Jesuits

F.j.

(R. Davis) (1980)

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)

Copy of law requiring civil and ecclesiastical authorities to provide annual reports on reduccion and conversion work at missions and mission towns, also request for relacion on number and qualifications of religious personnel; complaints of negligence in providing reports in past. Discussion and summary of law, Series of documents attesting to knowledge of law by frays and request for their compliance. (L. L. Woodward, September 1989)

Lizassoain writes detailed overview of states of Indians, missions of Sonora, Sinaloa, Nueva Vizcaya. Papagos, Pimas, Seris have apparently banded together in rebellion. Some detail about Indians of San Xavier (f.72); after death of Phelipe nearly all Papagos leave, most Pimas stay for fear of mentions gold found at Soyopa, pearls at Tepoca. Description of how Indians mined gold (f.74). Mentions fertility, abundance of Casas Grandes Valley. Description of Spanish gold mining with native labor (f.77). Logistics of transporting (by sea) families to populate valuable land. Folios 69, 71 concern Gonzales, belongs with documents beginning on F.83. (A. Dean, August 1989)

Letter by Ansa (Elder) concerning expedition to find suitable land route to California from Sonora. Discussion of whether or not California is Island. Mentions discovery of native silver in Pimeria Alta. Brief, detailed description of ruins 15 leagues from Janos toward Gila River, building materials, proportions, artifacts; likened to Palace of Madrid. In Margin is related letter by Civan concerning Jesuit missionaries in California, Pimeria. Mentions some English exploration of California (Drake). Mentions locations, with latitude, longitude, of Indian tribes of northern Nueva Mexico; conversion of some of these. (A. Dean, August 1989)

Mangino sends viceroy copy of expenses involved in maintenance of missions. Listings of expenses for expeditions to peninsula, for church ornaments, for transportation of food, and for construction of a boat. (J. Tapia, December, 1987)

Document divided in 3 sections. First one is a historical summary conquest of California beginning in 1536. Discussion of lack of food and other problems faced in this early period. exploration and conquest by Salvatierra with own funds, and when these diminished king set aside funds for continuation of enterprise. Some discussion on founding of some missions and presidios. Second section deals with arrival of Franciscans to California's missions after expulsion of Jesuits, and later transfer of Franciscans to Sonora. Dominicans take care of missions in old California, and fernandinos take care of upper California. Discussion of poor living conditions of the natives due to sterile soils, and their reduccion to other missions where they are encouraged to cultivate the land. Discussion of establishment of new missions, towns, and haciendas, as well of money required for such enterprises. Mention of land for raising animals and cultivation of corn and wheat. Mention of funds for Anza's expedition to Monterrey. Third section deals with total funds of California's missions located in San Andres. Summary of funds collected up to 1776, as well as expenses in salaries of priests, founding of missions, salaries of government officials, and expenses for improvement and maintenance of haciendas. (J. Tapia, December 1987)

Series of letters concerning division of New Spain and creation of capitania general de Provincias Internas under the command of Croix. Discussion of all articles of royal decree for capitania, and its effect on governing of New Spain. Other letters concern viceroy's orders to officials in charge of collecting taxes and treasury department to inform Croix on a monthly Basis of the financial status of their respective offices. Viceroy also informs a number of bishoprics of Croix appointment and that he should be informed on all aspects of missions, as well of the right to appoint curatos. there is also discussion that Croix will not be in charge, for the time being, of the superintendencia general de lo gubernativo y judicial because this requires permanent residency as well as various offices equipped to handle various matters. Croix only requests use of funds from all taxable products in order to begin pacification and development of region. (J. Tapia, November 1987)

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)