Indians (Reduccion)

Series of documents dealing with the bad attitude of Ugalde towards the Indians. Ugarte complains to viceroy that Ugalde ignores peace treaties with the Mescaleros and continues to attack them. Mescaleros upset and mistrust the Spaniards. Letter of September 13, 1787, Ugalde gives detailed description of his attacks on the Indians; he argues they should not be thrusted, and they only seek peace when they are about to be exterminated. Good description of Aguajes and Parajes of the area. (J. Tapia, September, 1987)

Two letters by Ugalde, one by Florez considering what to do with Apaches who under treaty have apparently agreed to reduccion. Discusses circumstances of other tribes in reduccion; how to arrange rations for Apaches, handle their customs (mentions several dances, solemn and celebratory. F.573 concerns Apaches being transported from Monclova to San Luis Potosi. F.582 mentions missionary efforts. (A. Dean, April 1990)

Letters describing, comparing relations with Mezcaleros (at Rio Savinas) and Lipanes, Lipiyanes. Discusses rash of horse thefts, speculates culprits. F.546 mentions sending Indian prisoners to Havana or Marianas. (A. Dean, April 1990)

F.220 reports deaths of 5 Apaches on chaingang. F.222 lists ages, gender of those transported. F.223 begins letter in rabid prose by Ugalde, listing tribes now ensconced in christianity as example; repeated acts of idolatry (dances) by Apaches endanger everyone, should be stamped out (no pun intended). Seems to suggest they be converted by force, not choice. F.225 vows to chastise most execrable Lipanes. F.229 apparently suggests that Comanches be given firepower to eliminate Apaches. F.232 complains of hypocrisy of reports given to him. Letter is puzzling considering Ugalde's earlier anthropological attitude toward Apaches. (A. Dean, April 1990)

Letters from Ugalde to Galvez, Florez concerning attempts to pacify Mescaleros. F.145 mentions new friendship of Mescaleros, old friendship of Lipanes, and that being cultivated with Lipiyanes. F.146 mescaleros augmenting strength by allying with Borrados. F.153 mentions Carneada de Cibolos previously given to reduced Indians now apparently a bartering piece in negociations with Mescaleros. F.160 mentions Indians congregated peacefully at presidio del Norte. Mention throughout of shaky dealings with Comanches. (A. Dean, April 1990)

Series of letters from Escandon to virrey concerning state of and sugar Cane; discussion of precautions against attack by English along Costa del Seno Mexicano; ongoing efforts at evangelization and reduction of of Indians in area; protection of mining operations in Sierra Tamaulipa against Indian attack; Series of undetailed accounts of raids by Tanambres against town in Sierra Tamaulipa. Also includes letter from fray Chacon complaining that missions in Nuevo Santander do not have Indians and blames situation on lack of sufficient military pressure against rebel tribes. (A. Tukey, July 1989)

Officials' correspondence includes summaries of and references to documents not included in expediente; governor Munoz' 'papel sellado'; efforts of squadron to control Indians; operations at certain mines; 'librando' Munoz of governorship in face of accusations of misconduct; reinstatemnt of teniente of presidio; comandante Interino's correspondence includes accounts to virrey of state of province concerning, for example, three missions suffering small pox epidemic, general fiscal affairs, request by Cometunas for establishment of mission in area for purpose of protection, granted on condition that group live according to 'christiana politica', and militia's need for arms, as well as for officers to replace those who died; governor Velasco's correspondence to virrey refers briefly to military and fiscal affairs, establishment of 'correo' in Nuevo Leon, reduction and protection of Indians. (L. Kerr, December 1988)

Correspondence concerning: statements summarizing testimony on various subjects; re-establishment of mission; problems created when pacified Indians subjected to 'revistas', order passed halting 'revistas' due to violence engendered, otherwise smooth progression of pacification and reduction in province; state of Indians at missions, poor relations between neighboring Indian groups due to death of one chief, request for military assistance in order to secure peace; collection of taxes from various individuals; edict that soldiers enter churches with 'cabello suelto'; 'indice de cartas', with brief summary of topics discussed in expediente; lack of 'papel sellado'; establishment of 'pueblos' and need for military protection; desertion by soldiers in Coahuila; examination of 'cuadernos de autos' in order to determine reasons for 'excesos' committed by squadron at hacienda; military assistance need in Coahuila and Texas to defend against Apaches; discovery of mine, its effect upon growth of economy in area; discussion of metals, silver found in other mines, quality and quantity. (L. Kerr, November 1988)

Letters concerning: description of vegetation, terrain where Indian groups live, general location within province, livelihood in that region, hostilities committed by group, whether or not group is lazy or active, good or bad, observation that peripheral towns and haciendas attacked more frequently; second letter regarding need for and assignment of soldiers to serve as 'escoltas' at several haciendas, due to attacks from 'indios apostatas y gentiles', salaries and rations for soldiers discussed, as well as how the assignments will strengthen plan to pacify and Christianize all Indians of Nuevo Leon within 8 to 10 years. (L. Kerr, November 1988)

Letters from Vidal de Lorca in Nuevo Reino de Leon. Letters concern defense of Vallecillo. 17 men sent to establish defense. Concerns reduccion (detailed description). Table listing numbers of individuals from various groups Mamulique, Valle de Salinas, nacion de los Tarumares, hacienda del Carrizal, de Punta de Lampazos, nacion Calanchenos, real Savinas, naciones cenizos, Garzas y Zaygs, real del Vallecillo, nacion de los basales, hacienda de minas de Joseph Gutierrez. Other documents concerned with church doctrine and mission of Valle de Pilon. Discussed also invasion of Indians in real de Vallecillo and concern for defense of frontier. (J. Acheson, November 1988)