Several years correspondence dealing with treatment of Apache, mayhem perpetrated by escapees; strategies to deter escape; mistreatment of captives re causes of escape-desertion and accountability; funds for sustaining Indian captives; problems encountered with captives in various localities; plans for relocation of Nuevo Santander Apaches to Habana and Vera Cruz separating men, women, children; use of Indian prisoner labor in tobacco harvests. (J. Higgins, March 1989)

Correspondence between Areche and O Conor; O Conor requests permission to exterminate Lipanes and other Indians in region; Areche recounts laws and historical documents and justifications in favor of and against actions proposed to be taken against Sonoran tribes; religion and hostility are major factors. (D. J. McClelland, January 1988)

Croix proposes establishment of comandancia general with Durango as headquarters due to great distance and inefficiency of governing Provincias Internas from Mexico City; reasoning includes efficient control of rich natural resources, necessity for outpost on borders to guard against foreign conquest of territories; suggests establishment include Casa de Moneda and Silla episcopal to convert Indians and minister to settlers effectively; also need for troops and comandante general for effective protection. (D. J. McClelland, January 1988)

Concerns an entire range of mission activities as described by Sonoran leaders to viceroy. Contains many suggestions for administration of missions, mostly on treatment of Indians. Quotes original purpose of conquest as stated by Alexandro VI. expresses need for schools, the teaching of Castellano, written permission for traveling Indians, static position of priests, appointment of two priests in case of illness and even distribution of Spanish population. Discusses the punishment of Indians, prohibiting them from liquor, gambling and salary advances. Describes Indian life and agriculture, their crops, cattle and weavings. Priests want them to establish in towns accessible to church in homes of stone or Adobe which resist fire. Relates difficulties and distances in reaching jobs and transporting goods. States that each Indian should have a horse to hunt Javali with their zaetas and harpoons. Hiaquis are hardworking but basically very lazy so must be given fruitful labor and compensate accordingly to men, women and children over 10. Spanish should not be permitted to buy Indian homes or land. Suggests jobs which benefit others such as in mines. Concerns Indian obligation to church in terms of tribute, priests salary and community building. Asks tithes from Durango be passed to Sonora. Describes gold and silver adornments and wine supplies of some churches and destruction of others due to Zeris and Pimas. Description of trip made by Ganzes to know and convert Indians. Finally, while Indian foreman should be chosen to give priests more freedom, governors should be appointed not elected by Indians. (M. Dannemiller, October 1987)

Concerns distribution of troops on the frontier. Pacheco answers viceroy's request for an explanation as to why troops have been separated from conquest areas. Pacheco explains that there is not enough money to support many more conquered Indians. Many of frontier lands lack water for crops. Some of frontier areas accepted Spanish settlement without the need for troops while sometimes the troops are separated from the areas where needed due to lack of cooperation between missionaries and capitans. (M. Dannemiller, October 1987)

Concerns the response of governors and capitans of presidios to the viceroy's instructions for a new method of government. Contains a complete list of governors to receive the report. Comments on use of the method as pertains to the missions of Texas. Describes the condition of missions and the relations with Indians. Descriptions of religious routines, prayer, teaching, baptisms and weekly religious activities. Relates new year's process of election of governor, mayor and sheriff. Concerns economic conditions and mission sustenance crops of corn, beans, cotton and cana de Castilla. There was an abundance of cattle (bovine, ovine and caprine) but lacking equine due to frequent attacks. Cotton cloth, ponchos and blankets were made in missions. Contains detailed description of mission life, men and women's duties as well as wardrobe of converts and Elite. Suggestions made for improvements by example such as increasing Spanish populations to serve as examples of culture, government, industry and civil harmony. Authors offer the missions under their administration as examples and describe older methods which have served their development. Under Menchaca, necessities are kept and equally distributed in the missions and used to maintain troops. All administrators feel current system of government to be effective.

Contains letters from various priests concerning their ability or inability to apply the new method to their areas. Gonzales relates difficulties in promoting the plan due to the nature of the land and the temperament of the Indians. Concerns the location of missions and needed incentives to keep Indians in missions. Describes the roles of the missionaries as fathers, teachers and employers. Provisions for the sick and elderly. Discusses suspending the synod, expense records and an annual auditor to be sent by virrey. Relates deterioration and depopulation of missions of Chihuahua, condition of other missions and need to have Indians congregated there - not sent to Spanish haciendas. Discusses fact that Indians in Moqui are pacified due to fact that they live with christians, need for more missionaries and military to assure this type of peace and avoid violence such as with the Apaches. Includes a complete list of missions that received the virrey's instructions of July 13, 1772. (M. Dannemiller, October 1987)

Concerns frays' thoughts on the virrey's new method the ultimate goal of which is firm establishment of reducidos, establishment of new missions and development of missions perfection of spiritual culture and progression of spiritual conquest in north America. Effectiveness of method to depend on proper maintenance, election of qualified ecclesiastic as well secular workers chosen by prelados regulares and enactment of exact rules for missionaries and governors to follow. Concerns necessity for fortified presidios and expedition of Spanish forces with knowledge of nature and enemy's ways to protect missions against increasing movements of infidels on frontier. Petition for virrey's attention regarding proper wages for troops, ministers' salaries reimbursement for expenses incurred and maintenance of synods. Financial provisions to be made by instituting proxy for each province containing missions. Frays advise that to achieve goal, need to populate new areas, and establish new missions in most fertile areas. Indians should learn at the mission weaving or another laborio for commerce and must only be taken from mission for a true service of the crown. Detailed description of missionary duties and rules for the conversion of souls. Mention of Solorzano and book iure indiarum. Description of projects to be undertaken after seeds, raise birds and instruct converts in political and personal relations. Ministers must be most literate and must teach Indians Castellano. Missions must have a teacher and a school. Discusses Indian ideas on land ownership, but recommends a system of common land for Indians until their sufficient yield to divide it. Ideas expressed on Indian behavior, appropriate religious practices, mandatory daily town meetings to explain catholic concepts and use of agriculture, trade and kind treatment to attract Indians or return them to missions. Noted that Pimas are lazy and have few useful skills while Opatas are more hard-working and skilled due to more interaction with the Spanish. Concerns also need for doctors and hospitals. Discusses baptisms, Indian government and Indian obedience to their superiors. (M. Dannemiller, October 1987)

Documents deal with the transportation of 47 mecosto Mexico from Tula by Fernandez and at his own expense. Indeed, he says that to cover such costs he had to sell personal articles and is asking to be compensated for such costs. A letter by Garibay acknowledges such costs and it is advised to give Fernandez 200 pesos as compensation. Other aspects of the document speak of previous resettlement of Indians and speak of such resettlement as necessary to educate them, christianize them, and overcome su Gran indocil. there is a letter from conde de Sierra Gorda about a Collera of 121 Indians and he advocates his policy of separating men from women and children. F. 320-321 contains a useful list of Mecos Indians according to names and ages. (P. Lenz, September 1989)

Documents concern the breaking of peace by the Indians, their banditry and assorted killings. Interrogation of witnesses concerning knowledge of the Indians, of their breaking of the peace, and their crimes is given. F. 189 contains a list of the four points asked of each witnesses. 12 witnesses' responses to these questions follow with accounts of Indian attacks, their stealing of horses, and killing of various soldiers. One soldier killed at Pasaje de Noche Buena, for example. Other documents concern the groupings of various Indian tribes (mesquites, Mulas, and other nations) in order to assault the Villa of Padilla. A description of the persecution of these wayward Indians by the Spaniards is given. Last, there is an account of how the Indians should be brought into mission life and given to agriculture. It is said that under previous peace treaties, the Indians had been brought into the missions, had been given instruction in the planting of maize Frijoles and other agricultural pursuits and had been pacified and converted to christianity. This is the goal again, now that this peace has been broken by these Indians. (P. Lenz, September 1989)