Presidios (Establishment)

Concerns narration of events justifying construction of presidio in Buenavista. Salaries assigned to military officials and soldiers. Recruiting strategies and budget are mentioned. (M. Marroquin, September 1988)

Correspondence between viceroy, comandante Croix and officials within Provincias Internas of which following stand out. Transferring of monies from Caxas reales to Mexico but of new coinage. Separation of capitan Laso from command as captain of dragones de Espana and replaced by his Brother. Authorization to recruit personnel in Chihuahua to replace retired personnel and injured personnel. Transfer of two bison (civolos) from presidio Bahia to Mexico in route to Spain as gift to king. Various documents on disturbance of the peace. Request for teachers from Spain to guide Indians in the cultivation and process of linen. Burning of presidio Orcoquisa and establishment of new settlements in Coaguila. Payment of 10 and 5 pesos respectively by claimants of ownership of mules and horses recovered by military personnel set by viceroy. Transportation of new pistols from Spain to presidios in Provincias Internas. (A. Dell'acqua April 1988)

Letter from Croix requesting two thousand more troops to be able to pacify provincias. Croix deduces need of this many men from accounts of problems in provinces; from documents from presidio personnel and governors of provinces, also from letters written by civilians living in area. Viceroy denies request is excessive. (A. Dell'acqua, March 1988)

Concerns notice that a place called palo encebabo has a great deal of gold; bishop of Durango, made complaints about mayor's disorderly conduct; request is made that alcoholic beverages be prohibited; soldiers receive status of Invalidos; mines and minerals regulations; correspondence sent on ship to Guaymas; decree (notice), that military officials seeking sanctuary in churches be extradited; legislation to recall moneda antigua is sent to the governor of P.I.; reward is given to military official for recapturing deserters in concept of maintenance and capture; notice that fragata San Joseph anchored in California has an emmergency; notice that fagatas, anchored in San Francisco after successful expedition; discovery of a new seaport named Bucareli, location is given; missionary Garces, asks for help for Indian Yumas. (M. Marroquin, October 1988)

Series of documents concerning military salaries; military appointments for presidios; protection of presidios under construction is requested; notice of missions and missionaries lists; deductions (montepios and Invalidos), of salaries of military officials; new presidios are built to facilitate connection to Monterrey. Gunpowder is delivered to presidios. Request for maps of the provincias. (M. Marroquin, sept.1988)

Lengthy, detailed infome from Cabello to virrey re: granting of peace to Lipanes. Cabello provides historical background information about province beginning with discovery in 1630, description of boundaries, establishment of missions and presidios, colonization by Canary Islanders. Describes continual war between Cumanches and Apaches including accounts of Cumanche robberies and murders committed against Spanish and Apaches. Discussion of need for troops, placement; table listing personnel available at presidios de Bejar and Espiritu Santo; presidio line. Cabello makes plea for financing, stating that if money is not provided for war, region including Santander, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Texas and part of Nueva Vizcaya will be lost; population will have to move to area that is safe for families. Letter follows nearly one year later again asking that peace be granted to Lipanes. (D. Uhlman, July 1988)

Series of concise letters between Nava and virrey covering granting of travel allowance to Garibay, inauguration of diputacion de Mineria, retirement of Arce, granting of military escort to Leon for conducting of botanical studies in Sonora, moving of bishopric of Nuevo Leon to Monterrey, establishment of presidio at San Fernando, collection of Alcavala, and transfer of Vial from Nueva Mexico to Luisiana. (A. Tukey, August 1988)

Medio cabildo from 5 towns in Nuevo Santander request that troops be picked to guard against raids from indios barbaros (f.76). Rafael Ponce, settler in Nuevo Leon requests Colonel Castro's assistance in expediting civil suit involving captains Zozaya, Lacomva (ff. 78,79). Olazaran, Cabo of second flying company requests promotion (ff. 80,81). Quijas, Alferez of second flying company requests sick leave, complains of abusive behavior of captain Murgier (ff. 82-106). Tomas Sanches, Former captain and Juez of Laredo requests goce de Laredo, Indian depredations suffered by settlers (ff. 107-119). Margil Gonzalez, Cabo of second flying company requests retirement due to injuries sustained in battle with Indians. (ff. 120-122).

Concerns military problems caused by a force of rebels made up of Apostate Indians and renegades menacing Valle de San Bartholome; includes many interesting details on rebels use of spies; size and organization of their forces (more than 1700 men); ethnic composition and origins of members of their group; their leader (Calaxtrin);their tactics and strategy; their capture and conversion of other Tarahumar Indians, including women; their arms and equipment; importance of criminals in the group; their use of Peyote to persuade captives to join rebellion; rebel bases in mountains; their use of captured livestock for meat; their commerce with barbarian Indians for arrows and hides; use of auxiliaries against rebels; population losses resulting from rebel raids; an exploration of rebels home in San Francisco mountains by balenzeula; recent presidio transfers and resulting strategic situation; recognition that rebel Tarahumaras are a serious threat to province; and viceroy's insistence on importance of new presidio line. (J. Williams, March 1987)

Various issues concerning salaries of presidiales and reduction of Same, entrance to province of Moqui to conquer and claim it; establishment of Villa de Alburquerque and repopulation of town of Galisteo. Pacification of province of Navajo and erection of new presidio with specific plans on how to man it without expense to crown. (A. Dell'acqua, June 1987)