Mining Supplies

Copies of correspondence concerning mines on the California peninsula, with some updated notes. Ff.62 mentions the then current price on the peninsula for silver paste (seven pesos). In particular, the correspondence centers on the importation of azogue (quicksilver) for use in the processing of silver. There is mention of the amounts needed, the costs, the method of transporting it, etc. (S. Langmack, may 1990)

(D. Marksz, October 1987)

Sagarzurrieta emphasizes that payment for 20 Cases of gunpowder should be in silver, not paper currency, despite danger in transport. Order that real hacienda be reimbursed in silver for all sales of gunpowder, nitrate, sulphur; some of previous payment in libranzas had insufficient funds. Order retroactive to 1811. (O. Velez, February 1990)

Report of diputacion cabecera de Jurisdiccion de minas; begins with three printed pages of guidelines for reports from each real (mining town). Each real to list 1) number of people, condition of town; 2) names of mines, owners, products; 3) number, names of haciendas supported by mines; 4) quantity of Mineral extracted; 5) quantity of Azoque needed proportional to Actual mine products; 6) list of natural resources in area of mines; 7) drawbacks of area. Report concerns primarily mines of Chihuahua, Santa Eulalia, Cosiguriachi, Parral. Gives total, annual silver production 1703 to 1791 in Santa Eulalia, 1731 to 1791 in Chihuahua. Discusses peso value of silver, distances between mines, other places; history of founding of Santa Eulalia, including names of all duenos with list of assets of each. Mentions some women mine owners; mine disasters; raiding by Apaches; mining supplies. (A. Dean, August 1989)

Fuentes' letter to Palacio includes quote from Palacio with stated goal of fully exploiting mines of San Carlos Tamualipa suspension of Alcavala, Media anata; land made available to miners; extension of cattle grazing; wood, materials and equipment tax free; sale of gun powder at Mexico City price; quicksilver to be sold at San Luis price; as well as other ways of promoting metal production. Palacios to Croix expresses desire of miners for priest sundays and for festival days; tax on silver to construct church; need to develop water system. Discussion of favorable metal production in San Nicolas. List of group of miners some who are witnesses and elected members included with Nava and Fuentes in report promoting mining. Fuentes in letter to Palacios explains that some mines are not being worked due to absence of their discoverers, uneconomical conditions for exploitation, and lack of tools; abundance of veins and continual discovery. Lists made by Fuentes of San veins; quantity per load of ore extracted at each mine. Partial copy of duty charges of Alcabala from may - June 1768, includes who sold what to whom (especially food) (ff 316). Letter from Nava to Palacio discusses state of individual processing abilities; production capacity. Letter also tells duty Charged on silver and gold. (L. L. Woodward, October 1988)

Correspondence concerning observations made by Mariscal de Campo while visiting Villas in Nuevo Santander; comments on mines inspected in Tamaulipa, recommendations for various modifications in mining procedures and policies; Mariscal informs of illegally imported tobacco confiscated by his men; describes state of hacienda de Dolores where Indians receive little religious education, stresses need for such influence as well as for proper protection of Indians by all missions; itemizes taxes and other money collected at each town for real hacienda; Mariscal's companion in charge of 'repartimiento'; both men involved in selection of gobernador Interino. (L. Kerr, October 1988)

Documents report Apaches killed Pimas near Tucson, taking captives and horses; Apaches exchange captives in Corodeguachi, one of them a sargeant who reports of future raids by Apaches. Soldiers attack Apaches killing several. Apaches attack merchant near Cananea destroying mining tools, and they also steal horses in reveicu; Apaches kill friendly Indians in Bac, and killed other people in Cumpas. Seris and Pimas kill people in Santa Barbara, Sauce, and in Pitic they kill friendly Indians. Troops dispatched to Buenavista and San Joseph to protect area. Soldiers attack Seris and Pimas in Sauce killing several Indians. Pineda states soldiers are in continous movements but since there are so many places where the Indians come from, impossible to search for all of them. (J. Tapia, may, 1988)

It is stated that Cananea is being abandoned for lack of minerals and not due to enemy Indians. People spread out through province searching for more mines, and it is impossible to protect all of them. People lack resources (money and tools) to adequately exploit mines. (J. Tapia, April, 1988)

Concerns present military crisis of Nueva Vizcaya; describes settlements; enemy raids; economic decline (in cattle and in mining); reflection on nature of war, emphasizing its cruelty, death and destruction; goods taken by Apaches (clothing livestock and tobacco); actions of Galvez in defense of province; shortage of charcoal, water in mines; Apaches strategy and tactics; many advantages enemy enjoys; their clothing, crops, campaign logistics and weapons (bow, lance, Shields, Cueras and use of guns); comments on Apache scalp dance; describes Chihuahua garrison; prospects of new campaign; need for recruits; notes many non-Indian fighting duties of presidios; reflects consequences of relocations; proposes new presidio sites; considers hard life of soldado de Cuera; his equipment; problems of pay; revenue from tobacco monopoly; Bucareli sends word that he has called council of war to evaluate situation in detail (J. Williams, may 1987)

(D. Uhlman, July 1988)