Land

Documents relating the abandonment of missions in Texas and reestablishment of same in shores of San Antonio River. Apache attacks to missionaries and request by them to have military escorts while traveling for provisions to feed Indians attached to missions in same manner as convoys of provisions for presidios are protected. On Margin letter from Ribera advising viceroy about such requests by fray Mezquia, viceroy comply with Ribera's advice. (A. Dell'acqua, January 1988)

Letters relating to re-establishment of presidio and mission de la Bahia del Espiritu Santo to a healthier and better defensive place, capitan Bustillos communicates that Actual site has deteriorated to an irreparable manner lack of wood makes it impossible to repair also for fuel of families there is not enough wood, area is full of swamps and water is not as good. Capitan Bustillos also complains about lack of priest as president of missions refuse to send a religious guide to presidio. Capitan describes a new explored site with plenty of wood, water and rocks to be utilized for construction, two creeks to provide with drinking water and irrigation of lands and site being only six leagues from bay stressing defensive emplacement. If viceroy desires such move it has to be carried out before winter. Capitan also participates arrival of convoy from presidio Adays and San Antonio four months after it left due to heavy rains. Comisario general of missions sends letter to presidente of missions by order of viceroy ordering him to send a priest to take charge of new mission built in new site of presidio of Bahia. (A. Dell'acqua, January 1988)

Concerning livestock, crops certain jurisdictions donate or must contribute to support Apaches in reduccion. Methods of collection of said supplies. Mention of dairy products (cheese, milk), pay for dairymen. Two citizens in charge of assuring quantity, quality of inventory. Suggests that lands now used for grazing will not be suitable for agriculture for some time. Concerning cost of purchasing other rations for Apaches. (A. Dean, April 1989)

Document gives figures for total amount of revenue produced in salt industry in this area. Mentions role played by Barlovento River in economic development of area. Mentions bad effect of salt in water supply on agriculture. Some settlements in area have expanded to degree that they are exposed to Apache attacks, no troops for protection. Proposal for compania de sugetos along coast from Veracruz to Balisa, or else have real hacienda fund development of fishing industry; also wants more Naval activity. Detailed accounts of economic potential of fish species in these waters. Area between interior and costal settlements must be populated to contain Apaches; details best ports along coast for bringing Spanish settlers in to populate said area. Attention must be paid to northern frontier as U.s. is gaining strength in world trade, makes good use of Indian relations to conquer new territory. Only important trade with northern Indians is in fur, but american mining ventures will tend to result in permanent villages, to detriment of Spanish. Examples of situations in which use of fuero militar has helped establish successful settlements. author favors paid milicias provinciales only when fighting to help populate areas. Government help to settlements will depend on productivity of areas. Noriega favors putting Escandon in charge of these projects. (O. Velez, March 1990)

Document characterizes Indian bands that have come down from Sierra de Tamaulipa and those that remain there as infieles, Amigos, y enemigos; indicates which groups have proposed peace or not. Vidal de Lorca offers to provide information on sites of Indian groups; informs virrey of peace proposals from Zaracuayes, Pasitas; has postponed action until comandante general (detained by Mescalero uprising in Santa Rosa) arrives. Vidal de Lorca is redistributing surplus cattle of Santa Barbara, Guemez missions to other missions and Indians. Indians under command of Benito have fled to Sierra de Tamaulipa after brawl with Santiago Indians at Croix mission. Indians suspected of killing a herder were caught, one of them asked to be baptized before being killed. Discusses Series of Indian attacks resulting in deaths of two from San Carlos. Culprits suspected as from San Christoval mission or under command of Noparan. (O. Velez, March, 1990)

Castro comments on Nava's proposals for presidio, asking that cost study be done before he makes decision. Nava gives info on construction materials, details of design of proposed presidio. Suggests that prison labor be used, that funds could be taken from primera volante's fondo de gratificacion; estimates that with those measure total cost for presidio would be 9-10,000 pesos. Includes sketch of proposed presidio with explanation of use of various buildings shown in drawing. Castro adds suggestions to Nava's plan, but judges that presidio would be ineffective due to geography and inability of soldiers to patrol all the area that Indians use; also states that Indians (Tamaulipos) are too fierce to be contained by reduccion. Budget for plan included. Castro chides Nava for stating that northern Villas had no urgent problems with Indians without first visiting area or consulting topographic map. (O. Velez, February 1990)

In 1793, bishop wrote a Monterrey Official, Garcia, requesting land for the construction of a new cathedral, offices, seminary, and palacio episcopal on the outskirts on Monterrey. In 1798, Herrera inserted this and another document into this volume, #196, as part of the investigation into why the bishop subsequently had halted that construction (permission had been granted). A third letter on October 1, 1793 from the bishop to Garcia refers to the construction of a convent for monjas Capuchinas. Ff. 149 is a map of Monterrey. (S. Langmack, April 1990)

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)