Indians (Religion-Christian)

All Seris except Chepillo and family flee Pitic on July 15, 1790. Chepillo imprisoned. Detachment sent to Cerro Prieto to find and reconcile ingrates, begin new reduccion. Since Seris aren't raiding, revealing location, troop can't find them. With Seris gone, Ugarte y Loyola cuts off supplies ordered by bishop of Sonora for Seri mission. Francisco, two envoys come to Pitic to negotiate better arrangement. Seris want independent nation, to trade fish, antelope with Spaniards for grain, to participate in christianity only when they want. No deal made, but Seris start appearing for mass at Banamichi. Mora named missionary there. Seris slowly trickle back to Pitic. Occasional brief references to plan for staging campaign against frontier Apaches. 450 men, including Opatas, Pimas reserved for fighting. (A. Dean, may 1989)

Military chaplain has been administering sacraments to Seris in absence of real missionary, but one is needed soon at Pitic. Description of sacraments. now that mission San Ignacio de Onavas has been established for Seris, reduccion should begin in earnest to rid them of their depraved customs. Martinez is named missionary, plans to start baptisms, formal services, breeding livestock at mission to feed Seris, building Adobe houses for them, clothing them properly. Claims Seris readily accept christianity. Mentions fiscal matters of mission, transactions with treasury. (A. Dean, may 1989)

Mention of search for missionary for Bacoachi Apaches; still funding problem. Escalante has store of corn, wheat seed he plans to ration weekly to Apaches, but grain has weevils (gorgojo la palomilla), other insects in it; longer he stores it, more is wasted by pests, mildew. Problems distributing grain. Letter relating services Escalante has performed in management of Bacoachi Apaches; all duties as comisionado described in detail. Echeagaray, others certify that Escalante speaks Apache, is honest, well-qualified. (A. Dean, may, 1989)

Concerns need to find missionary who has same zeal for conversion as Granados for Bacoachi Apaches. Suggests using some of religious paraphernalia meant for Seris to supply Apaches. Need for support for establishment of mission at Bacoachi. Wants money from treasury to get tools to teach agriculture (with ploughs) to Indians. Granados tells that Jacinto, Chacho asked him personally for minister for all Apaches there; mention of petition to same effect. Pau reports there isn't enough money in religious funds to afford a new missionary. Suggests asking for priest from apostolic colleges. Grimarest speaks of 200 pesos to be paid in charity to Pima missionaries; says some of that could go toward Bacoachi mission. Also willing to allow some auxiliaries to work in fields to support mission, but doubts Indians would be good at it; it isn't in their character to be industrious, only warlike. Granados brags of turning fierce Seris from wolves into lambs, baptising them himself. Nava speaks of granting parcels of land to Apaches to make them self sufficient, at same time sell them livestock for ranching, using profits to build mission so that it's not so expensive. Mention of Jacinto, Alexandro planting corn. (A. Dean, April 1989)

Concerns fiscal matters of missions at Pitic, Bacoachi; religious paraphernalia, livestock being sent. Summary of affairs at Bacoachi, Apaches in reduccion, rations. Mention of campaign with Opata auxiliaries to capture Apaches, take them to Bacoachi. Lists of all Apaches in reduccion there. Brief summary of Ansa's campaign, number of Apaches, Tarahumares captured, killed. (A. Dean, April 1989)

Ugarte y Loyola has gathered peaceful Chiricahuas at Bacoachi; bishop of Sonora asks for missionary to be sent. Speaks of distribution of lands. Treasury says money for mission has to come out of ration funds. Need for missionary for Seris at Pitic. Mention of deporting Apaches to Havana as example to others. Mention of successful conversion of Seris; money donated for purchase of musical instruments. Medina is warned of suspected revolution by Seris. References to Noriega's salary. (A. Dean, April 1989)

Correspondence concerning hunger suffered by Indians at mission due to drought in region; request for assistance in constructing 'presa' to store water for agricultural use, particularly cultivation of corn; governor explains that situation causing Indians to 'vaguear en el Campo,' compromising religious education; subsequent letters address details of 'presa,' amount of materials needed, cost, location selected; no one contracts to construct 'presa,' governor requests that necessary amount instead be sent directly to 'presidente' of mission; funds approved, almost two years after original request. (L. Kerr, December 1988)

Correspondence spanning several years concerning establishment of new mission for mistreated Pinto Indians, entailing selection of 'ministro,' lengthy discussion of costs, problems involved; cost of 'ministro'S' transportation to Palmitos covered by government, he and other fray express need for generous financial assistance to establish mission, Argue that hungry Indians not receptive to religious education, also request 'vasos sagrados y ornamentos'; discussion of need for sacred objects continues throughout correspondence, speculation that objects from previous mission still at Helguera, 'ministro' permitted to remain at colegio Apostolico until matter solved; action stymied for year or so until found that sacred objects no longer at Helguera, purchase of new objects ordered, Pintos move to mission and substitute 'ministro' assigned, governor requests that Pintos receive supplies of corn, rice, several Head of cattle, etc., in order to establish and sustain themselves until harvest; list of 'utensilios de Campo' (folio 97), itemized list, including costs, of 'utensilios' and sacred objects (folios 100-101); drought in region (1795) threatening crops planted by Indians, request by governor for additional cattle, staples to sustain Pintos till harvest. (L. Kerr, December 1988)

Letter speaks of a peace plan with Comanches, the first part a meeting of three Comanche captains with governor of Texas governor of Luisiana would like to know the particulars of this meeting and what and how much was given to the Comanches in the form of bribes or keepsakes, Ugalde wants to highlight the contradictions in this effort, mentions that they are the only remaining cannibalistic tribe, and cites information found in correspondence of governor of Texas to underline the violent nature of the Comanches and their history of being the most obstinate of the enemies of the Spanish, sees little hope in a peace plan with them, contrasts the character of the Comanches with that of the Apache Lipanes, group that most involves itself with the church, have fought against the Apache Mescaleros and thereby pleased the Spanish, Ugalde expresses concerns that peace with Comanches under very favorable terms will incite the jealousy of other tribes as well as a reexamination of their status, cites the lack of a mechanism to enforce compliance from Comanches as a drawback to proposed peace (Spanish have never entered Comanche territory to punish past hostilities for example). Feels that free transit of Comanches would be used to their benefit in further hostilities, thinks that verification of captives being held by Comanches should be part of the plan, accuses the makers of the plan of using trade provisions to enhance their own commerce and feels that a black market will be the result, questions the ability of enforcing compliance to a treaty provision that will have the Comanches establish their intertribal relations on the Basis of the ones followed by the Spanish, sees little motivation to expect the Comanches to declare themselves enemies of Apaches as treaty provides. Treaty will allow them to have their internal taxes, would like more intelligence of when Indian groups enter area near San Pedro for carneadas so Spanish can be prepared for unexpected occurrences, thinks that the alliance that would ensue between Lipanes and Mescaleros would create a force that would offset the untenable peace that will have been established with the Comanches, Ugalde mentions the progress he is making in the reduction of Mescaleros precisely because they are not Allied. In regard to provision that states that as long as Comanches are Allied with Spanish they will receive gratificaciones Ugalde argues that in the past those periods of greatest hostility with Comanches were usually preceeded by periods in which this transfer of goods was high. Mentions arms in this matter. In summing up Ugalde mentions law that forbids people to show Indians their trade and also forbids them to live in their houses with the penalty being 100 pesos or upon the discretion of virrey exile. Has questions about how to determine what faction of Comanches in the future will be committing the hostilities because of the size of the group and the varied interests that each group has. (O. Velez, October 1989)

Concerns attempts to reduce Seris, Sibubapas. Extolls Crisanto's good faith and notes his promise to lead Spaniards against rebels in Cerro Prieto. States Seri who spoke bien castellano surrendered- served as Cura baptizing and marrying Seris. Taught by Jesuits. Pardon for all rebels who surrender. (T. Sheridan) (1980)