Instructions reiterating the viceroys interest in extending Spanish influence to the Tarahumar and the manner which should govern the effort. (D. Deeds) (1977)

Tarahumaras 1647, causing many deaths. Describes various death scenes, miracles, etc. Occurring during plague. (T. Sheridan) (1976)

General description of area around Papasquiaro, especially the valleys of San Pablo and San Ignacio. (T. Barnes) (1979)

Describes entrance many Tarahumaras into fertile valleys San Pablo, San Ignacio. Notes Former life without towns, devotion to warfare. Describes present reduction into pueblos; conversion; construction irrigation ditches (acequias); planting; weaving; work for Spaniards; peaceful, docile existence. Describes fertility valleys; presence arable fields/acequias; number/size fish in rivers; Mineral wealth mountains; presence silver mines. Mentions sale maiz, firewood in Parral. States there are 3 pueblos Tarahumaras, 2 pueblos Tepehuanes almost as tame. Notes presence, advocates conversion gentile Indians in mountains. Description active system directed culture change. Signed by 4 other missionaries. (T. Sheridan) (1976)

Description travails establishing mission Batuca Valley, including Indians' reluctance to accept christianity, refusal to provide priests with food, presence apostates, arrival hostile Indians from other areas, especially Baviacora, Sonora. To prove manhood questioned by Indians, azxilgueta arms himself with arcobus, machete, Marches into village, calls everyone women, declares he will defend them from enemies. After winning Indians' admiration, describes their language, cleanliness, dress, agriculture in glowing terms. Notes presence irrigation. Claims land will produce wheat, wine. Mentions Franciscan, Agustinian competition, Franciscan desire to secure best missions to north and leave Jesuits with hunger, heat and thorns of Sinaloa. Describes distance between sea, Villa de San Juan (New Mexico) as 200 leagues, populated by infinite people, enemies of everyone. Notes presence leather jackets, which people say come from unknown land interior. Concludes there are cows (possibly buffalo) there. Conflict among religious orders. Geographical, ethnological notions. Missionary techniques. (T. Sheridan) (1976)

Section missiones de San Ignacio en Mayo; Yaqui; Nevomes, Chinipas, y Cicibotaris (pp. 815-23). States most Indian nations experienced good harvests, health, allowing missionaries to extend conversions. Notes rapid adoption rosary, holy week ceremonies among Mayos, Yaquis. Recounts certain miraculous cures. States rebellious Nebomes now almost all reduced and at peace. When Spanish military force entered Nebome territory, surrounding Indian groups made peace as well. Notes successful conversion Chinipas, Sisibotaris (named after great chief who came to San Felipe de Sinaloa to seek baptism, priests for people). Fr. Mendez, converter of Nios, Ocoronis, Jeuecos, Mayos, Yaquis, sent to Sisibotaris, welcomed with ceromonies, etc. Very few hechiceros, no lewd night dances among Sisibotaris. Fertile fields of maiz, other vegetables irrigated from River with notable workmanship. Describes clothing men, women (cotton, deerskin, pita), virtue/modesty ladies, house styles/material. Paean to Sisibotari industry, modesty, lack of superstition. Sisibotari range given as 3 pueblos, 2 valleys. (T. Sheridan) (1976)

Hurdaide describes early attempts to colonize Sinaloa. Discusses his own conquest more than 100 leagues, 5 major rivers, 185,000 Indians. Notes that according to Cabeza de Vaca, 200 leagues between Sinaloa, Florida filled with (docile people well-disposed to receive the holy faith. Also states probably a land route from Sinaloa to California, although easier to go by boat (evidence not everyone thought California an Island). Mentions Indian unrest caused by Tlatoles from Tepehuan area. Asks for 30 Spanish settlers, no mulatos, mestizos or known rebels. Requests more soldiers, newcomers, not Spaniards already settled in Sinaloa. Asks that his Brother Martin Sanchez de Hurdaide be appointed protector of Indians. Describes importance Montesclaros presidio, construction 4 casas fuertes Yaqui, Mayo, Nebome areas. Mentions discovery Chinipa mines. In general, Hurdaide's apologetica 40 year career which has left him 40,000 pesos in debt. Indians he's fought called most bellicose New Spain. (T. Sheridan) (1976)

Notes that after 3 Spanish entradas, Yaquis finally suing for peace. Describes arrival Culiacan 6 Yaqui caciques who returned spoils they captured from last Spanish army of 16 soldiers, 4000 Indian allies, gave 4 sons as hostages, promised to be faithful friends and to return rebels from Rio de Sinaloa, professed allegiance to Spanish king. Also notes similar professions allegiance 3 powerful nations surrounding Yaquis. States that Yaquis sued for peace because even though Hurdaide, other 18 Spaniards abandoned by many Indian allies last battle, they fought their way to safety without fatality. says Indians call him goblin or ghost (duende) because of his ability to put down trouble before it really gets started. Mentions Indians living in caves (guaridas), burrows (madrigueras). States 1000 Indians Rio de Sinaloa rebelled November, 1609, fled to gentile villages Sierra de Chinipa. States intention to found Montesclaros presidio Rio Fuerte (Rio de Villa Vieja), March, 1610. Notes fidelity Mayo Indians, their efforts to make peace between Yaquis, Spaniards, their requests for Spanish articles clothing. Discusses provincial, presidial business, says he's 16,000 pesos in debt and will owe much more after he founds Montesclaros. (T. Sheridan) (1976)

Letter from mission of San Ignacio (Parras area) outlining religious, economic and social reasons why this effort should be combined with that of the Mapimi mission which had been more successful. (D. Deeds) (1977)

Various documents copied for this collection, include exploration of Parral and New Mexico areas, missionization and its development; establishment of a colegio in Durango and Indian hostilities and suppression of these. (R. Davis) (1979)