Weapons (Inventory)

Dionis went to Diego Ramon's presidio to present the map of the summary of autos written in 1688 and 1689 on the Asinay and Tejas Indians, their lifestyle, descriptions of the presidio called Espiritu Santo or San Luis or San Bernardo, its need to be populated by Spanish settlers rather than French and the measures taken to convert the Indians, establish security and trade. Leon sets off from Coahuila in 1684 to investigate a French settlement near the Rio Grande del Norte. Its location in degrees and minutes is given. Boat wreckage from French settlers is found. Leon suggests that presidios into the Tejas provinces be established for at least 1 million Indians could be converted and land is very fertile for farming. Very little progress made until after 1693 (reasons listed on ff. 440-445). Details of the Indians lifestyle and the settling of the Tejas provinces continues through ff. 451. Continuance of hearing of French spies trespassing into Tejas provinces (See Vol. 181.iii) in front of tribunal from ff. 452 - 471. Equiping of presidios and missions is covered in detail. List of those living at the San Antonio Paraje is on ff. 508. (E. Wilson, March 1990)

Continuation Cordero's report concerning pacified mescalleros, their interaction with troops, citizens in Paso and Norte; Uranga's account of weapons, munitions distribution. Summary of report trading with Indians upheld; thefts committed by Indians of isolated rancherias, Apaches Faraones of the Sierras de Sacramento, Guadalupe, Blancas, Diablo; troop number should be increased to deter rebellion, pursue and punish thieves; Indian disunity should be encouraged, loyal Indians should participate in actions against rebels. Nava's report to Revilla charges of misconduct, illegal weapons trade by troops; Cuerno Verde only Mescallero Rancheria believed involved in thefts; account of marquez stock transactions with Indians and troop under Ugalde's command; Picax-Ande only one in Norte to petition for peace; Lipanes present only when Emmisary Bilansatliche petitioned for peace; supports Cordero's recommendations for increased vigilance; men sent to Guanajuato, Paso; organizing for punitive action against Apaches Faraones. Revilla Gigedo acknowledges receipt of Nava's report recognizing need of measures outlined to punish thieves and maintain peace. (J. Higgins. April, 1989)

Expedientes requests beds for San Juan de Dios Hospital in Durango to take care of soldiers, 20 beds sent; regimento de dragones established in Durango; difficulties in housing soldiers and horses expressed, lack of pasture; bishop works out arrangement so horses can graze on local hacienda; 470 rifles with bayonets are received in Durango; three soldiers jailed after deserting dragones to join other regimento, other soldier jailed after selling his equipment; 100 more rifles requested for ranchers; money requested and received to put 470 rifles in working order; grouping includes volume index nos. 1-4 (p. Coyle October 1989)

Documents present information requested by virrey concerning conditions of troops led to Lampazos by Ugalde. Contains lists of uniforms, armaments and horses. Contains also relacion regarding finance of troops and provisions to each soldier by name. Includes nine testimonies of officers of said troops testifying that there were public card Games in camps, selling of military horses was permitted and soldiers received harsh reprimands and were otherwise mistreated. Vaamonde discusses costs of mules, supplies and maintaining soldiers and asks virrey to supply these funds. Includes accounts of money spent for items sent to troops in Lampazos.(M. Dannemiller, December 1988)

Merino, Gasiot, Mangino and others are appointed to military posts, with supporting references (ff. 649-656); typeset shipping inventory blanks with very detailed lists of commodities (ff. 657-680); request for escopetas, and other military supplies, for San Luis Potosi, includes detailed inventory lists with prices (ff. 681-703) (p. Coyle April 1990)

Make, model and condition of weapons on hand. Costs of converting old fusiles to escopetas. Due to adverse effects of Vera Cruz climate on weapons stored there, all weapons sent from Spain to be stored at Perote. Number, condition, freight and other cost accounting of carabinas shipped to Arizpe, Chihuahua, Monterrey, Luisiana. Detailed cost accounting of refurbishing and conversion of fusiles to escopeta S.J. Higgins, March 1989)

Inventory by caliber and condition of fusiles at the armerio of San Carlos de Perote. Discusses measures to refurbish damaged weapons stored at San Carlos, Vera Cruz, San Juan de Ulua, Puebla. In light of ongoing Indian hostilities, time required to receive new weapons from Spain, number of weapons needed to equip milicias of Toluca and Pardos of Puebla discusses need to centralize weapons storage at San Carlos to preserve existing stock of arms and convert outdated fusiles to escopetas. (J. Higgins, March 1989)

Correspondence concerning shipments of caravinas from Spain via Havana. Discusses weapons cost, condition upon arrival, final destination, shipping errors in size-caliber, shipping costs. Mentions weapons shortages and difficulty maintaining adequate stock, rehabilitation of old arms. (J. Higgins, March 1989)

Discusses content, cost, transportation, disposition of shipment pistolas and escopetas from Spain via Havana; numbers requested by, sent to presidios Nuevo Santander, Nuevo Reyno de Leon, California. Ongoing weapons need due to heavy use, shortage Armeros. (J. Higgins, March 1989)

Concerns weapons needed for sea ships la sutil and la Mexicana. Includes a list of inoperable weapons, proposed budget to repair them. Petitions approved by departamento de San Blas. (R. Gomez, October, 1989)