Military-Religious Relations

A Series of letters between Vaamonde and virrey that discusses secularization of the Concepcion and Purificacion missions because of the small number of Indians in the Former and civilized nature of those within the latter and also points out that the mission of San Christobal is completely run by the colegio de Zacatecas except for military's role in preventing runaways, the method to be used in filling a vacant military chaplain post as per a royal announcement made in 1784 in San Lorenzo in the current case of a vacancy in the military group mentioned above, an order requesting that Castaneda appear before the virrey, and Vaamonde's capture of the hostile Indian Pedro Josse and Vaamonde's subsequent petition for promotion. (O. Velez, January 1989)

Series of unnumbered letters from Vaamonde to virrey conde that interpret royal announcement relating to religious institutions, sending of 7 converted Indians under escort of 3 soldiers to be presented to the virrey during his visit to capital of Nuevo Leon, request that the virrey provide Indian converts with food and transportation, Vaamonde's anxiety that false rumors about him may be the cause of his not getting the promotion to Coronel de Infanteria del ejercito, improvement in the status of his province and once again the promotion. (O. Velez, November 1988)

Documents dismissing certain soldiers from military in order to take up service of missions. Signed oaths committing soldiers to religious servitude. (A. Dean, January 1989)

Correspondence concerning: receipt of revistas; discovery of mines at San Nicolas; construction of mission; financial and administrative business, particularly regarding rentas; departure of ship bound for Spain carrying silver and fruit; search for pelicans per superior order of virrey, but response is that none were sighted; conflicts with many Indian groups, description of attacks on missions, haciendas, rancherias; who involved in military actions, whom killed, number of horses, mules killed or stolen by Indians; description of pursuit of Indians by military, efforts made to reduce population or to negotiate. (L. Kerr, September 1988)

Monthly revistas of squadrons of compania de Caballeria del Seno Mexicano, listing sargentos and Soldados present; signed statements of justicias and others that troops occupy assigned villages; correspondence confirming receipt of revistas; signed statements of frays and soldiers declaring that monthly soldiers' salaries paid and received. (L. Kerr, September 1988)

Includes signed statements of mission priests certifying payment of salaries to soldiers; signed statements of soldiers certifying receipt of salaries; resumen de Cuenta, itemizing salaries, money spent on equipment, housing, etc. (L. Kerr, September 1988)

Various correspondence concerning conflicts with Indians, Comanches and others, pursuit of raiding groups, reduction of number near missions; also, letters regarding homicide. (L. Kerr, sept.

Correspondence concerning receipt of revistas and Diezmos, crimes committed by military personnel, conflicts with Indians inhabiting mission regions. (L. Kerr, September 1988)

Series of documents dealing with Ugalde's military campaigns against Mescaleros, Comanches, Lipanes, and Lipiyanes in Coahuila. Discussion of Ugalde's arrival to Coahuila and his survey of the area in preparation for his campaign; he is informed of combats with Comanches, and there is a good description of the military tactics employed by the Indians; there is also reference to trade between soldiers and Comanches after battle. Ugalde sends detailed diary of his campaigns to viceroy. Lists number of soldiers employed, as well as the number and types of weapons used in the expedition; clothing of Indian auxiliaries are described, as well as amount and type of food required by soldiers and Indian auxiliaries; there is good discussion of the mass given before departure of troops, as well as the use of an effigy of the virgin of Guadalupe in order to receive divine assistance. Ugalde also informs of problems associated with lack of water and death of many horses. He gives a good description of the area referring to the many rivers, lakes, aguajes, and mountains encountered in his path. Includes summary of all Indians that were killed, injured, and taken captives, and of all tribes that sought peace. He complains many Mescaleros fled to presidio del norte where they were given refuge, and that this diminishes to some extent, all the gains made in the campaign. In other letters the viceroy approves of Ugalde's actions and requests more cooperation between Ugarte and Ugalde. (J. Tapia, October, 1987)