Indians (Reduccion)

Interrogation of Sibubapa about Indian resolutions of peace or war conducted by capitan Anza. Captive relates that some rebels want to agree to peace, but others do not want to surrender for fear of retaliations; prefer to die fighting. Efforts by governor Pineda to convince rebel captains about peaceful surrender of Indians stressed. (A. Dell'acqua, October 1987)

Ultimatum issued by visitador general in form of bandos to all groups of rebel Indians to surrender within period of forty days or face complete annihilation and extinction if there is not positive response. All Spaniards and pacified Indians are required to help soldiers and militias. (A. Dell'acqua, October 1987)

Correspondence re: expenses incurred in warring and maintaining peace with Indians. Indians are to be established in sierras and aguajes near presidios so they can continue to exploit wild foods and bison. Galvez suggests gifts be given to make Indians indebted to Spaniards. Loyola relates past experiences with reduccion of Chiricaguis; suggests need for patience in all dealings. Administrative correspondence re: accounts; instrucciones (ff. 446-451) re: handling of cuentas. (D. Uhlman, June 1988)

Letters about attempts by various military and civilian officers to bring Indian groups in Santander under peaceful settlement; attempts by others to reduce groups by attacking and exterminating them. Officers describe plans on how to attract Indian groups; various viceroys oppose and approve different plans making attempts at pacification very difficult to carry out. Includes bibliography of other lengthy documents. (A. Dell'acqua, April 1988)

Letters between Cavildo de Horcasitas, governor of Santander, and viceroy in reference to attacks suffered by region from different Indian groups killing many inhabitants, stealing agricultural products, horses, cattle and other goods including clothing. Plans by governor to attack groups; frustration due to impossibility to find culprits as many groups have requested and live under peace, but do damage under guise of peaceful coexistance. Viceroy orders formation of companias volantes and doubling personnel in established ones to defeat, reduce or exterminate Indian groups if conditions continue. (A. Dell'acqua, April 1988)

Lengthy, detailed infome from Cabello to virrey re: granting of peace to Lipanes. Cabello provides historical background information about province beginning with discovery in 1630, description of boundaries, establishment of missions and presidios, colonization by Canary Islanders. Describes continual war between Cumanches and Apaches including accounts of Cumanche robberies and murders committed against Spanish and Apaches. Discussion of need for troops, placement; table listing personnel available at presidios de Bejar and Espiritu Santo; presidio line. Cabello makes plea for financing, stating that if money is not provided for war, region including Santander, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Texas and part of Nueva Vizcaya will be lost; population will have to move to area that is safe for families. Letter follows nearly one year later again asking that peace be granted to Lipanes. (D. Uhlman, July 1988)

Indians of several nations, Positas and Maniguanes attack hacienda killing 6 persons and taking women and 3 babies; subsequent chase by mayordomo and killing of 2 Indians and cow confiscation; hopes of forming campaign and future reduction. Companies, ranks, and totals. Arrival of Castro to Saltillo as new comandante general. Romen requests duplicates of orders for Californias. Receipt of Fernandez' memorial and request for command. Acknowledgment of receipt of notice on treatment of invalids. (L. L. Woodward, July 1988)

Murgier received order to present company in Padilla for two month campaign against Indians beginning south of Tamaulipas. Purpose to eliminate rancherias on east ridge. Murgier divides troops and sends in different directions. Describes troop clothing. Attack on Rancheria results in murder of Suraques. Physical description of area, water, pines etc. And difficulties terrain presents for travel and locating water. Upon arrival at each stop, place given name and reported to conde. says Santa Maria Valley fertile, capable of producing 25 fanegas in addition to temporal harvests. Puga's detachment with 10 prisoners asked for horses to transport injured soldiers all of whom later lost in confrontation. says Indians angry and vindictive. Relates achievements and information gained with each campaign. Murgier gives command to Puga during his illness. Includes diary of activity under Puga. Informe sent to Castro. (M. Dannemiller October 1988)

Detailed service records of top rank soldiers of the primera compania volante de la Colonia del Nuevo Santander from their dates of enlistment to the present. Includes; regimiento donde ha servido, compania y acciones de guerra en que Se ha hallado, and informe del inspector-notas de el. These discuss years in a particular rank and total years served up to present as well as combat in Indian campaigns. Personal information of soldiers. (O. Velez, September 1988)

Correspondence between Murgier and Ugalde regarding various procedural matters of segunda compania volante over four years beginning with embarcation on six month campaign against Indians, concluding with accounts of encounters with Indians in region; tables enumerating invalids and wounded; several remittals of diarios from various destacamentos (not present) to comandante general; marriages within company. All very sparse detail; vague references to women as wives, casualties in betrothal, battle. (D. J. McClelland, March 1988)