Military Recruitment

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)

Index and extractions from legajo 12 (1765) containing administrative, military, and religious information regarding various provincias. Indexed material includes petition by Oca for health leave; remission of treasures from Chihuahua mines; discovery of islands near San Juan and San Bernardo; petitions for travel; salt mine development; canons and gunpowder for presidios; auxiliary troops provided to San Saba; instruction of military recruits; Indian invasions in los Alamos and Batuco Valley; need for supplementing arms, horses to Buena Vista recruits; request that a held white deer be submitted to Mexico; establishment of navigation between Acapulco and Matanchel; establishment and fortification of presidio of Buena Vista and money allocated for work; salaries for citizens substituting for absent soldiers; department of wine and spiritous liquors. (J. Hiller, July 1989)

General reports from several jurisdictions discussing local military strength, defenses, Indian problems. Ff.103-104 are lists of soldiers, officers at Elteuli, Chalchiguites, Llanos de Tonala (also written Thlonala). F.106 mentions conscripting boys from pueblos. F.108 is letter from Herrera saying all Indians of Ocotan have gone, suggests military prevent those of Tinaraca from doing the same. (A. Dean, January 1990)

(J. Hiller, July 1989)

Lasaga is advised to inform comandante general about his intentions to establish new settlements before proceeding to cut down on costs. Lasaga proposes taxes to help fund project. Conde de la Sierra Gorda asked to disclose Actual assets of Missiones in Nuevo Santander. Lasaga describes difficulties he vastness, rough topography, poorly armed settlements, not enough militiamen. Mentions that southern part of province is consolidated, north still a problem. Advises that new villages be placed at Sierra de Tamaulipa Vieja, 20 leagues from Altamira, Marina. Idea to auction assets of missions that have decreased Indian populations in order to fund new villages. Discusses formation of two companies recruited from outside province, to be paid from revenue of estanco del tabaco; mentions weapon shortage in area. Establishment of new villages estimated at 3,000 pesos each. (O. Velez, February 1990)

Very interesting copies of correspondence between Salcedo and Bonavia regarding defense of land bordering with U.s. And much discussion of U.s. Military potential and mention of some U.s. aggression; at core of correspondence is concern that Spanish military not powerful or well organized enough to defend north provinces against americans; discussion of fidelity of Indians shifting to americans due to corruption by merchants; much discussion of logistics, statistics, hypothetical situations; it is agreed that artilleria volante desperately needed among 154, 158, 160-163. (D. J. McClelland, may 1989)

After more than a year without sons and husbands to help them, wives and mothers of soldiers in various companias serving in Texas as auxiliary forces petition virrey and governors to aid them financially by allotting part of soldiers' wages to families, or by sending them home; governors and virrey come up with plan requiring soldiers to allot certain fractions of salaries to be paid to wives and mothers each month; according to documents, plan is successful; of particular interest are March 1989)

Documents concern naming of officials for new presidios in Janos, San Carlos and San Buenaventura. Details discussed appointments to fill vacated posts; transportation arrangements, including delays due to travel difficulties caused by drought and deserts; replies of receipt of travel orders by officials and granting of passport. Other documents concern supplies for soldiers, need for recruiting volunteers to transfer to California, instructions to presidio habilitados (paymasters) and new regulations in effect. (J. M. Johnson, February 1989)

Lists of volunteer recruits from Sonoran presidios for California. Documents include instructions for transporting them; debts they owe before leaving posts; vacancies created in presidios; data on individual personnel and necessary supplies; problems with recruitment and desertions for family reasons back to Former posts. (J. M. Johnson, February 1989)

Captain Joseph Ramon recruited men for the presidio to be established at Nuestra Senora de Loreto, Bahia del Espiritu Santo. He spent from December 20, 1719 to February 10, 1720 traveling to Zacatecas, Querataro, San Luis Potosi and San Luis de la Paz recruiting forty men. Fifty men from the batallon de San Miguel de Aragon joined the presidio on March 4, 1722. Both groups of men had different pay dates the fiscal considered confusing. Discrepancy in pay is discussed ranging from 1/2 year to Ten months owed the fifty men and 2/3 year to a year owed the forty recruited men. Proposals are made to justly unify the pay dates for both groups. (E. Wilson, January 1990)