Visitas (Military)

Index to administrative correspondence (1743-1767) treating matters which include discussion of campaign against Apaches; transferring presidio San Xavier to jurisdiction of San Saba; mission establishment in Reyno de Leon; pearl fishery on coasts of Californias; destruction of friendly Cumanche ranch; reduction of Jaquis to San Buenaventura; means to liberate Nueva Viscaya from enemy invasions (J. Hiller, July 1989).

Arredondo informs virrey about a fight between the Lipanes and the company from Bavia and the results of the battle. In ff. 163, another battle is referred to but now in the Paraje of the Tortuga. Lopez fought Indian, killing him with his hands; ears of Indian cut and presented to the comandante; official letter determines that all adventurers aprehended with arms in hands, or those giving them help, will be punished with pena capital, and the confiscation of all properties. (D. Bautista, June 1990)

Report by Escandon of foundation of mission at Tancoiol, naming ff 108-109. Escandon also visits Cadereyta and Tilaco mission; provides description of 4 companies of troops and discussion of need for more troops to capture fugitive mocos jonases, as well as need for more religious personnel. Description of mission structures; provides names of Pame Meco officials and census of ignorance of Christian teachings, also example of polygamy among Indians. Establishment of San Miguel de Conca and Santa Maria de Agua de Landa misions for Mecos, describes natural resources and division of land to Indians for corn production. Ff 126-127 census of Mecos Pames from Santa Maria de Agua de Landa divided by rancherias. Establishment of San Miguel Conca mission by Escandon with help of Fernandez de la Rama, Romero, and Peruzquia; includes description of surroundings and crops, naming of civil officials, census of Mecos Pames ff. 132-136, 138-139, and list of fugitives from mission. (L. L. Woodward, September 1989)

Autos describing excandon's visit to five Sierra Gorda missions. Dismissal of missionary Cabeza de Baca for negligence of responsibilites, also discussion of need to rebuild mission structures, inventory of mission furnishings especially images of saints and religious paraphernalia, measurement of mission lands, list of Mecos Pames of Xalpa mission ff 97-100, including number of Christian converts. Auto regarding election of Alcaldes and other officials attended by Mecos Pames officials. Saldivar reports that in all missions the children and adults go to Christian doctrine classes and provide details on attendance. (L. L. Woodward, September 1989)

Correspondence between viceroy and Anza about overland expedition of later to open route to California from Sonora. Letters begin with Anza advising viceroy of recruiting of troops to substitute in presidio for men in expedition, his difficulties finding horses in area as Apaches had previously attacked presidio taking most horses. Anza purchases mules and leaves Tubac presidio January 1774 advising capitan Urrea and governor Crespo, obtaining as a guide capitan Yuma Tarabal, Anza goes to Altar presidio to buy horses. Anza worries about news of split between Yumas and crossing their lands. Anza lists 34 persons in expedition including frays Diaz and Garces. Anza encounters a Soyapa Indian who tells him of route and division of upper Colorado River; de Anza describes the physical stature of Yumas and mode of dress, also describes fertility of banks of Colorado and agricultural richness of area. Arrives at mission San Gabriel on April 1, 1774. Viceroy writes Anza with orders that if he encounters expedition coming from Loreto commanded by Moncada, they should together find best areas in San Francisco to construct two missions which will make it possible for more people to populate area. Anza returns to Tubac leaving Monterrey on April 22. Anza is transferred to presidio Terrenate and temporarily to Altar before he has sent an account of expedition to viceroy in Mexico City. In subsequent letters Anza relates meeting Junipero Serra sixty leagues before Monterrey in his return, also relates taking six soldiers from Monterrey with him to show them route to Rio Colorado and sending them back before leaving for Tubac, in subsequent letters Anza waits for many months before being ordered to travel to Mexico but cannot take trip before he pays amounts loaned from merchants to pay for expedition for which Anza request monies from viceroy. Viceroy writes de Anza consulting him based on personal explorations if route to New Mexico from Sonora and from New Mexico to Monterrey could be possible, de Anza relates based on experience and accounts by a Pima enslaved by people from New Mexico who escapes and crosses land in seven days. Anza calculates distance from Sonora to New Mexico 180 leagues and from Monterrey to New Mexico 368 leagues, advising if exploration should be taken it should start in September, earlier is too dry and later danger of snow is maximized. de Anza advises viceroy of danger crossing Apache lands and advises a person taking this expedition should know and understand territory and its people, de Anza offers himself as Head of this expedition to viceroy as best suited for the undertaking. Fray Garces comunicates with de Anza about his explorations in upper Colorado indicating encounter with Cocomaricopas and other people that dress, speak, and are similar physically to Apaches, fray Garces believes that a route thru Colorado River is possible to New Mexico based on accounts given him by new Indians he encountered. (A. Dell'acqua December 1987)

(A. Dell'acqua, January 1988)

Letters relating to re-establishment of presidio and mission de la Bahia del Espiritu Santo to a healthier and better defensive place, capitan Bustillos communicates that Actual site has deteriorated to an irreparable manner lack of wood makes it impossible to repair also for fuel of families there is not enough wood, area is full of swamps and water is not as good. Capitan Bustillos also complains about lack of priest as president of missions refuse to send a religious guide to presidio. Capitan describes a new explored site with plenty of wood, water and rocks to be utilized for construction, two creeks to provide with drinking water and irrigation of lands and site being only six leagues from bay stressing defensive emplacement. If viceroy desires such move it has to be carried out before winter. Capitan also participates arrival of convoy from presidio Adays and San Antonio four months after it left due to heavy rains. Comisario general of missions sends letter to presidente of missions by order of viceroy ordering him to send a priest to take charge of new mission built in new site of presidio of Bahia. (A. Dell'acqua, January 1988)

Detailed list compiled by Palou of objects taken from Jesuit missions in 1768 to be returned to Antigua California on paquebots San Antonio, el Principe and San Carlos. Contents for each mission compiled by priests. Major topics of other to be returned; description of Rivera y Moncada's conquest of San Diego; objects taken on loan for use by Galvez; supplies needed to reactivate mines; takeover of Jesuit missions by secular and clergy of other orders and economic consequences for haciendas; instructions for return of religious objects and responses by viceroy. (J. M. Johnson, may 1989)

Concerns relocation of presidio del sacramento to areas of loma pintada and Ayacacho because of a better strategic position to fight the Indians from those places. Military official disagrees with the idea because there is still a need to protect provinces and presidios in the Former place of the Sacramento presidio. Relocation is advocated because the new place has plenty of natural resources, fertile land, and some minerals. New place is said to be better because of better opportunity to put the Indians to work in agriculture. Reallocation of military personnel. Redistribution of land in places secured by presidios. Reorganizaton of presidios to take care of provinces is suggested by Balaunzaran who visited the area where presidios were being reorganized. (M. Marroquin, February 1989)

Concerns visitas and Inspections of presidios; invalids and retired people are encouraged to settle in San Antonio de Bexar; geographic location of presidio del sacramento is given; reorganization of presidios as a result of construction of new one is discussed; conditions for the construction of new are given in a government decree; location for the construction of presidio is said to have abundant food for horses and people also the discovery of minerals is mentioned; new location for presidio is discussed; conflicting reports on the resources of previous and new site for presidio is presented in document, officials reporting Argue a better defense for provinces in the new place. Salaries for military personnel are settled. Indians in Nueva Vizcaya are said to represent a problem for the exploitation of natural resources. (M. Marroquin, January 1989)