Silver

Antonio Mendoza petitions for eight Indians a month to construct a silver mine. After exacting promises about working conditions and wages, local officials give their permission. (T. Barnes) (1976)

Declarations of miners and silver mined for the eleven years, 1677-1688. (T. Barnes) (1976)

Nicolas Moreno and Jose Carbajal are highwaymen- been stealing Plata from shipments to royal hacienda. Caught. Punishment- Nicolas to serve 4 years on a presidio. Jose gets 200 lashes. (R. Davis) (1976)

Various authorizations, orders and receipts concerning silver shipped to Sonora. (R. Davis) (1975)

Representatives of San Diego petition governor concerning registration of silver output and taxes. In follow up document governor Enrique outlines in detail costs to be met and paid to the royal officials. (R. Davis) (1975)

A very interesting, but seemingly endless, criminal proceeding against an Indian slave accused of diverting pieces of silver to a mulato Esclavo who worked in a smelter. The defense rests on the minor status of the mulato Esclavo and a large number of petitions request release. The fiscal takes a personal interest in the case and orders the two to submit to torture - therefore the confessions should be treated with caution. Both defendents are sentenced to be sold at auction and to be sent to work in a Mortero. (C. Needham) (1975)

These documents include licences issued to wagonmasters to transport silver as tithe payments to Durango. The wagonmasters receive receipts of their cargo and Durango is notified. The goal seems to be that of preventing peculation and diversion of the silver to hands other than those eligible to receive the payments. (C. Needham) (1975)

Francisco de Lima, Vezino, Miner of Parral, empowers Antonio de Aldana, residente of Parral, Vezino of San Salvador, to carry 4550 pesos in silver from his mine to Durango to be banked. (R. Davis) (1975)

Manifests of silver mined, presented before the Alcalde mayor, to insure correct payment of the quinto upon arrival at Durango. A useful record of the amount extracted during this period of time. (C. Needham) (1975)

Alonso de Ontiveros applies for authorization to open a mine-hacienda for silver in San Diego. A citizens group led by Juan Martin Lineros and Guasan Guesrico protest saying the claim includes a spring which the many citizens need for water. They protest to governor Enrique Davila y Pacheco and a hearing is held. In the end Alonso gets to open his mine anyway. (R. Davis) (1975)