Mines

General index of expedientes from the province of Sonora from 1730-1793. Chronological list of expedientes concerning varied topics. More information and richer detail for last twenty years Tepocas, discovery of 'Camino' to peninsula of Californias, comercio, mining, government administration, governing of Sinaloa and Nueva Vizcaya, budget of presidio of Santa Rosa, expedicion of Sonora, Placeres of gold, archbishopric of Durango, mines of real del Rosario, expenses from administration of Yuma Indians. Many references made to presidios. Not much information given on any one topic but good reference for general affairs of Sonora. (J. Acheson, December 1988)

Population census from San Ildephonso de la Cieneguilla carried out by governor Crespo in 1774-1775. It consists of a list of men, women, and children. An estimation of the number of Hiaqui and Pima Indians is also given. Tueros requests Bucareli not move him from Cieneguillas to el Pitic. Informes from Michelena, Maitorena, and Bergana to Crespo concerning the condition of commerce in los Placeres. All of them emphasize that the condition of production of los Placeres decreases from may to October because the Indians go to the hills and the Spaniards engage in agriculture tasks. Includes a report from Crespo dealing with the mine, commerce, population and agricultural conditions of los Placeres. (R. Gomez, November 1989)

Letter to viceroy requesting licence to visit court and explain issues about mission protection and ways of bringing Christian religion to Apaches as fray Guadalupe feels moment to christianize Apaches is at hand as they are being attacked by Comanches. Fray Guadalupe feels that after Apaches are reduced by means of religion the Comanches would also accept doctrine which would pave way to explore northern territories. Marquez de Altamira advises viceroy about difficulty to do so as there are not enough soldiers in presidios to escort missionaries in this mission. Viceroy follows advise of Altamira. (A. Dell'acqua, January 1988)

Documents from virrey to Corbalan concerning investigation into Fueros' administration of Cieneguilla mine, and Fueros' subsequent release from duties due to poor health. Includes letter remonstrating Corbalan for improper investigation of matter, letter releasing Fueros from responsibility for debt owed real hacienda, cover letter of Fueros' passport to Mexico City. (J. H. Ochs, January 1988)

Corbalan acknowledges receipt of virrey's letter announcing that latter has received account of taxes (Cuenta de Tributos) from real del Rosario. (J. H. Ochs, January 1988)

Letter from viceroy acknowledging receipt of six informes from Corbalan; orders Corbalan to investigate Fueros' administration of mines at Cieneguilla.

Concerns establishment of a mint that was desperately needed and near demise of this project because of a lack of silver, this was reason for the order stating that one third of all metals had to be turned in in exchange for coinage mentioned earlier in Vol. 227 ff. 0147-0159; said order was contested by a Series of institutions, reconvening of the junta de la real hacienda to investigate 4,000 Marcos de Plata missing from the treasury, prohibitions on enacting above were rescinded, also need regulation concerning minting of coinage in Nueva Vizcaya; Bonavia's plan to have the real hacienda sell tobacco at a markup have not produced the income he had expected, cites the epidemic of previous year, price, and black market in cigars as factors in low sales, convenes a junta provisional to discuss revenue producing measures, proposed instituting a 'patriotic loan' to be exacted from unidentified sources, paid for with taxes on mining activities (which include the one third provision mentioned earlier), Bonavia stresses the inability of the settlers of the area to provide any more revenue from contributions; letters mentioned in miscellaneous notes discuss in general terms revenue and costs in Provincias Internas de Occidente; letter from junta Superior requesting documents from the junta provisional convene by Bonavia, comments on mint establishment states that metals involved were to be remitted to the capital and that metals to be contributed to mint more than cover the shortage of revenue discussed, letter includes an excerpt from another letter that points to the exceedingly large troop strength as a cost that can be reduced, mentions the taxes imposed on some mining functions (mentioned earlier in Vol. 227 ff. 147-159) whose effects have been a duplication of taxes because Mexico City similarly taxes same items, mentions returning money collected in Durango, mentions a tax imposed on the shipment of livestock into other provinces imposed by Bonavia as being an unauthorized measure and letter recommends that virrey rescind said tax, letter mentions that fiscal's interpretation of patriotic loan is that he does not See the benefit of such measure given the way it will be paid back. (O. Velez, September 1989)

Most important documents will be referenced below by folio no. Most unusual document is letter to Pison signed and likely written by his wife regarding his importance to family (f. 308). Incredibly filthy swear words attributed to him, directed against priest during mass, quoted and underlined in ff. 244-245. Useful diagnosis of ailment (sinocat putrida) and simple treatment prescribed of better diet, sleep, exercise by surgeon (f. 316 ?) Traces processes of judicial procedure in determination of charges of other bad conduct on Pison's part, brought by teniente de gobernador Moreno in Loreto. Included is detailed service and conduct record and witnessed testimonies of Pison's past military service; and other biographical information. Accused of years of drunkenness, womanizing, thievery, setting bad examples for mission Indians. Jailed at mission; some witnesses testify that he reacted to provocation by others; Pison requests change of venue for unbiased trial and accessibility to witnesses for his defense who are themselves in prison in Guadalajara. Released by authorities on bail paid by Ramon Espinosa; although his mine personal effects are kept. At trial, jailed prisoners clear him of murder of Osio, by swearing latter died by drowning. Pison countercharges Moreno with beating and refusal to allow his case to go before Barri. Provides motive for Moreno's silencing him by citing evidence of Former's absconding with treasury funds and illegal trade in alcoholic beverages. Missionaries and Armona testify to his generally good character, despite drinking bouts. Final decision, however, by Valcarcel; approved by viceroy is that Pison must be punished by losing personal effects, mine, military title and lifetime banishment from Californias. Ff. 328-331, when punishment given, Pison petitions Bucareli to allow him for temporary stay in Loreto with family to make financial arrangements before his expulsion. (J. M. Johnson, July 1989)

Very useful analysis of conditions of Nueva California with details as to funds and costs to be incurred by military and include - economic benefits and improvements in cattle raising, improvements in agriculture techniques and crops grown. Role of missionaries and changes due to and since Jesuit expulsion. Provisions to be supplied to Indians, settlers, military and missionaries; militia formation; housing and choosing community leaders; required annual inspection of establishments; work habits, recreation and rewards to combat idleness. Salt supply and transportation. Appeal to be made to viceroy to enforce law should clergy refuse to oppose regulations. Relocation of include - establishment of towns, workshops, mills with suggestions on where to locate, what to produce, what to teach Indians. Military service for residents of Nueva California. Use of whale sperm and fat. Shipbuilding. Development and taxes. Investments and profits. Accounting procedures for agriculturalists and religious. Military, religious, Naval salaries. Better communication needed for cooperative trade between two Californias. Importance of further exploration of coast. (J. M. Johnson, may 1989)

Documents concern reopening of case against Ramon. Charges brought against Ramon are stated, witnesses testify against him. Libertine life of troops under Ramon's command; gambling among troops and with Ramon; drinking to excess; Ramon employs soldiers illegally in his personal services; and steals cattle from neighboring lands; Ramon's releasing of youth in company Charged with rape; and Ramon's arbitrary use of power to imprison others are all cited against him by the witnesses. Later documents concern Ramon's background and Superior record. Ramon denies all charges against him and gives his reasons for his actions. Ramon describes in detail the soldiers in his service and of their work in his mines and household. He also denies excessive gambling and drinking. (P. Lenz, October 1989)