Indians (Pacification)

Escandon sends virrey detailed information about the devastation caused by the rains. Escandon sends a capitan to receive supplies the virrey wants to give. Also Escandon requests military promotions for those who worked hard in the disaster. In another letter Escandon describes actions taken by capitan Barverena in the capture of rebel Indians; auditor Altamira makes comments on the letters of Escandon suggesting to the virrey certain actions to take in the new colony. (D. Bautista, April 1990)

Includes Escandon's 14 point informe detailing colonization in and around Burgos 1750. Peace established in Padilla, Reynosa, Aguayo, Guemes, evidenced by planting and military control. Includes details of Indian movements around Nuevo Santander. Describes passivity of Indians under mission Cabezon de la Sal, and excellence of Rancheria in Burgos. Burgos further described as well-irrigated, easy to execute (saca de agua, and having sufficient timber and other building materials. Notes that despite loss of corn, Indians were still faithful to farms. Altamira recounts attempt to segregate Apostate Indians in Burgos; Indian Villanueva pledges to further colonization process. (S. Gibbs, October 1989)

Altamira verifies Escandon's autos concerning Nuevo Santander colonization 1750-1; relates money given to Escandon for colonization expenses; describes content of preceding expedientes (in this volume) written by Escandon concerning population structure of Villas in Nuevo Santander. Escandon summarizes effect of his colonization success; reports peace and maize production in Padilla, Guemes, Aguayo, Llera, Reynosa, Camargo;reports success of saca de agua and Indian peace in Reynosa. (S. Gibbs, October 1989)

(S. Gibbs, October 1989)

In travel brief, Escandon and Valcarzel briefly describe overall stability of Santander, Dolores, Revilla, Mier, Camargo, San Fernando. Agricultural success, revealed through high numbers of healthy cattle, good rangeland, successful commerce, compliments Indian pacification. Escandon's Rancheria set up at Santander notes as instrumental in reduccion. Unzaga mentions Tanambre Indian murders near Hoyos; Escandon notes positioning of Escuadra de San Gregorio in Camargo; Altamira testifies to validity of preceding autos. (S. Gibbs, October 1989)

Testimonios compiled by Escandon document Escandon's visit to Revilla 1753. Includes detailed biographical information on Revilla Spanish families (names, wives, name, age of children, number of animals and weapons). Tables tally total number horses and herd animals. Fragoso mentions peacefulness of Comecrudos, Tejones, Nazas, Narizes and recommends that corn ration for these Indians not be cut as planned. (S. Gibbs, October 1989)

Letter by Escandon mentions contents, dates of testimonios he authored, many of which form other expedientes in this volume. Mentions testimonios about pacification of Reynosa; descriptions of Camargo; saca de Agua in Mier; rangeland of Basquez; Santander Indians forming hacienda and growing corn; Indian pacification at Igollo; land dispute in Labrador resulting in castigation of Alcalde mayor. Functions as an index for expedientes 1-11 in this volume. (S. Gibbs, October 1989)

Escandon mentions peace on Mexican coast 1755. Mentions autos about Indian pacification and reduccion in Nuevo Santander. Notes that current reduccion efforts targeted towards the Chichimecos. Briefly mentions local and regional organization of reduccion. Records routes of Chichimec depredations; remarks on difficulty of converting Chichimecs due to corazones del gentilismo. Recalls precedent of Indian reversion to gentilismo in Nuevo Reino de Leon after conquest in 1599. Details include number of Indian families affected by reduccion. Escandon suggests that a permanent reduccion entails control of land east of Sierra Gorda. Escandon inspects targeted poblaciones; mentions peso amount of reduccion effort (salaries of soldiers, synods, missionaries, and recompense for families). Notes that successful reduccion force must have mutual amistad, suavidad, Amor and caricias. Agricultural details include amount pesos for a saca de agua and fund for old people in Santa Barbara; the fertility of land for corn, Chile, cotton in salltillo, Masapil, and Nuevo Reino de Leon (F 68); appropriateness of climate for agriculture (F 76r). (S. Gibbs, September 1989)

Concerns conflict of authority between military officials; woman is kept in captivity; Indians complain of mistreatment by Munoz and ask for his removal so problems between Indians and Spaniards will stop; very detailed narration of Indians being killed by government troops who went in their pursuit, indio Tomas is interrogated under oath, he describes how Indians survived and attacked the Spaniards; Indian prisoner gives account of how Indians planned attack against Spaniards, some Indian nations colluded to attack Spaniards in conjunction and trade items among themselves; report on Indian child being interrogated by Spaniard (text of the interrogation is included); diaries of the pursuit of Indians is sent to the viceroy, chart about the final result of the campaign is included here, chart shows number of Indians and soldiers who were killed in combat, ammunition, weapons used, horses, mules etc.; governor certifies the public exhibition of genitals and limbs of Indians killed in combat during campaign; letter is sent to the viceroy praising heroic action of captain Bustamante against Indian rebels in Palo Blanco; chart showing the general military status of San Antonio de Bexar, chart includes list of military officials and soldiers, horses, mules and different kinds of weapons; statistical chart showing population of the pueblos of Nuevo Santander, its missions and population in every city and town; complete review is carried out of the presidios of the province of Nuevo Santander, report about the visita is sent to the viceroy, report takes into account physical aspects, military conditions, troop's health situation, description of the valleys, rivers and strategic position of presidios. (M. Marroquin, December 1988)

Concerns reports about two Indian (Capitancillos) prisoners of Spaniards in San Fernando, Castro suspect Indians are spies; troops engage in pursuit of Indians who stole horses and cows; Pacheco Indian is threatened with being beheaded if he does not confess. (M. Marroquin, December 1988)