Autos pertaining to challenge by Vargas to kings naming of Rodriguez Cubero as new governor of New Mexico. Diego Vargas claims title of Conquistador of New Mexico due to his retaking territory from rebel Indians. Vargas also claims that new governor is not entitled to territories of Santa Fe and adjacent towns but only of el Passo del Rio del Norte. King confirms Rodriguez Cubero in letter to viceroy. (Arturo dell' acqua, June 1987)

Petition to viceroy to allow governor Cruzate to enter territories of New Mexico and reduce peoples and land as before under crown also to name fray Ayeta as procurador and provincial of territory. (A. Dell'acqua, may 13, 1987)

Describes geographical range Pimeria Alta missions. Speaks of continuing Apache menace. Notes depopulation of area due to diseases, Apache attacks. Discusses temporal affairs of missions, including livestock raising, planting communal fields maize, wheat, and vegetables, which feeds widows, sick, military escorts, mission Indians during lean months of April, May, and June, thereby inducing Indians to remain in pueblos instead of wild-food gathering. Notes sale of surplus to mines/presidios to purchase church supplies, barter goods. Notes decline of mission agriculture last 8 years due to lack of seeds, decline of Cieneguilla mines, and increased number of farmers. States mission business is conducted by Indian governors under missionaries' guidance. Describes architecture of Indian houses; agriculture, including cultivation of pomegranates, quinces, cotton, and sugar cane as well as shrubs of gomilla, jojoba, both of which used medicinally. Describes herbs used, including indigo (anil), gediondilla, zimarron, contra yerba. Claims 2 harvests pithaya per year in west. Notes presence gypsum, lime, piedra bezal found in deer, especially those killed near coast. Says province is covered with grama grass, thereby providing forage for much livestock. Describes climate, mineral wealth, including real of Cieneguilla, only settlement of Spaniards in Pimeria Alta. Describes settlements. Tiburones described as Seri groups. Describes excellent salt fields along coast. Describes port of Tepoca/pearl beds nearby. Notes presence of subterranean water. Says Papagos come to missions to sell young boys captured in slave raids carried out by interior nations; these slaves called Vijoras (Nixoras). No active commerce carried on by Indians. Describes uses of cotton. Says Pimas are good farmers, growing wheat, maize, squash, cotton. During harvests, many traders arrive to barter cloth, etc. for produce. Says Pimas stay in pueblos, not like Yaquis and many Opatas who wander (probably to work in mines). Discusses reasons why missions should not be secularized. Estimates Gila Pima population at 2,000. Compares Pimas favorably to Opatas, who no longer respect missionaries. Describes temporary nature of Spanish settlement of Sonora, Pimeria Alta. Says 8 leagues from Aconchi, the San Juan mine, full of water, is abandoned now. Discusses precautions necessary for populating Sonora. Encourages development of Tepoca, Guaymas to give Sonora easy access to sea, Tiburon Island as way station for transportation of livestock. Discusses need to develop educational facilities, including primary schools at Indian settlements. Notes belief among Opatas at Aconchi in Montezuma, who they claimed was their king and had risen and appeared in mountains. Describes his school, which taught girls as well as boys to read, write. (T. Sheridan) (1976)

Informes concerning Spanish-Indian relations in the northern Provincias Internas. Provides excellent description of state of affairs. Included are estimates of number of enemy Indians, and enumerations of presidial troops and auxiliaries. Good discussion of presidial needs for defense (E.g. Rivera), need to augment soldiers, change location of presidios, remove women and children to safer regions. Also included are freight lists of goods for Indian campaigns and fiscal documents concerning expenses incurred during campaigns. (J. Carpenter, June 1987)

Several autos concerning the mistreatment of mission Indians at Punta de Lampazos. Also, documents concerning financial needs of missionaries and lists of mission goods (spices, textiles) for the years 1738-1740 at Dolores mision. (J. Carpenter, June 1987)

Numerous autos giving testimony concerning Indian depredations by cabellas Coloradas and others in, and around, San Antonio Bexar. Also details concerning subsequent capture and incarceration of Indians. (J. Carpenter June 1987).

Documents concerning conflict between Franciscan missionaries and presidios over land and water rights. Missionaries cite increasing tension and pressures on reduced Indians over diminishing resources due to presidial exploitation. (J. Carpenter, June 1987)

Important documents concerning the military state of affairs at San Antonio Bexar. Discussion of presidio defenses, need to punish Indians for hostilities, need to augment number of presidial troops. Also, enumeration of Indians in missions districts. Indian use of firearms. Problems with French. (J. Carpenter, June 1987)

Describes friendly reception given him by 300 Guaymas newly reduced to settlement of Belem. States many Gentiles asking for baptism. says Indians content with new life. (T. Sheridan, berkeley, 1976)

Notes reception conflicting orders from Pardinas Villar, presidente Guadalajara Audiencia, concerning Sinaloa presidial garrison. Unable to send 30 soldiers ordered by Pardinas to Sonora because of danger piracy Sinaloa, robberies livestock committed by Indians Sinaloa rivers hiding in mountains. States Sinaloa forces needed reduction Indians that province; too far from Sonora to be of assistance. Discusses Pima attack on Cuquiarachi, assistance rendered by Sinaloa detachment. (T. Sheridan, berkeley, 1976)