Mission Administration

Documents address same issue as in sequence 2, allegations of mistreatment of Pisones; defense offered by missionaries, arguing that severe drought conditions made difficult proper care of Indians. Includes 'cuenta' of expenditures from mission Ygollo to various individuals for services, activities, goods (folios a53-68). Copy of inventory of goods at Ygollo and Escandon, 12-22-76 (folios b1-17), from religious paraphernalia to livestock; weight and content of 'copas', 'platos' etc. Given. Folios b17-22 include testimony of residents in Escandon area concerning burning of Santa Barbara mission (later rebuilt and renamed Escandon) in 1753 by Tanambres, during which padre, captain killed; also includes further inventory of Escandon items. (L. Kerr, August 1989)

Concerns alleged mistreatment of Pisones by missionaries at Ygollo; presentation, verification of charges a lengthy process, issue continues in sequences 3 and 4. Gimenes, captain of Pisones, outlines poor administration of mission, mistreatment of Pisones who inhabit area and care for mission livestock. Beseeches governor to finish construction on church first promised them in 1749. Informs him that Indians started building church years earlier, also do mission farming, but that reverand fathers have them working 'enero a enero' without payment, assistance or food, only reward is death. One Father left with large sum of mission's money. Gimenes has instructed Indians to cease construction of church until conditions improve; Ramirez sent by governor to investigate situation; in subsequent autos, other sides of issue heard. Fathers offer defense in missives to pizzaro; following autos, various inventories made over years of ecclesiastical and secular goods at Ygollo, testimonios verifying information; individuals testify to treatment of Pisones, knowledge of inventory, quality and quantity of harvests, livestock at mission. (L. Kerr, July 1989)

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 tenant Indians and those under protection having to leave missions to make room for another nation (Piedras) who were roaming in countryside stealing for survival; only Indians who were paying taxes could remain on missions; also concerns transferral of title protector de misiones de Concepcion y purificacion from Garcia Davila to Cantu. (K. Hubin, November 1989)

Testimonies on state of missions in Nuevo Santander provide of Indians at mission and identification of their ethnic group, number of Indians christianized, inventory of livestock, political offices held by Indians, amount of land owned, description of agricultural production, quality of soil, rainfall or irrigation specified. Mention of group of Sierra tamualipan Vieja, mention of Mesquites' participation in dances, Mitotes, drinking, and Peyote use, and also past harmful behavior before making peace. Robbery by several Indian groups. Discussion of need for more soldiers to punish Indians who stray from towns and missions. Possibilities of use of cotton and sugar Cane. Also provides information of number of soldiers stationed at missions, military expenses for salaries and supplies, sinodo expenses, and commercial endeavors such as sale of hides. (L. L. Woodward, may 1989)

Concerns index of documents sent from the governor to the viceroy; Serna asks for missionary to indoctrinate Indians in missions lacking religious administration; tools for agriculture are requested; military official asks for funds to buy furniture and books for missions; priest request mourners to pay extra if the he has to have the dead into the church building; military official report on religious practices being overlooked in local missions; alms paid to bishop of reino de Cabras); notice about death of Nicolas Fernandez; missionaries salaries are mentioned. (M. Marroquin, November 1988)

Concerns Bando giving news that the king of Spain has died; notice is given to the viceroy about lack of rain and bad food supplies because of drought; seeds are requested to feed the Indians of the missions; governor of Nuevo Santander ask permission to take care of some health problems (Dolor de estomago and hinchazon de Piernas); viceroy requests information on status of Salinas of Nuevo Santander; notice that Lorca died and is replaced by Munoz as governor. Notice of inspection of Ramo de Alcavalas is given to governor of Nuevo Santander. (M. Marroquin, November 1988)

Concern establishment of a Pueblo called reyna de los Angeles and another one called san Joseph de Guadalupe; construction of three missions in California; arrangements of how new presidios would be provided with horses, cloth, security, and population; estimated number of families to inhabit new presidios; inhabitants for new presidios are required to be in good health. A carpenter and blacksmith are needed so they can make tools and ploughs; recruits for new presidios are required to be married. Part of the army of new presidios is celibate due to lack of Spanish women in area; corn and barley is produced in new presidios to feed the horses; fabric and some garments for boys, girls, women and soldiers is sent to new presidios. (garments include socks, shoes, skirts etc.. Chart in ff.36 and 42 include list of families and inhabitants of new presidios). Index of carpetas de documentos sent to the governor of California (documents are not in here). List of supplies for soldiers in new presidios (saddles, underwears, coats, shoes, cartucheras, frenos de caballo; list of military officials in each of new presidios (ff. 28-29; 60-61); governor of California to send new guidelines for administration of new presidios. (M. Marroquin, October 1988)

Very important document on instructions and rules for founding new missions, presidios and towns. Neve expresses need for equalization of salaries for same rank/position among military, religious and civil personnel. Document divided into titulos, transportation, accountability, rations; crops; horses, mules; craftsmen. II. - lists of officers at each mission, presidio; description of terrain, Indian settlements for planning defensive positions; military escorts to establishments at Santa Barbara channel; salaries of officers/soldiers at four sailers and craftsmen on blandra Pilar, lanchas Lauretana and San Juan hepomuceno. III. - clothing; canons. IV. - armour distribution, types, purposes and accountability of funds; procedures for filling vacancies; evaluations by service reports. Ix. - requires monthly status report of each company. X. - Indian treaties. Xi. -gubernatorial functions regarding (ff. 386-390). - details on selection/training of habilitados (paymasters); accountability to real hacienda, Naval/military superiors and settlers; F. 390 consists of inventory and production data of small animals, cattle, horses, mules. Xiv. Settlement and use of land; supplies; irrigation and crops; house construction; cattle; taxes; regulations re. Establishment and defense in Canal; optimum placement for defense and religious organization along frontier and Camino real. (J. M. Johnson, February 1989)

Neve's correspondence includes (most important documents, service records and promotions, rebuilding mission at San Diego and constructing Capistrano. Details geography of area around San Francisco and Santa Clara mission, especially natural resources. Lists of numbers of officers and craftsmen at four Principal California presidios, supply escorts, real reglamentos pertaining to details of presidio construction and tackle for cavalry companies. Ff. 354-356 is list of salaries and numbers of officers, craftsmen, and rations for presidios crews and ships, including Actual costs vs. Those alloted by missionaries, income from tobacco and other crops, purchase and distribution of mules, horses, and supplies, shipping, tackle for soldiers and settlers. Ff. 359-360 estimates of rations per single man and families, after spoilage in salaries by rank for officers, craftsmen and Naval personnel. Ff. 368-369 allotments of supply rations and money for presidios in Santa Barbara channel. (J. M. Johnson, February 1989)