Indians (Reduccion)

Letters from Gorraez to Bucareli about royal cedulas. Concerns Nuevo Santander; list of administrative expenses; mines established in Taumaulipa Nueva. Concerns town establishment of Burgos, Reinosa and Escandon with detailed information of these towns (presidio, spiritual administration). Lists numbers of Indians, natural christians, new conversion, teams of horses, mules, land and water, reduction of Indians, protection of Indians, mission finances, restriction and pacification of Indians. Concerns supplying meat to troops. Detailed information on town establishment. (J. Acheson, February 1988)

Letters from Escandon for virrey informing him of the advances in the settlement of Nuevo Santander, villages founded, agricultural development, and the pacification and reduction of the Indians. Brief details of each village are provided by Escandon. The auditor answers the informe of Escandon stating that the religious are critical of Escandons methods of distributing land. (D. Bautista, April 1990)

Letter from gobernador of Monterrey requesting advice from virrey in the matter of the new colonization in Nuevo Santander and how long he will have to support Escandon's explorations. Detailed information from Escandon for virrey concerning the population of Nuevo Santander, how the esquadras are functioning to protect the villages, and how many capitanes, sargentos and Soldados there are in the new colony. Marques Altamira answers for the virrey supporting Escandon. In folio 293 Escandon refers to behavior of Indians as indios (Hasta aora no reducidos) incomparablemente Mucho Mas aguerridos, astutos, agiles, y obstinados, con la continuada frequente practica de Sus invaciones y asaltos en las haciendas (D. Bautista, April 1990)

Letters from Bermudes for virrey complaining that the Indians settle in part of his hacienda and Escandon gave them permission. Official letter from virrey aproving the creation of two new villages signed by Rabago. Letter from four Indian captains requesting permission from the virrey to settle in Paraje named Purificacion. Altamira suggests that Escandon accept request of Indians petition. (D. Bautista, April 199)

Bermudes and Cordoba complain to virrey because of Escandon's division of land. Escandon is accused of giving land to certain Indians that is owned by Bermudes and of taking mulas y maiz from the haciendas. Escandon also reports on the pacification of Indians including a report that Indians fear of disease makes it difficult to get them to settle in villages, but that some Indians Apostatas and Gentiles are requesting permission to congregarse in the villages. (D. Bautista, April 1990)

Series of documents dealing with the territorial division of Nuevo Santander between the obispados of Mexico, Michoacan, and Guadalaxara. Letter from the king for virrey requesting information of the situation of Nuevo Santander on the reduction and pacification of Indians. Letter from church of Guadalaxara complaining to virrey because many people left that city to establish in Nuevo Santander on condition of not paying Diezmos. The arzobispado of Mexico is also asking for Diezmos. Fiscales suggest to the virrey that he make the determination, because in the expediente was a letter of Escandon requesting the creation of a new Obispado, and according to Altamira it was approved by the virrey in that period. Virrey orders a copy sent to the Arzobispo and obispos for their view of the pros and cons of creating a new Obispado. (D. Bautista, April 1990)

Several letters from the capitans of the villages informing Escandon of the losses. Almost all the villages lost their crops. Several letters from Escandon to virrey informing him of the reconstruction of the villages and needed supplies. Altamira approves Escandon's requests and the information is passed on to virrey for final approval. Escandon writes to the virrey of the struggles they are having with the Apostata Guardado. A uracan is reported in July 17, 1751. Escandon requests supplies by ship from Veracruz to Tampico; Escandon reports to virrey that the Guardado and other Indians have been eliminated. The last letter of Escandon is dated March 1, 1760 and mentions the possibility of creating an Obispado for Nuevo Santander. In folio 56 avitadores naturales de las mismas fronteras hacen Sus siembras y Cosechas de maizes, frigol, Calabazas y Sandias en abundancia. (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)