Military Salaries

Barrutia and Rivera communicate with virrey concerning drought in Nueva Vizcaya and resulting Indian hostilities; solutions to problems with Indians discussed ultimately concluding with need for elimination; salaries of and number of soldiers needed in presidios debated; various Indian and Spanish atrocities recounted in general manner to illustrate need for decisive offensive action against Indians; question of number of presidios worth maintaining in region discussed; eventual orders issued by virrey concerning above. (D. J. McClelland, January , 1988)

Payment to Rivera for visitas of presidios of prov. Internas negotiated; Rivera and Barrutia inform virrey of situation of presidios of Nueva Vizcaya concluding that more horses needed, improved food supplies required, shortage of men interfering with effective defense of certain areas against hostile Indians; reference made to need for conversion of Indians. (D. J. McClelland, January 1988)

Croix proposes establishment of comandancia general with Durango as headquarters due to great distance and inefficiency of governing Provincias Internas from Mexico City; reasoning includes efficient control of rich natural resources, necessity for outpost on borders to guard against foreign conquest of territories; suggests establishment include Casa de Moneda and Silla episcopal to convert Indians and minister to settlers effectively; also need for troops and comandante general for effective protection. (D. J. McClelland, January 1988)

Concerns frays' thoughts on the virrey's new method the ultimate goal of which is firm establishment of reducidos, establishment of new missions and development of missions perfection of spiritual culture and progression of spiritual conquest in north America. Effectiveness of method to depend on proper maintenance, election of qualified ecclesiastic as well secular workers chosen by prelados regulares and enactment of exact rules for missionaries and governors to follow. Concerns necessity for fortified presidios and expedition of Spanish forces with knowledge of nature and enemy's ways to protect missions against increasing movements of infidels on frontier. Petition for virrey's attention regarding proper wages for troops, ministers' salaries reimbursement for expenses incurred and maintenance of synods. Financial provisions to be made by instituting proxy for each province containing missions. Frays advise that to achieve goal, need to populate new areas, and establish new missions in most fertile areas. Indians should learn at the mission weaving or another laborio for commerce and must only be taken from mission for a true service of the crown. Detailed description of missionary duties and rules for the conversion of souls. Mention of Solorzano and book iure indiarum. Description of projects to be undertaken after seeds, raise birds and instruct converts in political and personal relations. Ministers must be most literate and must teach Indians Castellano. Missions must have a teacher and a school. Discusses Indian ideas on land ownership, but recommends a system of common land for Indians until their sufficient yield to divide it. Ideas expressed on Indian behavior, appropriate religious practices, mandatory daily town meetings to explain catholic concepts and use of agriculture, trade and kind treatment to attract Indians or return them to missions. Noted that Pimas are lazy and have few useful skills while Opatas are more hard-working and skilled due to more interaction with the Spanish. Concerns also need for doctors and hospitals. Discusses baptisms, Indian government and Indian obedience to their superiors. (M. Dannemiller, October 1987)

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.

Letters to the viceroy from Paliza. Request that the viceroy approve a one month's salary advance for Nicolas Cosio. Viceroy approved. (K. Mccaston September 1989)

Request to fill three vacancies in the segunda compania de Santander. Promotion of Uson to segunda Alferez. Question of Uson's monthly salary. Confirmation of Uson's position.

Letters to Branciforte requesting salaries and travel expense reimbursements for members of the segunda compania de volante de Nueva Santander. (K. Mccaston, September 1989)

Letters, informes concerning Cosio's back pay and his return to his military group. Ff.240 & 243 indicate monetary request granted. Appears to have been paid through San Luis Potosi which consequently requests reimbursement from real hacienda. No further mention of his return to his company. (S. Langmack September 1989)

Numeros 5-7 are collection of unrelated letters, Memorias, etc, dealing with military issues and often incompletely presented; in 5 and 6 (each one folio in length), complaints lodged against certain individuals; numero 7 includes soldier's request for invalid status, 'noticias' from Alferez concerning company accounts, poor condition of roads, other vague issues, also discussion of military widow's investments; numero 8 (Approximately folios 308-345) includes discussion of payment of salaries, other expenses, owed to captain Saint Maxent, as well as whether 'ajuste' of his salary merited; king orders payment and 'ajuste.' (L. Kerr, August 1989)