Mines

Letter informing viceroy of stampede caused by Indians in which 300 horses were lost. Mentions escorts for wood-cutters as important in maintaining friendship with Tasuayas. (M. Vasquez, January 1988)

Gonzalez de Noboa, diputado de Mineria informs virrey of state of affairs vis-a-vis Mineria y comercio at Chihuahua. Issues include construction of parish churches, financing of military campaign against indios infieles, raising of civilian militia. Attached is virrey's response. (J. H. Ochs, June 1988)

Correspondence concerning Indian depredations and subsequent military expedition in Nueva Vizcaya. Includes certificacion y revista de cuadernos of past earlier military engagements with indios barbaros, plus letters from virrey authorizing campaign against Apaches. (J. H. Ochs, June 1988)

Torijas' informe re: deplorable state of affairs in Chihuahua due to Apache depredations. Includes letters from hacenderos, missionary which substantiate Torijas' assertions. Details shortcomings of contemporary presidial system as author sees it, plus suggestions re: reform of system. (J. H. Ochs, June 1988)

Letters concerning appointment of Arriero to transport silver from San Phelipe el real to Mexico, Christobal Dominguez, first choice for the job died and Cayetano Franco is appointed, Altamira testifies that Cayetano left the town with 199 silver ingots. Letters explaining the delay on the arrival of the silver, a number of notes requesting silver to be sent to Chihuahua every six months from the mines. Letters asking for the establishment of new religious missions in the Tharaumara Alta y Baja in order to subdue the Indians and increase the production of the mines. (T. Kahana, November 1988)

Postscripts to letter concerning gold placers Aigame, temporarily abandoned silver mine Bacuachi. (T. Sheridan, 1976)

Administrative correspondence of intendente Corbalan, primarily brief commentary on ongoing communication between him and viceroy as summarized in the superiores Ordenes and representaciones. Viceroy's responses, dated several months later, directly follow intendente's comments/inquiries. Ff. 81 reorganization of intendency, intendente's duties and salary; distribution of land, water rights, irrigation and religious education of Seris on Tiburon. Ff. 84-86 relate death of governor Sastre, execution of his will (Albacea), and responsibility of real Casa to determine amount of king's fifth on a gold nugget found in his possession. Ff. 94-95 are taxes on tobacco, playing cards and gunpowder; salaries for religious from Jalisco serving in Sonora; collection of tribute from Indians; need for better accounting for collecting royal fifth on ore mined in province; scarcity of Moneda sellada in circulation; and status of crops, workshops and personnel assigned to Indians in reduccion. Ff. 122-123 is certificate of death of Alfonso Ruiz Zorzano. Other documents briefly general of mines to be postponed due to illness and bad Weather; reduccion of Hiaques on Tiburon, recommends pardon of capitan Calisto for good behaviour, after involvement in uprising; gold nugget of Sastre not found among his possessions. Ff. 136 & 138 are superiores Ordenes from Bucareli for February-March, 1773. Ff. 142-144 are representacions of intendente to viceroy for April-June, 1773 which include fishing; rebuilding mission churches in Suaqui and Charay and completion of irrigation (acequia) for Seris in Pitic. (J. M. Johnson, March 1988)

Correspondence includes following topics: laws, duties, and salaries of intendente and gobernador; reduccion, education and water rights of Indians; quintos and transportation of gold from Cieneguilla; relations between mine owners and buyers of ore; suspension of repartimiento. (J. Johnson, February 1988)

Documents dealing with mining production and worker's situation in placeres. others deal with formation of compania de comercio para el trabajo de las Labores de oro. discussion of finances and labor supply needs. Discussion of Apaches troubling the region; raiding Mule trains, missionaries, and people. Discussion of mining techniques and equipment, and Weather and terrain problems. Fueros discusses need to change production levels and efforts to inspire laborers who are not suited for work. Insufficient amounts of gold for royal fifth at times. Discussion of finances of church construction and refusals to contribute by some people. Discussion of laborer's movements from Placeres to their homes for vacations for planting and harvesting. Discovery of new mines, and water needs in some mines. Discusses various fiscal matters and salaries. (S. Fiederlein, June 1987)

Excerpts from Fueros letter details type of mining (silver and gold), mining conditions, personnel, shortage of water (need to open Pozo of specified size), and Indian incursions. Requests acknowledgement of receipt of royal fifth at real Caxa de los Alamos. Document fragment by unknown author discusses construction of Plaza with houses of earth, distribution of weapons for defense, establishment of partida to patrol, and necessity for escort of troops to help workers. Fueros complains to viceroy about how officials at real tribunal de Cuentas handled his account. Sends copy of response from tribunal officials and his own response back to them. Also draft response from Mexico Fueros indicates shipment of gold to real Caxa de los Alamos as royal fifth. Memo notes amount received in preceeding year as royal fifth from these Placeres. (S. Fiederlein, may 1987)