Mission Administration

Concerns problems between Paterna and teniente regarding mules and provisions and who retains responsibility to take them. The teniente refuses to give Paterna sufficient mules. Paterna needs Indians to grind corn. Requests Palou to require governor to send more provisions and relocate more Indians to mission. (M. Dannemiller, March 1988)

Description of seven missions with large Spanish populations and very few conversions. Asks that Spanish move to towns in missions and relinquish more land to missions. Suggests that incorporating some missions might increase conversions and that each mission should have two ministers - one permanent and one to seek converts. Areche advises Bucareli as to these requests. Suggests that viceroy allow incorporation so long as they remain self-sufficient. Also recommends that he deny missions a second minister due to lack of funds to fulfill request.

Relates attempts to present new method of government in new missions and attempts to increase reducciones. Describes some campaigns as successful while others merely increased enemy and so need increases for military protection and for conquests to curb violent acts. Concerns search for riches in new missions as in old for self-sufficiency. Discusses the distribution of land and requests for annual inventory of missions and listing of Indians. States that Indians of San Bernardo are very obedient, attempts are being made to give them Spanish values and that current system allows for Spanish control until Indians can govern themselves and increase population. Governors suggest a new system is needed to keep pace of conquests, that Indians should move into towns and that Jesus and Nizarron should join and share water supplies. Relates failed efforts to establish new missions with adequate water, land and production in 1756 and 1767. (M. Dannemiller, 1987)

Describes mission conditions in Nueva Mexico. Concerns the elections of governor and mayor. Fermin discusses inherent nature of Indians and their agriculture. Describes their grain crops, textiles, baptisms and marriages. Complains of a lack of missionaries. Describes continuing reducciones and difficulties due to Apache invasions and increased mission abandonment. (M. Dannemiller, October 1987)

Concerns current mission practices and suggestions for more effective government. Regarding use of agricultural land for grazing. Governors request a list of all Indians and their property and that they be given land to cultivate near Spanish so to learn by example. Concerns establishment of towns with Plazas and proper missions where Indians must live to learn doctrine which will cure their faults and protect them from Apaches. Suggests that orders taking Indians away for more than month be prohibited, that missions provide agricultural teaching and that ecclesiastic and secular be kept separate to maintain Indian loyalty. Concerning commerce, should attempt to decrease distance to market, guarantee fair compensation and prohibit Spanish from controling Indian trade. Concerns methods to convince Indians of benefits of reduccion and to prohibit them from communicating with other tribes. Suggests that recently converted Indians should be given military jobs and that priests should accompany troops for moral and spiritual support. (M.dannemiller, October 1987)

Concerns an entire range of mission activities as described by Sonoran leaders to viceroy. Contains many suggestions for administration of missions, mostly on treatment of Indians. Quotes original purpose of conquest as stated by Alexandro VI. expresses need for schools, the teaching of Castellano, written permission for traveling Indians, static position of priests, appointment of two priests in case of illness and even distribution of Spanish population. Discusses the punishment of Indians, prohibiting them from liquor, gambling and salary advances. Describes Indian life and agriculture, their crops, cattle and weavings. Priests want them to establish in towns accessible to church in homes of stone or Adobe which resist fire. Relates difficulties and distances in reaching jobs and transporting goods. States that each Indian should have a horse to hunt Javali with their zaetas and harpoons. Hiaquis are hardworking but basically very lazy so must be given fruitful labor and compensate accordingly to men, women and children over 10. Spanish should not be permitted to buy Indian homes or land. Suggests jobs which benefit others such as in mines. Concerns Indian obligation to church in terms of tribute, priests salary and community building. Asks tithes from Durango be passed to Sonora. Describes gold and silver adornments and wine supplies of some churches and destruction of others due to Zeris and Pimas. Description of trip made by Ganzes to know and convert Indians. Finally, while Indian foreman should be chosen to give priests more freedom, governors should be appointed not elected by Indians. (M. Dannemiller, October 1987)

Concerns the response of governors and capitans of presidios to the viceroy's instructions for a new method of government. Contains a complete list of governors to receive the report. Comments on use of the method as pertains to the missions of Texas. Describes the condition of missions and the relations with Indians. Descriptions of religious routines, prayer, teaching, baptisms and weekly religious activities. Relates new year's process of election of governor, mayor and sheriff. Concerns economic conditions and mission sustenance crops of corn, beans, cotton and cana de Castilla. There was an abundance of cattle (bovine, ovine and caprine) but lacking equine due to frequent attacks. Cotton cloth, ponchos and blankets were made in missions. Contains detailed description of mission life, men and women's duties as well as wardrobe of converts and Elite. Suggestions made for improvements by example such as increasing Spanish populations to serve as examples of culture, government, industry and civil harmony. Authors offer the missions under their administration as examples and describe older methods which have served their development. Under Menchaca, necessities are kept and equally distributed in the missions and used to maintain troops. All administrators feel current system of government to be effective.

Correspondence between viceroy, gov. Munoz, and others concerning extortion charges. Accusations against Julian de las Casas. Request review of mission books (23.5 folios). Discrepancy in books; six pages missing. Rich in info about livestock. Rich in info about mission salaries. Casas exonerated. Detailed plan for future mission administrative policy sent to viceroy from Sierra Gorda including plans for treatment of Indians, mayordomo salaries, bookkeeping and livestock care. (K. Mccaston, September 1989)

Letters concerning extortion at the Vaqueros mission in Nueva Santander. Accusations that caretaker Julian de las Casas extorted livestock and their products. Document rich in general livestock information. Includes letters of testimony by several parties confirming the extortion charges. (K. Mccaston September 1989)

(See preceeding folios for more details of issue.) Ximenez, Pison Indian from area of Ygollo mission, lodges complaints against fathers, alleging poor administration of mission, inventory of items at Escandon, other missions, from livestock to kitchen utensils, also expenditures to people of area for items and services purchased from them; testimony regarding accuracy of inventory and Cuenta; testimony regarding 86 Bueyes at mission that died; regarding alleged Meco cattle raid; 1766 decreto regarding rules of mission administration (b33-34); letter from frayes of Ygollo mission (3-22-1778) concerning persecution suffered at hands of Indians, climate (b35-36); letter from Father Ordonez criticizing frayes' defense, that Religiosos trying to escape doctrinal, instructional obligations; issue discussed into late 1780s. (L. Kerr, August 1989)