Social Classes

Denunciations to intendente, relayed to viceregal officials. Miners overworked, poor drainage in mines and stealing from poor. Meson de Teotihuacan similar complaints and neglect of payment of Arancel customs tariffs. Atotonilco*)

Details and budgets of repairs on real carcel de Corte of real Sala del Crimen in Mexico by ingeniero Mascaro. Urgent repairs needed on dungeon and repair and enlargement of men's and women's prisons to avoid misconduct among inmates. Budget for dungeon prepared by Castera and funds approved by real hacienda. Ff. 25-27 good description of physical layout of surrounding area of carcel de Corte and types of people using the Callejon leading to entrance. Proximity to Alcalde's residence danger to official's families by criminals. Need for better security and cleanliness to instill good behavior in prisoners. Mascaro forcefully defends need for better social conditions for prisoners as well as welfare of officials. Ff. 29-31 budget of Mascaro for work on Alcalde's Palace, and prisions. Recommendations for solutions to problems, such as building new entrance to prisons. Series of documents on fiscal matters and royal ordances. Work began February 24 and concluded April 16, 1791. Ff. 36-50 lists of payrolls for workers on project, broken down by administrators, skilled workmen and laborers, for Series of inclusive dates. Details of materials purchased for repairs. Ff. 51-58 repairs to Casa del Mayorazgo, Puebla (See folios 1-8) to eliminate disorders in area of ruined factory. Cleaning out accumulated rubbish from area urgent. (J. M. Johnson, November 1988)

Ayuntamento asked to rebuild Casa de mayorazo on Calle de miradores in Puebla with Wall to stop the crimes committed around its ruins. Types of crimes discussed which occur in hidden recesses. Accumulation of rubbish to be cleaned out. (J. M. Johnson, November 1988) Gigedo, conde de (virrey)/Mineses Altamirano, pablo

Fiscal responses by which virrey does not approve the haciendas de las misiones de California exemption from payment of Alcabala for the year of 1786. The document mentions that the king did not approve the exemption of payment of Alcavala, since it is expected to benefit the haciendas but not the Indians; therefore, it is said, servants should be paid in kind; if they are paid otherwise, they will expend the money in alcohol and bad habits. The final response orders the haciendas de California and its servants to pay derecho de Alcavala. (R. Gomez, October 1988)

Cieneguilla described as richest gold fields that have been seen in this country, or even in all of new Spain, but mines deteriorating due to drought, lack permanent water nearby. Describes crude nature of mining operations, presence many Indians, other castes. Notes additional discoveries north, northwest, southwest Cieneguilla. Doubts they'll be worked because Sonoran miners lack intelligence, abandon mines if they don't begin to pay off immediately. Notes similar problems, including lack water, gold mines Aigame, 8 leagues (T. Sheridan, 1976)

Correspondence between comandante general and viceroy about military appointments. Questions about commandants not being able to obtain moneys to pay troops without written authorization from viceroy. Request to reintegrate Lasso de la Vega as he was fired as capitan de dragones for having married woman of disreputable background. (A. Dell'acqua, November 1987)

Concerns two unidentified commanders' requests for instructions in regard to their ward, Young conde, who has been sent to school and has subsequently fallen into bad company; pay of Cordero; provisions for horses and other livestock of regiment of dragoons. (J. Williams, may 1987)

Concerns various biographical aspects of Barrios; including; accusations of misconduct, arrest, punishments, reassignment as captain of San Buenaventura; his journey to frontier from Guadalajara; his dissatisfaction with command; his request for return to central New Spain. Documents also shed light on use of dragoons as Police force; travel customs of Noble ladies; financing and pay of dragoons; dispute over chain of command; accomplishments of Barrios Father as governor of Coahuila and Texas; Indian attacks on frontier and retirement. (J. Williams, may 1987)

Morales petitions virrey and is granted gratificacion de Mesa; little substantive value in documents. (D. J. McClelland, August 1988)

Escandon writes to Mexico that since pacification of his region is completed, he has through his own means, undertaken the building of houses and temples. requests a Scribe to come and take his diligencia and this is done. List of craftsmen appear in the scribes work, giving their backgrounds and physical appearance. Some craftsmen from Spain. (M. Bowman) (1978)