Militia

Inventory by caliber and condition of fusiles at the armerio of San Carlos de Perote. Discusses measures to refurbish damaged weapons stored at San Carlos, Vera Cruz, San Juan de Ulua, Puebla. In light of ongoing Indian hostilities, time required to receive new weapons from Spain, number of weapons needed to equip milicias of Toluca and Pardos of Puebla discusses need to centralize weapons storage at San Carlos to preserve existing stock of arms and convert outdated fusiles to escopetas. (J. Higgins, March 1989)

Includes two informes in which gobernador describes to virrey chronological unfolding of Series of attacks by Aracates, Mesquites, others, on rancherias and villages of Sierra; number and location of Indians, 'pobladores,' soldiers killed given, as well as numbers of mules, horses stolen; 150 soldiers and 15 Indian auxiliaries to scour Sierra 'hasta no dejar indio en ella'; battles continue; 'piquete' of 15 soldiers captures 4 Indian men, Indian woman, child, who claim to be peaceful, escape after led to Soto la Marina; days earlier 2 unarmed 'vaqueros' killed, horses taken. In second letter, gobernador mountain pass in order to block Indians' retreat; plan somewhat effective, as more Indians killed, 'collera' of 38 taken to San Luis Potosi; supposedly peaceful Mesquites and mulatos apparently responsible for the large and Volatile Indian gathering in Sierra, also for death of pastor and several horse thefts. With Indians run out of Sierra, gobernador feels time right to begin construction of road into area. Argues also that some villages repeatedly attacked by Apaches because residents do not know how to respond or defend selves; solution lies in uniting 'pobladores', teaching them how to protect family and possessions, then fighting 'con Teson.' (L. Kerr, June 1989)

Documents concern two colleras of Indians that leave from Tamaulipa and Altamira. Pobladores are interrogated about the Indians. Indians are said to be war-like and to have committed many crimes and robberies. The killing of two fishermen and the stealing of horses and cows are committed by said Indians. Indians promote war against mission. They unite and form a confederation against the mission. F.432 contains message from governor Echeagaray with instructions to divide up the Indians of the two colleras and to put them to work in the fields or in Casas honorables. Governor's encouragement of pacification of Indians. In other documents the militia's trouble in pursuing Indians due to lack of food and resources is given. Apaches are said to cause the most damage to these militias. Indians are pacified and sent to Queretero by conde de Sierra Gorda. There they are to be divided and set to work in accordance with Echeagaray's instructions. F. 431 gives list of Mecos. F. 446-447 gives lists of Mecos and Parbulos, including those married and baptized. F. 454-456 gives names and marriages and baptisms of various other Indians. (P. Lenz, September 1989)

Series of letters sent to viceroy about the conflict between inhabitants of real de Vallecillos and government officials. Reports to viceroy is more concise and only makes a brief overview of the controversy but stress need for more military personnel in that area. People from Vallecillos are supposed to provide for one soldier each, so militia can be organized. (M. Marroquin, August 1989)

Series of testimonies explaining details of what kind of abuses were committed by Alcalde Baez, who forced hacendados to pay, each, one soldier for defense of real de Vallecillos. Hacendados complain that Baez took animals and money from them to benefit himself. Testimonies are taken from people who were affected by abusive behavior from Alcalde Baez. Document explain context of events arguing that all was to protect haciendas and dwellers from Indians who used Vallecillos as a port of entry. (M. Marroquin, August 1989)

Concerns Series of documents dealing with abuses committed by Alcalde mayor Juan Baez who took away other people's property and money because, allegedly, there was the need to create militias in Vallecillos where Indians came and made problems. Goats are taken from Hacendados. Document explains details of conflict between authorities and local inhabitants of Vallecillos. Alcalde Baez is accused of running illegal businesses and of being promiscuous, I.e. Baez took someone else's woman and lived with her. Document explain what should have been done to save problems, such as not allowing this kind of people to serve the community. (M. Marroquin, August 1989)

Petition letter from Garibay requesting payment of the tobacco tax; gobernador Gonzalez de Santianez requests permission to organize a local militia and funds to pay soldiers and officials. Civil official asks permission to revise the content of certain accounts of Nuevo Reino de Leon because an expediente of September 1781 was not found until 1794. (D. Bautista, September 1989)

Concerns pacification of Indians, protection of haciendas in Nuevo Leon; accounts of fighting and deaths; many place names; repetitive otherwise. Several references to a map, but no map present. (K.hubin, oct.1989)

Velazques is in charge of distributing weapons (lanzas, medias lunas) sent to Patzquaro, Valladolid to milicias. Mentions supply of clothes, arms to milicias. Although documents span 1784 to 1792, all seem to relate to same shipment of arms. (A. Dean, August 1989)

Letter by Ahumada describing idea for establishment of national guard-type militia that would receive better training, arms; would do sweeps of randomly chosen areas to keep Indians (Tarahumara rebels) off-guard. F.125 has description of Indian weapons. Letters by Merino, Nava two years later concern subdelegates from various areas to be assembled; apparent