King of Spain orders closing of four missions; that religious relics be gathered by governor and held until their fate be decided upon. Orders consolidation of the following at presidio of San Antonio de Bexar. Vezions of the missions are ordered to move to Villa de San Fernando, near presidio of San Antonio de Bexar. Land and water to be given to those that had it before without hurting residents of San Fernando. A smaller fort is to be built on far Side of Arroyo del Zibolo, near San Antonio. Military officers (presidio commanders) are to be incorporated as lieutenants in new company at San Antonio. General instruction in proper performance of office of governor. Governor ordered to report weekly progress to captain of presidio of San Juan Baptista del Rio Grande. (T. Cederstrom, March 1987)

Each biennial report of Dominican missions in Baja California is followed by notes elaborating detailed additional information. Report itself lists number of priests at each mission for report period, religious wages due order sinodos, total population figures broken down by male-female, Indian-Spanish and others, and a general summary statement of significant numerical changes in these categories since the last report. Notes contain varied and interesting data on mission industries, crops, physical improvement or deterioration of facilities, attitudes toward Indian groups, social customs, geography, mission benefactors and much else. Folios 130-132 contain subjective views of missions success and impact on various Indian groups since 1698. (J. M. Johnson, December 1986)

Summary of status of taxation of persons living in Spanish territories since 1808 when policy of collecting taxes from Indians, mulatos and blacks was changed. Because heavy taxation caused economic and political difficulties, policy was submitted to supremo consejo de las indias for review. Former policy was put into force again to be enforced by Spanish authorities in all colonies and to be communicated throughout empire. (J. M. Johnson, November 1986).

Records for investigation, trial and sentence of 3 Indians (1 woman, 2 men) accused and convicted for murder of one missionary and accused of another at mision Santo Tomas in Baja California. Detailed statements by witnesses and those accused included. Original sentence was death by hanging but since no hangman could be found, sentence was carried out by firing squad. Public display of bodies after execution took place. Interesting for insights into cultural and racial attitudes, customs, etc. (D. Deeds, 1977). (J. M. Johnson, November 1986).

Budgets and Memorias (presidio financial reports) from all Alta California presidios elaborating supplies on hand, supplies needed by church and provisions to be imported from New Spain. Other documents list soldiers, including imbalidos and number in each rank. Changes in status are detailed for payrolls. D. Deeds (1977), (J. M. Johnson, November 1986).

Documents from Audiencia de Guadalajara concerning conviction of Juan Antonio Hernandez and others of complicity in theft. Hernandez sentenced to four years in Alta California. Many documents and records concerning his sentence, his transportation to and from Monterrey with his family (via fragatas Concepcion and Princesa), and provisions provided them (ff.444-478, 490, 535-539 deal with Hernandez case and that of Villasenor who Dies in San Blas prison before reaching California). Details of costs incurred by government. Assortment of reports and letters from government officials at Monterrey, San Blas, Guadalajara, and Mexico. Ff. 479-489 and 491-534 concern sentencing of other criminals also to be sent to Alta California as pobladores with their families (M. Vela, T. Prado, J.m.Carrillo, J.c. Simental, R. Ramirez, R. Ruiz, and others). Details about sentences and costs incurred to carry them out. Letter from Arrillaga to viceroy discussing complaints about behavior of criminals sent to Alta California as pobladores (ff. 500-501). Further discussion of this matter by Borbon. Carrillo discusses bad example pobladores sentenced to California present to mission Indians (ff. 515-516). Opinions of other officials in California, Guadalajara, and Mexico on matter of sentencing criminals to be pobladores in Alta California. (S. Fiederlein, 2-3-87)

Series of documents of administrative and fiscal matters for San Blas. Many deal with cargos and itineraries of paquebots San Carlos and el Principe (San Antonio) and fragata Santiago; others with personnel matters, ship construction and repair. On excess food supplies from Naval department to be given to presidios and missions in California and administered by Serra. F. 344 on three month leave for Choquet for accident suffered to rejoin wife in Spain after 14 yr. Separation; discussion of Hijosa's successor Ruiz and military escort to Mexico. Ff. Wife, approved by viceroy. Details given on amounts and construction of new launch for Paquebot and new buque de Paquebot, many details given on problems and techniques, delay to appoint Ayllon as contador; both assume new duties upon Hijosa's incapacitation. (J. M. Johnson, October 1988)

Most important documents concern arrival in San Blas of two carriages and four servants for Areche to be shipped to Acapulco (folio 198); and detailed inventory of the Goleta Sonora (N. S. de Guadalupe) including food supplies, its physical structure, rigging and equipment (ff. 199-213). Bausa requests monthly sum sent from royal treasury to Sister in financial need; approved by Hijosa and viceroy (ff. 330-333). Fragata Santiago (Nueva Galicia) and paquebots Concepcion and San Carlos; costs and logistics of transportation of materials to California ports; procurement of supplies and skilled labor for ship repair; appointments of Naval, religious and medical personnel; and reports on departmental personnel, including illnesses and deaths. (J. M. Johnson, September 1988)

Documents from various civilian officers and viceroy regarding contracting of avilitador for presidios of California. Lists of supplies for officers, troops and dependents; amounts of supplies to be Charged to cajas reales. Lists of craftsmen sent to area missions to teach crafts to general population. (A. Dell'acqua, may 1988)

Concerns reports of missions of Nueva California, Nueva Vizcaya, Nuevo Leon, Nayarit and Zacatecas. Reports include statistical information on agriculture, grains, land surveys, cattle, dates of establishment of mission, marriages, baptisms, geographic location (See folios 320, 339 and 340), stipends, salaries for missionaries (folio 361), administrators, population (folios 328-330, 364-379), Indian groups, commerce, industry, secularized missions, Indian conflicts, spiritual status of missionaries, and agricultural reports (See also folios 364-379). (M. Marroquin, June 1988)