Military Courts (Royal Pardon)

Series of documents dealing with a trial against capitan Guerra, accused of cowardice. Describes his surrender to Insurgentes. Prior to sentencing guerra takes asylum in a church. Judge Zozaya uses royal decree of October 7, 1775 to make extradition. Zozaya made to swear to priest that guerra will be returned to church alive. Guerra found guilty of cowardice, sentenced to remain 10 years in a castle with no military privileges. Sentence considered by Arredondo because of the military merits of guerra's sons, the sentence is changed to house arrest. (D. Bautista March, 1990).

Autos accusing Sabala of desertion. Sabala surrenders at the San Carlos cuartel looking for a royal pardon. A trial was held to know the causes of his four desertions and it was determined that his behavior was not good. His debts are in his military file and others are paid by his Brother. Fiscales suggest to the virrey that Sabala be pardoned. In October 21, 1820 the virrey signs the decree. (D. Bautista, June 1990)

Testimony of Montoya, indicted for repeated desertion. Testimony of witnesses. Letter ordering release of defendant due to royal pardon (T. Kahana December 1989)

Trial against Espinoza and Canedo who are accused of stealing money from a security box in the presidio and are found guilty. Four days later they are sent to jail. Redondo argues they were convicted on very little evidence and should be freed. His arguments are rejected by the captain general. Canedo writes to Bonavia asking for a release, stating that captain Espinosa accused Canedo in order to free his son Cabo Espinosa of the charge. After review by the governor of Durango and passed on to the virrey, the two are pardoned, Espinosa having spent only a few months in jail while Canedo was in jail from June 9, 1814 to August 14, 1820. (D. Bautista, December 1989)

Trial against Soto, accused of desertion and stealing a weapon. Soto's lawyer argues that Soto had not received all of the necessary supplies for soldiering and had deserted for that reason. Another trial for desertion is against Xaques who argues his desertion was a result of mistreatment by the Cabo in charge. He is found guilty but later he and Soto are pardoned and released by the virrey. (D. Bautista, December 1989)

Trial against Cobacame soldier of compania de Opatas de Bavispe for desertion. When he finished duty he escaped with a woman, but was captured in the morning and sent to jail. Autos were sent to the comandante in Durango to take care of the trial on March 30, 1819. The governor of Durango sent the case to the virrey for his resolution and on may 18, 1820 the soldier was released with a royal pardon on November 9th. (D. Bautista, December 1989)

Zayula is accused of desertion, found guilty and sentenced to military service and to pay for all articles taken when he deserted. Pardon is applied for and received from the virrey. (D. Bautista, December 1989)

Berdugo was in jail for gambling in card Games and while there began to make insults against the captain. Other prisoners reported these to superiors and Berdugo had to face a military trial. Berdugos' lawyer argues the insults were a result of the severe punishment Berdugo had received but Berdugo is then condemned on may 12, 1820 to four years hard labor on a chain gang (grilletes) and with no salary. The case was sent to the governor who in turn sent it to the virrey. On September 2, 1820, Berdugos' lawyer requested a royal pardon which is finally approved. (D. Bautista, December 1989)

Pedriza sends prisioner cardiel to Bonavia. Trial against cardiel for the crimes of desertion and robbery. Pedriza sends letter informing administradores de hacienda to take care of the transportation of the prisoner cardiel and deliver him to governor of Nueva Vizcaya. In may 21, 1820, cardiel requests a pardon from the virrey and is released on the condition that he serve in the military for 8 years. (D. Bautista, December 1989)

Documents relating to military appointments, retirements, indulto of a deserter by king, movement of Apache prisoners to Mexico, bibliography of documents and religious administration of missions in California. (A. Dell'acqua, April 1988)