Presidios (Reorganization)

Notes information Calixto, Yaqui from Cocorit, attempting to stir up reduced Sibubapas in Suaqui. Agrees with Corbalan's cautious approach to problem, including hesitation to arrest Indian Fuerte, even though Fuerte rumored to be Calixto's emissary Suaqui. Orders ration program continued. States presidios not to be reformed until Sonora secure. Order Calixto reduced if necessary. (T. Sheridan, 1976)

Ff. 242 to 256 consist of a response to a Superior Orden of the viceroy requesting fiscal and administrative information on the military expedition of Galvez in 1767-1768. This is addressed to tribunal y real Audiencia de Cuentas de Mexico and provides formal and detailed accounting including salaries, duties and personnel, followed by brief discussion of reforms. F. 260 is representaciones to viceroy for June-July 1774. Ff. 267 is financial report providing offices, positions, salaries for presidio of Terrenate. Ff. 268-270 deal with salary of Lumbreras of dragones de Espana. Ff. 271-279 continue with changes in duties of intendente and reforms of military expedition. Letters deal with the resignation of Tunon and postal system. (J. M. Johnson, March 1988)

Series of documents primarily of civil-military nature. Main frontier settlers with mobile presidios; reorganization of presidios, including military salaries, Inspections, duties; Hiaqui crops; transportation of mules to California by the Paquebot la Concepcion. (J. M. Johnson, March 1988)

Brief commentaries re: defense of Alamos; visit by Oconor and new regulations for presidios; finances of mounting 4 presidios amobiles on frontier and distribution of arms to civilians in these areas; income from tobacco, gunpowder, playing cards; lack of moneda sellada in province. (J. Johnson, February 1988)

Documents concerning the stationing of Destacamento de Voluntarios de Cataluna at presidio of Mesa del Tonati for the purpose of inspection and reform of Nayarit military groups. Includes type set printed passport and detailed itinerary from Mexico to Nayarit. Garavito makes inventory of personnel and placing of mines under presidial control, tightening of troop discipline, reconstruction of conduits to bring water to presidios, upgrading of mail service, and forcing of unoccupied Indians to provide labor assistance to military. (A. Tukey, July 1988)

Series of documents concerning retirements of military officials. Request of military weaponry for presidios (list includes ammunition, cannons, shotguns, birolas, Espadas...). Approval for a chaplain for Terrenate. Diaries sent to viceroy on expedition to Rio Colorado and Gila; new Indians are found; prisoners are taken; tobacco is requested to deter soldiers from desertion. Viceroy recommends treating Indians well. (M. Marroquin. September, 1988)

Document contains some index form. Concerns military administration and reorganization of presidios in Provincias Internas. Indians are described as bold people who prefer to die before falling captive. Indians are described as dociles. Mention of connecting routes between Chihuahua and Paso del Norte. Also mention is made of fertility and gold and silver abundance of the Sonoran province. Reference is made of the relocation of Indians Tiburones to the area of Carrizal.(j.m. Marroquin, October 1988)

auditor de guerra appointed to office. Military official is transferred. Relacion and report on status of every official in Provincias Internas. Permission is given to military official to travel to Veracruz. List of presidios and military commanders who no longer are eligible to hold office due to illnesses or old age. (See ff. 65-68), list also contains marital status and evaluation of years of service. Permission given to military official to travel to Mexico. Issuing of passport for military official. (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)

Gallardo reflects on nature of Indian wars and present crisis of Nueva Vizcaya; comments on return of Yaquis from Valle de San Buenaventura; reorganization or re-activation of various presidios on Camino real to Chihuahua city; deployment of militia and presidial forces; proposals and comments of Mendoza, Tamaron and Carta; reviews arguments made by those authors; describes frontier military life in harsh terms; problems inherent in military administration; threat of banditry, measures that need to be taken to bring it under control; Indian attacks; places inhabited; dispersal of settlements is major defense problem; areas actually protected by various presidios; possible expenses of reforms; comments on Tamaron's infantry proposal as absurd, claiming they are producto de un celo Santo, y de un concepto in greso Por informes de personas poco instruida en la guerra de los indios; demonstrates Tamaron's calculations in error; describes in detail arms and equipment (Cueras, sables, escopetas), nature of war (unsuited to infantry), advantages of lightly equipped enemy warriors; describes why guns are Inferior to bows and arrows; many details on battle tactics; enemy's lack of formations in battle; stresses war is unconventional struggle de duender; draws comparisons with war in north Africa; praises frontier soldiers; notes present threat of French; notes French weapons trade on south plains; refers to various legal codes; contrasts northern New Spain with other areas being subjected to colonization; emphasizes many shortcomings of New Spain venture; notes use of canary islanders in Texas; lack of plans used in establishing many important settlements; use of Tlaxcaltecans as settlers; many interesting biblical and historical allusions; emphasizes that Spain does not have resources to erect barrier like great Wall of China. Gallardo notes information he is presenting here is based in part on inspection of Nueva Vizcaya, Sinaloa, Sonora of ca. 1750. Document is of great historic merit to any who are interested in later Rubi/Lafora expedition and regulation of 1772. Many of Gallardo's fresh insights have been echoed by later historians such as Thomas and moorhead. (J. Williams, may 1987)