Military Personnel

Documents all deal with asuntos militares., retirement, electores for the tribunal de Mineria. Approx 300 names are

In response to a request by the viceroy, this report was prepared to facilitate development of a defense network along the northern frontier. Included are the number of captains, sergeants, and soldiers, and their corresponding salaries for each of the presidios and squadrons of the provincia internas. (G. Miller) (1977)

An extremely detailed reglamento issued by Charles III to establish and maintain the 15 presidios that were to become the northern line of defense of New Spain, as well as other military garrisons of the north. Included are the numbers and ranks of soldiers at each location, then proposed pay, uniforms, and duties, as well as numerous incidentals concerning the proposed defense line. (G. Miller) (1977)

Discussion of withdrawing the segunda compania de Voluntarios de Cataluna (companias de ynfanteria ligera de cataluna appears to have been another name for this troop) from the presidios of Norte, San Elezeario, and Carrizal. Also increasing the pay of men who would be willing to stay instead of returning to Spain; replacing those who want out; moving it to different areas within Mexico; etc. Ff.195 contains biographical information about Guillermo Peregrina and Pasqual de Cisneros. Ff.197 and 203 contain biographical information about Tomas Wading. Ff. 201 contains biographical information about Francisco Albares. Perera was demoted from sargento Segundo to ultimo soldado for some unnamed delitos. Periodic, general discussion of the costs involved in running a military unit, including the men's pay. On ff.236-237 Josef Aguilar asked to be released from military service. Ff.238 is chart of proposed pay increases. Ff.239-240 mention of the cost of purchasing horses and mules. (S. Langmack June 1990)

Spain detached the companias de ynfanteria ligera to Mexico (Aka companias Franca de Voluntarios de Cataluna). They arrived at the port of San Blas on the frigate Aranzazu. Ff.152-157 is a reglamento detailing the composition of the group, each Member's pay, the personnel supplies they were to receive, the way they would be managed, etc. Ff.152 lists monthly and yearly pay specifically. It also contains assurances that nearly all of the men were Spaniards from Aragon except for a few from Mexico whom it was guaranteed were de Casta Limpia, Buen personal, in good health and of good physical size and ability. Ff.162-167 is typeset (?) Copy of ff.152-158. (S. Langmack may 1990)

Discussion of the replacement of the compania Franca de Voluntarios de Cataluna headed by Sola with an unidentified troop headed by Alberni. Some of the men already in either troop wanted to leave so there is discussion of recruiting more. Ff.137 is chart which tracks the comings and goings (to the Hospital, as deserters, etc.) of the men of the compania Franca de Voluntarios de Cataluna. (S. Langmack may 1990)

Concerns Pedro Maria Lasso de la Vega and Jose saenz-Rico asking to be released from the military due to poor health and others needing experience that they already have. Then it was suggested that the officials of the regimiento de dragones of Mexico replace those of the regimiento de dragones of Spain, which had been detached to Mexico for sometime. Additionally, as it was decided that the Spanish troop was to remain in Mexico, the soldiers were given the choice to leave the company or stay. No indication who did which. Ff.117 is list of capitans with the regimiento de dragones of Spain. (S. Langmack may 1990)

Periques asked Sola for pay he was owed for a promotion. Periques was stranded in Guadalajara and said he could not afford to rejoin his company (segunda compania de Voluntarios de Cataluna) without that money; he had already been ordered to service record; on ff.112 is another copy. Finally, Periques asked to be retired and not promoted and that he be allowed to return to his homeland of Barcelona. Ff.105 contains biographical information about Yslas, Urrea, and Barela, all proposed to fill the position of subteniente left open by Periques. (S. Langmack may 1990)

Discussion of the Spanish Tropa del Piquete de dragones. It has been based in Sonora for a long enough time that its members are now mostly Mexican-born, criollos de esta provincia, (the troop began as entirely Spanish) and they want the troop to remain in Sonora, their home, rather than return to Spain, as it appears has been suggested. One author claimed most of the original Spanish members either had died, been released, or deserted (as had Mora). Alonso Nunez de Haro y Peralta said that those who did not want to continue with the troop could be released but that they had to be replaced with new recruits because that troop was necessary to the security of the province. Ff.11-12 contains biographical information about Mata Binolas, Villaescusa, and Tona, proposed in that document as candidates for the position of capitan in la segunda compania Franca de Voluntarios de Cataluna. (it appears that is the new name for the Spanish Tropa del Piquete de dragones.) The position of capitan was left vacant by Sola's departure due to an old leg injury. The position of teniente was also vacated. Suggestions to fill it were made by Sola on ff.13. They included Sartorio, Fato, and Franco. Mata Binolas and Sartorio, respectively, were chosen. (S. Langmack may 1990)

Brief, redundant, bureaucratic letters from Ugalde to Revilla Gigedo concerning general aspects of military administration, primarily shuffling of officers in response to retirements, promotions. F.359 concerns expansion of free trade at smaller ports of new world. F.360 mentions new regulation of slave trade. F.386 mentions Potau as gobernador-elect of Coahuila. (A. Dean, may 1990)