Mission Establishment

Accounts from San Francisco's presidio from 1776-1781, description of its creation since moragas arrival. Plan of San Francisco's presidio. Receipts from workers with detailed description of materials used and amount of labor required. Description of presidio and the advantages of moving it closer to the barracks to protect San Francisco's port. Letter asking for money to cover expenses for years 1785-1794 and advising not to change the location of the presidio to a more Solid land, instead a convent should be established in San Francisco to produce some monetary gain and conquer the Indians. Correspondence back and forth regarding relocation of presidio, finally permission is denied. Informe sent by Cordova describes how due to the close location of the presidio to the beach, and its construction (Barro y Adobe), every time they have to fire the canons in order to protect themselves the walls of the presidio crumble. Due to the size of the port it is impossible to defend it from enemy ships. Maps of San Francisco's bay and presidio. Summary of materials and expenses for building new presidio. (T. Kahana, July 1989)

Informe concerning complaints from Concepcion against a number of frays from misiones fernandinas. Complains include doctrination of Indians in their own languages, baptism without previous instruction, economic inequality between missions, and a number of petty complaints, Concepcion is accused of being crazy, and transfering him to another colegio is recommended. Follows letter from Concepcion asking for audience from virrey and detailed account of situation. Questionnaire sent by Borica to comandantes of presidios asking about situation in misiones; answers describe in some detail every day life of converted Indians including housing, daily diet and clothing in misiones (folios 10-41). Follows copy of informe previously sent to Branciforte by Borica, and now sent to Azanza. Letter from Buenaventura describing in detail con un Muchacho y Le mando que Se Vaya a fornicar. Borica certifies Arenaza's good record in official document. Follows summary of book-keeping in missions of Nueva California. History of religious, military and civil dominance in California since 1772 is described in some detail by Lull, asking to clear the name of the Missiones in California. Fiscal de la real hacienda suggests sending Concepcion back to Spain to avoid scandals. Unsigned document explaining how missions in California should be divided among different orders. In a long document Laruen summarizes in detail everyday life in missions in California special detail on punishment to Indians, number of lashes, instrument etc, claiming that if something, the treatment to Indians is very soft (mui blando el trato), also very detailed account of aranceles of all missions in California. Laruen asks to dismiss the whole incident with Concepcion, explaining that it is all based in anger of neighbor misiones and presidios due to his bad attitude toward them, follows similar detailed account on housing including measurements of dwellings, materials of clothing, money allocated. This informe and particularly the one that follows are an answer to accusations made by Borica and a number of captains of presidios in the area. (folios 63-101, 104-111). Following is a long document from Arillaga explaining discrepancies between reports from missionaries and military personnel, he explains cada uno dice de la Feria, como Le fue en ella. (folios 112-119). Letters from fiscal de la real hacienda clear the misiones from any fault, concluding the expediente

Continuation of inventory of contents found in security boxes relating to missions and hacienda of Arroyo Zarco. Main contents and careful detail of individual types of documents including correspondence, paid and outstanding debts, credits, wills and dowries of grants to individuals and missions, hacienda finances, colegio establishment and finances, lawsuits and depositions against individuals, land grants and inheritance, state of missions by the procurador general de missions, pending lawsuits at time of document writing. (J. M. Johnson, April 1990)

Contents of several security boxes Cajas described and inventoried by date, point of origin and number. Four major and donation of lands to missions, including receipts. 2) redempciones bills, debts and donations collected. 3) doze escripturas license for California expedition and exploration by king and Spanish officials to viceroy and others for mission establishment. 4) cedulas - diligencias juridicas for costs of California and asian mission establishment. Various documents deal with related economic aspects of navy and presidios, missionary sinodos, provincial house chapels, armadas, funeral expenses, public work construction. (J. M. Johnson, October 1989)

Despacho orders amount paid to Armesto as amount due him for the construction of a ship to be used for the California missions. Documents status report of old one the San Francisco Xavier and refers to regulations for building new one, la Concepcion Indians to be used for construction. (J. M. Johnson, August 1989)

Restates purposes of establishing missions since the conquest and particularly on frontier since 1718. Discusses distribution of profits on church lands due to good harvests and price increases. Feedback from certain priests is that ethically surpluses should be equally divided among all presidios. (J. M. Johnson, August 1989)

Folios 334-336 from Fages to Bucareli concerns question of distribution of land and furnishing of cattle to settlers who marry Indian women converts in Monterrey jurisdiction. Remaining supplies and cattle for Lower California missions and presidios; of necessary personnel, food, cattle and arms for their defense; advises of shipments and receipts of items to same by paquebots San Carlos, el Principe and San Antonio. 2) ff. 341-344 are 1770 instrucciones from Croix to the Cabo of the Escolta de la mision in 16 capitulos including regulations for distribution of weapons, defensive measures to be taken, treatment and punishment of Indians, care of horses and cattle, food supplies and rations, relations with missionaries and Gentiles, punishments for contraband and illicit sexual relations with Indians. (J. M. Johnson, July 1989)

Very useful analysis of conditions of Nueva California with details as to funds and costs to be incurred by military and include - economic benefits and improvements in cattle raising, improvements in agriculture techniques and crops grown. Role of missionaries and changes due to and since Jesuit expulsion. Provisions to be supplied to Indians, settlers, military and missionaries; militia formation; housing and choosing community leaders; required annual inspection of establishments; work habits, recreation and rewards to combat idleness. Salt supply and transportation. Appeal to be made to viceroy to enforce law should clergy refuse to oppose regulations. Relocation of include - establishment of towns, workshops, mills with suggestions on where to locate, what to produce, what to teach Indians. Military service for residents of Nueva California. Use of whale sperm and fat. Shipbuilding. Development and taxes. Investments and profits. Accounting procedures for agriculturalists and religious. Military, religious, Naval salaries. Better communication needed for cooperative trade between two Californias. Importance of further exploration of coast. (J. M. Johnson, may 1989)