Silver

Concerns a complaint lodged by Serna relating to adulteress behavior of his wife; concerns the new reglamentos de presidio approved by the king and implemented by Bucareli, article related to monies set aside for troops was implemented when Durango and Alamo treasuries could not provide necessary funds, Guadalajara assets would be used, as a result of this the establishment of the paymaster's office in Chihuahua and allowing Esconsa to draw from this institution, mentions the establishment of various pagadurias and other institutions used to provide for troops. Neve attests to fact that his province produces the income enough to provide for troops, asks to be exempt from the charges made upon his area, death of neves followed by an examination of the state of revenues in the pagaduria de Arispe, administrator of revenues states that method of providing revenues to internal provinces must be found, intendent of Sonora recommends a tax to be established to preclude interesados from getting exemptions. Rangel submits two state of accounts, one that refers to consignments from Vizcaya and Mexico, and the other that refers to consignments from Sonora, only treasury from Guadalajara would be remittable. Correspondence of Loyola and the treasurer of Chihuahua follows as they demonstrate the necessity of los productos de rentas for the financial solvency needed to provide for the troops, documents show how funds were taken from different geographic locations to provide for those areas in the most need. In the note accompanying this document mention is made of a military inspection with results of retired and invalid soldiers to be provided so the real tribunal can better budget its sources; decision made to situate the paymaster's office mentioned earlier in Saltillo because of its central location, index of meetings of the junta Superior to discuss location of Pagaduria; letter describing jurisdictional problems as they relate to sending revenues to the capital, revenues coming from tobacco and excise taxes. (O. Velez, November 1989)

First two letters in this Series barely legible; followed by an index of correspondence that centers around military fiscal affairs for the year 1801; commentary on the decisions of the junta Superior on matters related to accounts for military finances, index continues into March of 1803, speaks of matters such as the percentage to be Charged on bills of exchange, the reestablishment of the rescate de oroy plata , military communications, transportation costs; beginning with ff. 0268 sequence of folios was photographed on top of folio 0279; real tribunal answering questions as to whether or not the percentage being Charged on bills of exchange was producing some benefit to the real hacienda in light of the administrative costs associated with it, answers that there have occurred some controversies associated with payments of salaries in the presidios. There has been limited implementation of the percentage mentioned in order not to jeopardize the integrity of the general funds, the percentage has been changed to 12 percent (from 1 12 percent) in light of its deleterious effects, ff. 0268-0278 not decipherable due to half pages being copied, upside down and reversed placement etc.; index mentioned earlier resumes on ff. 0279 with basically the same type of abstracts (tracing the correspondence related to the accounts and their submission to periodically to the real tribunal de Cuentas); letter from Nava informing Berenguer de Marquina that the estados de ingreso, salidas, y existencia de Caudales de la real caxa of Arispe was sent to him by Guebara; index mentioned above ends with February 3, 1810. (O. Velez, October 1989)

Order allows exception for Bonavia in that he is allowed to ship metals out of southern ports if and when he makes sure that shipments reach Spain directly; letter advising the virrey the deleterious effect that some of Bonavia's measures are having on the fiscal condition of the real hacienda, real tribunal de Mineria, and miners in the Provincias Internas de Occidente, petition that virrey order Bonavia to terminate measures described, measures in question have been discussed in detail in the preceeding folios of this volume starting with ff.147 and in general terms include donations of metals to mint, allowing unlimited entry to metals into the area from other areas and the related trade in contraband, allowing of gold and silver to come into ports in Provincias Internas de Occidente from Peru, Guatemala etc. Instead of being shipped directly to Spain, charging of duties on metals going to Mexico City instead of the duty being Charged there; sagaxruxieta advises virrey on how to proceed with petition of the administrative bodies cited above I terms of transmittal of communications; a summary of the provisions adopted by the junta provisional, the provisions adopted by the real tribunal general de Mineria in response as well as those by the real hacienda; letter from virrey making decision to decide in favor of the request of the real tribunal general de Mineria to terminate the contributions of metals to the mint established in Durango. (O. Velez, September 1989)

Letter advising of decision by tribunal de mineria that bulk gold and silver shipments will not be permitted from the southern ports; index of letters in this sequence; letter partially explaining the decision as one motivated by the problems being encountered in ships reaching Spain; copy of testimony given to fiscal on this matter questioning the prudence of this prohibition, mentions effects on the royal fifth, understands the order to be directed at ports in Peru and Guatemala, in addition thinks that the prohibition is directed at shipments leaving said ports and headed not for Spain but for Veracruz; further reservations expressed concerning prohibition on matters such as; having miners barter a third of their holdings in metal for coin currency with the metals being given to the establishment of a provisional mint being established in Durango the shipping prohibition mentioned earlier, and an objection to royal fifth being Charged in places other than Mexico when the destination of metals in question is Mexico; letter describing instance where a shipment of metals from Peru to Mexico was turn back in accordance with new law; copies of permits related to above are requested, permission was given by presidente de Guadalaxara to Olasagarre, Parrani, and Boet. (O. Velez, September 1989)

According to vandos, use of Mescal prohibited, and Corbalan will pass orders relating alcohol use to judges. Corbalan thanks Croix for position as governor; Belena's request of approval of chapter of instruction for directing Alamos treasury regarding return of silver and gold approved by Corvalan. Accounting of gold and silver consigned to Echeveste for processing. Report heavy rains ruining crops and mill in Horcasitas, and loss of wheat destined for troops. Request for funds for Sonora expedition and for the Alamos treasury; viceroy informs Corbalan of 4% Alcabala charge; receipt of vandos and description of their contents, including banishment of Jesuits. Echeverte provided with 67o357 pesos and supplies for the expedition, and request for more funds. Accounting of amounts of iron at Alamos factoria and its value. Corbalan informs Croix that he is sending documents on military Inspections of troops to be sent to the expedition, as well as documents on military expenses. Viceroy to Corbalan regarding prohibition of Indian use of alcohol, Indian excesses (robbery, insults) and need for punishment. Delivery of silver late, and discussion of availability of quicksilver. Lack of food supplies in Rosario, and insufficient amounts to supply boats or send to California; Valenzuela appointed capitan and Justica mayor in Mazatan. (L. L. Woodward, July 1989)

Letter from Anzoastegui's lawyer for virrey requesting the fianza to the calumnia. Anzoastegui is accused of traffic in unregistered silver. The petition is denied by fiscales. List of the official letters on the misconduct of Joseph Monzon and Anzoastegui. Fiscales inform virrey that the maritime minister has given notice of the dangers of San Blas port for some ships, especially those from Panama. The risk is that the ships run ashore and there are great losses. In another letter the treasurer of San Blas Labastida has been named to replace Anzoastegui. (K. Hubin, August 1990)

Concerns accusation of Perez y Anzoategui of secret sales and export of silver bars from port of San Blas; contains extensive legal documentation of crimes, witness testimonies and letters incriminating the accused

Most important documents will be referenced below by folio no. Most unusual document is letter to Pison signed and likely written by his wife regarding his importance to family (f. 308). Incredibly filthy swear words attributed to him, directed against priest during mass, quoted and underlined in ff. 244-245. Useful diagnosis of ailment (sinocat putrida) and simple treatment prescribed of better diet, sleep, exercise by surgeon (f. 316 ?) Traces processes of judicial procedure in determination of charges of other bad conduct on Pison's part, brought by teniente de gobernador Moreno in Loreto. Included is detailed service and conduct record and witnessed testimonies of Pison's past military service; and other biographical information. Accused of years of drunkenness, womanizing, thievery, setting bad examples for mission Indians. Jailed at mission; some witnesses testify that he reacted to provocation by others; Pison requests change of venue for unbiased trial and accessibility to witnesses for his defense who are themselves in prison in Guadalajara. Released by authorities on bail paid by Ramon Espinosa; although his mine personal effects are kept. At trial, jailed prisoners clear him of murder of Osio, by swearing latter died by drowning. Pison countercharges Moreno with beating and refusal to allow his case to go before Barri. Provides motive for Moreno's silencing him by citing evidence of Former's absconding with treasury funds and illegal trade in alcoholic beverages. Missionaries and Armona testify to his generally good character, despite drinking bouts. Final decision, however, by Valcarcel; approved by viceroy is that Pison must be punished by losing personal effects, mine, military title and lifetime banishment from Californias. Ff. 328-331, when punishment given, Pison petitions Bucareli to allow him for temporary stay in Loreto with family to make financial arrangements before his expulsion. (J. M. Johnson, July 1989)

Lopez de Toledo describes inventory of Loreto warehouse and lack of sufficient supplies for California missions and presidios. Purchases ordered by superiors, transportation schedules. Stresses need for more money to provision expeditions to Monterrey and San Diego, refers to Galvez 1768 recommendations to remedy scarcity of supply; improve agricultural production and sheep production for meat and wool for clothing. Information Sonora (Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe); Canoas Santa Rita, San Ignacio, San Xavier, Guadalupe and San Francisco Solano; paquebots el Principe, Lauretana, Concepcion, San Antonio and San transhipment to California, pay for craftsmen and Mule drivers. Ff. 196-197 and 211-212 roster list of officers and soldiers with salaries for compania de Cuera. Ff. 209 reports shipwreck off Sonora, sailors lost, plans for other ship to take survivors and cargo to California. (J. M. Johnson, June 1989)