Indians (Pacification)

Letter from conde de Sierra Gorda to virrey describes Indian desertions from mission at Maquines. The Indians' inclination to live in the mountains is cited as the cause. Indian abuses and killings committed by these deserters is given. Mission sends groups to recapture the Indians. Mission depicted as lacking in Indians. Mission need of Indians to work fields is a priority for missions. Finances of mission depends upon cheap Indian labor. Two padres, Misioneros are instructed to go and persuade Indians to return to mission. (P. Lenz, September 1989)

Document concerns the meeting of 12 justicias mayores at house of conde de Sierra Gorda to form a junta de guerra which shall determine the campaigns against the Indians. A previous letter by Puga is discussed in which Indian attacks are discussed and the need to punish such attacks. F. 274 says that 280 soldiers are now employed along Pasajes to counter Indian attacks. Other documents are a Series of replies from each justicia mayor who attended the junta at Sierra Gorda's house. They speak of the bad effects of the Indian attacks and all are in accord with forming a united effort against the Indians. Other documents concern an interrogation of various pobladores and their knowledge of the Indians, of their breaking of peace treaties, and of their various crimes. F. 290 gives a list of 121 Indians that leave in a Collera from the Provincias Internas. (P. Lenz, September 1989)

Documents concern the breaking of peace by the Indians, their banditry and assorted killings. Interrogation of witnesses concerning knowledge of the Indians, of their breaking of the peace, and their crimes is given. F. 189 contains a list of the four points asked of each witnesses. 12 witnesses' responses to these questions follow with accounts of Indian attacks, their stealing of horses, and killing of various soldiers. One soldier killed at Pasaje de Noche Buena, for example. Other documents concern the groupings of various Indian tribes (mesquites, Mulas, and other nations) in order to assault the Villa of Padilla. A description of the persecution of these wayward Indians by the Spaniards is given. Last, there is an account of how the Indians should be brought into mission life and given to agriculture. It is said that under previous peace treaties, the Indians had been brought into the missions, had been given instruction in the planting of maize Frijoles and other agricultural pursuits and had been pacified and converted to christianity. This is the goal again, now that this peace has been broken by these Indians. (P. Lenz, September 1989)

Documents concern the death of the conde de Sierra Gorda. Gives lengthy biography of his services to the crown, of his settling and establishing of villages and repelling Indians attacks. A detailed account of his early military career in Querataro is given. His various promotions and especially of his successful campaigns against the Indians. A good account is given of his establishing of numerous towns and missions and of his pacification of the Indians and of their conversion to catholicism. Conde de Sierra Gorde decorated with the titulo de Castillo, thus freeing him of payment of Media Annata. Account of 1742 battle with English nation and of their attack on Veracruz. Later documents concern charges brought against him by citizens of his province for his over-aggressive style. royal commission sent to investigate. Conde de Sierra Dies before case completed. His son's role in defending his deceased Father against the charges. Commission's finding of no substance to charges. Additional letters concern the request that the governorship become a hereditary post and that the deceased's son, Manuel, shall be named as governor. His son's biography is extensively listed-military campaigns, settlement of towns, and pacification of Indians. A further request is made that assistance be given to the entire family. Names of family members given and their newly-granted offices and titles listed. Governorship granted to Manuel. Throughout the volume are good descriptions of founding of towns and resulting battle with the Indians. Folios 145-149 are especially strong in describing la Campana en Tamaulipas, including number of deaths, injured and prisoners taken. Also detailed are Indian banditry and the attempt to convert them through education and the missions. (P. Lenz, September 1989)

Concerns Series of letters dealing with military administration such as military official being transferred to Guadalaxara. Chart showing service record of Vaamonde y Villamil (allusion made to guerra Britanica in Goatemala). Service record of Alsubide is given and shows his military activities and education. Document shows other military officials seeking to fill vacancy left by Santianez. Military post left vacant in Nuevo Reyno de Leon. Document shows military actions against Indians in Tucson and Sonora desert (M. Marroquin, August 1989)

Concerns tenant Indians and those under protection having to leave missions to make room for another nation (Piedras) who were roaming in countryside stealing for survival; only Indians who were paying taxes could remain on missions; also concerns transferral of title protector de misiones de Concepcion y purificacion from Garcia Davila to Cantu. (K. Hubin, November 1989)

Concerns pacification of Indians, protection of haciendas in Nuevo Leon; accounts of fighting and deaths; many place names; repetitive otherwise. Several references to a map, but no map present. (K.hubin, oct.1989)

Concerns Pedro Barrera's military service record and commendations from many different people in request for his Fuero militar; diverse geographical references and several accounts of violent incidents with Indians during attempts at pacification. (K. Hubin, October 1989)

Few informes concerning military supplies (corn and wine). Series of documents transcribed in sequence concerning military fiscal affairs and Indian problems. Xanambres abandoned mission in Llera and fled to mountains, inspiring several other tribes to do likewise. Military attempts to recapture them led to years of Indian hostility toward villages (described in detail). (A. Dean, February 1989)

Reports by asesores, visitadores, regidores suggesting high; 2, spread of disease among cattle and sheep which causes hair to fall out; 3, sterility of seeds provided for planting; 4, Indian depredations; 5, Estanco de sales competes with local salt industry; 6, moral degeneration and lack of discipline of troops in Nuevo Santander. To deal with last problem, suggest payment in cash be terminated to prevent rampant gambling among troops. Repeat of accusations against Gonzalez Santianes that he has not done enough to prevent Indian attacks. Notes throughout state of poverty in Nuevo Santander, except for discovery of mineral de tamaulipa (?). Beginning folio 235, detailed lists of livestock stolen from inhabitants of Altamira between 1768 and 1772. Followed by Series of less detailed accounts of livestock theft and murder committed against various Villas and rachos in area. (A. Tukey, July 1989)