Land (Measures)

Report by Escandon of foundation of mission at Tancoiol, naming ff 108-109. Escandon also visits Cadereyta and Tilaco mission; provides description of 4 companies of troops and discussion of need for more troops to capture fugitive mocos jonases, as well as need for more religious personnel. Description of mission structures; provides names of Pame Meco officials and census of ignorance of Christian teachings, also example of polygamy among Indians. Establishment of San Miguel de Conca and Santa Maria de Agua de Landa misions for Mecos, describes natural resources and division of land to Indians for corn production. Ff 126-127 census of Mecos Pames from Santa Maria de Agua de Landa divided by rancherias. Establishment of San Miguel Conca mission by Escandon with help of Fernandez de la Rama, Romero, and Peruzquia; includes description of surroundings and crops, naming of civil officials, census of Mecos Pames ff. 132-136, 138-139, and list of fugitives from mission. (L. L. Woodward, September 1989)

Autos describing excandon's visit to five Sierra Gorda missions. Dismissal of missionary Cabeza de Baca for negligence of responsibilites, also discussion of need to rebuild mission structures, inventory of mission furnishings especially images of saints and religious paraphernalia, measurement of mission lands, list of Mecos Pames of Xalpa mission ff 97-100, including number of Christian converts. Auto regarding election of Alcaldes and other officials attended by Mecos Pames officials. Saldivar reports that in all missions the children and adults go to Christian doctrine classes and provide details on attendance. (L. L. Woodward, September 1989)

Autos from Spanish of Horcasitas to Escandon requesting land near Tanchipa Sierra as it is better for agriculture; Escandon agrees, orders possession under property rules, notifies virrey of land distribution; letters from Escandon to virrey concerning eleven Indian prisoners, prisoners sent by Cordillera, each village certifies number until arrival at royal court. All prisoners delivered to royal court except two old Indian woman. (D. Bautista, April 1990)

Autos and peticiones to viceroy from settlers in regards to equitable division of water for presidios, settlers and missions. Settlers say their use is low but missionaries do not want to share water. Also, settlers want to be able to sell their crops of grains, vegetables and fruits to presidio as viceroy ordered but presidio captains refuse to buy them. Viceroy orders presidio captains and governor of province to comply with orders given. (A. Dell'acqua, January 1988)

Documents relating to events in transporting families from canary islands to settle in Texas, lists of materials in clothing and all kinds of tools needed. Lists of supplies of foods, salary to be paid to guide, increase of daily maintenance for every person, census of families with physical description of every individual in expedition, proposals by church to marry every girl from 12 to 18 years of age and every Boy from 24 to 12 years of age. Appointment of priest to cure families, itinerary of trip. Also, lists of expenses incurred in transportation from Veracruz to San Antonio. Maps with planned areas in which such families could settle near San Antonio without conflicting with other settlers in area drawn by marquez de Aguayo in ff. 187. A plan to scale and drawing of proposed Villa to be established in ff. 201 and orderly issuing of lands to be given to families for planting. (A. Dell'acqua, January 1988)

Contents of several security boxes Cajas described and inventoried by date, point of origin and number. Four major and donation of lands to missions, including receipts. 2) redempciones bills, debts and donations collected. 3) doze escripturas license for California expedition and exploration by king and Spanish officials to viceroy and others for mission establishment. 4) cedulas - diligencias juridicas for costs of California and asian mission establishment. Various documents deal with related economic aspects of navy and presidios, missionary sinodos, provincial house chapels, armadas, funeral expenses, public work construction. (J. M. Johnson, October 1989)

Letter concerning commercial trade between French and various tribes. Gives distances among San Antonio de Bexar, nacocdochez, Guadalupe; areas analyzed topographically for suitability for livestock farming, water supply; detailed report on types of trees. Local Indian tribes described by location, name derivation, nearness to waterways. Cannot determine how many of these Indians are armed. Mentions Croix, Armat as Principal traders providing weapons to Indians. (O. Velez, February 1990)

Documents concern information resulting in formal establishment of Santa Barbara. Escandon and others conduct review of residents, Indians, mission, climate, crops and general advantages of area. Includes complete list of all residents and members of Escuadra including names, ages, marital status and property owned. Also, 10 families live around mission with same privileges as those in Villa. Mentions Indian groups in area. Reviewers say Santa Barbara one of most important establishments in Colonia as stop-over place and has most fertile lands and most abundant timber. Provides distances to other Villas. Discussion of moving mission to Alberca which Escandon later approves. Escandon gives instructions for construction of homes and a road to Llera. says gambling and liquor to be outlawed. Contains record of admission of one family to Villa. Provides instructions for administration of both Villa and mission. Contains map, city plan of town including surrounding rivers. (M. Dannemiller, April 1989)

Concerns autos, plans and conditions for establishment of San Fernando by Escandon. Escandon, with assistance from others, conducts complete review of area including population, squad, land, climate, Indians and agricultural feasibility. says abundant Cal, Piedra, and sand for construction. Also, abundant fish and good pastures. Discusses treatment and education of Indians. Considering new mission establishment. says lack of food sustenance makes permanence difficult. List of all property in the town including horses, cattle and mules. Includes map of city with place for church, convent, and Plaza and illustration of rivers in around town. Mentions use of special paper for autos. (M. Dannemiller, March 1989)

Concerns autos, plans and conditions for establishment of Reynosa by Escandon. Area first populated to pacify Indians, become familiar with the land and to test feasibility of irrigation in area. Escandon provides instructions for agricultural methods until construction of well completed. Escandon conducts, with assistance of others, review of population, property, land, Esquadra and Indians. Asks for reports regarding probability of permanence of Indians in area and need for new mission. Contains list of families including marital status, name, age and property. Contains list of Esquadra with same information. States conditions for population and Esquadra and their obligations to the town. Provides information on all Indian nations, whether armed or not, name of capitan, where raised, if baptised and likelihood of remaining peacefully in area. Mentions food supplies and basic sustenance. Contains list of property in town including horses, cattle and mules. Includes detailed description of land and digging of well. Mentions which lands need irrigation, which are fertile. Indians working for Spanish are given clothing and dry-goods. Includes city plan with provisions for church and convent and drawing of rivers around location. (M. Dannemiller, March 1989)