Indians (Mistreatment)

Index and extractions from expedientes containing abundant administrative, military, and religious information about provinces Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Nuevo Santander. (legajo 16, quaderno 2, 1756.) Indexed information includes civil matters involving Sesma and election of officials; autos formed against Rabago; prosecution of Castilla and moral; election of Bustillo to teniente and his rejection of position; naming of Nieto as replacement for Bustillo; Sesma named governor of Coahuila; arrest of Esquivel; excesses of religious men in five missions of Villa of San Fernando; autos regarding excesses of missionaries at Balero and Concepcion; French and blacks; missionaries; maltreatment of Apaches. Election of of mining deputies; establishment of Wall to contain hostile enemies; state of mines in Norotal; establishment of missions Reyno de Leon; movements by French in Luisiana to establish commerce near New Mexico; extortions of missionary Hernandez. (hiller, July 1989)

Letter from Naxera to Cornide, he has no testimony-but explains that colegio de zacateca did not have priests for the needs of the new colony and that new conversions and towns people can not pay diezmos, for these reason the Villas had no fathers; letter from Lasio to virrey, he has no testimony-but notes that Escandon prohibits any religious personnel from entering his domain, there is lack of interest in Indian pacification, there are widespread abuses by Escandon; letter from Alegre to virrey informs him of many property title disputes, that land is not fertile as had been promised, that Escandon owns galeta for his own financial benefit, and that Escandon has been receiving money from the royal hacienda. (D. Bautista, may 1990)

Virrey orders investigation of complaints of fray Garcia concerning conquest of new colony; Cornide is placed in charge of collecting declarations, asks six questions concerning abuses of Escandon. For example, was Escandon successful in his commission, did Escandon drive off rather than pacify Indians, did Escandon withhold salaries, was Escandon nepotistic, why has Escandon become so rich in the wake of the conquest, did Escandon do anything right in the conquest? (D. Bautista, may 1990)

Document of 23 ff. from fray Garcia to Galvez accusing Escandon of gross abuses in Nuevo Santander; he is accused of fraud, lying, ruining Indian property, allowing Indian nonacceptance of religion and ineffectively fighting rebelliousness, having not created a mission, allowing his capitans to murder Indians, allowing Hacendados to not pay diezimos, nepotism, abuse of Indian labor. He is seen as responsible for the death of fray Silva, the demolition of village, convent and church of San Antonio de Llanos, the injust treatment of Indians, the murder of innocent people and the lack of justice for the guilty in these crimes; excellent description of thoughts of gentil Indian to fray Garcia about the contradictions in religion and what they See as reality. (D. Bautista, June 1990)

Documents concern compliance with royal order of April 11, 1799 commanding that all Apache prisoners of war be sent to la Havana to prevent escape and return to Chihuahua. Details of March from Chihuahua to Veracruz (See exp. 8), medical treatment for numerous sick. Recounts escape of two Apaches, later recaptured near Tucson. Main body of documents consist of death certificates for numerous casualties of tuberculosis among Indians awaiting transfer from Veracruz to la Havana. Also concerns appeals from administrators of Hospicio de pobres, where Indians are held for shipment out of Veracruz, to receive compensation from real hacienda for feeding, housing, and christianizing of Indians. Provisions made for schooling in Cuba for children of prisoners. (A. Tukey, February 1989)

Documents concerning various aspects of provincial concerning state of mines, placers in province; Corbalan informs virrey that Martinez has been ordered to appear at Alamos to collect military pay of company under his command; Corbalan will inform virrey of progress of Anza, Garces as soon as news of expedition to Colorado, Gila rivers arrives. Lastly, documents concerning construction of Canal system at Pitic. Included is cover letter; contract made with Honorato to construct Canal; other documents which discuss general state of affairs endured by Seris at Pitic. (J. H. Ochs, January 1988)

Three unrelated sets of documents from Coahuila. F.238 concerns cannons acquired by lizarrara's church being traded for donation from presidio. F.245 letters by priests suggesting convert and treat humanely those helpful to Spanish (opposed to present undifferentiated mistreatment of all Indians). Speaks of founding new presidio; better management of milicias. F.250 concerns Estrada, who claims to be legally retired, but who is being sought as deserter; presently taking refuge in church. (A. Dean, March 1990)

Correspondence concerns relocation from Chihuahua to Mexico of 77 Apaches, mostly women and children, taken as prisoners of war; 2 children die at start of journey, one woman gravely ill, left in Chihuahua; Cadete in charge of 'collera de prisoneros' compensated for expenses from 'fondos de gratificacion' of presidios and companies involved in move; correspondence between Cadete and officials in towns, presidios at which 'Collera' to arrive, concerning accommodations, special attention paid to Young childrem, nursing mothers, men to remain at jail, responsibility for costs incurred discussed; Cadete's 'Cuenta' of expenses, including number, cost, of mules used each day of journey, itemized account of rations; mention of 15 Apaches missing from 'Collera', 1-9-89; expenses overrun available funds, Cadete's inheritance from dead Father encumbered. (L. Kerr, February 1989)

Correspondence concerning establishment of new mission at Palmitos for Pintos of San Fernando; Indians arrive in capital to express desire to 'mudar de Sitio' and live alone without interference from Spanish or 'castas', plea rejected; explanation of Pintos' present means of 'mantencion,' based on fishing and salt harvest, no religious education available so Indians left to 'vaguear', 'reduccion' to Helguera will improve situation; 'reduccion' ordered by fiscal and virrey; correspondence with 'colegio Apostolico' regarding selection and salary of minister for Helguera, including requests for past information concerning mission, description (per fiscal's request) of ways in which 'religiosos' serve at assigned missions in province. (L. Kerr, December 1988)

Instancia in which procurador de indios attempts to secure return of goods stolen from Pintos by captain Serna (muebles, 9 Mulas aporadas, 4 manadas de Yeguas, 3 burros maestros, Una porcion de Ganado cabrio y obejuno); governor's order to compensate Indians ignored by Serna; fiscal de lo civil orders expediente containing instancias to be archived for future reference in such Cases. (L. Kerr, December 1988)