Mission Establishment

Concerns two different topics. 1) apprehension and punishment of Frenchmen entering New Spain. Came to trade with the Indians and taken prisoner by Spanish. Their goods confiscated, some were sent to Mexico City and others imprisoned in los Adaes. 2) formation of a mission at mouth of trinity River. Comments are given on available natural resources for building of mission, the Indians of the region, and the necessary Spanish to people the settlement, most of latter coming from los Adaes. The threat of French encroachment is used to emphasize importance of new mission. (M. Bowman) (1979)

Jazinto de Barrios y Jaurigue sent Marcos Ruiz to investigate reports of a French settlement at mouth of trinity River in Texas. Ruiz took 25 soldiers and received help of 31 Vidai Indians. He took four people prisoners and an inventory of goods captured, which is given. When threatened with attack by Indians friendly to French. Ruiz threatened to kill French if Indians attacked. French were persuaded to calm their Indian friends. Documents also includes request of Orcoquisas Indians for a mission. One of prisoners was Jose Blanpen (Blancpain). (M. Bowman) (1979)

Main topic of this collection of documents is the encroachment of the French in the Texas region. Discusses the founding of the San Xavier presidio to combat the French. Mentions the case with which French could enter New Spain. Also discusses illicit trade between Spaniards and French, especially with the Former governor of Texas. Finally the documents probe relationship between the disgruntled Luis de San Dionizio and the Indians of Texas, and the latter's preference for dealing with the French. (M. Bowman) (1979)

Orders a detachments of soldiers from Adais and Loretto to San Xavier River area and discusses geography of area. Also discusses Rancheria settlement of Horquissas Indians. (R. Graham) (1979)

Lengthy discussion of Yaqui revolt, mistreatment of Indians by Spaniards, mission policy (9/4/1741). Letter to Oviedo concerns Yaqui unrest (8/14/1739). (T. Sheridan) (1977)

King notes Leon's expedition to Bahia de Espiritu Santo in search of French, and his reports of numerous gentile Indians in area, especially Texas Indians, who could easily be converted. Texas Indians described as algo politicos y de usso Mas racional y tratable que los demas. instructs bishop to establish 5 or 6 missions in area to convert Indians, secure area against French. States that 6 missionaries accompanied Leon on his second entrada. King not too impressed with Franciscan missionary efforts in Coaguila. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Series of documents concerning Paredes recommendations for rectifying problems of Texas missions. Includes location of enemies and potential mission sites. Discusses Indian interrelationships. Some data on native agriculture and hunting. Some troop numbers. Discusses a meeting between the Nechas, Nassories, Nacodoches and Adays. (R. Perez) (1977)

Notifies of the founding of the mission San Francisco Xavier, and requests the usual amount of provisions from the government. says that the governor of Coahuila has not supplied enough. Followed by an auto from the governor contradicting this. (R. Perez) (1977)

Two petitions by Franciscans to work among the Apaches. One notes that four Apaches came to the mission San Antonio asking for such effort. (R. Perez) (1977)

Cites legal justification to protest founding of a mission for the Pampoas, Pasties and Suliejames at the proposed site, which is within three leagues of a Teja mission. The Tejas are enemies of the other groups. (R. Perez) (1977)