Indians (Reduccion)

States Seri crops will not come up because of difficulty obtaining water for irrigation. Recommends village be moved to better location, otherwise Seris will never take root, settle down. Giving Seris oxen, farming implements, seeds, cattle to help them become farmer-ranchers. (T. Sheridan, 1976)

Corbalan's letter to Croix describes silver mining areas and discoveries of gold and silver and control of gold. Cornelio depopulated because of lack of water though rich in gold. Soldiers of Altar find gold in Aguas Frias. Aid of rations to compania de fusileros, but need to avoid expenses; transport costs, baker must be paid by compania; lack of uniforms complained of. Transport of troops by ship and details on carrying water; describes poor maritime transport service on pacific coast. Letter confirms completion of expedition; discusses availability of rations on ship for infantry. Yaquis don't grow food and need rations. Concerns inspection and salary payment of dragones de Espana y Mexico and participation in expediton. (L. L. Woodward, August 1988)

Plans for new Indian campaign Sonora, including-reduction Seris village life; provision ration, oxen, farm implements so they can plant crops; maintenance 25 man detachment soldiers Guaymas, aided by 50 man patrol fusileros de Montana, to quell disturbances Pima Bajo area, Rios Fuerte, Mayo, Yaqui; replacement Buenavista presidio captain Lorenzo Cancio with lt. Lumbreras; transfer second compania volante to Terrenate; maintenance 5 man detachment Suagui to guard recently conquered Pima Bajo rebels. Croix basically agrees with proposals. (T. Sheridan, 1976)

Partial letter discusses discusses distrust of Indians and doubt that they will conform to laws; complains of lack of powerful arms in provinces. Viceroy expresses need for peace in provinces and subordination of Indians; hopes that compania de Cataluna contain any movement and Buenavista and Horcasitas de Voluntarios troops reinforce important areas under new presidio arrangement. (L. L. Woodward, September 1988)

Discusses Sonora's Indian problems. Asks that second compania volante be provisioned to continue war against Apaches. Notes constant problem runaway Indians taking refuge in mountains to enjoy depraved and licentious customs. Mentions Indians' inconstancy, probability new uprising will include nearly all the Pimas Bajos, many of the (Pimas) Altos, and perhaps some from other nations. Describes ease Indians moved to rebel. States roots trouble still in mountains, including Seri chief Marcos, Suaqui Rancheria. Since Suaquis, Sebubapas, especially Seris, plant very little. Pessimistic about permanent reduction Indians, even with rations. Proposes to send all conquered males over twelve to Havana, women, children to California. Cerro Prieto mountains noted as stronghold. If such policy carried out, infantry could retire to Altar, presidio, first compania volante reform. (T. Sheridan, 1976)

Concerns sealed paper, anata Media, and cattle irons delivery. Need to ship iron from treasury at Alamos; Alcabala on cash taken from Mexico to Horcasitas. Letter describing contents of documents on pacification of Indians of Santa Lucia; desertion of Santa Lucia; quevedos March with vecinos finds Santa Lucia deserted. Visit of 12 armed Indians to comisaria who dance mitote. Complaints of robbery and killing by Indians of Santa Lucia. Desire to have had troops to follow and punish Indians. (L. L. Woodward, August 1988)

Describes importance Altar presidio maintaining peace among Indians area, repelling Apache attacks on pueblos, mines Altar Valley. Recently reduced Indians need of presidio to keep them in line. Mines have to be protected. (T. Sheridan, 1976)

Necessity maintaining 3 more agents to distribute rations to reduced Seris, Pimas, Sibubapous. (T. Sheridan) (1976)

Administrative correspondence of intendente Corbalan, primarily brief commentary on ongoing communication between him and viceroy as summarized in the superiores Ordenes and representaciones. Viceroy's responses, dated several months later, directly follow intendente's comments/inquiries. Ff. 81 reorganization of intendency, intendente's duties and salary; distribution of land, water rights, irrigation and religious education of Seris on Tiburon. Ff. 84-86 relate death of governor Sastre, execution of his will (Albacea), and responsibility of real Casa to determine amount of king's fifth on a gold nugget found in his possession. Ff. 94-95 are taxes on tobacco, playing cards and gunpowder; salaries for religious from Jalisco serving in Sonora; collection of tribute from Indians; need for better accounting for collecting royal fifth on ore mined in province; scarcity of Moneda sellada in circulation; and status of crops, workshops and personnel assigned to Indians in reduccion. Ff. 122-123 is certificate of death of Alfonso Ruiz Zorzano. Other documents briefly general of mines to be postponed due to illness and bad Weather; reduccion of Hiaques on Tiburon, recommends pardon of capitan Calisto for good behaviour, after involvement in uprising; gold nugget of Sastre not found among his possessions. Ff. 136 & 138 are superiores Ordenes from Bucareli for February-March, 1773. Ff. 142-144 are representacions of intendente to viceroy for April-June, 1773 which include fishing; rebuilding mission churches in Suaqui and Charay and completion of irrigation (acequia) for Seris in Pitic. (J. M. Johnson, March 1988)

Brief reports on the following subjects: progress reports of status of the reduccion of the Indians in Carrizal and Tiburon Island, including agricultural improvements, land distribution, tribute received, religious education and rebuilding of church. F. 43 is index of correspondence from the viceroy. F. 44 death of Santo Isla, official of royal treasury. F. 54 is list of superior orders received by Corbalan from Bucareli. Other topics discussed: extraction of ore, punishment for card playing, irrigation acequia completed for Pitic, provisioning of California presidios. (J. Johnson, February 1988)