Indians (Intertribal Relations)

Letter describing Apache raid on Cienega. Son of Quegocga captured. Mention of war in Chiricahua mountains, Chiricahua troop and fugitives camped at Bacoachi. All of Aysose's followers in reduccion at Bacoachi, also Neya and 25 of his tribe (apparently submitted to this to be reunited with his Brother, captive elsewhere). Pozo imprisoned for trying to rally Chiricahua converts against Spaniards. Mention of Tarahumara delinquents imprisoned in Durango. 100 Tarahumaras in Sonora detachment commanded by Marrufo. Mention of intent to form corps of military, citizens, Indians of pueblos, Gentiles toward effort to destroy Gilenos. (A. Dean, March 1989)

Letter from Concha to Ugarte y Loyola saying he has consigned friendly Indian nations to guarding less cooperative tribes to maintain peace, requests military try to leave all of them alone, keep Spanish Side of agreement. Other letters discuss meetings with various Indian leaders, violations of peace plan, means of enforcement. Detailed description of two Comanche campaigns on Sierra Blanca Apaches. Mention of seasonal habitation Yutas y Xicarillas. Mention that Apaches Gilenos on south Side of Rio Grande seem sincere in wish for peace, those on north Side have made two invasions since plan in effect. (A. Dean, March 1989)

Two letters from Concha to Flores concerning various tribes of carries message from Sierra Blanca Apaches requesting peace negotiations. Concha seems well acquainted with individuals and general ethnography of several tribes, describes interactions with Faraones, others. Mention of Echeagary placing Chiricahuas in military company. Unsigned draft of letter to Concha restating atrocities of recent Apache raids, friendly Indians' mistrust for Apache advances. Letter from Ugarte y Loyola to Revilla Gigedo discussing above correspondence, mentions Equeracapa to visit Chihuahua to discuss last Comanche campaign against Apaches. (A. Dean, March 1989)

Report of Indians stealing mine products (exact mine and Mineral not given). Mentions Tarahumaras living in San Jose. Indication of preexisting animosity between Tarahumares and Apaches. Reports of Apaches chasing Tarahumares, Spaniards. Last document in this group describes in rich detail Apache ceromony, apparently a Rite of Passage for Young men, especially son of captain. Describes Apache dress, ornamentation, formal movements, prayers. Seems mostly objective observations. (A. Dean, March 1989)

Documents reporting Apache raids, especially against haciendas, pueblos, and small farms. Milicia convoys attempt to attack Indian camps. Each incident described in detail, recording livestock, Spaniards, and Indians captured or killed, general pattern of attacks. Several references to Tarahumaras living in pueblos, serving as military messengers, being preferentially attacked by Apaches. Description of Tarahumaras, individual Apaches. (A. Dean, March 1989)

Series of repetitive testimonies from americans, including several Negro slaves, caught in Texas herding mules and apaloosa horses to U.s. Animals were traded primarily by Comanches and Tahuacanes for beads, mirrors, cloth, tin plates, dyes, flintstones, and other gun accessories. Interrogators especially interested in information on suspected Indian alliance with rebels against Spanish. Questions nearly identical for all prisoners. (A. Tukey, October 1988)

The Apaches from Valle de la Xicarilla have been attacked by the Cumanches. They ask governor Bustamante to be baptised, villages to be founded in their territory, and to receive the protection of the Spanish armies. A junta met in Santa Fe, decide to answer positively to the petition, sending to the Valley a military contingent led by Bustamante. They emphasize the strategic advantages of this action, because this area would become a buffer against the attacks of other Indian groups (pananas, Canzeres, etc.). The group is welcomed in all the villages. There is a proposal for founding a presidio in the Valley but it is rejected. A report (ff.424-425) reviews all the presidios in this frontier, giving their locations and number of soldiers. (A. Nielsen, January 1990)

France Allied with England and savoya has declared war on Spain. Therefore, the king orders that any French ship that tries to enter Spanish ports in the colonies should be captured. English ships are expected to attack the pacific coast from Chile to Mexico. Other preparations for the defense are also advised. In his answer, Balberde Cossio reports about a punitive expedition against the Yutas and Comanches, where the Spanish army was helped by the Apaches, and gives several details about region and the Indian groups. According to some information collected during it, the French are Allied with the Canzeres, Pananas, Texas, and other Indian groups. (A. Nielsen, January 1990)

Pedro Vial (a Frenchman) is sent by Concha (governor of New Mexico) to explore the route between Santa Fe and Irinueces (Luisiana). Two copies of his orders and one of his travel diary are included. There he records day by day distances and directions traveled, geographic features, and Indian groups he met. He relates how he was caught by the Cancex and miraculously saved by some Indian friends. (A. Nielsen, November 1989)

Concerns different jurisdictions in province of Texas, settlers, governments and enemy Indian tribes in region; contains descriptions of fertility of presidio and mission lands in region; fairly extensive information on Indian populations and lands inhabited by them; also concerns Demesieres' campaign in north and broadening of frontier boundaries encroaching further on Indian lands (Tavoayases); problem of Indian hostilities in Coahuila province addressed and its relationship with residents of Louisiana trading with hostile Indians discussed; contains letters from Demesieres to Galvez describing his trip north with detailed descriptions of lands around Colorado, Trinidad, and Brazos rivers; includes descriptions of Indian tribes of region (friendly and hostile), dress, agriculture and in particular deals with Tuacanas and Tancagues; Mesieres suggests founding settlement of Spaniards and Tlaxcaltecas as key to northern regions to open possibilities for trade and to better deal with hostile tribes (Comanches and Osages) and also to impede any further expansion of English into area. (K. Hubin, June, 1990)