Indians (Mistreatment)

Concerns Series of letters from commander Oca, reporting on the undertaking of command of presidio facility. Letter reporting on Indians being mistreated by local Jesuits priests. Letter of various kinds have been halted; notice is given about a fraud of 5000 pesos. Commander Oca, solicits permit to leave and take care of health problems caused by bad climatic conditions (M. Marroquin, April 1989)

Concerns Series of letters giving notice of Indians idolatry, captain leader is requested for presidio of Santa Barbara, soldiers arrested for disorderly conduct, autos sent to viceroy, silver output is sent to caja real, governor of village is killed by Indians, informs about undisciplined military officials, Indians mistreated by military, Lemus request more control for presidio officials. (M. Marroquin, April 1989)

Moraya (with witnesses Figueroa and Basques) acts as interrogator in case against Arbizo and Tapia, accused of drowning to death a gentile Indian. Incident occurred September 27, 1783 on ranches of San Jose de Guadalupe. Indian legends, accused of robbing cornfield, was bound and taken by accused. Indian's corpse showed signs of beating. 15-20 Indians responded with bows and arrows with intent to kill Tapia and his brothers. Two accused receive 25 lashings. (J. Hiller, December 1988)

Two Cotanames of Rio Grande band arrive in Reynosa with news that population of Rio Grande presidio had moved to mission to guard salt mine there. It seems Indians gathered for reduccion had been forced into labor at mine. (A. Dean, July 1989)

Vague letters of political, military bureaucratic ramblings. Letters concerning rent on salt mines near Altamira, tariff on measures of salt. Letter accusing Zuniga of considerable injury to Indians, acting illegally; requests report of circumstances, details of crime in order to proceed against him. (A. Dean, June 1989)

Letter to rengle concerning pardon of Aduna, desertor from drought affecting cattle and harvests (brief); Cueto's salary and requested leave to settle Brother's estate; Fato's request for permission to possess, transport and use 2 mortars at Mamulique in light 15 servants killed in Indian raids; discussion of Cueto's credentials re promotion to alternate commander of companias presidiales in event of illness or death teniente and of commander; Chichimecos false accusations against Bartolome; Alferez vacancies in compania de Caballeria presidaria de Punta de Lampazos and Rio Salado. Letter to Gonzalez de Santianes concerning armament obtained by Cueto for companias provinciales. (J. Higgins February 1989)

Ff. 0544-0548 partial indices of governor's correspondence with real Audiencia gobernadora for January 1785, and with Galbez November, December 1785. Letter discussing increased Indian depredations following 8 month hiatus in Coahuyla, Nuevo Leon and Nuevo Santander. Night of February 19, 1785 20 Indians entered province by way of Santa Rita killing 3 muleteers; his promotion to brigadier; Fato's request two mortars be placed at Mamulique to deter attacks; Cueto be paid back wages in order to return to Spain to settle estate of dead Brother. Letter welcoming new virrey conde de Galbez. Acknowledgement of flour production, Echeagaray's 3 month business leave, sealed paper and the administrator of Rentas de Tabaco, Ezpeleta's fulfillment of order re salaries of companias presidiales, Dias' posting to dragones de Mexico, request by fiscal del real hacienda concerning the whereabouts of Marroquin, appointment and salaries of protectores de Misiones, Chichimecos charges against Bartolo. (J. Higgins, February 1989)

Letters re: Chichimecos request de Abila be dispatched to investigate abuses, dispossession of land and unlawful imprisonment by Bartolo and Marroquin; cancellation of request for sargents to train milicias; vacancies within compania de Nuevo Santander; promotions to alferez and travel orders. Military rolls-payroll for compania presidaria and compania de caballeria January 1784 including dates of service, duty station, promotions, vacancies, leaves, desertions, arrests, deaths. (J. Higgins, February 1989)

A Series of letters between Vaamonde and virrey conde that the San Christoval mission and Indian Lorenzo as recipient of money, petition for retirement filed by Garza and subsequent approval, receipt of index of letters 68-69, promotion of Frevino to Alferez, petition by Indians for new mayor (Salinas) and their complaints with Santa, audience granted to Indian Servantes to discuss the mayoral situation mentioned in preceeding letter. (O. Velez, January 1989)

Correspondence between virrey and gobernador of Nuevo Santander regarding various military procedural matters; many letters acknowledging receipt of and sending of other letters, not all present; one Series of letters (not in chronological order) regards Indian who steals horses and is eventually killed by Indians of another tribe for disturbing peace; several refer to Indian raids; some letters negotiating salary of Echeagaray the new gobernador; woman referred to as wife of soldier, pasajera, Indian girl; some letters about wrongful treatment of Indians under command of tenientes who are not trustworthy, reprimands, and requests for changed behavior; rancher's account of encounter with Indians he believes killed someone; daily life described in scenario preceding Vaqueros' encounter with Indians, ending up with death of Indians; brief mention of subsistence restrictions placed on Indians (f.280); F. 279 interesting letter; drought referred to in terms of delayed travel plans; all documents in Series interrelated and mixed up. (D. J. McClelland, November 1988)