Indians (Intertribal Relations)

Cachupin meets with Comanche leaders after sending them Comanche women prisoners as ambassadors of peace prior to Comanches-Spanish peace talks; Cachupin relays scenario of negotiation with Comanches in which he lays down the rules to them, they mention previous governors' atrocities against them, and he promises such things will happen no more; very interesting document. (D. J. McClelland, January 1989)

Concerns Ugarte's request for promotion to Mariscal de Campo, his personal history and present conditions under his command. Mentions his beginning as Cadete, previous positions and commanders and 56 years of service. Mentions success with Comanches and against Apaches. says Sonora most devoted to agriculture. Mentions peace with Chiricaquis. Includes copy of request for promotion from governor to comandante general. Virrey responds saying will not combine two comandancias under Ugarte's command but will recommend promotion to king. (M. Dannemiller, February 1989)

Presents conditions under which Ugalde sought out Picax-Ande for assistance with campaign against Mescaleros. Ugalde attempted many times to discover picax-andes's true motives. Sent him out accompanied by troops which he did not readily accept. Describes picax-ande's position and territory - was gente general de Apacheria del oriente, an area determined by a line drawn along the Concho River and the mountains of Sibolo, Movano and Guadalupe. Valdes' reports indicate that Picax-Ande committed many infractions and encouraged other tribes to engage in raids against Spanish. Learned that Picax-Ande had offered to steal horses from military and meet with other tribes in Moras to distribute them. Ugalde suggests that with such evidence, granting peace to Lipiyanes is an error because, while they provide protection from Comanches, they conduct their own raids. Discusses need for serious military punishment for Indians in all areas who abuse good faith of Spanish. says it is necessary to deprive Lipiyanes of corrupt leader because they follow him blindly. Includes Valdez' diary as proof of Picax's infractions. Contains conversations with, observations and daily events of Indians. Ugalde proves that Lipiyanes and Mescaleros are related and describes activities attended by both. says Picax's wife is Alegre's Sister and Alegre's wife is Picax's Sister. Finally gives proof of horses and property stolen during supposed peace. Diary contains description of daily events, conversations with and observations of Indians. (M. Dannemiller, December 1988)

Concerns informes received by Araujo in Querataro. Marquis instructs that every Jesuit be replaced by catholic missionary and that there be 14 missionaries in every mission in Sonora. Regarding the need for synods in missions that are not self-sufficient. Demands that all Indians be treated fairly, be allowed to communicate and trade among themselves and be taught Castellano. Requests lists of all natives in Sonora and Sinaloa and separate lists of Spanish individuals and property. Letter from Galvez is response to inventory request. Complete lists of all items in missions and priests' homes including sacred goblets, ornaments, record books, bells, and baptismal baths. Also includes inventory of items in warehouse.

Concerns current mission practices and suggestions for more effective government. Regarding use of agricultural land for grazing. Governors request a list of all Indians and their property and that they be given land to cultivate near Spanish so to learn by example. Concerns establishment of towns with Plazas and proper missions where Indians must live to learn doctrine which will cure their faults and protect them from Apaches. Suggests that orders taking Indians away for more than month be prohibited, that missions provide agricultural teaching and that ecclesiastic and secular be kept separate to maintain Indian loyalty. Concerning commerce, should attempt to decrease distance to market, guarantee fair compensation and prohibit Spanish from controling Indian trade. Concerns methods to convince Indians of benefits of reduccion and to prohibit them from communicating with other tribes. Suggests that recently converted Indians should be given military jobs and that priests should accompany troops for moral and spiritual support. (M.dannemiller, October 1987)

Documents concern two colleras of Indians that leave from Tamaulipa and Altamira. Pobladores are interrogated about the Indians. Indians are said to be war-like and to have committed many crimes and robberies. The killing of two fishermen and the stealing of horses and cows are committed by said Indians. Indians promote war against mission. They unite and form a confederation against the mission. F.432 contains message from governor Echeagaray with instructions to divide up the Indians of the two colleras and to put them to work in the fields or in Casas honorables. Governor's encouragement of pacification of Indians. In other documents the militia's trouble in pursuing Indians due to lack of food and resources is given. Apaches are said to cause the most damage to these militias. Indians are pacified and sent to Queretero by conde de Sierra Gorda. There they are to be divided and set to work in accordance with Echeagaray's instructions. F. 431 gives list of Mecos. F. 446-447 gives lists of Mecos and Parbulos, including those married and baptized. F. 454-456 gives names and marriages and baptisms of various other Indians. (P. Lenz, September 1989)

Declarations of the owners of haciendas concerning the behavior of Indians. The Indians are accused of leading and joining Apache Indians in assault actions. In third quaderno, from folio 117 to 125, concerns accusation by Munoz against four Indians, giving the court the Apache and Spanish names of the Chapa (Quesapa) and Cruz (Siententajo). (D. Bautista, October 1989)

Concerns relations with Indians who were once in Gualeguas mission but who abandoned it roaming freely in the hills; desire of fray Barragan not to reopen mission to them and governor's support for this proposal. (K. Hubin, September 1989)

Diaz de Luna conducting 74 Apaches from Chihuahua to Mexico City. Three Mimbrenos come to See if any of their band are among prisoners, are told there is only one, he a Christian. (later it seems there are many Mimbrenos in chaingang.) Documents concerning Luna's pay, finances of transport. Cordero threatens Tusseguslan with promise to conquer Mimbrenos, mentions ambush of Squielnocten, Mantas Negras. Some description of interaction with Tusseguslan, Yagonjli; Tusseguslan described as capable, astute, aggressive. F.445 concerns methods of indoctrinating, baptizing Indians. Mentions need for blankets for prisoners, who are without clothes, winter approaching. Cumpa, Yagonjli, Tusseguslan request release of their relatives (names and relationships listed on F.450) among prisoners. F.457-491, 499-528 are receipts for supplies (meat, grain) purchased from citizens for prisoners, followed by summary accounts of receipts, which document itinerary of trip. F.497 mentions Gilenos looking for Mimbrenos (said relatives of Cumpa, et Al). F.534 concerns ecclesiastic burial of Young Apache, Maria Josepfa. Final folios are beaurocratic documentation of transport. none of these documents alone contains much insight, taken together they provide good detail on transporting colleras (chaingangs). (A. Dean, September 1989)

Series of documents concerning confessions from Garcia accused of giving false testimony. Indians Tarahumaras complain of the mistreatment the men and women are receiving from the Alcalde of Santa Eulalia. The complaint is sent to Oconor. Oconor requests instructions from virrey on what to do with Tarahumara captives if they are released from jail. Oconor fears a rebellion from Tarahumaras. Several letters from Queipo de Llano and Robles for Oconor dealing with the behavior of the Indians. Autos concerning a trial against the Indian Andres accused of several murders and of being in secret communication with Apaches. (D. Bautista, September 1990)