Presidios

Letter speaks of a peace plan with Comanches, the first part a meeting of three Comanche captains with governor of Texas governor of Luisiana would like to know the particulars of this meeting and what and how much was given to the Comanches in the form of bribes or keepsakes, Ugalde wants to highlight the contradictions in this effort, mentions that they are the only remaining cannibalistic tribe, and cites information found in correspondence of governor of Texas to underline the violent nature of the Comanches and their history of being the most obstinate of the enemies of the Spanish, sees little hope in a peace plan with them, contrasts the character of the Comanches with that of the Apache Lipanes, group that most involves itself with the church, have fought against the Apache Mescaleros and thereby pleased the Spanish, Ugalde expresses concerns that peace with Comanches under very favorable terms will incite the jealousy of other tribes as well as a reexamination of their status, cites the lack of a mechanism to enforce compliance from Comanches as a drawback to proposed peace (Spanish have never entered Comanche territory to punish past hostilities for example). Feels that free transit of Comanches would be used to their benefit in further hostilities, thinks that verification of captives being held by Comanches should be part of the plan, accuses the makers of the plan of using trade provisions to enhance their own commerce and feels that a black market will be the result, questions the ability of enforcing compliance to a treaty provision that will have the Comanches establish their intertribal relations on the Basis of the ones followed by the Spanish, sees little motivation to expect the Comanches to declare themselves enemies of Apaches as treaty provides. Treaty will allow them to have their internal taxes, would like more intelligence of when Indian groups enter area near San Pedro for carneadas so Spanish can be prepared for unexpected occurrences, thinks that the alliance that would ensue between Lipanes and Mescaleros would create a force that would offset the untenable peace that will have been established with the Comanches, Ugalde mentions the progress he is making in the reduction of Mescaleros precisely because they are not Allied. In regard to provision that states that as long as Comanches are Allied with Spanish they will receive gratificaciones Ugalde argues that in the past those periods of greatest hostility with Comanches were usually preceeded by periods in which this transfer of goods was high. Mentions arms in this matter. In summing up Ugalde mentions law that forbids people to show Indians their trade and also forbids them to live in their houses with the penalty being 100 pesos or upon the discretion of virrey exile. Has questions about how to determine what faction of Comanches in the future will be committing the hostilities because of the size of the group and the varied interests that each group has. (O. Velez, October 1989)

Concerns provisions for presidios of Baja California; contains lists of provisions going out of San Blas to different destinations including daily rations for individuals measured in ounces for each item listed; also includes list of food stuffs leaving San Blas over course of one year; expediente formulated in attempt to reduce delays of arrival of provisions to presidios mentioned. (K. Hubin, April, 1990)

Informe concerning monetary malpractices in Missiones. Describes overpricing of articles by Jesuits in order to obtain 150% more money than Baja California, and thus be able to attract a larger population by means of a higher pay, changing servant status into muleteer status in some presidios in order to be included in military payroll, a number of mistakes in previous calculation explain how a round figure of four thousand pesos per presidio is requested by Monterrey, and three thousand by San Francisco and San Diego while they really should get 1600 and 1200 respectively, and futile efforts to bridge the differences. Detailed description of difficulties in every day life in Alta California, trying to justify a raise in pay. Letters granting a total of five thousand two hundred pesos for the four presidios and a raise of four hundred pesos for clothing. Letter describing living conditions and architecture of presidios in Alta California, arguing that it will be cheaper to rebuild than to repair. Letter from Monterrey complaining about difficulty in finding Indians to repair the presidio due to the cold winter. Letter requesting revision of final figures to presidios in Alta California, since Fages (who had the decree) passed away. Description of Californias demography. Letters informing payment to Santa Barbara's presidio. (T. Kahana, sept.1989)

Letters and relaciones sent from Monterrey concerning expenses incurred in presidio including those caused by fire, in previous folios (332-337) a specific fire in Monterrey is mentioned. Letter concerning administrative affairs of factories in Alta California and the production of tobacco, letters about increasing population of the area. Document listing artesans, their location and wages. Death certificate of Sangrador. Letters and documents certifying money supply for Monterrey. (T. Kahana September 1989)

Letters concerning verification of receipts from years 1781-1795 from factory in San Diego's presidio, previous receipts are missing thus delaying payment on current bills.

Index to quadernos (numbered 1-16) concerning Indian raids in Sierra de Tamaulipa, peace proposals by village Indians, damage done by palalquelquas, Lazaga's discussion of Chichimecos, transport of Indians in chaingangs, troop increases, supply of weapons for troops, proposed peace with Lipanes, efforts at pacification in Nuevo Santander. Lasaga emphasizes need for additional settlements to counter advantage Indians have attacking existing settlements; proposes two - three new settlements of Approximately 50 people; outlines measures to be taken to make settlements economically viable, integrated with existing settlements. Mentions success of other settlements created for greater defense. Mentions legalities of ensuring equitable land tenure; certain amount of land would be set aside for livestock to remove expensive need to import meat from Veracruz. (O. Velez, February 1990)

Lists of military rolls for the nine presidios of Sonora for the months of may-August 1817. Tubac, Bavispe and Bacoachi presidios are manned mainly by Opata and Pima Indians with Spanish officers and Indian officers. Presidio of Bavispe lists the Opata soldiers under a separate heading. (G. Lavalley, October 1987)

Documents relate economic matters. Prado's delivery of Cuenta de la Mineria y comercio of Chiguaga. F.f. 146 contains a list of salaries, loans, and gratifaz, that the troops of the presidios receive annually; the salaries of comandante inspector generales and their ayuadantes also listed. Other documents concern the money sent to Chiguagua covering six months salaries of troops, the cost of new precincts, salary of comandante inspector and his two assistants. (P. Lenz, October 1989)

Detailed accounts for presidios of Tucson, Altar, Buenavista. Often followed by comments on expenses and/or notes, commentaries of biographical and personal data of individuals. Useful for prices of many daily items, clothing, etc. (J. M. Johnson, June 1988)

Complaints concerning mistreatment of various individuals by teniente Coronel Maynes (ff. 46-48); salary of teniente Coronel Manrrique as interim governor of province (ff. 49); notice of installation of interim governor Maynes (ff. 50); Maynes does not arrive promptly for appointment, notice that Allande take wage as he has been responsible for position (ff. 51); as Maynes slow to take up post half salary docked, lack of reason for separation from post (ff. 52-53); summary of documents concerning change of governorship of Provincia de Nueva Mexico by Allande (ff. 54); clarification of reason for withholding salary from Maynes, separation of Maynes from interim post for mistreatment of Indians (ff. 56-59); more documents that Allende receive half Maynes' salary (ff. 59-63); copies of previous documents (ff. 64-69); summary document (ff. 70); documents have little specific information except salary amount. (p. Coyle March 1990)