Indians (Relations)

Concerns autos and information regarding the establishment of Santander. Discusses distances from Santander to many other towns in Vicinity. Description of Villa and surrounding lands. says need review to determine if population, Indian groups and maiz supplies are increasing or decreasing. Contains complete list of families, Escuadra and all property in town and explains residents' obligation to remain in Santander. List of provisions given to settlers, Indians and military. Santander has hope for large population. experiencing problem with Indian raids but area prospering and developing well. Contains map of town and plans for further construction. (M. Dannemiller, March 1989)

Escandon says extreme scarcity of grain a problem for all areas but makes planned campaign here impossible. Lack of grain has caused stagnation of growth in some areas. Mines in operation. Minerals abundant. Construction of well in progress. says Indians of Tamaulipa friendly. Indians of south go to Horcasitias to receive corn rations. In north, Indians engage in theft, murder and other hostile activities. (M. Dannemiller, March 1989)

Concerns autos, plan and conditions for establishment of Llera. Escandon, with assistance of others, conducts review of land, population, possibilities for agriculture, availability of water and pastures for cattle in order to determine if formal establishment appropriate. says very little corn in area, only nine fanegas for all. says lots of lime, sand and wood for construction. says land is fertile and climate is good. Abundant water for irrigation. Gives instructions for introducing Indians to ways of Spanish. Discusses their treatment and political relations. Also includes complete list of civil and military residents, names, ages and property. Gives instructions for formal establishment of town and includes city plan. Mention use of special paper for autos. (M. Dannemiller, March 1989)

Concerns autos, plans and conditions regarding the establishment of Burgos by Escandon. Contains descriptions of geography, fertility of land and availability of water for irrigation. Review by Escandon and others of Indians, population, squad and property in town. Discussion of feasibility of irrigation and suitablity of pastures for cattle. Mentions possible Indian threat. says would need more people and soldiers. Indian captain from Tamaulipa arrives with peace request. Escandon grants request. Document does not contain name of Indian group. Discussion of proper location for settlement of these Indians. Contains list of families, names, ages and property. Similar list for squad. Mentions all people's obligation to remain in Burgos. says transportation in area difficult because pathways still need to be cut out. (M. Dannemiller, March 1989)

Concerns autos, plans and conditions for establishment of Reynosa by Escandon. Area first populated to pacify Indians, become familiar with the land and to test feasibility of irrigation in area. Escandon provides instructions for agricultural methods until construction of well completed. Escandon conducts, with assistance of others, review of population, property, land, Esquadra and Indians. Asks for reports regarding probability of permanence of Indians in area and need for new mission. Contains list of families including marital status, name, age and property. Contains list of Esquadra with same information. States conditions for population and Esquadra and their obligations to the town. Provides information on all Indian nations, whether armed or not, name of capitan, where raised, if baptised and likelihood of remaining peacefully in area. Mentions food supplies and basic sustenance. Contains list of property in town including horses, cattle and mules. Includes detailed description of land and digging of well. Mentions which lands need irrigation, which are fertile. Indians working for Spanish are given clothing and dry-goods. Includes city plan with provisions for church and convent and drawing of rivers around location. (M. Dannemiller, March 1989)

Letters concerning Indians who live on missions under administration of Escandon. Problems such as rebellion, agitation of Indians as well as their committing crimes such as robberies are discussed. Friendly relationship with gustecas is also mentioned. (J. Acheson, April 1988)

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)

Escandon mentions peace on Mexican coast 1755. Mentions autos about Indian pacification and reduccion in Nuevo Santander. Notes that current reduccion efforts targeted towards the Chichimecos. Briefly mentions local and regional organization of reduccion. Records routes of Chichimec depredations; remarks on difficulty of converting Chichimecs due to corazones del gentilismo. Recalls precedent of Indian reversion to gentilismo in Nuevo Reino de Leon after conquest in 1599. Details include number of Indian families affected by reduccion. Escandon suggests that a permanent reduccion entails control of land east of Sierra Gorda. Escandon inspects targeted poblaciones; mentions peso amount of reduccion effort (salaries of soldiers, synods, missionaries, and recompense for families). Notes that successful reduccion force must have mutual amistad, suavidad, Amor and caricias. Agricultural details include amount pesos for a saca de agua and fund for old people in Santa Barbara; the fertility of land for corn, Chile, cotton in salltillo, Masapil, and Nuevo Reino de Leon (F 68); appropriateness of climate for agriculture (F 76r). (S. Gibbs, September 1989)

Escandon reports visits to Padilla, Quemes, Aguayo, Liera, Horcasitas. Notes good corn crops in towns (except Horcasitas); reflects that saca de agua responsible for crop success. Reports Tanambre murders, thefts of horses and goods which threatened saca de Agua and Tanambre attack on envoy officials and soldiers. Ruiz Junca testifies that Unzaga y Barrota knows location of springs; these springs have potential to water half of Hoyos district without work. (S. Gibbs, September 1989)