Mines (Discovery)

Tueros reports on discovery of new gold placeres in Palo Ensebado area. Relates richness of area; influx of miners into area and resulting depopulation of nearby areas; request for troops to protect area from rebel Indians. Copy of letter from of these troops protecting Palo area. (D. Uhlman, February 1988)

Documents concerning formation of stockholders' company to mine gold in Sonora, Sinaloa. Mention rich mineralization, but no locations. Letters of intent from people interested in buying in. List of stockholders. (A. Dean, August 1989)

Signed testimonies by several Spanish citizens giving opinions of benefits, problems since conquest of Nayarit; all read about the Same, mentioning mines (one specific reference to lead mine), harassment by Naiarites not easily subjugated by missionaries, fugitives in mountains, Cora raids on haciendas (f.361). F.368-370 letter by Martinez on same topics, more specific info on Naiares; mentions capturing sick Naiares. (A. Dean, February 1990)

Correspondence between capitan Lumbreras and viceroy Bucareli in which Lumbreras informs viceroy of the richness of minas de Sierra Marcial, population of area and expectations of more veins of silver. Also, requests transfer as capitan to any presidio, governor Crespo names Lumbreras comandante of two companies in presidio Terrenate, viceroy names Lumbreras capitan of presidio Buenavista few months later. (A. Dell'acqua December 1987)

Autos concerning the reported discovery of Almagres along the Colorado River in southern Texas in 1755. Miranda sets out with Ramon, Seguin and a group of men from the presidios San Antonio, Bahia del Espiritu Santo and San Xavier and a couple of Indians as guides. After a month of travel north from San Antonio, the group returns early March 1756 with a sample of the Almagres. Summary of trip, development potential of the mine area for settlers and the granting of a portion of the mines to the men, from ff. 17 - 19. Testing is performed on top and deep samples to determine quality and consistency. Small amounts of silver, greta, plomo and Magistral are found. Debates as to costs, practicality and richness of mine based on experienced Miner's opinion. (E. Wilson, November 1989)

Series of autos concerning sworn declarations from government officials on the reorganization of presidios in Nueva Vizcaya and San Bartolome Valley. Purpose of the reorganization is to provide protection to mines' workers and people in neighboring presidios. Geographic relative location of presidios with respect to each other is given. (M. Marroquin, February 1989)

Concerns construction of military facility named presidio del Santisimo sacramento in Junta de los Rios Grandes del norte. Purpose of this presidio is to protect people and property from continuous attacks made by Indians. Documents are descriptive of the area chosen for the construction of such facility. Construction of presidio is also important to control Indian population in the area in case they are not converted to be christians. Military personnel are appointed. Salaries are established for commanders and soldiers. Place for construction of presidio is said to be abundant of natural resources and minerals. Soldiers for the new presidio are going to be transferred from other presidios so it will not be costly to the crown. (M. Marroquin, January 1989)

Concerns visitas and Inspections of presidios; invalids and retired people are encouraged to settle in San Antonio de Bexar; geographic location of presidio del sacramento is given; reorganization of presidios as a result of construction of new one is discussed; conditions for the construction of new are given in a government decree; location for the construction of presidio is said to have abundant food for horses and people also the discovery of minerals is mentioned; new location for presidio is discussed; conflicting reports on the resources of previous and new site for presidio is presented in document, officials reporting Argue a better defense for provinces in the new place. Salaries for military personnel are settled. Indians in Nueva Vizcaya are said to represent a problem for the exploitation of natural resources. (M. Marroquin, January 1989)

Letters from Gorraez to Bucareli about royal cedulas. Concerns Nuevo Santander; list of administrative expenses; mines established in Taumaulipa Nueva. Concerns town establishment of Burgos, Reinosa and Escandon with detailed information of these towns (presidio, spiritual administration). Lists numbers of Indians, natural christians, new conversion, teams of horses, mules, land and water, reduction of Indians, protection of Indians, mission finances, restriction and pacification of Indians. Concerns supplying meat to troops. Detailed information on town establishment. (J. Acheson, February 1988)

Two letters from Escandon to virrey informing him of the destruction caused by the rain and requesting 12,000 pesos to buy 3,500 fanegas de maiz to cover the needs of the population. The other letter is to inform him of the progess of the new colony, the pacification of Indians, the establishment of missions, and the discovery of mines. The letters that Escandon is sending the virrey are analized by marques de Altamira and he gives suggestions to virrey. Escandon gives an order to stop a rebel Indian, apostata guardado. (D. Bautista, March 1990)