Indians (Mistreatment)

The Indians of his mission all in contravention of the law. Relations this missionary cites case after case of sexual abuse, gambling, cohabitation, and economic exploitation of the Indians of his mission See in contravention of the law. (D. Deeds) (1977)

Case brought before the Audiencia by protector of Indians in Sinaloa Francisco Luque charging that in many Cases the military authorities and missionaries were exploiting the Indians by taking their crops and not paying them for their services. Rebutted by padre Daniel Marras of Matape court ordered publication of testimony in all parts of Nueva Vizcaya and orders that such abuses end. Affadavits that the orders were published. (D. Deeds) (1977)

Extensive comments on the ways that should govern the Indian- Spanish relations. The Spanish must lead by example in actions as well as words and refrain from the negative cities. Several examples of severe exploitation of Indian labor and the bad effect this has had on agriculture which is the Basis of supply of the Spanish as well as Indian. (D. Deeds) (1977)

Several documents of a case which went to the Audiencia of Guadalajara involving a general conflict between the Jesuits of Matape and San Francisco Borja and the Spanish interests around the real mine of San Miguel, Sonora area. The Spanish groups spokesman made a long list of charges against the Jesuits mostly centering around their alleged exploitation of the Indians and their commerce of products from their hacienda. Activities which supposedly detracted from the orderly development of this mining area. Court evidently held in favor of Jesuits. (D. Deeds) (1977)

A plea for the viceroy to send a visitador to the presidio of Sinaloa to verify the following charges- 1) that inadequate protection is being provided; 2) that the captain is engaged in illegal economic activity by commandeering maiz from the Indians and selling it at the mines; 3) that he then forces Indians to grow maiz to supply his troops; and 4) that this has resulted in many Indians fleeing to the mountains in order to survive. Each charge documented with specific examples. (R. Perez) (1977)

Concerns Indian rebels from Belem Pueblo whose leaders meet with Cassimiro de Esparza. They tell him they fled Belem and joined other rebels because of their fear of the capitan of Buenavista presidio. Indians allowed to return to Belem. Their ethnic affiliation not given- probably Yaquis or Pimas Bajos. (T. Sheridan) (1978)

Lengthy document by Garrido y Duran informing Revilla Gigedo on the causa de policia,judicial, economic, and military conditions of Sonora and Sinaloa up to 1790. On judicial Side, it is mentioned that province consists of 11 jurisdictions headed by a jefe de tribunal with the power to appoint local town officials; these officials operate without salary due to lack of funds caused by Apache depredations and poor harvests. Mention that in the recent past Indians were forced to work in mines, haciendas, and Ranchos, and that they were exploited and did not have time to cultivate their own land; now he has prohibited this, and that Indians will work on a voluntary Basis. Discussion that community wealth is administrated by the missionaries, and that they often are more concerned for their own interests allowing community conditions to deteriorate. It is also mentioned a lack of prisons. With respect to causa de policia, it is mentioned that Apache attacks have frightened the population and have prevented increases in commerce, mining, agriculture, and animal husbandry. Mention of lack of civil and administrative office in many towns; there is lack of hospitals, casas de Obraje, schools, and public meat and seeds stores. Mention that people are divided in two groups, one consisting of good people involved in commerce, mining, and agriculture; the other consisting of house servants and Manual laborers, who are drunkards and have other vices. Economics- list of different tax collection offices. Mention of the different partidos as well as the people holding these offices and amount of money payed for such offices. In order to attract more merchants to frontier, no tax is Charged on their goods. With respect to military affairs, it is mentioned that enemy Indians live in dispersed hamlets, lack supreme chief, and operate separately; Indians described as thieves. Mention of 6 military groups of soldiers, and 3 of Indian auxiliaries; short discussion of soldier's living conditions in presidios, as well as expenses involved for maintenance of troops. (J. Tapia, January, 1988)

Croix defends approach to administering missions in Sonora, arguing that missions and missionaries receive sufficient funds, are not suffering as purported. Contends missionaries should not expect Indians to cultivate land because climate does not support activity, and Indians accustomed to fishing, gathering yerbas y raizes. states that while missionaries have not received everything requested, certainly have not been ignored in manner conveyed by Prestamero (See ff 63-100). Croix cites cedulas, particularly that of 8-5-73, as precedent for present decisions. Criticizes missionaries' punishing of Indians for not attending rosario, Misa y doctrina, for getting drunk, refusing to work en los Bienes de la comunidad que Se llaman temporalidades, and for leaving village sin expresa licencia de Sus padres ministros. fiscal declares Croix has satisfied Prestamero's complaints perfectamente (Oficio summarizes issue, provides some background, folios 121-123.), that law of 8-5-73 not meant to discriminate against Franciscanos, and missionaries should not enforce abovementioned rules so that Indians no imaginen Pesado el suabe yugo de cristianismo. (L. Kerr, April 1989)

Prestamero complains to virrey of Croix's poor estimation and treatment of Religiosos in Sonora, that he lends little moral, financial support to missions' education of Indians. Requests release of additional funding to sindicos so manutencion of missions, missionaries improved. Prestamero informs that many ministros discouraged, planning to leave region due to poverty and thankless conditions. Prestamero states that todo Mi interes consiste en que los Misioneros usen de la limosna. amount of money released to sindicos in 1779 indicated in folios 98-100. Also, in folios 89-91 Corvalan cites complaints lodged by Cuguiarachi Indians against fray Valls who los trato con ultrage y desprecio Hasta el extremo de asirlos de los Cavellos y querer uncirlos a las bestias. (L. Kerr, April 1989)

Index and extractions from legajo 4 (1757), quadernos 1-10, containing abundance of administrative, military, and religious information regarding numerous provincias. Indexed information includes Martos y Navarrete's taking governorship; sentence given to leaders of Monclova uprising; auto aiming to attract Guadalaxara missionaries to Indians of Seno Mexicano; movement of Indians from San Juan Bautista to San Bernardo mission; regulation approved for standard troop uniform; desertion of Zibolos from Bizarron mission; requests for travel permissions; homicides executed by soldiers; Barrios y juaregui petitions for Coronel ranking; missionary conduct; conduct of French clergyman; recognition and demarcation of new territories in Nueva Orleans area; presidio founding near River Trinidad; synod payment; soldier salaries; relocation of presidio San Agustin de Ahumada and Rio de la Trinidad; hostile enemies; dividing Huefuguilla company; edict that soldiers enter church with hair untied; Gualeguas missionaries' severe treatment of Indians; remission of gunpowder; hurricane damage; mine discovery in Nayarit; campaign against Seris, Pimas (J. Hiller, July 1989).