Mines

Consists of Series of undetailed, concise references to state of Nayarit mines, troops, and native inhabitants. (A. Tukey, July 1988)

Documents concerning the stationing of Destacamento de Voluntarios de Cataluna at presidio of Mesa del Tonati for the purpose of inspection and reform of Nayarit military groups. Includes type set printed passport and detailed itinerary from Mexico to Nayarit. Garavito makes inventory of personnel and placing of mines under presidial control, tightening of troop discipline, reconstruction of conduits to bring water to presidios, upgrading of mail service, and forcing of unoccupied Indians to provide labor assistance to military. (A. Tukey, July 1988)

Lopez y Padilla argues for reduction of military presence in Nayarit based on passivity of native inhabitants. Describes concentration of Indians into three pueblos by Jesuits, with further security provided by restrictions on travel and possession of weapons. Argues that danger to missionaries minimal due to presence of Milicia at nearby silver mine and the fact that entire area is surrounded by Spanish settlements. (A. Tukey, July 1988)

Documents relating to promotions of military personnel within request for havitos militares by Castanos. Request to circulate edict about education, treatment and occupation of slaves within Provincias Internas. Edict to prohibit use of military uniforms by civilians. (A. Dell'acqua, November 1987)

Discourse from Lumbreras, commander of presidio of Buenavista to viceroy Bucareli y Ursua concerning atrocities committed by Piatos and Pimas Bajos in Vicinity of aforementioned presidio. Atrocities include pervasive cattle and horse rustling, murder of Indians and a Spaniard, abduction of Indian woman. Lumbreras adds that he has no spare forces to battle unrest, and requests detachment of 20 or 30 soldiers be stationed at San Jose de Pimas to suppress Piman bellicosity and guard road to Cieneguilla. He also adds that lawless behavior manifested by Indian groups is result of semi-nomadic lifestyle. Included is letter to Lumbreras, forwarded to viceroy, from missionary at Tecoripa describing events which corroborates information given by Former. In responses to autos, viceroy suggests that Lumbreras commence further reduccion of barbarous Indians, using force if necessary; letter authorizing installation of Trespalacios as lieutenant of flying company of Buenavista upon retirement of Viarraga from position. (J. H. Ochs, July 1987)

Minutas de cartas from Croix written in response to letters and informes from Elizondo concerning military affairs in Sonora. Virrey instructs Elizondo to continue mining operations at Cieneguita; to reiterate to indios rebeldes that they submit to authority of crown. Also, minuta that refers to unmentioned issue at presidio of Tubaca. (J. H. Ochs, June 1987)

(L. L. Woodward, June 1988)

Discussion of orders re: troops for Pacific coast defense. Military personnel placement. Two Apache Mescaleros arrive from Nueva Viscaya to work as servants; future plans for them and need for precaution. Concerns Chihuahua treasury, transaction of turquoise, and advances made from Alamos. Goleta Sonora to take supplies to Loreto to relieve lack of food;suggests killing cattle in missions to relieve food problem. Concerns letter about completing companias volantes in Nueva Viscaya and funds for Catalunan families. Concerns expediente about papel sellado from governor of Nuevo Santander. Return of funds from Durango to Chihuahua treasury and to Alamos. Concerns remittance of testimonies about tribute not collected in Rosario Molaya and Copala and mines payment from Guadalajara. Concerns accounts kept by Ventura Moreno in the piquete de dragones de Espana; reenlistment in Compania Franca de Voluntarios de Cataluna; and position of Vargas in piquete de dragones de Mexico. (L. L. Woodward, May 1988)

Documents are of military, fiscal and administrative nature Alcabala on tobacco, gunpowder and playing cards. Promotion of Former comandante general Croix. Duties of civil officers, including gobernador, corregidores, etc. Judicial regulations of San Carlos. Assignment of military personnel and relations of officers with civil administration. Collection of old coinage (Antigua Moneda) in provinces.(J. M. Johnson, July 1988)

Documents deal with following topics: Urgency of need for supplying frontier presidios with firearms and causes of delays in shipment from Spain. Military and religious salaries and monte pio for California. Promotions, commissions, assignments and transfers requested because of hardship on frontier for personnel. Request for passport for transfer of recruit to another province. Need for reprinting reglamentos. Alcabala on tobacco, playing cards, gunpowder. Neve named as gobernador of California. Administrative matters concerning postal service, aduana at Chihuahua, supply of mercury for mines and salary and duties of assayer at rosario. (J. M. Johnson, July 1988)