Military Finances

Documents concerning various aspects of provincial concerning state of mines, placers in province; Corbalan informs virrey that Martinez has been ordered to appear at Alamos to collect military pay of company under his command; Corbalan will inform virrey of progress of Anza, Garces as soon as news of expedition to Colorado, Gila rivers arrives. Lastly, documents concerning construction of Canal system at Pitic. Included is cover letter; contract made with Honorato to construct Canal; other documents which discuss general state of affairs endured by Seris at Pitic. (J. H. Ochs, January 1988)

Correspondence between Corbalan and virrey concerning issues of mules to California (specifies going price of mules); administration of Seri communities; account of debts incurred in military expedition; Canal (acequia) construction; Fueros' passport, administration of gold placers; certificacion of gold taxed (quintado) at Alamos between 1 may and 31 December 1773. (J. H. Ochs, January 1988)

Orders and documents from Castilla y Theran regarding various Coahuila matters including his own merits and Indian relations. Reason for Castilla y Theran's biography to be included not mentioned. Apparently when the king named marques de Zesma was named interim governor. Most of these documents deal with Indian matters. Mention is made on ff. 120 of a decision to wage a military campaign against indios enemigos who is was said were committing many inhumane cruelties in Chihuahua. Cuellar was to lead the campaign. Reference was made to an Indian attack on some Vaqueros at San Pablo ranch; after they had corralled some 400 horses, they were set upon by some 50 Indians. Two vauqeros and an Indian were killed. A few other such confrontations are mentioned. (S. Langmack, July 1990)

Concerns payment for '55 carabinas de Seis recamaras' constructed by Vecino per commission by virrey, who Dies soon after; Cuenta of the 55 'carabinas' and other items submitted by Vecino; various letters stating that less than 55 received, that Vecino's Bill exorbitant, that other 'maestros' were to assist; sworn testimony from Vecino and 'maestro' Flores regarding legitimacy of deal, that virrey in fact commissioned 55 'carabinas' at 100 pesos each, etc.; determined after investigation that 55 ordered, but at 89 pesos each, agree to compensate Vecino but not full amount initially requested; experts testify to excellent quality of weapons; correspondence from 1791-2 in which location and condition of weapons sought, as they disappeared following transactions of 1787, 53 found, never used, plan formulated to contact Vecino about 2 missing 'carabinas', which are found, ending debate. (L. Kerr, February 1989)

Correspondence concerns relocation from Chihuahua to Mexico of 77 Apaches, mostly women and children, taken as prisoners of war; 2 children die at start of journey, one woman gravely ill, left in Chihuahua; Cadete in charge of 'collera de prisoneros' compensated for expenses from 'fondos de gratificacion' of presidios and companies involved in move; correspondence between Cadete and officials in towns, presidios at which 'Collera' to arrive, concerning accommodations, special attention paid to Young childrem, nursing mothers, men to remain at jail, responsibility for costs incurred discussed; Cadete's 'Cuenta' of expenses, including number, cost, of mules used each day of journey, itemized account of rations; mention of 15 Apaches missing from 'Collera', 1-9-89; expenses overrun available funds, Cadete's inheritance from dead Father encumbered. (L. Kerr, February 1989)

Concerns 'recargo de armamentos' which virrey suspends per unenforced decree of 11-18-1789, orders Cajas reales to proceed with 'liquidacion' of inventory as formulated by real tribunal de Cuentas; includes itemized 'cargo y data' from 'fondo de recargo' to explain 'fondo'S' poor financial state; 'testimonio' explaining deposits and expenditures, also that 'fondo' not as effective tool for 'reintegro' of money as first thought, due to excessive expenditures; virrey restricts further withdrawals from 'fondo,' 'liquidacion' apparently not satisfactory, virrey demands explanation for discrepancy in Actual and projected profits. (L. Kerr, January 1989)

Documents continue argument as to whether 'recargo de armamentos' should be suspended or not; table of itemized 'cargo y data' from various treasuries included, with particular attention to arms sales, providing information on type, quantity, cost of arms purchased, by whom purchased, and amount of 'recargo' earned from sales, which concerned officials state is reinvested into military funds; first table in sequence reveals 14 'escopetas' and 4 'pares de pistolas' sold to 'Cumanches'; real tribunal, virrey review economic rationale for 'recargo,' order its suspension, support 'liquidacion' of stock in order to cover debts and expenses. (L. Kerr, January 1989)

. (L. Kerr, January 1989)

Correspondence concerning whether or not troops of Provincias Internas should continue to pay same or different 'recargo' on arms purchased at central 'almacen,' or if arms should be sold 'a costo y Costas'; Ugarte y Loyola argues to suspend 'recargo', as soldiers already burdened with many expenses, fiscal argues in favor of surcharge; copies of letters from 1779-1783 from Cavallero de Croix, initiator of 'recargo', explains that part of profit used in pacification of Apaches in Coahuila, part reinvested; table of 'cuenta' indicating profits since 1779. (L. Kerr, January 1989)

Correspondence concerning fiscal matters, such as collection of 'renta', discussion of 'remision of Caudales' to 'cajas' including optimal time of year for residents to make 'enteros,' if at all; virrey orders construction of 'arca Fuerte' with three different locks, keys to be in possession of three different government officials, various replies to virrey's order. (L. Kerr, January 1989)