Nepotism

Virrey orders investigation of complaints of fray Garcia concerning conquest of new colony; Cornide is placed in charge of collecting declarations, asks six questions concerning abuses of Escandon. For example, was Escandon successful in his commission, did Escandon drive off rather than pacify Indians, did Escandon withhold salaries, was Escandon nepotistic, why has Escandon become so rich in the wake of the conquest, did Escandon do anything right in the conquest? (D. Bautista, may 1990)

Document of 23 ff. from fray Garcia to Galvez accusing Escandon of gross abuses in Nuevo Santander; he is accused of fraud, lying, ruining Indian property, allowing Indian nonacceptance of religion and ineffectively fighting rebelliousness, having not created a mission, allowing his capitans to murder Indians, allowing Hacendados to not pay diezimos, nepotism, abuse of Indian labor. He is seen as responsible for the death of fray Silva, the demolition of village, convent and church of San Antonio de Llanos, the injust treatment of Indians, the murder of innocent people and the lack of justice for the guilty in these crimes; excellent description of thoughts of gentil Indian to fray Garcia about the contradictions in religion and what they See as reality. (D. Bautista, June 1990)

Gonzales de Burgos is granted post of oficial Tercero de la secretaria after promotion of Cabrera. Asks if he may be reinstated at secretaria of Chihuahua or real caja of Acapulco. Gonzales takes advantage of Merino's absence to ask for certification of his employment history as Oficial Tercero. (O. Velez, February 1990)