Ff. 157-158 concern property Briceno bought from Maldonado, now demolished to make way for new road; he paid 130 pesos for it, received 35 compensation. See related documents on ff. 107-113 of this volume. Ff. 162-166 are letters discussing excessive costs of maintenance of prisoners, ways to economize. Ff.164-165 are very detailed description of rations given to prisoners, variations for sick or obras publicas prisoners. Ff. 170-175 concern crowding in prison (Mexico C.), separating more dangerous prisoners from rest for security. (A. Dean, September 1989)

Series of documents centering around service of Jose Menendez Valdes as interim asesor y auditor de guerra de la comandancia general de las Provincias Internas. Menendez Valdes served in position, at half salary, upon promotion of Pedro Galindo y Navarro to asesor general del virreynato de Lima. Letters of recommendation and praise for both Menendez Valdes and Galindo y Navarro, including education and work records of both, with emphasis on Menendez Valdes. Discussion of difficult journey to Peru from Mexico (Menendez Valdes). Ultimately, Menendez Valdes returned to Guadalajara. No discussion as to his future position. (M. Longo, October 1989)

Request to send family of Diaz Solorzano 20 peso per month; notice that verification of funds be obtained at real Caxa of Chihuahua; sixth months of salaries to be held in real Caxa against transfer to family; Diaz writes that he spent his money while traveling and requests that money be spent out of Caxa from fianza of Ramirez; notice that monthly support given and contract of fianzero Ramirez filled; wife of Diaz receives first payment and requests 60 pesos More, reply that 80 pesos already liquidated and none left in treasury; wife acknowledges 80 pesos, but again requests added funds for her support. (p. Coyle March 1990)

Confirmation of providencias issued to California, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Mexico, Sonora stating no indio mestizo or other tributary caste may relocate from his residence without civil and parochial certification of marital, familial, tribal status. Rengel's correspondence with Flores requesting transfer to Mexico for health reasons. Flores suggests Rengel seek treatment in Sonora and assume command of forces there due to gravity of ongoing war there. Rengel repeats request for transfer citing lack of medical facilities in Sonora, noting competence of officers already in command there. Ugarte y Loyola acknowledges Flores' order that command of provincial forces be split in two and Rengel be made commander of Sonoran forces. (J. Higgins. March 1989)

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 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)

Ignacia Maria Guifas author of many detailed letters to the viceroy concerning her deceased husbands pension. She wrote that her Husband was due a promotion and requested that it be granted. She said that her Husband was not given fair treatment by his fellow and Superior officers. He threatened to report extortion and failure to pay taxes (Diezmos) to the viceroy. He made many enemies. Larrangan and Tuburcia attempted to kill Guifas with a glass of aguardiente containing poison. He went mad for eight days. Wife attempted to make antidote.

Document concerns visita given two years earlier by Osorio and Palacios to San Carlos and their ordering the repartimiento and occupation of the land. No such action has been taken by the villages. Some had even sold their parcels of land illegally. Decree forbidding the sale of land given. Other decree gives legal rights of land. Punishment of those who sold their land is advised. Nature of such punishment is not specified. (P. Lenz, September 1989)

Documents concern the request to move the Villa of Santillana. Village's sufferings due to lack of water is listed. Need to move Villa to a site closer to the River. F. 403 gives account of earlier decree of rationing of water and the construction of villages near water resources. Other documents suggest building aqueducts rather than transplanting village. but wells are said to contain water unhealthy to drink and general unsanitary conditions and excessive cost of constructing aqueducts and new wells is stated. Decision to move village is accepted. F. 411-412 gives inventory of possessions of each inhabitant and their possessions (firearms, gunpowder, ammunition, etc.). Final documents tell of the benefit the move will have on efforts of reducing Indians and of preventing them from crossing the River. Groups proceed to move to new location. (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)