Indians (Servitude)

Documents concerning transportation of Apache prisoners (28 Gandules, 56 women) to the capital, escorted by Mateos and his men. Mateos requests reimbursement for having to pay for firewood and supplies while camped at Salamanca. During March, nine prisoners became gravely ill with plague and were hospitalized at Leon. One died; Mateos accompanied survivors to Hospital. (A. Dean, February 1989)

Two Cotanames of Rio Grande band arrive in Reynosa with news that population of Rio Grande presidio had moved to mission to guard salt mine there. It seems Indians gathered for reduccion had been forced into labor at mine. (A. Dean, July 1989)

(D. Marksz, July 1987)

Concern index of issues addressed to viceroy by governor of Sonora. Military campaigns against Apaches and other Indian groups. Contracting Indian auxiliaries. Merchants being attacked by Indians. Arrest of Indians for seditious activities and drunkenness. (J. Marroquin, August 1988)

Documents concerning the stationing of Destacamento de Voluntarios de Cataluna at presidio of Mesa del Tonati for the purpose of inspection and reform of Nayarit military groups. Includes type set printed passport and detailed itinerary from Mexico to Nayarit. Garavito makes inventory of personnel and placing of mines under presidial control, tightening of troop discipline, reconstruction of conduits to bring water to presidios, upgrading of mail service, and forcing of unoccupied Indians to provide labor assistance to military. (A. Tukey, July 1988)

Discourse from Lumbreras, commandant of presidio San Carlos de Buenavista to marques de Croix concerning mistreatment of Indians at hands of fray Francisco Cordon. In his letter, Lumbreras complains that Indians of his jurisdiction cannot tend their fields due to labor required of them by fray Cordon in construction of mission church. Such punishment is appropriate, how and by whom it is to be meted out; travel restrictions for Indians; relationship between military authority (comandante presidial) and Indian civil authority (gobernador y Alcalde) at Buenavista. Also included are Cordon's reply to these accusations, and virrey's subsequent response. (J. H. Ochs, July 1987)

Discussion of orders re: troops for Pacific coast defense. Military personnel placement. Two Apache Mescaleros arrive from Nueva Viscaya to work as servants; future plans for them and need for precaution. Concerns Chihuahua treasury, transaction of turquoise, and advances made from Alamos. Goleta Sonora to take supplies to Loreto to relieve lack of food;suggests killing cattle in missions to relieve food problem. Concerns letter about completing companias volantes in Nueva Viscaya and funds for Catalunan families. Concerns expediente about papel sellado from governor of Nuevo Santander. Return of funds from Durango to Chihuahua treasury and to Alamos. Concerns remittance of testimonies about tribute not collected in Rosario Molaya and Copala and mines payment from Guadalajara. Concerns accounts kept by Ventura Moreno in the piquete de dragones de Espana; reenlistment in Compania Franca de Voluntarios de Cataluna; and position of Vargas in piquete de dragones de Mexico. (L. L. Woodward, May 1988)

From real audencia gobernadora Rengel receives copies of edicts regarding Indian labor in flax and hemp; notice of receipt of reviews of Californian presidios; Rengel advised to send pensions of Monte Pio with haste to two widows; Rengel is informed that military salary dispute is his to solve; requested to transfer teniente Coronel Fages to new post due to wife's bad health. (D. J. McClelland, October 1987)

Documents relating travels and deaths of Indian prisoners sent to viceroy Mayorga by governor Lasaga in Collera of men, women and children. Accounts of deaths of many during travel; letters from village officials and priests regarding baptisms of persons dying. Lists of expenses for maintenance; lists of names of those arriving alive in Mexico. (A. Dell'acqua, April 1988)

Letters regarding problems with escaped Indians from Castillo de Ulua and areas of Veracruz in which many villages and haciendas have been attacked by escapees using utmost cruelty against Spaniards. Letters regarding repartimiento of women and Indian children in Veracruz, Mexico to teach them Christian doctrine and serve families. (A. Dell'acqua, April 1988)