Political Jurisdiction

Signed. Concerns defense of Escandon; begins with minimization of charges and a briefly history of Escandons' ascendant career, merits from king; Escandon was in arms and participating in the ejection of British in Laguna in 1720; 1728, was named by virrey as sargento mayor later virrey gave him the title of Coronel; November 15, 1741, Escandon was named as teniente general de la Sierra gorda he gave missions to Franciscanos religious from San Diego de pachuca and San Fernando; he founded and establish four villages with no cost to the royal hacienda; September 3, 1746 in a royal decree full of eulogys virrey gives to Escandon all responsibilities in the mission of pacification de los barbaros de la Sierra gorda and he is named lugar teniente de la Costa del Seno Mexicano; December 1748, founded the first village in area which by 1759 had 20 villages; on folio 182 details of population; in 1757 virrey sent comission to investigate colony; in 1765 virrey orders Escandon to found five new villages in strategic places to stop the continual Indians attacks; strongest defense allegation is envy of Resendi family against Escandon and their plan to get him out of the colony and appeal to the virrey for the titles for their family; in folio 229 is a Spaniards description of Indians; defense by Escandon who defends himself charge by charge; since Escandon was commissioned by the virrey y la junta real de hacienda, they knew that it was a project that was subject to failure, in other words he was not obligated to succeed in his attempt; in selecting captains Escandon never chose the most specialized but selected the ones that were dedicated to the well being of the village; all that the fiscal imputed to Escandon was never supported with real evidence only anonimous statements from someone who heard rumors but had no hard evidence; not even fray Garcia was found in his mission to testify against Escandon to the auditors Osorio and Palacio; in regard to the murder of Indians by Escandon's captains, the fiscal never found witnesses; some of the crimes were investigated by Escandon and he found that the actions benefited the pacification and well being of the village. Escandon repremanded the captain and notified the capitania general. The women and children were placed in missions when the men were murdered or sent to a presidio but never were they sold and sent to Querataro in a collera as the accusations assert; in treatment of criminals, Escandon always followed the royal laws which permitted pardons of criminals if they serve the king. These people were serving the king by risking their lifes in the establishment of the colony; in regard to his rejection of Apaches, he argues it is well known that Apaches don't want anything except trading, and that Spain suffers terribles consequences when it assumes Apaches will remain peaceful in missions. He argued that too often they will suddenly murder, rape and destroy a village. For this reason Escandon avoided Apaches. On March 29, 1763, the royal cedula expired which authorized captain trenda y el ingeniero de la Camara alta to make the first audit of Escandon and nothing wrong was found except for the plot of the Resendi family, 17800 question the official informe by saying that it was corrupted by la voz de oro y Plata de Escandon pudo mas; but in the second audit nobody knew about it, not even the fiscal o el auditor and the results were no different. Escandon is exonerated from all charges. Descendants of Escandon have the right to claim what Escandon left them. (D. Bautista, November 1989)

Autos concerning request made by inhabitants of Nuestra Senora de la Victoria Casafuerte that 15 tlaxcalan families be moved from San Francisco Tlaxcala del Saltillo to that town to strengthen it against raiding Apaches and Tobosos. Includes Xiron's request in behalf of residents of Casafuerte; asks that tlaxcalans be furnished with necessary tools, animals, money, etc. To assure success of venture. Also, fiscal's and auditor's comments to viceroy in regard to request. (J. H. Ochs, December 1987)

Comprobante 1 comprises letters from Fuentes (Capellan of Valle del Pilon) to Vaamonde complaining about the corruption of Pariente for bribery, misappropriation of funds, etc. Comprobante 2, vecinos from Valle de la Mota ask the governor to be separated from Valle del Pilon (5 Leguas) and suggest the limits of the new jurisdiction. Vaamonde concedes the petition, designating the new teniente de justicia, Fernandez, who in turn denounces (comprobante 3) that Pariente used the Milicianos to impede him in assuming his post. Comprobante 4 and 5 are reports emphasizing the honesty and justice with which Vaamonde has performed his duties. (A.nielsen, September 1989)

Series of documents dealing with military jurisdiction over provincias de oriente. Decrees establishing policy for foreign fishing ships from England because of good existing relations. Contraband is prohibited regardless of nationality of ships. Permit given to military official. Receipt for given licence is requested. Series of letters dealing with vacancy in compania presidial del Espiritu Santo. Soldiers abusing their right to have a weapon should be Charged the weapon's cost. Appointments of military officials in Saltillo, Monclova and Parral. Marriage licence given to Echegaray. Reimbursement of money given to Castro for transportation costs. Castaneda appointed as Alferez of Bavia. Bujanos appointed as Alferez. Money given to widow of military official. (M. Marroquin, March 1989)

Concerns publication (book ?), of administrative proceedures sent from conde de Galvez to Ugarte y Loyola regarding the governing of Provincias Internas del oriente and Occidente. Specificies the kind of events the commanders of each province muist report back. Document comprises gives a break down of the many characteristics that Spanish colonization implemented in the conquest of Indian territories. Strategies of the conquest are explained in this document, such as use of Indian controversies to facilitate their reduction. History of how the conquest began is given. Document explains trade Spaniards had with some Indian nations in order to subjugate them. Specific indications of what type of activities were allowed for Indians under Spaniard's domination is given. Characteristics of several Indian nations are provided, such as which one was friendly and/or hostile. (this document is a very important summary of almost all kind of activities the Spanish conqueror had to implement in their fight against tricks used, legislation among provinces, judicial organization, religious strategies etc. Etc.). (M. Marroquin, June 1989)

Letter expressing neutrality of Spain in war between England and the U.s. so the U.s. will not attack Spanish colonies. Emphasis on good relations with England. Letter included on the political jurisdictions of the provincias del oriente and oxidente. Letter demanding sacrifice from military officials due to the perilous situations Spain is going through. (M. Marroquin, may 1989)

Concerns Series of documents on political jurisdiction and organization of the Ten Provincias Internas de oriente y occidente. Comandantes for each of them are appointed. Governors of the provinces of oriente and Occidente are appointed. Garcia conde is appointed governor of Durango. Bonavia is appointed governor of provincias de Occidente. Herrera is appointed gobernador comandante of provincias de oriente. Report of the occupation of province of Texas by rebel leader Bernardo Gutierrez, who is aided by rebels from the estados Unidos del norte, governor Salcedo is killed as a result of occupation. (this document contains important information on cooperation between rebels from the two sides of the northern Mexican border, in fights against Mexican Colonial authorities). (M. Marroquin, may 1989)

Concerns documents dealing with rearrangements of political jurisdiction with respect to the dependence of provincias del todo y Por todo la dependencia del virreynato, limitandose Sus facultades y consideraciones, a las mismas que disfrutan los comandantes generales y gobernadores de las restantes provincias. Document gives a list of comandantes appointed to the various offices in the provincias. Documents gives not many detail of their activities. (M. Marroquin, may 1989)

Denunciations to intendente, relayed to viceregal officials. Miners overworked, poor drainage in mines and stealing from poor. Meson de Teotihuacan similar complaints and neglect of payment of Arancel customs tariffs. Atotonilco*)