops. Corbalan sends inspection reports on Varios military groups and fiscal affairs of the expedition; lack of funds and currency. Mesia writes Corbalan about his opinion of worth of two companias volantes in Guaymas. Notification of recipients of promotions within companias volantes; discussion of provision of supplies to expedition. Corbalan will publish vandos about establishment of lottery. Corbalan to Croix regarding Alamos treasurer, and treasury instruccion written by Belena; additions to the instruccion provided which concern debtors, control of treasury keys, papel sellado, division of land among employees, collecting tribute, and cost of treasury office supplies. (L. L. Woodward, July 1989)

Piatos try to get Papagos to join them Papagos say no querian Andar Por los Cerros Por no ser Benados ni Mescales. no Piatos left in Cerro Prieto. Notes heavy rains, flooding, atolladeros impeding movement. Santa Ana residents kill one Piato eating their cattle. (T. Sheridan) (1980)

Concerns Usarraga's campaign against rebels in Ostimuri. Rebels kill a few Yaquis. Not much else happens. (T. Sheridan) (1980)

Letter concerning state of Elizondo expeditions. Argues presidial salaries should be 400 pesos a year, including expenses. Note sad state of troops' vestuario. says troops' discipline, spirits remain excellent in face of difficult conditions. Ask that infantry be mounted due to great distances between Aguajes. State Seri rebels few in number and greatly harassed by constant pressure against them. Argues that indios rendidos should never be resettled in pueblos of another nation because of hostility between tribes, but should be given own Pueblo. (T. Sheridan) (1980)

2 Seri women ask for peace for their Rancheria following attack by Moreno. 11 families- 42 people- surrender. Sibubapas suffering from epidemic of yellow vomit. 28 Seris and their families surrender- small number due to many fatalities. Crisanto tracks down Pima, brings back his Head as sign of Seri good faith. Pimas, Seris, que naturalmente son opuestas, fighting each other again. Peyran surprises Rancheria of 4 Seri families near sea. Wounds several, kills 2 women, captures 2 more with 8 children. (T. Sheridan) (1980)

Cocomaricopas, Ninjoras, living together along Rio Gila, send notice to Tubac of presence of 4 white soldiers among them. Elizondo believes they're members of Monterrey expedition. (T. Sheridan) (1980)

Hostilities halted because of pardon granted to Sibubapas. Notes alboroto del Rio fuerte, which apparently had run its course before Elizondo's troops got there. States that Marcos sent Galvez 2 Jaras indicating desire for peace on part of Seris. Pimas trying to sabotage peace negotiations between Spaniards, Seris, Sibubapas. (T. Sheridan) (1980)