Military Corruption

Concerns letters from Cordero Ruiz and Amezua, asking government official to approve refund of money which was given to alcalde baes for military protection of real de Vallecillos. Series of autos and testimonies dealing with prosecution of Amezua and Cordero Ruiz, who are accused of illegal handling of stores and silver mines. Amezua was put in jail and got sick before testifying. Cordero Ruiz escaped from jail. Court reviews Cordero Ruiz and Amezua's claim of having businesses and silver mines. Salaries for mine workers are reviewed by the court. (M. Marroquin, August 1989)

Series of autos and testimonies describing type of abuses committed against Hacendados. Baes is said to have taken advantage of his position to benefit himself. Baes Ran illegal gambling for profits and made soldiers and Indians work for him without pay. Hacendados were forced to pay 50 pesos each. Workers were fearful of asking for their pay. (M. Marroquin, August 1989)

Series of documents concerning hacienda owners and miners asking resignation of Baamonde and Baes who are accused of abuses committed against inhabitants of real de Vallecillos. Nava is appointed as governor. Baes accused of having gambling business to benefit himself. Legitimacy of complaints ratified by government official. Series of testimonies taken from witnesses of abuses (testimonies give details of how Baes and Baamonde took advantages of their authority) (M. Marroquin, August 1989)

Concerns ratification of legitimacy of complaints made by Hacendados of real de Vallecillos against abuses committed by local commander. Substitution of these officials is sought (M. Marroquin, August 1989)

Series of letters complaining about abuses committed by mayor and governor of real de Vallecillos against Hacendados and mineros. Documents explain type of abuses such as making people pay for extra soldiers needed for military campaigns and the use of abusive language against local dwellers; animals and money were also taken away by commander. Hacendados ask the viceroy to substitute local authority. (M. Marroquin, August 1989)

Letter from Survier to viceroy Revilla Gigedo indicting most of his acquaintances in government of Nuevo Santander for their indolence, sophism, hypocrisy, tyrrany, greed, lack of integrity, and general stupidity. Written with caustic wit, considerable intelligence, literary style, and flawless handwriting. Footnoted digressions make up one-third of document. Mentions Antonio Fabian de Puga's murder of five non-hostile Indians (discussed in ff. 0107-0115, exp. 23 of this volume). (A. Dean, February 1989)

Palacio conducts investigation of Puga interviewing 12 intolerable, a coward; that he kept salaries of squad; his part in Indian strife; treatment of people and other excesses. Autos reveal Puga's having whipped women; the murder of his wife by Indians; burning of Escandon by Tanambres; Indian theft of food, horses ,and cattle; Puga's peace discussions with Indians and their reply that they wanted war and subsequent battle and massacre of over 32 Tanambres by Puga's detachment; Puga's debts to vecinos; Puga's murder of Indian; Puga's settlement in Aguayo with family and opinions of Puga as capitan. Croix, having read testimonies grants Puga position as company capitan in agreement with Palacio's suggestion. (L. L. Woodward, October 1988)

Series of documents on the preparation for consejo de guerra against Puga and Murgier, accused of killing five Camotero Indians in cold blood. List of military judges and prosecutors given. Sentencing of the two military officials to one year suspension without pay. Legal proceedings lasted from February 6, to February 11, 1794 at the house of Davalos. Notice that Colonel Rengel won't be at court due to illness. (M. Marroquin, April 1989)

Concerns Series of documents dealing with preparation of alegatos in consejo de guerra against Puga and Murgier form Nuevo Santander. Documents consists of testimonios from the prisoners, soldier, and Indians involved in the killing of five Indian leaders executed in cold blood by Murgier's order, debate over fact that order was given verbally instead of in writing. Documents raise question of why Indians were indeed killed. Soldier on duty who left muergier to leave his post of arrest is arrested too. Arrest warrant issued for Puga and Murgier (M. Marroquin, March 1989)

Concerns Series of oficios certified by comisionad Fernandez on the consejo de guerra being carried out against Puga and Murgier, accused of killing five Indians in cold blood. Documents described Murgier as a corrupt and a tyrant who abused people taking advantage of his position (i.e. One witness testified that once he found Murgier with a woman in bed, other said that Murgier called his soldiers estupidos all the time). (M. Marroquin, March 1989)