Missionaries (Lists)

(L. L. Woodward, August 1989)

Contains very comprehensive accounts of San Pedro de Ybarra hacienda under fincas rusticas administration of Juan Gomez Eguiarte, and an inventory of documents received on same hacienda from 1655 to 1842; also contains Fondo Piadoso de Californias debt records of all Alta and Baja California missions and lengthy lists of debtor missionaries residing in these missions; all documents lengthy with extensive financial data between years 1832 and 1844 from Fondo Piadoso. (K. Hubin, December 1989)

Concerns liquidation of accounts of synods in California; expenses of missions in both Alta and Baja California for year 1840; also mentioned in passing is sending of troops to Alta California for reconquista. (K. Hubin, December 1989)

Most important documents will be referenced below by folio no. Most unusual document is letter to Pison signed and likely written by his wife regarding his importance to family (f. 308). Incredibly filthy swear words attributed to him, directed against priest during mass, quoted and underlined in ff. 244-245. Useful diagnosis of ailment (sinocat putrida) and simple treatment prescribed of better diet, sleep, exercise by surgeon (f. 316 ?) Traces processes of judicial procedure in determination of charges of other bad conduct on Pison's part, brought by teniente de gobernador Moreno in Loreto. Included is detailed service and conduct record and witnessed testimonies of Pison's past military service; and other biographical information. Accused of years of drunkenness, womanizing, thievery, setting bad examples for mission Indians. Jailed at mission; some witnesses testify that he reacted to provocation by others; Pison requests change of venue for unbiased trial and accessibility to witnesses for his defense who are themselves in prison in Guadalajara. Released by authorities on bail paid by Ramon Espinosa; although his mine personal effects are kept. At trial, jailed prisoners clear him of murder of Osio, by swearing latter died by drowning. Pison countercharges Moreno with beating and refusal to allow his case to go before Barri. Provides motive for Moreno's silencing him by citing evidence of Former's absconding with treasury funds and illegal trade in alcoholic beverages. Missionaries and Armona testify to his generally good character, despite drinking bouts. Final decision, however, by Valcarcel; approved by viceroy is that Pison must be punished by losing personal effects, mine, military title and lifetime banishment from Californias. Ff. 328-331, when punishment given, Pison petitions Bucareli to allow him for temporary stay in Loreto with family to make financial arrangements before his expulsion. (J. M. Johnson, July 1989)

Letters concerning administration of newly established missions along Seno Mexicano. Ff.379-385 are progress reports on missions by Gorraez (as inspector). F.379 describes geographic locations, distances between places; F.383 are inspection reports for Soto la Marina, San Fernando, Reynosa; F.384 for Burgos. Ff.386-405 concern mission administrator's request for soldiers to be assigned to missions for protection; instead some missions are assigned to nearby presidios. Discusses reduccion of Xanambres. F.390 concerns padres hospitalarios of San Juan de Dios proposing to study medicine in order to found hospitals, especially for lepers; gives philosophy of sect. Ff.406-417 concern Gaspar Soliz as director of missionary effort of Zacatecas colegio; lengthy description of his plans for orchestration. (A. Dean, may 1990)

Letters to, from apostolic college of Zacatecas concerning three projected missions at Salinas, Llanos, Nuezes. F.351 concerns assigning missionaries to missions (three above and others), listing their duties, in some Cases describing location, circumstances of missions. F.359-360 describes 120 families at beautiful, abundant puente de Arce mission. (A. Dean, may 1990)

Peramas' copy of documents concerning division of Californias between Franciscans and Dominicans. Includes real cedula ordering division; document giving names, ages, towns of origin of 24 Spanish Dominicans to be sent to new world, and salaries to be payed to prelates. Also, order that 5 missions be established along Lower Gila, Colorado rivers; Corbalan's of description Garces' entradas into Papagueria, Yumeria. Various documents from visitador Galvez to virrey concerning division of province. (J. H. Ochs, October 1897)

Sanchez tells his son (name not given) to liberate Indians from working in hacienda. List of 132 priests affiliated with San Fernando college in 1782. Name, location of each is given, lists sick or dead. Letter concerning Pangua's petition to Revilla Gigedo for 30 new priests at college. Suggestion that del Villar be sent to Spain to seek religious personnel. After del Villar's death, Calzada and Arevalo are sent. Pangua requests another 20 priests; petition approved. (R. Gomez, October, 1989).

Very important and detailed correspondence include (especially agricultural and religious supplies for 3 missions of the Santa Barbara Canal; F. 309 lists officers for 3 Principal California presidios. Serra reports on repairs to old and construction of new missions, emphasizing temporal and evangelical elements in conquest of souls. F. 312 details requirements for furnishing missions and religious objects for each mission. Provides salaries of religious personnel for each. F. 313 is a list of priests at each of 8 missions attached to Monterrey. Comments on bad examples for Indians set by troops and settlers in area. Neve discusses weapons and clothing supplies for California troops and settlers. F. 318 list of clothing necessary for people in missions and presidios. Ff. 319-320 refer to past methods in determining minimal subsistance of food and clothing supplies. F. 321 is chart of amount of bullets, gunpowder, flints and types of weapons by presidio needed for defense. Defines need for new regulations to correct deficiencies due to distances of king and real hacienda from California. Proposes improved military organization and requests greater numbers of soldiers, supplies and horses. F. 324 discusses military escorts, organization, personnel, time of year with estimated subordination of soldiers, military promotions, equipment for cavalry units. Census of military personnel, including tackle and rider's clothing for cavalry. Distribution of animals to each presidio. Ff. 332-333 provides detailed list of tackle and clothing by cavalry officer for Monterrey, San Francisco and San Diego. F. 336 is chart of higher officers and numbers of soldiers for same presidios. F. 339 distribution by type and number of weapons to same three. F. 341 numbers of mules and horses distributed to these presidios. Other topics of San Francisco, storage and distribution of weapons to prevent sales to Indians, rations of food to presidios and missions, references to past ordinances for founding missions, family life of soldiers in presidios, evacuation of families in case of attack, duties and types of craftsmen with necessary supplies for same for settlements. (J. M. Johnson, January 1989)

Letters from viceroy to Croix in reference to various affairs within Provincias Internas. Most prominent letters regarding pearl fishing, percentages to be Charged as Alcavalas to gold mined in New Spain and when gold enters Spain. Formation of offices and tribunal de minerias, salaries for Franciscans to be capellanes of presidios in prov. Internas, promotions of military personnel, also, bankruptcy of heads of presidios and companias volantes as they have been paying out of their own pocket salaries for personnel and expenses for food supplies and arm supplies. Lists of arms in armerias in Mexico City to be distributed to different presidios in Provincias Internas. (A. Dell'acqua, March 1988)