Indians (Rebellions)

Copies of informes from governor Mendoza of Sinaloa concerning military strategy and military matters of Indian rebels. Indian ethnic groups include Seris, Pimas, and Apaches who invaded the frontier. Details. Spying activities mentioned. (J. Acheson, October 1988)

Correspondence in which Emparan informs virrey of poor relations with Indians of province, deteriorating further due to drought and famine in region; Indians stealing, killing horses, cattle, sheep from Ranchos, haciendas and presidios, also killing, taking hostage civilians and military personnel; 2 'estados' listing occurrences of Indian attacks, numbers of men, women, children, domestic animals killed or taken (folios 192, 209-211); in discussing dilemmas, Emparan tells virrey 'mi Pluma Es mui devil para pintar lo que padese Mi Espiritu,' drought so severe that often residents have only Mescal to consume, that Indian incursions endanger farmers proceeding with cultivation of corn, other crops, additionally burdening area's food supply; Emparan assembles troop to search out, kill Indians responsible, appoints interim governor; limited success, incursions continue, Young Boy escapes from Indians, identifies leaders for Emparan (continued in following folios). (L. Kerr, February 1989)

Documents address same issue as in sequence 2, allegations of mistreatment of Pisones; defense offered by missionaries, arguing that severe drought conditions made difficult proper care of Indians. Includes 'cuenta' of expenditures from mission Ygollo to various individuals for services, activities, goods (folios a53-68). Copy of inventory of goods at Ygollo and Escandon, 12-22-76 (folios b1-17), from religious paraphernalia to livestock; weight and content of 'copas', 'platos' etc. Given. Folios b17-22 include testimony of residents in Escandon area concerning burning of Santa Barbara mission (later rebuilt and renamed Escandon) in 1753 by Tanambres, during which padre, captain killed; also includes further inventory of Escandon items. (L. Kerr, August 1989)

Correspondence concerning: desertion of officers and cavo; review of charges against individual; establishment of correo ordinario in Saltillo, reference to testimonio del vando publicado concerning issue; comiso of contraband from Nuevo Leon and Veracruz at Hacienda Yguana, arrest of individual, fire that occurred at Yguana; guarantee of wages for soldiers involved in campaign against Indians attacking presidios, confirmation that most soldiers arrived at meeting place, others deserted; command and duties of esquadra de la rinconada, assignment of 10 soldiers from esquadra to campana; actions taken against individual charged with homicide; series of brief letters concerning various affairs, fiscal, military, political, referring to documents not included in expediente. (L. Kerr, November 1988)

Attempts made to control Indians via mission establishment at Cruillas. Military strength increased, guns purchased and distributed, weapons replaced at Padilla, Santillana and Marina. Iron and wax sold for financing of poor missions. Indian prisoners to be transported by de la Garza to Mexico. Land allotments described along with profits, expenditures of mission production. (L. Deatherage, July 1987)