Military Campaigns

Barrutia and Rivera communicate with virrey concerning drought in Nueva Vizcaya and resulting Indian hostilities; solutions to problems with Indians discussed ultimately concluding with need for elimination; salaries of and number of soldiers needed in presidios debated; various Indian and Spanish atrocities recounted in general manner to illustrate need for decisive offensive action against Indians; question of number of presidios worth maintaining in region discussed; eventual orders issued by virrey concerning above. (D. J. McClelland, January , 1988)

Includes 4 unrelated expedientes, numeros 22-25. Numero 22 concerns claim made by teniente de justicia that administrador de Alcavalas has used position to inherit valuable 'alhajas' from deceased 'tio,' official of the real; teniente addresses complaint to virrey, as governor off fighting Indians; 'alhajas' were to be given to Senora Garza, whom official planned to marry. In 23, Quixas requests 'licencia' to leave company for short while and travel to Mexico City; offers history of loyal military service, participation in campaigns, in defense of solicitation. In 24, Hoz, captain whom Lasaga says served province, country well defending citizens against Chichimecos, others, requests permission from governor and virrey to return to Spain because of poor health. In 25, 2 Indians, anacana and Aretin, escape from San Juan de Ulua, are referred to by Lasaga as 'desertores...y notoriamente perversos.' (L. Kerr, June 1989)

Includes two informes in which gobernador describes to virrey chronological unfolding of Series of attacks by Aracates, Mesquites, others, on rancherias and villages of Sierra; number and location of Indians, 'pobladores,' soldiers killed given, as well as numbers of mules, horses stolen; 150 soldiers and 15 Indian auxiliaries to scour Sierra 'hasta no dejar indio en ella'; battles continue; 'piquete' of 15 soldiers captures 4 Indian men, Indian woman, child, who claim to be peaceful, escape after led to Soto la Marina; days earlier 2 unarmed 'vaqueros' killed, horses taken. In second letter, gobernador mountain pass in order to block Indians' retreat; plan somewhat effective, as more Indians killed, 'collera' of 38 taken to San Luis Potosi; supposedly peaceful Mesquites and mulatos apparently responsible for the large and Volatile Indian gathering in Sierra, also for death of pastor and several horse thefts. With Indians run out of Sierra, gobernador feels time right to begin construction of road into area. Argues also that some villages repeatedly attacked by Apaches because residents do not know how to respond or defend selves; solution lies in uniting 'pobladores', teaching them how to protect family and possessions, then fighting 'con Teson.' (L. Kerr, June 1989)

Documents concern the death of the conde de Sierra Gorda. Gives lengthy biography of his services to the crown, of his settling and establishing of villages and repelling Indians attacks. A detailed account of his early military career in Querataro is given. His various promotions and especially of his successful campaigns against the Indians. A good account is given of his establishing of numerous towns and missions and of his pacification of the Indians and of their conversion to catholicism. Conde de Sierra Gorde decorated with the titulo de Castillo, thus freeing him of payment of Media Annata. Account of 1742 battle with English nation and of their attack on Veracruz. Later documents concern charges brought against him by citizens of his province for his over-aggressive style. royal commission sent to investigate. Conde de Sierra Dies before case completed. His son's role in defending his deceased Father against the charges. Commission's finding of no substance to charges. Additional letters concern the request that the governorship become a hereditary post and that the deceased's son, Manuel, shall be named as governor. His son's biography is extensively listed-military campaigns, settlement of towns, and pacification of Indians. A further request is made that assistance be given to the entire family. Names of family members given and their newly-granted offices and titles listed. Governorship granted to Manuel. Throughout the volume are good descriptions of founding of towns and resulting battle with the Indians. Folios 145-149 are especially strong in describing la Campana en Tamaulipas, including number of deaths, injured and prisoners taken. Also detailed are Indian banditry and the attempt to convert them through education and the missions. (P. Lenz, September 1989)

Series of documents concerning prosecution of several Indian leaders who are accused of inducing other Indians to rebel against Spaniards. Document give details of the kind of crimes the Indians are accused of I.e. killing some Spaniards and stealing. Indians are put in jail and interrogated but later released (M. Marroquin, August 1989)

Series of testimonies dealing with conflict between government officials and Hacendados from real de Vallecillos. Document shows list of expenses made in equiping militias. Alcalde Baez informs the governor about activities done to protect Vallecillos. Vaamonde sends a full report on conflict between Hacendados and government officials from Vallecillos. This report overviews general causes of conflict and actions taken to settle it (M. Marroquin, August 1989)

Trial against Indians from tribe Mal Nombre, as punishment Indians have to be employed in hacienda; the owners of haciendas have to give testimony about Indians behavior; all Indians arrested were interrogated as suspects of crimes. (D. Bautista, October 1989)

Concerns trial against suspects of attack in a place called Palmitos and a ranch San Ambrocio. Responsibility placed on tribe named carruzos. Military orders are to arrest all Indians they find in the mountains out Side of haciendas and missions. Each Indian arrested is jailed and required to testify before the judge. (D. Bautista, October 1989)

Informe of Apaches attacks; teniente Echegaray (son of Gonzalez de santienez) requests weapons and munitions for the families being attacked; Indian Jose Santiago goes to Mexico City to complain of the bad treatment Indians receive from the government of Nuevo Leon; royal decree established that Indians will receive support when they bring complaints to Mexico. (D. Bautista, September 1989)

Concerns Pedro Barrera's military service record and commendations from many different people in request for his Fuero militar; diverse geographical references and several accounts of violent incidents with Indians during attempts at pacification. (K. Hubin, October 1989)