Mines

Fueros discusses defense of mining district and transportation of ore and food supplies. Abundant production at Placeres if free from enemy raids. Miners do not like to operate too far away due to fear of barbaros. Describes grano de oro found by Indian -- its size, value, type of rock found in (guija). grano worthy of king but already broken up and distributed by Indian to relatives. Discusses efforts to try to stop this from happening again. Discusses activities of soldiers sent to guard mining region. Report from Fueros on comerciante in charge of transporting gold -- gives amount and how warned to insure delivery of royal fifth. Closure of road noted and problems this causes for mining operations. Mentions real Caxa de los Alamos and administrador de la Renta de tabacos. (S. Fiederlein may 1987)

Fueros reports on mining operations at Cieneguilla and actions of Indians of region. Comments on how more tranquil since arrival of partida of troops. Reports on surrender of groups of Seris. cabecilla and his band still holding out. Discusses output of new Placeres, his attempt at inspiring workers to extract More, problem with Placeres being distant from him. Also mentions continuing problems with Apaches and suspension of monthly campaigns against them. Describes Indians clearing asequias to irrigate crops. Tiburones and Tepocas living in peace, planting their crops, and defending against Apaches. (S. Fiederlein, 5-6-87)

Fueros reports on status of placer mining operations and problems caused by Indian depredations. Draft responses from viceroy(?) Intermingled with letters. Discusses theft of mules and horses, problems with transporting supplies, military administrative affairs, problems Indian attacks causing for workers at placers, diminishing returns from placers. Series of declarations and report by Fueros recounting details of Indian attack on Mule train carrying food supplies. In draft letter problems Indians causing for comerciantes and workers noted and more men sent to help in defense. arrieros Mexicanos mentioned. (S. Fiederlein, 5-5-87)

Concerns present condition and advisability of Bonilla's depopulation of province; failure of missionization; economic decline of missions under new Franciscan administration; decline in mission agriculture; decline of mining; decline of commerce; chaos of present spiritual and temporal governing of missions; detachment of Buenavista stationed at powder house at Guaymas; detachment of men from Altar stationed at Pitic; Lafora map; supply reforms; proposal for Colorado River settlements; arrest of Vildosola; poor condition of provincial horse herds; geographic problems created by presidial removal and creation of new line. An important document for history of Sonora. (J. Williams, April 1987)

Long and repetitious Series of documents by real hacienda officials recounting numerous Cases of fraud in regards to payment of royal fifth for gold and silver mined in Nueva Andalucia. Tienda de Cuervo repeatedly petitions virrey for replacement of worn-out guns, swords, and lances for presidial troops in Sonora and Sinaloa. Concludes with documents concerning marriage of Ansa. (A. Tukey, August 1989)

Monserrat advises virrey of the following: Tienda de Cuervo to become interim governor after death of Mendoza; planned inspection of presidial troops by Tienda de Cuervo and reassessment of sufficiency of troop strength and deployment patterns in wake of Indian hostilities; need to enforce payment of royal fifth following discovery of gold in Sonora; suggests a softer approach to problem of reducing Seris and Pimas, although if hostilities continue a forceful response will require additional military resources; recommends granting material rewards to Indians who choose to fight against those tribal members who persist in hostilities. Tienda de Cuervo advises stricter regulation of gold and silver mining in Sonora. Includes tables of weight and estimated value of all gold and silver mined to date in area. (A. Tukey, August 1989)

Castillo de Aysa makes case to viceroy to populate and develop agriculture). expresses fear that northern California will come rest and reprovisioning, anchor in California ports to launch attacks against Philippine galeons, Indians are suspected of trading pearls with English. Long Series of descriptions of potential ports along California coasts. Notes reports of silver deposits near Cerro Arisona, possession of gold, silver, and lead by Papago Indians. Includes some notes on peaceful state of relations between Spaniards and Indians inhabiting the area. (A. Tukey, August 1989)

Letter from fray Gonzalez to virrey concerning repartimiento of Indians in Rio Yaqui area. Complains that this process is the main obstacle to evangelization efforts of missions in Sonora. Notes that forcing Indians to work in mines away from home Villa promotes adulterous behavior, and thus petitions that marriage documents should be brought to work in mines. Complains that Indians cannot support their families because they are not paid for travel time to the mines, which can exceed a month. Also complains that time worked in mines disrupts work in fields, thus leaving Indians unable to pay tribute to church. (A. Tukey, August 1989)

Documents concern reduccion of large number of Sobaipuris in Soanca and Tucson. Mention there is enough land and water in Vicinity and it is hoped they will remain there. Priest from Vac will try to convert them to christianity. Also mention that Sobaipuris will probably imitate Papagos already living in Vac. Brief mention of low effort in exploiting Cananea's mines (J. Tapia, April, 1988)

Mention that there appears to be much silver around Cananea, but people lack materials to exploit resources. Muleteers prohibited to transport gold to Mexico without guides and escorts. (J. Tapia, March, 1988)