Mescal

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)

Reyes and Ugarte y Loyola submit informes to Galvez noting disastrous condition of missions and towns. Proposal to create Custodia de San Carlos and movement of capital to Ures. Reyes reports having walked to Arispe, seeing 14 mission towns, their churches and houses almost in ruins. Reports that Indians are without respect and obedience to their priests. Spoke with comandante general who shared bishop's goal of saving important province of Sonora from ruin. The two make plans for founding Custodia de San Carlos, rebuilding churches, missionaries' homes and cultivating of lands. Reyes asks that Galvez publish such a mandate to motivate Indians and Spaniards to work and pay administrative fees. Reports of prison being built (materials used included) but other spendings and buildings ordered by king will be lost. Describes Arispe terrain as sterile and without pasture and with little water, wood, and other building materials. In contrast, Vega de Ures is described as very fertile. These two locations along with Banamichi are evaluated as potential capital sites. Specific administrative plans for leaders and governing regulations. Indian drunkenness and spies are mentioned. (J. Hiller, June 1989)

Nava requests from Revilla Gigedo copies of rules for management of royal treasury, and collection of taxes (gunpowder, Mezcal, naipes, azoques, etc.). Viceroy orders government officials to gather copies of these documents to be sent to Nava. Nava acknowledges receiving documents; the documents are needed for managing treasury of Provincias Internas. (J. Tapia, December, 1987)

Index of Corbalan's letters to virrey from 29 July, through 7 September, 1773. Includes brief summary of each. Attached is virrey's response to Corbalan. (J. H. Ochs, January 1988)

(J. H. Ochs, December 1987)

Tax on sales to be used to aid expedition sale of cards (4 real tax) and tobacco; tobacco to be packaged according to provisions. Problems among capitans affecting jurisdiction of governor over the vecinos of their presidios, capitans complain they do not have control of troops to fight enemy invasions, waiting for license to do away with all Indians who do not speak Spanish; Corbalan to Croix regarding prohibition of alcohol, complains that Mescal prohibited and not even found for medicinal use, difficulty aquiring caldos de Castilla, request that some be allowed to produce Mescal; Croix responds that the Mescal factory and use of the drink must be abolished. Pimas described cooperating in robbery with rebel Indians--Corbalan describes their tactics in escaping from troops. Corbalan sends inspection reports on Varios military groups and fiscal affairs of the expedition; lack of funds and currency. Mesia writes Corbalan about his opinion of worth of two companias volantes in Guaymas. Notification of recipients of promotions within companias volantes; discussion of provision of supplies to expedition. Corbalan will publish vandos about establishment of lottery. Corbalan to Croix regarding Alamos treasurer, and treasury instruccion written by Belena; additions to the instruccion provided which concern debtors, control of treasury keys, papel sellado, division of land among employees, collecting tribute, and cost of treasury office supplies. (L. L. Woodward, July 1989)

According to vandos, use of Mescal prohibited, and Corbalan will pass orders relating alcohol use to judges. Corbalan thanks Croix for position as governor; Belena's request of approval of chapter of instruction for directing Alamos treasury regarding return of silver and gold approved by Corvalan. Accounting of gold and silver consigned to Echeveste for processing. Report heavy rains ruining crops and mill in Horcasitas, and loss of wheat destined for troops. Request for funds for Sonora expedition and for the Alamos treasury; viceroy informs Corbalan of 4% Alcabala charge; receipt of vandos and description of their contents, including banishment of Jesuits. Echeverte provided with 67o357 pesos and supplies for the expedition, and request for more funds. Accounting of amounts of iron at Alamos factoria and its value. Corbalan informs Croix that he is sending documents on military Inspections of troops to be sent to the expedition, as well as documents on military expenses. Viceroy to Corbalan regarding prohibition of Indian use of alcohol, Indian excesses (robbery, insults) and need for punishment. Delivery of silver late, and discussion of availability of quicksilver. Lack of food supplies in Rosario, and insufficient amounts to supply boats or send to California; Valenzuela appointed capitan and Justica mayor in Mazatan. (L. L. Woodward, July 1989)

Guifas wrote several letters to the viceroy complaining of Younger officers being promoted over him. Francisco Lazaya promoted to second alfarez. Guifas describes in detail the military careers of his Father, Jose Manuel Guifas, and his Brother. Guifas' Father was a leader in the conquest of Nueva Tamaulipas. Two sargents, with less experience, were promoted over Guifas. Guifas threatened to retire if no action was taken. Guifas wrote of same problems to gobernador Diego Savaga. Viceroy sends letter recommending that Guifas receive the next available promotion. Letters from fellow officers stating Guifas unworthy of promotion. Guifas writes several letters to viceroy explaining his recent illness. Detailed physical description of Guifas. Testimony from Manuel lornos concerning military conduct of Guifas and fellow soldiers. Guifas received bloodletting treatment for his illness. Guifas' captain Mungier reported that Guifas had stolen military livestock. Guifas suspicious that his captain and wife are having a liaison. Guifas wrote letter to viceroy accusing the captain of misconduct and denied the charges of extortion. Guifas wrote that captain had conspired to kill him. Guifas blinded due to illness. Wrote requesting overdue promotion and disability due to blindness. Requested permission to go to Mexico to be cured of illness. Wrote concerning financial problems. Guifas inherited land and five slaves upon mothers death. Juan de Sosaya gained control of Guifas' land. Land planted in Maguey. Sosaya producing Mezcal and selling for 20 pesos per barrel. Guifas wanted action taken to regain control of land. (K. Mccaston, September 1989)

One informe and Series of abstracts of documents concerning prohibition of manufacture and use of certain spirits (chinguirito, Mescal) in some areas. (A. Dean, January 1989)

Extracts from Loyola's general report Mar-December 1788 including military reports from subordinates in New Mexico, N. Vizcaya, Sonora. Includes campaign diary of Romero and Echeagaray in Sonora (mar-apr). Mentions Opatas inclusion in military force. from Bavispe. Table summarizes battle statistics by region and Indian group. Campaign diary of Elquezabal jun-July 1788 near Norte. Table shows organization of force into companies, lists officers and company size. Drought forces dispersal of troops, ends campaign. Loyola documents movement of Sonoran troops in mountains Sacramento and San Francisco, relates Apache Gileno and Taraumara thefts, murders, attacks, Mule train assaults. Encloses copy Martinez' report from Chihuahua, details Spanish attacks, prisoner taking, beast confiscation from Indians. Brief mention of lesson learned from Chiricagui campaign of mentions plan to join forces with Echeagaray to make mountain campaign. Ugarte y Loyola also reports impossibility of stopping attacks, because Indians attack small defenseless parties (eg woodcutters) elaborates on Indian murders, beast killings, thefts by Apaches Mescaleros in Nueva Vizcaya, summarizes Indian damages by province, Indian group, type of depredation and number hurt. Submits report of Ortega's October 1788 campaign in Sierra Escondida against Apaches. Details tracking and persecution, Spanish custom of decapitating enemy corpses for trophy heads. Relates depredations in San Juan Baptista del Rio, reports use of companias volantes against Apaches Mescaleros. Remarks that because Ugalde's eastern campaign is tying up so many troops, western campaign is forced to make smaller forays. Ugarte y Loyola augments force at Pueblo del Gallo, mentions Taraumara hostilities in Cianori. Martinez report from Sacramento mountains outlines force organization in table, gives daily report, detailing route taken and tracking activities, names officers, tallies weight of supplies carried by each company, mentions use of Opatas in force, notes custom of turning in Indian ears as battle trophies, laments paucity of pasture and water due to drought. Includes table of wounded and sick. Medina reports Indian attacks on sheperds near Mapimi (August 1788). Latter folios concern Echeagaray's forays with presidial troops from Santa Cruz against Apaches, Gilenos, Mimbrenos, and yutaquenos. Mentions Mescal as sustenance, and use of Apache and Opata auxiliaries. Details route taken, use of women (Indian ?) As guides. Tables summarize battle statistics and list Apache inhabitants of Bacoachic. (S. Gibbs, March 1988)