Military Chaplains

Concerns current mission practices and suggestions for more effective government. Regarding use of agricultural land for grazing. Governors request a list of all Indians and their property and that they be given land to cultivate near Spanish so to learn by example. Concerns establishment of towns with Plazas and proper missions where Indians must live to learn doctrine which will cure their faults and protect them from Apaches. Suggests that orders taking Indians away for more than month be prohibited, that missions provide agricultural teaching and that ecclesiastic and secular be kept separate to maintain Indian loyalty. Concerning commerce, should attempt to decrease distance to market, guarantee fair compensation and prohibit Spanish from controling Indian trade. Concerns methods to convince Indians of benefits of reduccion and to prohibit them from communicating with other tribes. Suggests that recently converted Indians should be given military jobs and that priests should accompany troops for moral and spiritual support. (M.dannemiller, October 1987)

Series of letter and certifications of good conduct of chaplain who has been with military campaigns, recommendations are given his discipline and performance of duties. Retirement is requested for military chaplain. (M. Marroquin, March 1989)

Proposal by Ugalde for instructions to be given to troops participating in imminent campaigns against Apaches. Describes ranks, numbers of men to comprise each troop, maneuvers to complete, procedure for handling prisoners, remuneration to dependents of those killed in action, resupply points, stationing of surgeons and chaplains, etc. (A. Dean, April 1990)

Documents deal with experiences and troubles encountered by Cancio on his trip from Mexico to Buenavista. The purpose of new presidio is to control warring Seris and Pimas. Cancio decides to travel by ship in order to reach destination promptly. Unable to travel by sea, and he continues by land. He complains of hot Weather, lack of food and water along route. He also complains of difficulties in getting people to become soldiers; and their fear of Indians. Other documents deal with lack of food, arms, and clothing for troops at Buenavista. Stated that soldiers must set good example in order to be respected by the Indians. (J. Tapia, April, 1988)

Concerns list of wages and deductions of montepios militares. Cancio is asked to return money left after presidio construction is finished. Documents contain charts showing amounts paid for work done in presidio construction. (M. Marroquin, September 1988)

Series of documents concerning retirements of military officials. Request of military weaponry for presidios (list includes ammunition, cannons, shotguns, birolas, Espadas...). Approval for a chaplain for Terrenate. Diaries sent to viceroy on expedition to Rio Colorado and Gila; new Indians are found; prisoners are taken; tobacco is requested to deter soldiers from desertion. Viceroy recommends treating Indians well. (M. Marroquin. September, 1988)

Concerns reports on missionaries travel; report emphasizes need for mission's protection against Indian attacks. Captives of Indians escaped and reported Indian positions and strategies. (j.m. Marroquin, September 1980)

Pie de lista de revista of segunda compania volante de Cavalleria de Nuevo Santander including diarios, lists of invalids, destinos, and need for military chaplain, more horses and mules; diarios include accounts of Indian raids on livestock, thus the shortage, and the troops cutting palmido para tejar el quartel; otherwise information is sparse except for statistical information (diarios found in ff. 285-6 and 298-303). (D. J. McClelland, September 1988)

Letters from Cancio to viceroy regarding orders received to take inventories of missions and round up Jesuit missionaries for expulsion; request to college of Durango to send other missionaries to assist towns and take care of spiritual needs of Indians in missions. (A. Dell'acqua, February 1988)

Concerns proposal to name padre Lozano, present chaplain of presidio of la Babia, as Curato for Monclova; include biographical notes on Lozano; letter of Candamo on Lozano's merits; and viceroy's response to proposal. (J. Williams, February 1984)