Military Personnel

Concerns establishment of a mint that was desperately needed and near demise of this project because of a lack of silver, this was reason for the order stating that one third of all metals had to be turned in in exchange for coinage mentioned earlier in Vol. 227 ff. 0147-0159; said order was contested by a Series of institutions, reconvening of the junta de la real hacienda to investigate 4,000 Marcos de Plata missing from the treasury, prohibitions on enacting above were rescinded, also need regulation concerning minting of coinage in Nueva Vizcaya; Bonavia's plan to have the real hacienda sell tobacco at a markup have not produced the income he had expected, cites the epidemic of previous year, price, and black market in cigars as factors in low sales, convenes a junta provisional to discuss revenue producing measures, proposed instituting a 'patriotic loan' to be exacted from unidentified sources, paid for with taxes on mining activities (which include the one third provision mentioned earlier), Bonavia stresses the inability of the settlers of the area to provide any more revenue from contributions; letters mentioned in miscellaneous notes discuss in general terms revenue and costs in Provincias Internas de Occidente; letter from junta Superior requesting documents from the junta provisional convene by Bonavia, comments on mint establishment states that metals involved were to be remitted to the capital and that metals to be contributed to mint more than cover the shortage of revenue discussed, letter includes an excerpt from another letter that points to the exceedingly large troop strength as a cost that can be reduced, mentions the taxes imposed on some mining functions (mentioned earlier in Vol. 227 ff. 147-159) whose effects have been a duplication of taxes because Mexico City similarly taxes same items, mentions returning money collected in Durango, mentions a tax imposed on the shipment of livestock into other provinces imposed by Bonavia as being an unauthorized measure and letter recommends that virrey rescind said tax, letter mentions that fiscal's interpretation of patriotic loan is that he does not See the benefit of such measure given the way it will be paid back. (O. Velez, September 1989)

Letter ordering the reporting of troop strength on the first day of each month, all points to send this information to comandante general except for Laredo and Villas who will send them directly to Monterrey, also the establishment of daily diaries of occurrences; includes two documents one entitled compania and the other tronco de caballada neither of which has been filled out; document titled milicias provinciales del Nuevo Santander which includes information on uniform supply, riding gear; lette stating that while the real erario is away and captains are not on active duty they should not receive a salary since they are men of means, Arredondo is to decide what the troops are in need of; document stating troop strength and destination for third fourth and fifth companies of Nuevo Santander; letter analyzing the numbers in last document regarding horses, weapons etc, finds that a high percentage of troops are virtually useless since they have neither arms or horses, recommendation that abov mentioned should leave the militia and the saving of money associated with the decrease of total salary disbursed should be used to better equip existing troops, possibility of requesting arms from settlers for use by militia and troops. (O. Velez, September 1989)

Elias Gonzalez' son supposed to be retired. So fat he can't mount a horse unassisted or walk more than 20 Paces without suffocating. (T. Sheridan) (1980)

Captaincy of 1st compania volante vacant due to retirement of Bergosa. Elizondo nominates- 1) Lumbreras, 2) Blanco, 3) Torres. Prefers Lumbreras. Military careers of nominees given. (T. Sheridan) (1980)

Captaincy of 2nd compania volante vacant because of Vildosola's appointment as capitan of Terrenate. Elizondo nominates- 1) Martinez, 2) Allande, 3) Pioman to post. Prefers Martinez- more experience/leadership abilities. Military careers of nominees given. (T. Sheridan) (1980)

Vellido approved as capitan Interino of presidio San Miguel; Elizondo to send names and qualifications of men he feels are most appropriate for capitanes of companias volantes. (D. Uhlman, June 1989)

Pineda cannot grant title of capitan of Terrenate to Vildosola without first soliciting retirement of Gonzales or by showing justificacion de su imposibilidad. he has submitted to Elizondo verbal reports by two capitans, and mentions Gonzales notoriety for never having mounted a horse in over six years of service. (D. Uhlman, may 1989)

Concerns replacement of Gonzalez by Vildosola as capitan of Terrenate, related documents follow. (T. Sheridan) (1980)