Mission Finances

(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)

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)

Letter from conde de Sierra Gorda to virrey describes Indian desertions from mission at Maquines. The Indians' inclination to live in the mountains is cited as the cause. Indian abuses and killings committed by these deserters is given. Mission sends groups to recapture the Indians. Mission depicted as lacking in Indians. Mission need of Indians to work fields is a priority for missions. Finances of mission depends upon cheap Indian labor. Two padres, Misioneros are instructed to go and persuade Indians to return to mission. (P. Lenz, September 1989)

Miscellaneous documents, including lists of arms, funds and papal bulls sent to San Luis Potosi from Nuevo Santander. F. 230-231 gives a list of the number of arms (Espadas, Lanzas, caravinos). F. 133 gives a list of the number of bulas. F. 134 gives total cost figures. F. 134 also gives an account of the total money received pertaining to the creation of new missions. F. 236 is a list of prices paid for Indians, of cargo costs, and of costs of founding new missions. F. 237 advises payment of money to six needy families. Other documents concern amount of money assigned to various missions and the salaries paid to soldiers. Ff. 139-140 are especially important as it contains the monthly cost breakdowns for the years 1777, 1778, and 1779. (P. Lenz, September 1989)

Documents concerning whether or not a mission named San Andres ever existed in Monterrey, Nuevo Reino de Leon. Rodriguez Campomanes claims mission never existed and officials are receiving money for the mission fraudulently. Officials in Mexico order an investigation and send secret letters to surrounding settlements to determine the truth. Investigation shows no such mission existed but no documents follow indicating which officials were responsible for fraud. (D. Bautista, September 1989)

Concerns fray de Barragas' request to establish new mission in Valle Viejo; conde de la Sierra Gorda's appraisal of same situation including descriptions of illegal activities of Indians of region such as abandoning other missions, hiding in mountains, engaging in periodic raids on travelers. Also concerns Sierra Gorda's persuading of those in charge not to permit establishment of new mission. (K. Hubin, September 1989)

Concerns letters reporting the need for a new church since much of the province's life depend on it, I.e. Indians being baptized, taxes, agriculture, Diezmos y primicias etc. Budget for new construction is 44,000 pesos. Notice that Indians are constructing a new church given. Old church destroyed by earthquake. (M. Marroquin, June 1989)

Concerns Series of reports on earthquake in Colotlan, damage caused by it and its intensity. Notice given on reconstruction and financial need to rebuild local church. Appraisal of damage caused by earthquake done. Local government officials signed a joint certification testifying about the damages caused by the quake. Church measures given. (M. Marroquin, June 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)

Series of documents concerning granting of permit to Larranaga to take care of health problems in Mexico; governor gives notice of epidemic in the capital (name is not identified in documents), when he arrived in Texas (escort also got sick upon arrival); notice is given Lipanez abandoned mission Balero, secularization of the mission is mentioned; index of documents sent to the governor Cierragorda by the viceroy; Fernandez solicits rank of captain, and to organize militia but governor disagrees for fear of creating chaos in San Luis de la Paz; viceroy asks all letter be addressed to him with their corresponding index; Serna complains about minister of Croix and asks for funds to hire a ministro de doctrina for Indians living there; fray Diaz, excommunicated teniente de las casas for misbehaving inside church building, pardon is sought for him but could not attend due to illness and high temperature. (M. Marroquin, November 1988)