Mission Abandonment

Documents concerning Ortiz Parrilla's expedition against Seris. Includes Correa's physical description of Isla del Tiburon; Ortiz Parrilla's discussion of condition of province, and military plans, indictment of Rodriguez Gallardo's plans vis-a- Vis Seris and Rodriguez Gallardo's rebuttal and countercharges. Also, testimony concerning condition of Seris after expedition. (J. H. Ochs, November 1987)

Main theme of documents is secularization of missions, positive, negative effects of it. First group of folios, however, concerns construction of church at Ygollo, project commissioned to several craftsmen whose work is later found shoddy; governor demands revision of architectural plans, assessment of work to date; new master 'albaniles' hired; new plans (folio 3), itemized cost of supplies, salaries submitted; Pison Indian, Balthasar de la Cruz, major proponent of project; he and Young Boy only Pisones remaining at mission, Pames in area not interested in church. Topic of documents shifts as discussion turns to inventorying of 'temporalidades' at several abandoned/secularized missions, including that at Ygollo, now controlled by 'justicias'; 'frayes' assigned to travel to missions and inventory goods, including cattle, furniture, tools, etc.; delayed by severe drought; inventories finally taken; also included are accounts of cattle, etc. Received, purchased from missions by 'ministros.' following inventories, discussion of decadence suffered by missions since their secularization ensues; no longer able to convert, 'reduccir' Indians, buildings in poor physical condition. Final folios include 'memorias' dealing with issues mentioned above. (L. Kerr, June 1989)

Concerns relations with Indians who were once in Gualeguas mission but who abandoned it roaming freely in the hills; desire of fray Barragan not to reopen mission to them and governor's support for this proposal. (K. Hubin, September 1989)

Concerns soldiers' duties at Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion mission with Indians and how the Former abused their power, physically abusing Indians and taking their plots of land for personal use; reactions of Indians and new demands for protection. (K. Hubin, September 1989)

Correspondence between Gonzalez de Santianez, miel Noriega and Mayorga discusses Indian mission desertion, unspecified hostilities at Punta de Lampasos and cost/necessity of reestablishing garrison there. Confirmation of royal orders concerning use of sealed paper in Indian grievance petitions; general and military pardons in honor of royal birth; deregulation of mercury trade; sales tax collection. Letters Infanteria, arrival in Monterrey to assume governorship, reestablishment of abandoned nitrate works at Punta de Lampasos. (J. Higgins, January 1989)

Administrative concerns: Cabildo, Tabacco. Abandonment of presidios of Adaes, Orcoquiza, and San Antonio and of missions. Concerns transport of artillery, remaining property of king, troops and 500 vecinos. Establishment of new detachment. Need to obey Oconor's instructions in the new regulations. Mission inventories received. Details of participants, including escorts and interpreter in visit to Indians. Request of corn, beans, salt for Indians. Peace successful with 3 friendly nations. Over 4,000 pesos spent on gifts for Indians. Abuses of arms given to Indians. Details of campaign against Comanches for livestock thefts. Apache thefts. Suspension of Cabildo. Freedom granted to mission Indian. Insubordination of Pacheco. Visit of Oconor and inspection by Rubio. Comments on quality and condition of troops and equipment. Concerns power and authority of presidio capitans under new regulations; capitans subordinate to comandante inspector. Request for coastal Indians for missions; apostate Indians for auxiliaries. Tancahues arrive in display of peace. Publication and distribution of vandos about collection of old currency. (L. L. Woodward, May 1988)

Rich details of history and settlement of missions and presidios near San Fernando. Founding and abandonment of presidio of Texas. Details of Indian invasion of mission of los Adaes, French and Indian fighting against Spanish. Gives geographical limits of province of Texas, describes fruits cultivated, resources for pasturing, construction, water, wildlife, animals, commerce, mining. Discusses war with Apaches and inability to reduce them. Establishment of San Fernando and population figures. Request for troops in San Sabas; cattle, horses, provisions in Adaes due to Indians leaving missions, ranches needing to be reestablished, Indian war hindering exploitation of land, risk of families leaving. Ripperda responds that movement of troops will be held up until he can provide for detachment to San Sabas. (L. L. Woodward, February1988)

Correspondence between Sonoran governor and virrey 1775, concerning civil and military administration. Missions reorganization. Transfer of government officials. Indian attacks and pursuit of Indians. Indian fugitives. Military promotions and cashier appointment. (J. Marroquin, August 1988)

Correspondence between viceroy, comandante Croix and officials within Provincias Internas of which following stand out. Transferring of monies from Caxas reales to Mexico but of new coinage. Separation of capitan Laso from command as captain of dragones de Espana and replaced by his Brother. Authorization to recruit personnel in Chihuahua to replace retired personnel and injured personnel. Transfer of two bison (civolos) from presidio Bahia to Mexico in route to Spain as gift to king. Various documents on disturbance of the peace. Request for teachers from Spain to guide Indians in the cultivation and process of linen. Burning of presidio Orcoquisa and establishment of new settlements in Coaguila. Payment of 10 and 5 pesos respectively by claimants of ownership of mules and horses recovered by military personnel set by viceroy. Transportation of new pistols from Spain to presidios in Provincias Internas. (A. Dell'acqua April 1988)

Documents relating to archives of area of Provincias Internas requested by Caballero de Croix new appointee of king to be comandante general. These documents include every aspect of life in such provinces going back many years. (A. Dell'acqua, March 1988)