Salt

Hijosa disagrees with new reglamento requiring sale of oxen in department, as against interests of government. Names transportation difficulties for salt production, economic drawbacks and inability to sell worthless Carts to defend his position. Includes information on costs of pasturing and names cattle raisers in area who will suffer to convince viceroy to reconsider reglamento. (J. M. Johnson, may 1988)

Campo advises viceroy of status of derecho de peage (toll rights) in department of San Blas. Tax on pack animals suspended. Reasons why reduction of toll to half a real will benefit mining and salt production, Mule drivers and militia, basing arguments on economic data of salt extraction and prices and conclusions of Galvez' visitas. Discusses needs for revenues to be used in repair of roads and bridges. (J. M. Johnson, may 1988)

Includes 3 unrelated expedientes, numeros 19-21. Numero 19 concerns attack by Meco Indians on Rancheria Martinez; Serrada recounts ordeal, telling of horses killed by arrows or stolen; he has taken several Indians prisoner, awaits word on punishment or place of imprisonment; told to send those guilty of previous crimes to Havana, others to Castillo Ulua; Galves outlines plan for sending adult Indians to Castillo to learn Christian doctrine and to prevent further 'deserciones'; other Indians 'remitidos' to various Villas, possibly to help in tobacco harvest. In 20, Serna regrets that he is unable to assume appointment as 'teniente' in company of Nuevo Leon due to health and other factors. In 21, comerciante Fernandez outlines glorious potential of maritime trade between Veracruz and Nuevo Santander, arguing that salt, plomo, Carne, Lana, other necessary goods could be more easily and cost efficiently traded by sea than land, if government tax and other policies were to encourage, not discourage, maritime entrepreneurs; fiscales promptly denounce Fernandez's 'representacion,' stating that 'no tiene Cosa substancial.' (L. Kerr, June 1989)

Reports by asesores, visitadores, regidores suggesting high; 2, spread of disease among cattle and sheep which causes hair to fall out; 3, sterility of seeds provided for planting; 4, Indian depredations; 5, Estanco de sales competes with local salt industry; 6, moral degeneration and lack of discipline of troops in Nuevo Santander. To deal with last problem, suggest payment in cash be terminated to prevent rampant gambling among troops. Repeat of accusations against Gonzalez Santianes that he has not done enough to prevent Indian attacks. Notes throughout state of poverty in Nuevo Santander, except for discovery of mineral de tamaulipa (?). Beginning folio 235, detailed lists of livestock stolen from inhabitants of Altamira between 1768 and 1772. Followed by Series of less detailed accounts of livestock theft and murder committed against various Villas and rachos in area. (A. Tukey, July 1989)

Summary of testimonies about Escandon's record in completing orders to pacify and reduce Indians and settle Nuevo Santander by officers and settlers and their charges against him. Funds spent, mistreatment of Indians, assassination of 5 capitans, use of Indians to work Escandon's land, build his Palace, and increase his wealth. Real cedula ordering pacification of Nuevo Santander delayed in its completion. Activities of Escandon include use of military funds, Indians reduction, founding of 14 settlements with population count of number and families and troops in each (f.8); plus 6 more settlements founded which were not in original budget of 115,000p. Complaint of not achieving increased agricultural production in spite of having fertile land, water; availability of minerals and salt. History of Escandon's earlier military record, reopening of missions. Problems resulting from drought. Espenses of military salaries and sinodos to missionaries. Annual costs in pacification process. Cost of settling 15 families from canary islands in Texas (ff.17). Organization of troops and distribution among settlements; distribution of lands. Difficulty of defending property under Indian hostilities. Complaint that Escandon's soldiers instead of gathering Indians together killed them inhumanely when they asked for peace. Murder by capitan trasieria and soldiers of slave and silversmith not punished or investigated by Escandon; Escandon named capitans and paid them salaries of 500p. (ff.33). Alvares' attempts at populating Rio Verde, movement of people, costs, problems with hostile Indians, mosquito plague (ff.56) order not to let Laredo capitan admit Apaches even though they offered peace (ff.57). Escandon prohibited commerce; payed soldiers in goods. Mining of silver without paying royal fifth (ff.63). Escandon has made few or no reducciones since 1746. List of 9 places on coast where Escandon says he has reduced total of 1,258 Indians and gives names of ethnic groups and number baptised in each location (ff.64). Service record of Escandon since he began service in Yucatan, distinguished service in Sierra Gorda as sargento mayor, teniente until 1746 (ff.68). Provides total inventory of livestock in 20 settlements. Movement of Escandon (Villa), Reynosa, and Burgos settlers to new Parajes (nuezes, Tetillas, Encinos). Molina reinstated as capitan; Barbara Resendi's complaints against Escandon (ff.83)(ff125). Charges against fray Garcia as being hipocrite receiving double salary (ff.91) description of reason for failure of mission for Cocos in San Saba due to murder of missionaries (ff.112). Apaches do not want to be reduced, only want peace and commerce with Spanish (ff.113). Even when they offer peace, Escandon gives them motives to be insolent. Murder at Rancheria of smallpox infected and other Indians by capitan went unpunished (ff.120). Massacre of Janambres on road to Horcasitas (ff 121). Paz not punished for murder of Indians (ff.122). Guevarra's murder of reduced Indians of mission of Santander unpunished. Cordova's mistreatment of Indians in Rio Frio (ff.124). Use of Indians Sihui, janambre as work force, Indian death due to hard labor (ff.125). Attempt to reduce Pames threatening to drive them to the coast. Indians paid 4p month plus rations for corn growing and also grew their own crops (ff.131). Escandon allowed people exemption from debts in order to populate settlements. Escandon's appointing as capitans convicted murder. Escandon refused to release Sanches Borriego who was involved in riot of Coahuila to Serma. Two destructions of Pizones' church in Santa Rossa and Taumave missions. Taking of Indian lands to give to Carmelita priests for 10 years. No payment of Diezmos for farmland; Diezmos payments of hollas, Mier, and Revilla. Escandon nor captain Vasques Borrego payed Diezmos for their large cattle haciendas. Gives cost of campaign against Indians of north and Apaches who attacked Taguacanas. Defense of Escandon's choice of capitans and families to populate settlement in that it is difficult to find cultivated people like those from the capital--they must come from the provinces. Description of Tanambre November 1754 destruction of mission Ruvoroso near Escandon; only 4 escaped including missionary. Complaint of Tanambres robbing, Murdering. Escandon captured tamambre rebles and sent them to Querataro prison. Tamambres and Tonases sent to Querataro as labors, servants and for convents. Marcos Molino's case in which he worked for Hidalgo for 15 years without payment. (ff.163) use of hard labor as punishment as well as death sentence. (L. L. Woodward, November 1988)

Concerns administrative correspondence dealing with appointment of commander for Nayarit, Canaveral gives notice of his illness to the viceroy, notice of Bando sent to Xalapa regulating merchants, notice of charges brought against Indians for workshiping idols, beds and uniforms are requested for troops, advancement of salaries requested to buy food for presidio's troops, notice that prices of salt and other staple foods have been raised due to low rainfall, Alberni gives notice that visitas to missions have been postponed due to his illness. (M. Marroquin, April 1989)

Vague letters of political, military bureaucratic ramblings. Letters concerning rent on salt mines near Altamira, tariff on measures of salt. Letter accusing Zuniga of considerable injury to Indians, acting illegally; requests report of circumstances, details of crime in order to proceed against him. (A. Dean, June 1989)

Interest in establishing salt warehouse. Castaways from English schooner. Concerns orders for 29 soldiers of company of San Sabas, military administration, viceroy's receipt of news. Concerns conduct of Tobar and other inhabitants. Tobar resigns. Concerns Apache hostilities and use of soldiers. (L. L. Woodward, April 1988)