Indians (Relations)

Decision made not to split presidio forces in order to defend against Indians. Mendinueta relates two major hostile encounters in which Spanish forces destroy rancherias, tiendas and take Indian captives. Mendinueta requests horses and guns for war effort. Mentions possibility of using vecinos in war. Request for arms, horses granted on condition that distribution list of horses is submitted to virrey. Relation of Indian thefts, murders. Brief notes concerning absence of pelicans; prohibition of certain drinks. (S. Gibbs, September 1987)

Mendinueta relates Indians murders and animal thefts. Mentions famine which forces people to eat leather, roots and herbs; drought which has killed cattle and plants. (S. Gibbs, September 1987)

Correspondence focuses upon change of rules governing positioning of presidios, proposal to establish fort at Robledo, promotion of inspector Oconor to Coronel. Virrey(?) Praises Mendinueta's excellent relations with some surrounding populations. Mendinueta relates Apache/Cumanche hostilities, hardship caused by drought and insect plagues. (S. Gibbs, September 1987)

Mentions Apache and Cumanche murders, thefts, and hostilities: tells of commerce, including animal hides, iron knives, clothing and maize; Cumanche vascillation between war and peaceful commerce. (S. Gibbs, August 1987)

Mendinueta recounts Cumanche and Apache murders. Mentions snow as impediment to attackers. (S. Gibbs, August 1987)

Mendinueta recounts Cumanche murders and their inconsistent requests for peace. Mentions that in times of peace Indians engage in commerce. (S. Gibbs, August 1987)

Mendinueta recounts numerous Indian hostilities of 1770 over large area. Mentions that Apaches fight with guns taken from victims. Relates restlessness of vecinos; describes Spanish -vecino relation as one of hatred in peace as well as war. Reports Cumanche offer of peace but admits suspicions of sincerity of Cumanche proposal. (S. Gibbs, August 1987)

Mendinueta expresses regret that he has not completed inspection orders from inspection of 1769 because of preoccupation with Cumanche hostilities. Recounts Cumanche murders and kidnappings and Apache thefts over large area. Croix grants Mendinueta some freedom to use his own discretion in dealing with Indians. (S. Gibbs, August 1987)

Mendinueta relates Cumanche murders, scalpings, and attacks on Spanish and Tutas. Observes that when Indians attack Indian villages, villagers hold their ground; but when Indians attack Spanish settlements, Spanish retreat and abandon their possessions. Suggests that disunity of Spanish keeps frontier unstable. Mentions plans for military expedition against Apaches. (S. Gibbs, August, 1987)

Mendinueta recounts 1768 Cumanche hostilities in Ojo Caliente. Blames continuation of poor Indian relations on predecessor Urriosola. Mendinueta claims he has tried to improve relations and frontier commerce. Maintains only way to establish peace is to fortify frontier. (S. Gibbs, August 1987)