Mercury (Quicksilver)

Summaries of activities of royal treasuries from 1783-1787, submitted in response to orders from viceroy. F.224 is table of accounts which accompanies informe on audit of accounts at treasuries at Durango, San Luis Potosi, Arispe, and Chihuahua. Mention of use of royal funds for payment of military expenses, and several references to a general plan for reduction of deficits in order to make such payments. Ff.239-241 are drafts of letters from viceroy to various officials regarding payments. Ff. 242-243 is table of annual accounts of treasury at Potosi dated 12 September 1789. F. B121 is similar table of predicted transactions for 1790 from Durango dated 14 October 1789. F. B123 is summary of total transactions for 1788 and deficits for treasuries at Durango, San Luis Potosi, Arispe, and Chihuahua filed by contaduria mayor and Audiencia de Cuentas. Ff. B124-126 are informes written to accompany table (f. B123). (W. Copas, January 1988)

Plans for establishing a Spanish settlement and for relocating various small Tegua settlements into one. Population figures are cited. (R. Perez) (1977)

Concerns new mining discoveries in Coahuila at porercillos and supply of mercury. (J. Williams, January 1987)

Concerns present conditions of mines in province; new discoveries of veins; and failure of others; notes reception of a recent shipment of mercury. (J. Williams, January 1987)

Concerns a shipment of 6 Cargas of mercury to mines of Coahuila; with notes on Indian movement in connection with mining community, and various technical problems at mines. (J. Williams, January 1987)

Reales cedulas concerning naming of Ugarte as comandante general de las Provincias Internas; establishment of real Caja de quintos y Azogues at Chihuahua. (J. H. Ochs, April 1988)

Another witness, Captain Juan Luis Lujan, reports on the Moqui quicksilver in response to the viceroy's letter. He describes the substance, its location, the reluctance on the part of the Moqui to produce it for him, and the difficulty of mining it at present. (C. Briggs) (1975)

More information on the Zuni Quicksilver mine, this account given by sargent Bartolome Gomez Robledo. He reports its location and potential for exploration. (C. Briggs) (1975)

De Vargas presents the account of the Moqui quicksilver mine given by Antonio de Zisneros. Zisneros was born in Zuni, and during his childhood had asked the Zuni returning from the mine from whence they had obtained the silver. The mine was said to be atop a prominent hill in Moqui province, and one half day was consumed in both ascending and descending the hill. On top was a cave which contained the quicksilver ore. (C. Briggs) (1975)

Godoy tells all he knows concerning the presence of Vermillion in New Mexico. He reports a mine or a hill near San Miguel de Orayabe (orabi) where the Moquis leave in the morning and return at night loaded down with the substance. He recommends a means by which the mine might be secured and worked. (C. Briggs) (1975)