Military Organization

Nine copies of decree of Felipe V from Seville, endorsed by Patino, approving results of Rivera's visitas to presidios and accepting standing orders of virrey Casafuerte regarding said presidios and visitas; extremely detailed account of Rivera's visitas in presidios discussing supplies, government, natural resources and salaries. (D. J. McClelland, January 1988)

Contains response from virrey to requests for more soldiers and horses by Barri. Virrey refuses to send more but orders a transfer of both from Corvalan. Sends order for deserters to be punished. Orders area priests to set appropriate example for obedience. (M.dannemiller, March 1988)

Concerns Fages arrival in San Diego to establish missions. Lists provisions brought from Monterrey. Fages request more. Describes desertion of eight soldiers who took large portions of provisions, their return and second desertion with mules and horses. Lists number of soldiers and horses on peninsula. Fages writes to relate activities in the area. (M. Dannemiller, March 1988)

Concerns distribution of troops on the frontier. Pacheco answers viceroy's request for an explanation as to why troops have been separated from conquest areas. Pacheco explains that there is not enough money to support many more conquered Indians. Many of frontier lands lack water for crops. Some of frontier areas accepted Spanish settlement without the need for troops while sometimes the troops are separated from the areas where needed due to lack of cooperation between missionaries and capitans. (M. Dannemiller, October 1987)

Contains letters from various priests concerning their ability or inability to apply the new method to their areas. Gonzales relates difficulties in promoting the plan due to the nature of the land and the temperament of the Indians. Concerns the location of missions and needed incentives to keep Indians in missions. Describes the roles of the missionaries as fathers, teachers and employers. Provisions for the sick and elderly. Discusses suspending the synod, expense records and an annual auditor to be sent by virrey. Relates deterioration and depopulation of missions of Chihuahua, condition of other missions and need to have Indians congregated there - not sent to Spanish haciendas. Discusses fact that Indians in Moqui are pacified due to fact that they live with christians, need for more missionaries and military to assure this type of peace and avoid violence such as with the Apaches. Includes a complete list of missions that received the virrey's instructions of July 13, 1772. (M. Dannemiller, October 1987)

General report about the situation of Nuevo Reino de Leon elaborated by Vaamonde before leaving his post as governor. He describes military resources located in the frontier and what is needed to consolidate it, the condition of the public treasury, the incomes of the administration, and the main economic resources of the province. (A. Nielsen, October 1989)

Gobernador Vaamonde asks for full report of Indian raid in Vallecillo. In a second letter addressed to all tenientes gobernadores and Alcaldes mayores he asks them to request financial support from the vecinos to maintain the Milicianos. These letters are added to the expedient concerning the accusations against Vaamonde. (A. Nielsen, September 1989)

Gobernador Vaamonde asks for the creation of two more companies (300 soldiers) for the protection of the Indian frontier. To support his request he describes several recent Indian raids and attaches other reports on the same issue. The answer to his request is totally negative, arguing that the available forces are needed rather in Coahuila (a real frontier) than in Nuevo Leon, and blaming Vaamonde for the situation of disorder. In letter to the virrey, Vaamonde repeats his request. (A. Nielsen, September 1989)

Ignacia Maria Guifas author of many detailed letters to the viceroy concerning her deceased husbands pension. She wrote that her Husband was due a promotion and requested that it be granted. She said that her Husband was not given fair treatment by his fellow and Superior officers. He threatened to report extortion and failure to pay taxes (Diezmos) to the viceroy. He made many enemies. Larrangan and Tuburcia attempted to kill Guifas with a glass of aguardiente containing poison. He went mad for eight days. Wife attempted to make antidote.

Bujanos named Primer Alferez of Segundo compania volante de Nuevo Santander based on recommendations from Cueva and others. Position originally slated for Ramon Perea but letters state he's not intelligent enough. (S. Langmack oct.1989)