Military Courts

Mention that Reyes deserted his military position; discussion of possible punishment of hanging or be transferred to Barbuento. (J. Tapia, February, 1988)

Brief descriptions of soldiers punishments for Murdering peaceful Indian, and hardships in transporting prisoners to California. (J. Tapia, February, 1988)

This Series of documents are related to the preceding folios. Letters from Falco to comandante general informing him of rebellion and misconduct that took place in Bavispe naming Falco suggests comandante send prisoners to Chihuahua; letters from Garcia to virrey informing him that provincias are in peace. Letter from general of Opata nation for comandante informing him that his people have nothing to do with rebellion in Bavispe; letter from the realista to virrey informing him of public fight between Falco and Paula that is affecting all the presidios, saying that the Gachupines are fighting for the money; Garcia suggests virrey send a military officer to Chihuahua; copy of letter from Melgares to Garcia informing him of movements of united states against some places on the coast. (D. Bautista, July 1990)

Ff.450-451 Genebriera asks six months' leave with pay to go to Havana. Ff.452-452 (See misc. Notes) Perez returns to post after two-month leave. F.454-455 Menchaca is retired as invalid. Ff.456-466 Hoz seems to be requesting reimbursement for salary interfered with (stolen?) By Echevarria; recounts being threatened at gunpoint. F.457 is transcript of total wages received by Hoz. Ff.458-490 are court transcripts, copies, of case between Hoz and military treasury (apparently) over missing wages. (A. Dean, December 1989)

Government officials acknowledge being informed of Nava's position as comandante general de Provincias Internas. some sent notice of unfinished proceedings in their jurisdiction, some involve Cases against drunk soldiers, and soldiers owing money. (J. Tapia, December, 1987)

Documents concerning a trial and resolution against three military officers on charge of taking license without permission from accusation of Arminan. Vargases (brothers) appeal to Arredondo. Casanova also appeals to Arredondo, requesting he intercede, includes medical testimony. Arminan suspends the three. Arredondo sends the case to auditor de Guerra, who releases them of all charges (D. Bautista, March 1990).

Index of correspondence that concerns the Indian complaints of damage done to irrigation water is ff. 0363; ff. 0364 covers abstract of correspondence that deals with soldiers wives requesting money assigned to them by governor, request granted; ff. 0365 concerns the leave of absence granted to Ramon so that he can be married, mention of the dowry required; ff. 0366 covers the result of a judicial proceeding (indictment) against Esparza for the crime of desertion and his punishment of 8 more years military service; the request of, Sanchez for land for raising livestock near Llera and other areas, justifies his request by citing the strategic utility in closing up two areas of escape for Indians; ff. 0368 deals with documents used in the case of Alvarez in which he murdered his wife, is not entitled to Fuero militar; request by Molina that he be transferred to another area where he owns a ranch that he is in jeopardy of loosing if he does not receive transfer, request is granted and Salcedo allowed to pick substitute from Veracruz; letter that concerns Indian complaint lodged against Castillo in protest of his pushing them off their land. (O. Velez, November 1989)

Most important documents will be referenced below by folio no. Most unusual document is letter to Pison signed and likely written by his wife regarding his importance to family (f. 308). Incredibly filthy swear words attributed to him, directed against priest during mass, quoted and underlined in ff. 244-245. Useful diagnosis of ailment (sinocat putrida) and simple treatment prescribed of better diet, sleep, exercise by surgeon (f. 316 ?) Traces processes of judicial procedure in determination of charges of other bad conduct on Pison's part, brought by teniente de gobernador Moreno in Loreto. Included is detailed service and conduct record and witnessed testimonies of Pison's past military service; and other biographical information. Accused of years of drunkenness, womanizing, thievery, setting bad examples for mission Indians. Jailed at mission; some witnesses testify that he reacted to provocation by others; Pison requests change of venue for unbiased trial and accessibility to witnesses for his defense who are themselves in prison in Guadalajara. Released by authorities on bail paid by Ramon Espinosa; although his mine personal effects are kept. At trial, jailed prisoners clear him of murder of Osio, by swearing latter died by drowning. Pison countercharges Moreno with beating and refusal to allow his case to go before Barri. Provides motive for Moreno's silencing him by citing evidence of Former's absconding with treasury funds and illegal trade in alcoholic beverages. Missionaries and Armona testify to his generally good character, despite drinking bouts. Final decision, however, by Valcarcel; approved by viceroy is that Pison must be punished by losing personal effects, mine, military title and lifetime banishment from Californias. Ff. 328-331, when punishment given, Pison petitions Bucareli to allow him for temporary stay in Loreto with family to make financial arrangements before his expulsion. (J. M. Johnson, July 1989)

Herrera acknowledges receipt of royal announcements and decrees and Paisanos; reglamento del Montepio; timely administration of justice for military personnel; legal action against military personnel limited to 100 pesos; royal pardon for deserters from real Armada; permission for Albarez to sign with his last name only; criminal case against Bustamante for theft; requirement that service records for various civil officials be submitted every two years. (D. Marksz, October 1987)

Letters from Arredondo to the provincias of Sonora, Durango, and San Luis Potosi ordering them to mantain regularity in the payments of the soldiers in order to avoid desertions. Arredondo uses example of the desertion of Fernandez. Fernandez argues that he did not receive cloth from the military. The sentence given by Arredondo for Fernandez is that he has to work with grilletes in the construction of the presidio and those soldiers who have more then two desertions should be sent to Veracruz to the first permanent batallon. The comandantes Arredondo and Garcia notice of the bad conditions of the troops with respect of supplies. (D. Bautista, June 1990)