Indians (Relations)

Includes 6 brief, unrelated expedientes, numeros 7-12. In 7, Lasaga informs virrey that certain residents of San Carlos should be exempt from taxation because they have no permanent home or work, but mine whenever possible, and serve whenever called to arms. In 8, Lasaga says it came to his attention that large group of Indians (unnamed) are held prisoner in Aguayo, but soldiers no longer able to contain escapes; guidance from virrey requested. In 9, Lasso informs of shortage of servants in Veracruz, requests that 6 Mecos return with him to work in that capacity; will educate and care for them. In 10, Indians (unnamed) journey to San Carlos to request financial help; each granted 1 'real' daily. In 11, Lasaga solicits advice from virrey regarding Aracates, previously guilty of murder and theft, but now want to establish peaceful relations. In 12, 2 Pacitas kill Young Boy, wound another; Comecamotes trick soldiers into truce, then kill several, steal cattle, kill pastor with own knife; soldiers' actions found 'imprudente.' (L. Kerr, June 1989)

Documents concern the breaking of peace by the Indians, their banditry and assorted killings. Interrogation of witnesses concerning knowledge of the Indians, of their breaking of the peace, and their crimes is given. F. 189 contains a list of the four points asked of each witnesses. 12 witnesses' responses to these questions follow with accounts of Indian attacks, their stealing of horses, and killing of various soldiers. One soldier killed at Pasaje de Noche Buena, for example. Other documents concern the groupings of various Indian tribes (mesquites, Mulas, and other nations) in order to assault the Villa of Padilla. A description of the persecution of these wayward Indians by the Spaniards is given. Last, there is an account of how the Indians should be brought into mission life and given to agriculture. It is said that under previous peace treaties, the Indians had been brought into the missions, had been given instruction in the planting of maize Frijoles and other agricultural pursuits and had been pacified and converted to christianity. This is the goal again, now that this peace has been broken by these Indians. (P. Lenz, September 1989)

Informe of Apaches attacks; teniente Echegaray (son of Gonzalez de santienez) requests weapons and munitions for the families being attacked; Indian Jose Santiago goes to Mexico City to complain of the bad treatment Indians receive from the government of Nuevo Leon; royal decree established that Indians will receive support when they bring complaints to Mexico. (D. Bautista, September 1989)

Concerns fray Barragan complaints about their protector Garcia Davila; Garcia Davila makes his defense with support from and respected people. Gobernador Mier y Noriega sides with Garcia, but the fiscal orders the governor to gently remove Garcia, to avoid conflicts with religious and Indians. Garcia Davila resigned as protector but officials in Mexico City in realize that conflicts continued because the water for the mission came from Garcia Davila's hacienda. The fiscal orders the gobernador of Nuevo Reino de Leon to not let him interfere in the matters of the mission. (D. Bautista, September 1989)

Concerns tenant Indians and those under protection having to leave missions to make room for another nation (Piedras) who were roaming in countryside stealing for survival; only Indians who were paying taxes could remain on missions; also concerns transferral of title protector de misiones de Concepcion y purificacion from Garcia Davila to Cantu. (K. Hubin, November 1989)

Concerns barbarian Indians' penetration into Nuevo Leon through Coahuila; accounts of raids on haciendas, pueblos and missions and military campaigns against them in various regions inside province; accounts by Lorca y Villena of military combat statistics. (K. Hubin, October 1989)

Concerns summary of Camano's logbook in his exploration trip around San Blas, but is not chronological and is incomplete. He describes physical characteristics, war tools, man and woman physical traits, man and woman adornments, weapons, fish and hunting tools of the Indians. Types of trees, animals, fishes, plants, and metals are also described. Emphasis is given to good looking physical appearance of the Indians as well as to their easy going attitude towards the Espanoles. (R. Gomez, September 1989)

Documents mention meeting called to discuss 23 years of Indian depredations in Chihuahua -- specifically, last 4 years of Apache murders, thefts, cruelties. Detailed account of Apache depredations (herd theft and killing, horse and Mule theft, murder of soldiers, attacks on Mule trains, tobacco and clothing theft) included from land and mine owners and merchants. Includes peso estimates of material losses and prose tabulation of dead and wounded. Mentions difficulty of fighting mounted Indians who wield guns and Shields and who have high endurance (notes Indian ability to run night and day sustained by trail food Pinole). Includes lengthy discussion of timing and quantity of military salaries throughout New Spain. (S. Gibbs, September 1989)

Copies of documents about imprisonment of Nayaritos Cumplido, Cruz, Matheo, and Felix. The Indians from San Lucas were imprisoned in Mosquital for inciting natives to rebel against padres ministros. Includes copies of testimonies from vecinos, administrators, and military officers which affirm crime and status of prisoners. Imprisonment intended to set example to other Indians. Lopez and Soriano solicted for history of from San Lucas were imprisoned in mowquital -- but not for inciting unrest. (S. Gibbs, February 1989)

Expedientes concern military finances. exp 14 discusses salaries of military officers, compares them with american salaries. Also concerns Bellido's pension -- concern voiced that too high a pension for Bellido could set an expensive precedent. King's order is thus required to obtain a special salary. In exp 15, marques de Croix acknowledges receipt of Apache campaign diaries. Bucareli mentions incident in which tropps with Pima auxiliaries raided Apache camp, killing wounding and capturing Apaches. Bucareli also discusses Galvez' campaign expenses. (S. Gibbs, February 1989)