Presidios

This report reviews several financial contributions made by the real hacienda to the maintenance of presidios in Nueva Mexico. Some of them are related to the trip of Pedro Vial from New Mexico to Luisiana with the purpose of establishing the best possible route between both provinces. It is emphasized the importance of a continued support to these fortresses regarding their strategic significance. (A. Nielsen, November 1989)

Apache Indian attack during the night raids and steals horses from San Antonio corrals. 80 horses are stolen. Flores follows them all night only to return in the morning to gather men and Indians for a search group. After 2 months horses and Indians are found. In the ensuing capture, enemy Indians are killed and taken hostage with their women, children and supplies. One Indian captive claims they stole horses for other Spaniards with whom they have 'cambalache' or trade. Peace is offered to them if all chiefs involved will return to the camp within 20-days. Beginning at ff. 352 three French deserters are seeking passports to Veracruz via Bahia del Espiritu Santo, they are Rosel, Barroi and Martin. Garza Falcon disbelieves their claim and considers them spies for the French. They are given an escort to be brought to justice. The French are known for having strong influence over the Indians and consider the Cumanches, Canzeres, Pananas and Apaches as theirs. Flores endorses Ramon for position of captain of San Antonio presidio due to his campaigns in the Tejas provinces. Trade could be increased with improved relations with the Indians. (E. Wilson, March 1990)

Begins with review of previous testimonies and conclusions drawn. All witnesses believe Colorado River to be the boundary between the two territories. Barrio believes Misisipi (Sic) River to be boundary. Testimonies are considered hearsay and not conclusive. Governor of Texas deems necessary to establish boundary between territories and move French presidios from la Isleta to Nachitos. Questions discussed; engineer to survey boundaries, squadron of 20 soldiers and one official to observe the French, wine and aguardiente trade with French, 36 French companies each of 50 men and 100 swiss men, slaves fleeing French masters, Frenchman San Denis bestowing titles of rank on Indians in Spanish territory, French lenguarazes in Spanish territory. French are described as machinaciones, wanting to trade with anyone and that the only way to control them is by populating presidios with more Spaniards. Ff. 253 - 264 junta de guerra y hacienda discusses same as aforementioned including; one-third advance on pay to soldiers; governor of Texas to determine amount of land usurped by French, names of French towns and presidios established on Spanish territory. All witnesses believe the French occupied lands from 1734 - 36, no new towns have been built, French trade gunpowder, clothing, etc.., with Indians in Texas. Many Indian tribes ally with the Texas Indians and the French. These same Indians consider the Spanish the enemy. Ff. 264 - 275 junta de guerra y hacienda discuss and resolve the following eight points. The governor of Texas should inform commander of Nachitos to return to his Side of the Colorado River, the boundary. The governor will not be sent engineers to map and restore usurped land. A twenty-man squadron with one official will not be sent to the San Pedro River to observe the French. No decision yet as to whether the Texas squadron will be reinforced as the Nueva Veracruz squadron, only a break in relations could decide that. Wine and aguardiente trade with the French desired due to the cold winters is prohibited. Decree proclaiming black French slaves free is prohibited as provocation of the French. Spanish Indians in Texas are not prohibited to trade with the French as the Spanish want to keep the Indians happy and possibly sway the Indians to trade with the Spanish. The second part of this point decides to prohibit the French from bestowing titles of rank on Spanish Indians. The final point permits the French lenguarases to remain in Spanish territory so as not to provoke the French. (E. Wilson, January 90)

Reiteration of the six questions in Vol. 181 seq. B. Between 1750 and 1751 French troops and families arrived in new Orleans presumed to fortify population of Nachitos, puente Cupe and Caudachos. The Indians in the area are presumed to like the French as they are generous with guns, bullets, etc... In endless quantities. The Spanish are uneasy about the French trading with the Indians and trespassing the boundary dividing the two territories established in 1720, the Colorado River. The Spanish view the Mississippi River as a natural boundary. Past autos and documents are consulted to determine how past governors settled the question of trespassing. Sandoval is found to have permitted illegal trading between French and Indians in Spanish territory. The French should definitely abandon any presidios built within Spanish territory and return to Nachitos, talk of war with the French if they donot do so peacefully. Aguardiente and wine trade with the French is questioned. English are found to be trading with the apachilinos and the Samases on Santa Rosa Island. Ff. 146 - 147 is a relacion that orders meeting of guerra and hacienda to resolve whether; Escolta is needed on San Pedro River to observe French activities; a mapping engineer is needed to assist governor in defining boundaries; peaceful or forceful removal of French is needed; Spanish troops should be moved to Adais presidio in case of forceful removal; 1/3 advance on pay be approved for soldiers to equip themselves with rations; French aguardiente and wine be allowed in moderation due to extreme Weather temperatures in region; all documents on this subject should be collected so as not to contradict any royal warrants concerning the French and Spanish boundaries; the governor of Texas should execute said relaciones. On ff. 150 the junta de guerra y hacienda is begun to resolve the aforementioned problems. (E. Wilson, November 1989)

Concerns relocation of presidio del sacramento to areas of loma pintada and Ayacacho because of a better strategic position to fight the Indians from those places. Military official disagrees with the idea because there is still a need to protect provinces and presidios in the Former place of the Sacramento presidio. Relocation is advocated because the new place has plenty of natural resources, fertile land, and some minerals. New place is said to be better because of better opportunity to put the Indians to work in agriculture. Reallocation of military personnel. Redistribution of land in places secured by presidios. Reorganizaton of presidios to take care of provinces is suggested by Balaunzaran who visited the area where presidios were being reorganized. (M. Marroquin, February 1989)

Concerns the beginning of the populating of new presidio of Sacramento. Soldiers and families are sent to the new presidio. Distribution of land begins, but irrigation problems resulted due to site of presidio being higher than the level of the River. Falcon reports on the events and activities in the new presidio. Patrols and reconnaissance operations are made in the presidio's surroundings. Reasons for the selection of San Diego as place for new presidio are give. This place is said to be more strategic for defense of provinces of Nueva Vizcaya, Texas and Rio Grande. Difficulties in agricultural work are encountered due to the position of the presidio with respect to the River. (M. Marroquin, January 1989)

Detailed account of wars with Pimas, Seris, Apaches and Papagos. Literary example with rich description of campaigns reduccion system, criminales, political Christian life, granary, rebellion of Pimas. (J. Acheson, October 1988)

Series of documents concerning reports of military forces that are available or incomplete in the various provincias del poniente. Documents include chart of comparative figures on military personnel, Indian prisoners, inventories of war supplies, ill soldiers, religious personnel and military in charge of presidios, military exercise and training, weapons and ammunition making, military escorts authorized, campaigns against Indians, postal services, target practices for soldiers, and a variety of events related to the activities proper of the presidios life. Documents include figures only. Names of people and military officials can be found in the chart foot notes. Documents consist of charts and a Series of entries in form of a diary, which presents the novedades occurred in every place or presidio. (M. Marroquin, December 1988)

Series of documents regarding Indian robberies in presidio of Tucson and other presidios and towns of the provincias del norte; letters reporting on the recovery of animals stolen by Indians, confrontation between Indians and soldiers left a number of casualties on both sides; raids against Indians in rancherias of Bigotes, Cuernoverde and Bermejo; letter giving some details such as Indians of Nueva Mexico are behaving. Negotiations with Indians held in order to convince them to work in Spanish communities and presidios; letter discribing the natural distrust of Indians when they are offered work with Spaniards; raid against Indians results in some being killed and others taken prisoners; statistical chart summarizing actions against Indians in provincias del Norte. Chart contains figures on Indians and soldiers killed, prisoners and animals recaptured from the Indians. (M. Marroquin, December 1988)

Letters between viceroy, comandante generals discussing peace negotiations with Lipanes. F.400 describes location of camps of Apache Capitancillos, some of whom have gone to rejoin their bands; mentions none are on horseback. F.401 mentions treaties with various Apache bands of Nueva Vizcaya, suggests those now seeking peace are false, should be considered a disease and exterminated . . . Subsist on war, only pretending to wish peace. detail on Spanish idea of Lipan character. F.416 mentions severe rains of October, 1792 making travel miserable. F.418-421 discusses part of real reglamiento de presidios (apparently) stating that opposition to treaties with Indians is diametrically opposed to spirit of peace Spanish are trying to convey. F.424 discusses heirarchy of bands of Apaches, good detail. F.426 mentions Mescaleras curing bison meat. F.427 discusses broad union of Mescaleros, Lipanos, llaneros seemingly for hunting together; mentions murder of Lipanes by Spanish civilians, what to do with captives. (A. Dean, October 1989)