Religious Life And Customs

Concerns the response of governors and capitans of presidios to the viceroy's instructions for a new method of government. Contains a complete list of governors to receive the report. Comments on use of the method as pertains to the missions of Texas. Describes the condition of missions and the relations with Indians. Descriptions of religious routines, prayer, teaching, baptisms and weekly religious activities. Relates new year's process of election of governor, mayor and sheriff. Concerns economic conditions and mission sustenance crops of corn, beans, cotton and cana de Castilla. There was an abundance of cattle (bovine, ovine and caprine) but lacking equine due to frequent attacks. Cotton cloth, ponchos and blankets were made in missions. Contains detailed description of mission life, men and women's duties as well as wardrobe of converts and Elite. Suggestions made for improvements by example such as increasing Spanish populations to serve as examples of culture, government, industry and civil harmony. Authors offer the missions under their administration as examples and describe older methods which have served their development. Under Menchaca, necessities are kept and equally distributed in the missions and used to maintain troops. All administrators feel current system of government to be effective.

Concerns description of Indians native religious activities and their ceremonies. Objects, such as pots and arrows are used in Indians' ceremonies. Canaveral reports the seizure of Indian idols found hiden in caves and houses. Viceroy sends orders to punish idolatry of Indians with 200 whips and 10 years in prison. (M. Marroquin, April 1989)

Concerns index of documents sent from the governor to the viceroy; Serna asks for missionary to indoctrinate Indians in missions lacking religious administration; tools for agriculture are requested; military official asks for funds to buy furniture and books for missions; priest request mourners to pay extra if the he has to have the dead into the church building; military official report on religious practices being overlooked in local missions; alms paid to bishop of reino de Cabras); notice about death of Nicolas Fernandez; missionaries salaries are mentioned. (M. Marroquin, November 1988)

And sumarios sobrantes to the viceroy, from Potosi; instructions are given that the fishermen must let teniente de Soto notice of ships getting near the coast; notice about the purchase of mission's supplies from the sales of bienes de campo also necessary to buy tools for agriculture (tools named here are: hachas, azadones, rejas); documents are not here. These are only summaries talking about alcavalas, missions supplies, missions secularization, missions establishments and money coming from fines. (M. Marroquin, November 1988)

Letter to virrey concerning: recollection of old gold and silver currency; departure expedition from Vera Cruz for Spain province--wide celebration of fe deum; removal of military and civilian criminals from church protection; military chaplains conduct of funerals and marriages; extradition of caudillo Montes to Nuevo Santander. Military rolls-payroll compania de caballeria, Punta de Lampazos and compania presidaria de Monterrey y Punta de Lampazos, May 1782 include dates of service, duty station, promotions, vacancies, leaves, infractions, deaths. (J. Higgins, February 1989)

Series of documents dealing with Ugalde's military campaigns against Mescaleros, Comanches, Lipanes, and Lipiyanes in Coahuila. Discussion of Ugalde's arrival to Coahuila and his survey of the area in preparation for his campaign; he is informed of combats with Comanches, and there is a good description of the military tactics employed by the Indians; there is also reference to trade between soldiers and Comanches after battle. Ugalde sends detailed diary of his campaigns to viceroy. Lists number of soldiers employed, as well as the number and types of weapons used in the expedition; clothing of Indian auxiliaries are described, as well as amount and type of food required by soldiers and Indian auxiliaries; there is good discussion of the mass given before departure of troops, as well as the use of an effigy of the virgin of Guadalupe in order to receive divine assistance. Ugalde also informs of problems associated with lack of water and death of many horses. He gives a good description of the area referring to the many rivers, lakes, aguajes, and mountains encountered in his path. Includes summary of all Indians that were killed, injured, and taken captives, and of all tribes that sought peace. He complains many Mescaleros fled to presidio del norte where they were given refuge, and that this diminishes to some extent, all the gains made in the campaign. In other letters the viceroy approves of Ugalde's actions and requests more cooperation between Ugarte and Ugalde. (J. Tapia, October, 1987)

Correspondence concerning: statements summarizing testimony on various subjects; re-establishment of mission; problems created when pacified Indians subjected to 'revistas', order passed halting 'revistas' due to violence engendered, otherwise smooth progression of pacification and reduction in province; state of Indians at missions, poor relations between neighboring Indian groups due to death of one chief, request for military assistance in order to secure peace; collection of taxes from various individuals; edict that soldiers enter churches with 'cabello suelto'; 'indice de cartas', with brief summary of topics discussed in expediente; lack of 'papel sellado'; establishment of 'pueblos' and need for military protection; desertion by soldiers in Coahuila; examination of 'cuadernos de autos' in order to determine reasons for 'excesos' committed by squadron at hacienda; military assistance need in Coahuila and Texas to defend against Apaches; discovery of mine, its effect upon growth of economy in area; discussion of metals, silver found in other mines, quality and quantity. (L. Kerr, November 1988)

Documents deal with Oca's request to go to Spain and take with him his money. Included long document signed by many people testifying to good deeds of Oca as captain of San Sabas; mention of his valor against Indian attack. Mention that he assisted people with his own corn in times of need, and donating his house to serves as a church. There is also a list of soldiers debts paid by Oca. Bucareli grants request. (J. Tapia, March, 1988)

Autos and letters from governor in which he relates various events in province such as foundation of Villa de Alburquerque for Spaniards and repopulation of Santa Maria de Galisteo, also request for foundation of new presidio and plans to man it. Ethnography of Navajo province and richness of land and crops. Also an event in which a group of Apaches talk about the apparition of a man floating in air telling them to seek peace and live better lives. (A. Dell'acqua, June 1987)

Cuerbo y Valdes answers Garaycochea's letter about rescue of Picuries held captive by Apaches which was requested by their cazique Lorenzo. Governor questions two natives of Moqui about access to carry out rescue of such captives. Governor orders christianized Indians to help in defense of their own lives and properties against rebels. Autos pertaining to various happenings, from the appearance of a man on a queso de Sibola (See ff.56-61), to lack of enough missionaries to man doctrinas and missions in province, and why Picuries should be rescued from Apaches. (A. Dell'acqua, June 1987)