Military Corruption

Series of testimonies taken to soldiers and Indian witnesses in consejo de guerra raised against lieutenant Puga and captain Murgier. Witnesses give a vivid description and details of how Indians were cut in pieces and how the executioners asked themselves why they had to kill those Indians in cold blood. Some soldiers testifying under oath, say they suggested baptizing Indians first, since they had to kill them. Other suggested a less cruel way of executing them such as poisoning them. (M. Marroquin, March 1989)

Series of documents dealing with judicial proceedings in criminal court (consejo de guerra) raised against military officials Puga and Murgier. Documents deal with readings of the causa against military officials, sentencing them, and votes to impose a severe punishment upon them, such as suspending them for one year or sending them to a jail in Africa or the Filipinas. Jurors Vote upon type of sentence the defendants should get. Citation of articles and military codes made. Accusations (in the Cases readings), that military officials acted contrary to military codes (M. Marroquin, March 1989)

Series of oficios sent to the viceroy, summarizing details of trial against Murgier and Puga, Murgier for ordering a murder and Puga for executing the crime. Some details of how the killing happened is given here, such as Zamora suggesting that perhaps it would be better to just poison the Indians with some herbs so it wouldn't be that cruel. Some soldiers are put in jail under charges of being accomplices (M. Marroquin, March 1989)

Series of autos in which teniente Sota Riva, defender of teniente Puga, accused of killing five peaceful Indian leaders, makes his case arguing that his client, teniente Puga, only followed order of his Superior, captain muergier. Sota Riva also proved that witnesses against Puga lied and accused them of perjury. Therefore, responsibility for the slaying of Indians should be placed upon captain Murgier (Series of arguments and examples are cited by Sota Riva, to prove the innocence of his client). Sota Riva also brought up situation in which Murgier had put in jail soldiers under his command so he could abuse their wives. Zamora, Cadena and Galvan are accused of perjury. Sota Riva concluded Murgier was a depraved man who took advantage of his position to govern as a tyrant and commit all kinds of crimes. (M. Marroquin, March 1989)

Series of documents dealing with refund to Murgier; prosecution of Puga and Murgier for killing Indians in cold blood; judges chosen for military court; sentencing of Puga and Murgier; Series of testimonies from soldiers implicating Puga for the killing of five Indians in cold blood; defense is made arguing that testimonies are a total fabrication from witnesses against defendants; Perez and Olazaran are punished for abuses of authority; allegation that Munoz disliked the defendants so he went ahead and prosecuted them; documents speaking of corruption of government officials; defendors Argue that prosecutors don't count good things Murgier did for provinces and Indians pacification; defense of Puga made against allegations that he killed Indians by his own choice and not under orders of Murgier (M. Marroquin, March 1989)

Concerns Indians addressing the viceroy so they can be released from formal prosecution against them. Murgier jailed Indians for no reason. Series of testimonies provided on accusations against military official. Teniente Puga is defended by his lawyer arguing his client was only following military orders. Allusions made about Indians being killed in cold blood by Puga. Military service records of both Murgier and Puga provided. (M. Marroquin, March 1989)

Concerns Series of documents dealing with elections of governor in Ocotlan, commander of that place expresses concern over political divisions. Military official committed fraud using renta del tabaco and charges are brought against him (notice only). Salaries are asked for invalids. Promotion is denied to military official. (M. Marroquin, may 1989)

Concerns Ramon's notification to Ugalde of remittance and reception of correspondence. Concerns remittance to Ugalde of military Inspections. Letter concerning division of Provincias Internas into two commands, Ugarte y Loyola being in charge of las Californias, Sonora and Nueva Vizcaya; and Ugalde in charge of Provincias Internas de oriente. Concerns notification of arrest of Dufay by Ramos. (R.Gomez, July 1989)

Letter by Gumeli to Ugalde notifying about his sickness. Concerns Uriarte's petition for more meat, Pinole, Vizcocho and weapons for the troops under his command. Concerns an order by which the letters remitted to virrey must say real servicio. Espadas notifies Ugalde about military lists sent to him in which Echegaray's, Ugalde's, and his signature have been falsified; and he warns Ugalde about the possibility other documents may be falsified. Reports of expenditures and salaries of soldiers. Order to imprison Espadas. Espadas asks Ugalde for an interview in order to personally clear his legal situation. Letter by Balenzuela giving his regards to Ugalde for Ugalde's new position as comandante general de Provincias Internas y subinspector. (R.Gomez, July 1989)

Letters from Ramon to Ugalde covering Dufay's arrest, transfer, and imprisonment in San Fernando; Fixerina is assigned to command Compania Volante del Nuevo Santander; reward for missing horses Talamantes lent to Aguirre; stepped-up discipline enforced on the frontier guard; Indian camps accused of hurting Gonzalez; Ramon begins preparation for campaign from Longoria Pass near Sabinas River involving the Rio Grande and Aguaverde presidios by requesting food supplies and mules from Echegaray, who fails to fulfill order; Ramon directs request directly to Ugalde; Vittorino Gonzalez dies; Juan Domingo Echegaray is transferred to Monclova to continue service until debt is paid. (E. Wilson, September 1989)