Jails

Lengthy document by Garrido y Duran informing Revilla Gigedo on the causa de policia,judicial, economic, and military conditions of Sonora and Sinaloa up to 1790. On judicial Side, it is mentioned that province consists of 11 jurisdictions headed by a jefe de tribunal with the power to appoint local town officials; these officials operate without salary due to lack of funds caused by Apache depredations and poor harvests. Mention that in the recent past Indians were forced to work in mines, haciendas, and Ranchos, and that they were exploited and did not have time to cultivate their own land; now he has prohibited this, and that Indians will work on a voluntary Basis. Discussion that community wealth is administrated by the missionaries, and that they often are more concerned for their own interests allowing community conditions to deteriorate. It is also mentioned a lack of prisons. With respect to causa de policia, it is mentioned that Apache attacks have frightened the population and have prevented increases in commerce, mining, agriculture, and animal husbandry. Mention of lack of civil and administrative office in many towns; there is lack of hospitals, casas de Obraje, schools, and public meat and seeds stores. Mention that people are divided in two groups, one consisting of good people involved in commerce, mining, and agriculture; the other consisting of house servants and Manual laborers, who are drunkards and have other vices. Economics- list of different tax collection offices. Mention of the different partidos as well as the people holding these offices and amount of money payed for such offices. In order to attract more merchants to frontier, no tax is Charged on their goods. With respect to military affairs, it is mentioned that enemy Indians live in dispersed hamlets, lack supreme chief, and operate separately; Indians described as thieves. Mention of 6 military groups of soldiers, and 3 of Indian auxiliaries; short discussion of soldier's living conditions in presidios, as well as expenses involved for maintenance of troops. (J. Tapia, January, 1988)

Index which concerns the request by sargents, and other soldiers that land be distributed to them in San Rafael de Croix in a manner similar to the rest of the colony, mention of needing to research information on the establishment of the town in 1777; index which concerns judicial proceeding against Borrego for killing Gonzales, later release of the prisoner; index which concerns the case against Lorenzo Leal for insubordination, later pardon of individual of prisoner; letter which describes classification of documents relating to Indian gratifications; an index of quadernos 1-10 that discuss; request by Ugalde for goods to give Indians involves salary of Montanez; how gratificaciones were used in Besar to open the way for the control of Texas and New Mexico, the reimbursement of cost of gratificaciones, review of gratification costs incurred by Munoz and Pacheco, costs incurred due to Comanches, examination of accounts by various officials and the finding of a direct path from Santa Fe to San Antonio Besar, remaining entries cover similar matters under command of Nava, the years represented in this index are 1786-1792. (O. Velez, November 1989)

Ff. 0383 - 0392 concern the retirement benefits of Lacumba being discounted by the amount that he owes the compania de Laredo, half of his salary; recalculation of the amount that Lacumba actually owes; Calleja responds to the two previous letters; document that traces the subject discussed, includes detailed financial information on how the amount was arrived at. Additional documentation on the subject of the abilitado's calculations; ff. 0393 concerns Farias' petition to contract marriage; ff. 0394 concerns the accounts that deal with gifts made to Indians supplied from the funds of primera and tercera compania volantes; ff. 0395-0398 concerns the case formed against Garza for revoltoso y seductor de los indios, gives el gato as nickname of Garza; Felix Calleja Lets Yturrigaray know that as soon as he receives the proper paperwork he will have the prisoner Garza transferred; ff. 0399 concerns the case formed against Castillo because of his treatment of his wife Garcia, document refers to relevant code that is being used in judicial proceeding, this code is apparently from one used in Cuba; ff. 0400-0401 concerns documentation ordered by Mosquera on matter of death of Ixart. (O. Velez, November 1989)

The section entitled reparos goes into all of the accounting changes performed to correct entries made in the past. This section also gives explanations on substance of changes. (O. Velez, October 1989)

Concerns Pena's letter explaining how while working for secretaria de comandancia he was imprisoned on orders from Emparan, asking that partial salary be paid to him so he can pay off debts that he acquired and could not pay while in prison, refers back to annual salary disbursed into the cuenta de Paz y guerra as a source of requested money; prison being explained in later letter as detainment suffered when he was sent to Valle de Santa Rosa to deliver files, 4 months without receiving salary, salary eventually suspended; letter from conde de Revilla Gigedo advising that Pena get the amount he requested for the sustenance of himself and his family; Gutierres de la Cueva disburses the funds to Pena; last document in this Series refers to the dates in which the quaderno being abstracted was sent to various officials and why. (O. Velez, October 1989)

Concerns the transporting of Apaches (35) from Bocas*)

Index of letters that are included in this sequence; concerns Apache prisoners held in Durango who needed to be transported to San Luis Potosi but cannot be because of conditions (not explained) on path; virrey mentions taking same prisoners to Habana. (O. Velez, September 1989)

Lengthy, repetitious testimony taken from the eye witnesses to the stabbing of Santiago by Cristoval Geronimo and well as the latter two. Four Indians originally held in jail until three let go as innocent. Treatment for victim described. Case finally decided in Mexico. (J. M. Johnson, April 1990)

Most important documents will be referenced below by folio no. Most unusual document is letter to Pison signed and likely written by his wife regarding his importance to family (f. 308). Incredibly filthy swear words attributed to him, directed against priest during mass, quoted and underlined in ff. 244-245. Useful diagnosis of ailment (sinocat putrida) and simple treatment prescribed of better diet, sleep, exercise by surgeon (f. 316 ?) Traces processes of judicial procedure in determination of charges of other bad conduct on Pison's part, brought by teniente de gobernador Moreno in Loreto. Included is detailed service and conduct record and witnessed testimonies of Pison's past military service; and other biographical information. Accused of years of drunkenness, womanizing, thievery, setting bad examples for mission Indians. Jailed at mission; some witnesses testify that he reacted to provocation by others; Pison requests change of venue for unbiased trial and accessibility to witnesses for his defense who are themselves in prison in Guadalajara. Released by authorities on bail paid by Ramon Espinosa; although his mine personal effects are kept. At trial, jailed prisoners clear him of murder of Osio, by swearing latter died by drowning. Pison countercharges Moreno with beating and refusal to allow his case to go before Barri. Provides motive for Moreno's silencing him by citing evidence of Former's absconding with treasury funds and illegal trade in alcoholic beverages. Missionaries and Armona testify to his generally good character, despite drinking bouts. Final decision, however, by Valcarcel; approved by viceroy is that Pison must be punished by losing personal effects, mine, military title and lifetime banishment from Californias. Ff. 328-331, when punishment given, Pison petitions Bucareli to allow him for temporary stay in Loreto with family to make financial arrangements before his expulsion. (J. M. Johnson, July 1989)

Map or diagram of Monterrey with notations indicating the locations of significant buildings, Plazas, and other landmarks; drawn by architect, Juan Crouset. Includes notation of ojo de agua for the city. (S. Langmack, April 1990)